NURS 711
EXAM 4
(Pharmacotherapies for Nursing Practice)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(NCLEX / Advanced Practice Style)
University of South Carolina
What you Will Get:
• 50+ verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept
reinforcement.
,Question 1. A nurse is providing education to a group of patients regarding
amphetamines. To evaluate the group’s understanding, the nurse asks a
participant to identify the expected effects of amphetamines. Which responses
indicate understanding? (Select all that apply.)
A. Increased heart rate
B. Suppression of pain perception
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Suppression of appetite
E. Vomiting
F. Increased alertness
Correct Answers: A, C, D, F
Rationale:
Amphetamines are CNS stimulants that increase the release of norepinephrine and
dopamine, producing increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, appetite
suppression, and heightened alertness.
• Option A (Correct): Tachycardia is a direct sympathomimetic effect of
amphetamines.
• Option B (Incorrect): Amphetamines do not suppress pain perception; this is an
effect of opioid analgesics.
• Option C (Correct): Vasoconstriction and cardiac stimulation raise blood
pressure.
• Option D (Correct): Appetite suppression is a well-documented CNS stimulant
effect.
• Option E (Incorrect): Vomiting is not a characteristic effect of amphetamines; it
may occur with nicotine or opioid toxicity.
• Option F (Correct): Increased alertness and wakefulness are primary
therapeutic and side effects of amphetamines.
Question 2. Chronic heavy drinking can cause which of the following
complications? (Select all that apply.)
A. Erosive gastritis
B. Fatty liver
C. Cirrhosis
,D. Acute pancreatitis
E. Wernicke encephalopathy
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale:
Chronic alcohol use damages multiple organ systems.
• Option A (Correct): Alcohol irritates the gastric mucosa, leading to erosive
gastritis and increased bleeding risk.
• Option B (Correct): Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is an early manifestation of
alcohol-related liver disease.
• Option C (Correct): With continued use, fibrosis progresses to cirrhosis.
• Option D (Correct): Alcohol is a leading cause of both acute and chronic
pancreatitis.
• Option E (Correct): Thiamine deficiency from poor nutrition in heavy drinkers
causes Wernicke encephalopathy.
Question 3. A patient who is taking a first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) for
schizophrenia is observed to have trouble speaking and chewing, with slow,
worm-like movements of the tongue. The nurse recognizes these findings as
which adverse effect?
A. Acute dystonia
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
**D． Akathisia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the
tongue, lips, face, and extremities that develop after prolonged use of FGAs.
• Option A (Incorrect): Acute dystonia involves sudden muscle spasms (e.g.,
torticollis, oculogyric crisis), not slow worm-like tongue movements.
• Option B (Correct): The orofacial choreoathetoid movements described are
classic for TD.
• Option C (Incorrect): NMS presents with fever, severe rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
, • Option D (Incorrect): Akathisia is a subjective feeling of restlessness and
inability to sit still, not orofacial movements.
Question 4. A woman in labor receives meperidine (Demerol) for pain. The nurse
caring for the infant will observe the infant closely for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Respiratory depression
**C． Tachycardia
D. Seizures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Meperidine is an opioid that readily crosses the placenta. It can cause CNS and
respiratory depression in the neonate, especially if given close to delivery.
• Option A (Incorrect): Opioids do not typically cause neonatal hyperglycemia.
• Option B (Correct): Neonatal respiratory depression is the priority assessment
after maternal opioid administration.
• Option C (Incorrect): Opioids generally cause bradycardia, not tachycardia.
• Option D (Incorrect): Seizures are not a characteristic effect of meperidine in
neonates.
Question 5. A patient who takes aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis is admitted
complaining of sweating, headache, and ringing in the ears. Laboratory studies
reveal a plasma salicylate level of 300 mcg/mL and a urine pH of 6.0. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer a loading dose of aspirin to achieve anti-inflammatory levels
B. Withhold the aspirin until the patient's symptoms have subsided
C. Increase the aspirin dose to better control arthritis inflammation
D. Administer sodium bicarbonate and encourage acidic urine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Salicylate toxicity (salicylism) is suspected. The therapeutic range for anti-inflammatory
effect is 150–300 mcg/mL; levels at the upper limit with symptoms (tinnitus, headache,
sweating) indicate toxicity.
EXAM 4
(Pharmacotherapies for Nursing Practice)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(NCLEX / Advanced Practice Style)
University of South Carolina
What you Will Get:
• 50+ verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept
reinforcement.
,Question 1. A nurse is providing education to a group of patients regarding
amphetamines. To evaluate the group’s understanding, the nurse asks a
participant to identify the expected effects of amphetamines. Which responses
indicate understanding? (Select all that apply.)
A. Increased heart rate
B. Suppression of pain perception
C. Elevated blood pressure
D. Suppression of appetite
E. Vomiting
F. Increased alertness
Correct Answers: A, C, D, F
Rationale:
Amphetamines are CNS stimulants that increase the release of norepinephrine and
dopamine, producing increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, appetite
suppression, and heightened alertness.
• Option A (Correct): Tachycardia is a direct sympathomimetic effect of
amphetamines.
• Option B (Incorrect): Amphetamines do not suppress pain perception; this is an
effect of opioid analgesics.
• Option C (Correct): Vasoconstriction and cardiac stimulation raise blood
pressure.
• Option D (Correct): Appetite suppression is a well-documented CNS stimulant
effect.
• Option E (Incorrect): Vomiting is not a characteristic effect of amphetamines; it
may occur with nicotine or opioid toxicity.
• Option F (Correct): Increased alertness and wakefulness are primary
therapeutic and side effects of amphetamines.
Question 2. Chronic heavy drinking can cause which of the following
complications? (Select all that apply.)
A. Erosive gastritis
B. Fatty liver
C. Cirrhosis
,D. Acute pancreatitis
E. Wernicke encephalopathy
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale:
Chronic alcohol use damages multiple organ systems.
• Option A (Correct): Alcohol irritates the gastric mucosa, leading to erosive
gastritis and increased bleeding risk.
• Option B (Correct): Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver) is an early manifestation of
alcohol-related liver disease.
• Option C (Correct): With continued use, fibrosis progresses to cirrhosis.
• Option D (Correct): Alcohol is a leading cause of both acute and chronic
pancreatitis.
• Option E (Correct): Thiamine deficiency from poor nutrition in heavy drinkers
causes Wernicke encephalopathy.
Question 3. A patient who is taking a first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) for
schizophrenia is observed to have trouble speaking and chewing, with slow,
worm-like movements of the tongue. The nurse recognizes these findings as
which adverse effect?
A. Acute dystonia
B. Tardive dyskinesia
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
**D． Akathisia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is characterized by involuntary, repetitive movements of the
tongue, lips, face, and extremities that develop after prolonged use of FGAs.
• Option A (Incorrect): Acute dystonia involves sudden muscle spasms (e.g.,
torticollis, oculogyric crisis), not slow worm-like tongue movements.
• Option B (Correct): The orofacial choreoathetoid movements described are
classic for TD.
• Option C (Incorrect): NMS presents with fever, severe rigidity, autonomic
instability, and altered mental status.
, • Option D (Incorrect): Akathisia is a subjective feeling of restlessness and
inability to sit still, not orofacial movements.
Question 4. A woman in labor receives meperidine (Demerol) for pain. The nurse
caring for the infant will observe the infant closely for which complication?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Respiratory depression
**C． Tachycardia
D. Seizures
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Meperidine is an opioid that readily crosses the placenta. It can cause CNS and
respiratory depression in the neonate, especially if given close to delivery.
• Option A (Incorrect): Opioids do not typically cause neonatal hyperglycemia.
• Option B (Correct): Neonatal respiratory depression is the priority assessment
after maternal opioid administration.
• Option C (Incorrect): Opioids generally cause bradycardia, not tachycardia.
• Option D (Incorrect): Seizures are not a characteristic effect of meperidine in
neonates.
Question 5. A patient who takes aspirin for rheumatoid arthritis is admitted
complaining of sweating, headache, and ringing in the ears. Laboratory studies
reveal a plasma salicylate level of 300 mcg/mL and a urine pH of 6.0. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer a loading dose of aspirin to achieve anti-inflammatory levels
B. Withhold the aspirin until the patient's symptoms have subsided
C. Increase the aspirin dose to better control arthritis inflammation
D. Administer sodium bicarbonate and encourage acidic urine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Salicylate toxicity (salicylism) is suspected. The therapeutic range for anti-inflammatory
effect is 150–300 mcg/mL; levels at the upper limit with symptoms (tinnitus, headache,
sweating) indicate toxicity.
