NU 155 FINAL EXAM PREP - ADVANCED
NURSING PHARMACOLOGY AND
CLINICAL CONCEPTS. QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS |
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A patient is prescribed a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action
is most critical for this patient?
A. Teaching the patient to double the dose if one is missed
B. Administering the drug with food to prevent GI upset
C. Monitoring serum drug levels frequently
D. Assessing the patient’s heart rate before administration
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is very small. Close monitoring of serum levels is
necessary to prevent toxicity while ensuring efficacy.
2. When administering an intravenous medication, the nurse understands that the
bioavailability of the drug is:
A. 100%
,B. Variable depending on gastric pH
C. Approximately 50%
D. Reduced by the first-pass effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bioavailability is the fraction of an administered dose that
reaches the systemic circulation. For IV administration, the drug enters the bloodstream
directly, bypassing absorption barriers and the first-pass effect, resulting in 100%
bioavailability.
3. A physician orders Heparin 1,200 units/hour. The pharmacy provides a bag with 25,000
units of Heparin in 500 mL of D5W. What is the pump setting in mL/hr?
A. 12 mL/hr
B. 48 mL/hr
C. 36 mL/hr
D. 24 mL/hr
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Calculate the concentration: 25,000 units / 500 mL = 50
units/mL. Then, divide the ordered dose by the concentration: 1,200 units/hr / 50
units/mL = 24 mL/hr.
, 4. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected by a patient’s hypoalbuminemia?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein for drug binding.
Hypoalbuminemia results in fewer binding sites, leading to more free (active) drug in the
bloodstream, which alters drug distribution and increases the risk of toxicity.
5. The nurse is reviewing a patient’s labs and notes a significantly decreased glomerular
filtration rate (GFR). What adjustment to the medication regimen should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Increased dosage to compensate for poor absorption
B. Decreased dosage frequency or lower dose amounts
C. Switching from oral to IV administration
D. No changes are necessary as GFR affects only nutrition
Answer: B
NURSING PHARMACOLOGY AND
CLINICAL CONCEPTS. QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS 100% GUARANTEE PASS |
GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING
1. A patient is prescribed a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. Which nursing action
is most critical for this patient?
A. Teaching the patient to double the dose if one is missed
B. Administering the drug with food to prevent GI upset
C. Monitoring serum drug levels frequently
D. Assessing the patient’s heart rate before administration
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is very small. Close monitoring of serum levels is
necessary to prevent toxicity while ensuring efficacy.
2. When administering an intravenous medication, the nurse understands that the
bioavailability of the drug is:
A. 100%
,B. Variable depending on gastric pH
C. Approximately 50%
D. Reduced by the first-pass effect
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bioavailability is the fraction of an administered dose that
reaches the systemic circulation. For IV administration, the drug enters the bloodstream
directly, bypassing absorption barriers and the first-pass effect, resulting in 100%
bioavailability.
3. A physician orders Heparin 1,200 units/hour. The pharmacy provides a bag with 25,000
units of Heparin in 500 mL of D5W. What is the pump setting in mL/hr?
A. 12 mL/hr
B. 48 mL/hr
C. 36 mL/hr
D. 24 mL/hr
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Calculate the concentration: 25,000 units / 500 mL = 50
units/mL. Then, divide the ordered dose by the concentration: 1,200 units/hr / 50
units/mL = 24 mL/hr.
, 4. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected by a patient’s hypoalbuminemia?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Albumin is the primary protein for drug binding.
Hypoalbuminemia results in fewer binding sites, leading to more free (active) drug in the
bloodstream, which alters drug distribution and increases the risk of toxicity.
5. The nurse is reviewing a patient’s labs and notes a significantly decreased glomerular
filtration rate (GFR). What adjustment to the medication regimen should the nurse
anticipate?
A. Increased dosage to compensate for poor absorption
B. Decreased dosage frequency or lower dose amounts
C. Switching from oral to IV administration
D. No changes are necessary as GFR affects only nutrition
Answer: B
