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Lilley pharmacology
Section 1: Introduction to Pharmacology and the Nursing Process (Questions 1-
20)
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication history. Which of the following
best describes the term "pharmacokinetics"?
A. The study of the harmful effects of drugs on living tissues
B. The study of what the drug does to the body
C. The study of how the body processes a drug over time
D. The study of how genetic variations affect drug response
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the body processes a
drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Option A describes toxicology. Option B describes pharmacodynamics. Option D
describes pharmacogenomics.
2. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse identifying a patient's
actual or potential problems related to drug therapy?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase involves identifying actual or potential
problems (nursing diagnoses) and developing a plan of care. Assessment involves
,data collection. Implementation involves carrying out the plan. Evaluation
involves determining the effectiveness of the interventions.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is a known potent teratogen.
Which patient population is at the greatest risk for adverse effects?
A. Older adults
B. Pregnant women
C. Adolescents
D. Patients with renal failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A teratogen is a drug that can cause birth defects or fetal harm.
Pregnant women are at greatest risk because the drug can cross the placenta and
affect fetal development. Older adults are at risk for drug toxicity due to
decreased organ function. Adolescents may have unique considerations but are
not specifically at risk for teratogenic effects. Patients with renal failure are at risk
for drug accumulation.
4. A patient asks the nurse why they need to take a generic form of their
medication instead of the brand name. What is the most accurate response by
the nurse?
A. "Generic drugs are always safer than brand-name drugs."
B. "Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient and are therapeutically
equivalent."
C. "Generic drugs are less expensive but are not as effective."
D. "Generic drugs are only available for over-the-counter medications."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient(s) as brand-
name drugs and are therapeutically equivalent, meaning they produce the same
clinical effect. They are typically less expensive but equally effective. Generic
drugs are available for both prescription and OTC medications.
,5. A nurse is assessing a patient for potential drug allergies. Which of the
following is the most important question to ask?
A. "What medications do you take for your high blood pressure?"
B. "Have you ever had a reaction to a medication, and if so, what happened?"
C. "Do you prefer pills or liquid medication?"
D. "How do you pay for your prescriptions?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing for previous adverse drug reactions is critical for
preventing future allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. Asking about the nature of the
reaction helps differentiate between a true allergy and a side effect. The other
questions are relevant for a medication history but are not the priority for allergy
assessment.
6. Which of the following is an example of a subjective data point in a patient's
medication assessment?
A. The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg.
B. The patient reports feeling nauseous after taking a new medication.
C. The nurse observes a rash on the patient's chest.
D. The patient's lab report shows an elevated creatinine level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the patient, such
as symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. "Feeling nauseous" is a subjective
complaint. Objective data are measurable and observable, such as vital signs,
physical assessment findings, and lab results.
7. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient starting a new medication.
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient at risk for
experiencing adverse effects?
, A. Acute Pain related to headache
B. Risk for Injury related to potential adverse drug effects
C. Ineffective Health Maintenance related to lack of knowledge
D. Anxiety related to new medication regimen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Risk for Injury is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a
patient at risk for adverse drug effects, as it addresses the potential for harm.
Acute Pain would only be appropriate if the patient is currently experiencing pain.
Ineffective Health Maintenance relates to knowledge deficits. Anxiety may be
present but is not the priority for adverse effects.
8. The "rights" of medication administration are a critical safety check. Which of
the following is NOT one of the traditional "rights"?
A. Right Patient
B. Right Dose
C. Right Diagnosis
D. Right Route
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The traditional "rights" of medication administration include
Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, and Right Time. "Right
Diagnosis" is not one of the traditional rights, although the nurse should
understand the rationale for the medication. Additional rights include Right
Documentation, Right Reason, and Right to Refuse.
9. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a patient's antihypertensive
medication. Which finding indicates a positive therapeutic response?
A. The patient's blood pressure has decreased from 160/95 to 128/82 mm Hg.
B. The patient reports feeling dizzy upon standing.
C. The patient's heart rate has increased to 110 beats per minute.
D. The patient complains of a persistent dry cough.
questions drug classification nursing test bank medication
safety exam prep pharmacology nursing process guide NCLEX
pharmacology questions drug dosage nursing study guide
Lilley pharmacology
Section 1: Introduction to Pharmacology and the Nursing Process (Questions 1-
20)
1. A nurse is reviewing a patient's medication history. Which of the following
best describes the term "pharmacokinetics"?
A. The study of the harmful effects of drugs on living tissues
B. The study of what the drug does to the body
C. The study of how the body processes a drug over time
D. The study of how genetic variations affect drug response
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of how the body processes a
drug, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).
Option A describes toxicology. Option B describes pharmacodynamics. Option D
describes pharmacogenomics.
2. Which phase of the nursing process involves the nurse identifying a patient's
actual or potential problems related to drug therapy?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Implementation
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The planning phase involves identifying actual or potential
problems (nursing diagnoses) and developing a plan of care. Assessment involves
,data collection. Implementation involves carrying out the plan. Evaluation
involves determining the effectiveness of the interventions.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is a known potent teratogen.
Which patient population is at the greatest risk for adverse effects?
A. Older adults
B. Pregnant women
C. Adolescents
D. Patients with renal failure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A teratogen is a drug that can cause birth defects or fetal harm.
Pregnant women are at greatest risk because the drug can cross the placenta and
affect fetal development. Older adults are at risk for drug toxicity due to
decreased organ function. Adolescents may have unique considerations but are
not specifically at risk for teratogenic effects. Patients with renal failure are at risk
for drug accumulation.
4. A patient asks the nurse why they need to take a generic form of their
medication instead of the brand name. What is the most accurate response by
the nurse?
A. "Generic drugs are always safer than brand-name drugs."
B. "Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient and are therapeutically
equivalent."
C. "Generic drugs are less expensive but are not as effective."
D. "Generic drugs are only available for over-the-counter medications."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generic drugs contain the same active ingredient(s) as brand-
name drugs and are therapeutically equivalent, meaning they produce the same
clinical effect. They are typically less expensive but equally effective. Generic
drugs are available for both prescription and OTC medications.
,5. A nurse is assessing a patient for potential drug allergies. Which of the
following is the most important question to ask?
A. "What medications do you take for your high blood pressure?"
B. "Have you ever had a reaction to a medication, and if so, what happened?"
C. "Do you prefer pills or liquid medication?"
D. "How do you pay for your prescriptions?"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing for previous adverse drug reactions is critical for
preventing future allergic reactions or anaphylaxis. Asking about the nature of the
reaction helps differentiate between a true allergy and a side effect. The other
questions are relevant for a medication history but are not the priority for allergy
assessment.
6. Which of the following is an example of a subjective data point in a patient's
medication assessment?
A. The patient's blood pressure is 150/90 mm Hg.
B. The patient reports feeling nauseous after taking a new medication.
C. The nurse observes a rash on the patient's chest.
D. The patient's lab report shows an elevated creatinine level.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Subjective data are information reported by the patient, such
as symptoms, feelings, and perceptions. "Feeling nauseous" is a subjective
complaint. Objective data are measurable and observable, such as vital signs,
physical assessment findings, and lab results.
7. A nurse is developing a plan of care for a patient starting a new medication.
Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient at risk for
experiencing adverse effects?
, A. Acute Pain related to headache
B. Risk for Injury related to potential adverse drug effects
C. Ineffective Health Maintenance related to lack of knowledge
D. Anxiety related to new medication regimen
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Risk for Injury is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for a
patient at risk for adverse drug effects, as it addresses the potential for harm.
Acute Pain would only be appropriate if the patient is currently experiencing pain.
Ineffective Health Maintenance relates to knowledge deficits. Anxiety may be
present but is not the priority for adverse effects.
8. The "rights" of medication administration are a critical safety check. Which of
the following is NOT one of the traditional "rights"?
A. Right Patient
B. Right Dose
C. Right Diagnosis
D. Right Route
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The traditional "rights" of medication administration include
Right Patient, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Route, and Right Time. "Right
Diagnosis" is not one of the traditional rights, although the nurse should
understand the rationale for the medication. Additional rights include Right
Documentation, Right Reason, and Right to Refuse.
9. A nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of a patient's antihypertensive
medication. Which finding indicates a positive therapeutic response?
A. The patient's blood pressure has decreased from 160/95 to 128/82 mm Hg.
B. The patient reports feeling dizzy upon standing.
C. The patient's heart rate has increased to 110 beats per minute.
D. The patient complains of a persistent dry cough.
