RN PHARMACOLOGY A RELIAS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (LATEST 2026
UPDATE) – VERIFIED RATIONALES BUNDLE
Master your nursing boards with this definitive, question RN
Pharmacology Relias Exam practice bundle featuring verified
answers and comprehensive rationales directly beneath each
item. Designed specifically for the 2026 update, it covers
high-yield topics including dosage calculations, critical drug
interactions, and emergency nursing interventions.
Download this study guide today to streamline your review,
eliminate test anxiety, and secure a passing score on your
very first attempt.
1. A provider orders a leukotriene receptor antagonist for a
patient with asthma. Which medication fits this classification?
A) Albuterol
B) Montelukast
C) Fluticasone
D) Ipratropium
Answer: B
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor
antagonist used for long-term control and prevention of
asthma symptoms. Albuterol is a beta2-agonist,
, fluticasone is a corticosteroid, and ipratropium is an
anticholinergic.
2. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for
hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates an
accurate understanding of this medication?
A) "I should stop taking this medication if my feet start
swelling."
B) "I should take extra care when standing up or changing
positions."
C) "I will take this medicine right before I go to bed."
D) "I don't need to monitor my blood pressure while taking
this."
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that
can cause orthostatic hypotension. Patients should
change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls. It
should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia.
3. A 250 mg dose of an oral medication has been ordered. The
medication is supplied in 100 mg tablets. How many tablets
will the nurse administer?
A) 1.5 tablets
B) 2 tablets
C) 2.5 tablets
D) 3 tablets
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the formula Dose Ordered / Dose on
Hand = Amount to Administer: 250 mg / 100 mg = 2.5
tablets.
,4. Which medication is classified as a potassium-sparing
diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Spironolactone
D) Bumetanide
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone acts by competing with
aldosterone receptors in the distal renal tubules,
causing potassium retention while promoting sodium
and water excretion. Furosemide, bumetanide, and
HCTZ waste potassium.
5. A patient has received a fourth dose of IV vancomycin over a
30-minute duration. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that
the patient's face and neck are significantly flushed and red,
and they complain of severe itching. What does the nurse
suspect?
A) An anaphylactic reaction to the medication
B) An expected, benign therapeutic side effect
C) Red Man Syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
D) Pseudo-pseudogout manifestation
Answer: C
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is an infusion-related
reaction characterized by flushing, erythema, and
pruritus of the upper body, typically caused by
administering vancomycin too rapidly. It is managed by
slowing down the infusion rate.
6. Which medication would the nurse question if prescribed
concurrently for a patient who is actively taking sildenafil?
, A) Metoprolol
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Atorvastatin
D) Lisinopril
Answer: B
Rationale: Concurrent administration of sildenafil (a
PDE5 inhibitor) and nitroglycerin (a nitrate) can cause
severe, life-threatening hypotension. This combination
is strictly contraindicated.
7. A physician's written order reads: "Insulin glargine, 10 U,
subQ QD." What modification should the nurse request to
avoid dangerous medical abbreviations?
A) Suggest changing the route to intramuscular
B) Spell out "units" and write out "daily"
C) Request to change the medication to regular insulin
D) Use "u" and "qd" interchangeably for simplicity
Answer: B
Rationale: According to The Joint Commission's "Do
Not Use" list, "U" (units) and "QD" (daily) are error-
prone abbreviations that must be spelled out fully to
prevent medication errors.
8. A patient has a documented severe allergy to penicillin.
Which prescribed medication should the nurse question or
clarify with the provider?
A) Azithromycin
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Ceftriaxone
D) Gentamicin
Answer: C
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (LATEST 2026
UPDATE) – VERIFIED RATIONALES BUNDLE
Master your nursing boards with this definitive, question RN
Pharmacology Relias Exam practice bundle featuring verified
answers and comprehensive rationales directly beneath each
item. Designed specifically for the 2026 update, it covers
high-yield topics including dosage calculations, critical drug
interactions, and emergency nursing interventions.
Download this study guide today to streamline your review,
eliminate test anxiety, and secure a passing score on your
very first attempt.
1. A provider orders a leukotriene receptor antagonist for a
patient with asthma. Which medication fits this classification?
A) Albuterol
B) Montelukast
C) Fluticasone
D) Ipratropium
Answer: B
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor
antagonist used for long-term control and prevention of
asthma symptoms. Albuterol is a beta2-agonist,
, fluticasone is a corticosteroid, and ipratropium is an
anticholinergic.
2. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for
hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates an
accurate understanding of this medication?
A) "I should stop taking this medication if my feet start
swelling."
B) "I should take extra care when standing up or changing
positions."
C) "I will take this medicine right before I go to bed."
D) "I don't need to monitor my blood pressure while taking
this."
Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that
can cause orthostatic hypotension. Patients should
change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls. It
should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia.
3. A 250 mg dose of an oral medication has been ordered. The
medication is supplied in 100 mg tablets. How many tablets
will the nurse administer?
A) 1.5 tablets
B) 2 tablets
C) 2.5 tablets
D) 3 tablets
Answer: C
Rationale: Using the formula Dose Ordered / Dose on
Hand = Amount to Administer: 250 mg / 100 mg = 2.5
tablets.
,4. Which medication is classified as a potassium-sparing
diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Spironolactone
D) Bumetanide
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone acts by competing with
aldosterone receptors in the distal renal tubules,
causing potassium retention while promoting sodium
and water excretion. Furosemide, bumetanide, and
HCTZ waste potassium.
5. A patient has received a fourth dose of IV vancomycin over a
30-minute duration. Upon assessment, the nurse notes that
the patient's face and neck are significantly flushed and red,
and they complain of severe itching. What does the nurse
suspect?
A) An anaphylactic reaction to the medication
B) An expected, benign therapeutic side effect
C) Red Man Syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
D) Pseudo-pseudogout manifestation
Answer: C
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is an infusion-related
reaction characterized by flushing, erythema, and
pruritus of the upper body, typically caused by
administering vancomycin too rapidly. It is managed by
slowing down the infusion rate.
6. Which medication would the nurse question if prescribed
concurrently for a patient who is actively taking sildenafil?
, A) Metoprolol
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Atorvastatin
D) Lisinopril
Answer: B
Rationale: Concurrent administration of sildenafil (a
PDE5 inhibitor) and nitroglycerin (a nitrate) can cause
severe, life-threatening hypotension. This combination
is strictly contraindicated.
7. A physician's written order reads: "Insulin glargine, 10 U,
subQ QD." What modification should the nurse request to
avoid dangerous medical abbreviations?
A) Suggest changing the route to intramuscular
B) Spell out "units" and write out "daily"
C) Request to change the medication to regular insulin
D) Use "u" and "qd" interchangeably for simplicity
Answer: B
Rationale: According to The Joint Commission's "Do
Not Use" list, "U" (units) and "QD" (daily) are error-
prone abbreviations that must be spelled out fully to
prevent medication errors.
8. A patient has a documented severe allergy to penicillin.
Which prescribed medication should the nurse question or
clarify with the provider?
A) Azithromycin
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Ceftriaxone
D) Gentamicin
Answer: C
