1. Which medication suppresses the cough reflex?
Dextramethorpan
2. The nurse is caring for a patient taking guaifenesin (Robitussin) who is complaining of
nausea. Which is the nurse’s best response?
A) “This is a symptom of a cardiac problem”
B) “You need to see the physician right away”
C) “You should go to the nearest emergency unit”
D) “This is a common side effect of the drug”
3. A patient states taking oxymetazoline (Afrin) for a cough. Which is the nurse’s best
response?
A) The nurse should take the medication away from the patient
B) The nurse should ask how the patient is taking the medication
C) The nurse should reeducate the patient on the medication
D) The nurse should ask how the medication is working so far
4. Which statement indicates to the nurse the patient understood instructions about self-
administration of salmeterol (Serevent)?
A) “I will take this medication when I am wheezing”
B) “This medication will prevent an asthma attack”
C) “I will use the medication every 6 hours”
D) “This medication may decrease my heart rate”
5. The nurse is caring for patient who is taking inhaled corticosteroids and is experiencing
adverse effects. The physician has written an order to discontinue the medication. Which
is the safest action for the nurse to take?
A) Call the pharmacist for instructions on how to proceed
B) Anticipate an order to relieve withdrawal symptoms
C) Call the physician for medication tapering orders
D) Discontinue the medication and monitor the patient
6. A patient has a prescription for two inhalers. One inhaler is a bronchodilator and the
other is corticosteroid. Which statement tells the nurse the patient needs more teaching?
A) “The two drugs should be taken at least 2 minutes apart”
B) “I’ll take these medications when I have an attack”
C) “The bronchodilator should always be taken first”
D) “The medication should be taken exactly as order”
7. The nurse is caring for patient who is experiencing an acute episode of shortness of
breath and needs immediate relief. Which medication will the nurse choose for the
situation?
A) A beta agonist, such as albuterol (Proventil)
B) A corticosteroid, such as fluticasone (Flovent)
C) An anticholinergic, such as ipratropium (Atrovent)
, D) An antileukotriene, such as montelukast (Singulair)
8. A young adult would like to run a marathon during the summer heat and states he always
takes a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) before running. Which is the
nurse’s best response?
A) “Taking an NSAID before the race is a great way to prevent aches and pain”
B) “Taking an NSAID with potential dehydration may cause renal problems”
C) “Taking an NSAID is good, because NSAIDs are relatively narcotic”
D) “Taking an NSAID with electrolytes has potential to harm the liver”
9. The nurse is taking calls on the triage line in a clinic. Which is the nurse’s best response
when a mother calls to ask which medication to give a 5-year-old child with a fever from
the chicken pox?
A) “Let the fever break on its own; never give a child antipyretic”
B) “Aspirin will always work the best”
C) “You can try an alcohol sponge bath”
D) “Ibuprofen (Motrin); Aspirin is not recommended for children”
10. The nurse is caring for a patient with cancer who has become tolerant to morphine
sulfate (Morphine) and has a new order for a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch. Which would
be important for the nurse to understand about this new medication?
A) The dosage for the new medication will be the exact same as morphine
B) The patch can be used with a heating pad to increase its effectiveness
C) The dosage of the new medication will need to be a lower dose
D) This change in medication will help wean the patient off the morphine
11. The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a minor automobile accident and is
taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) for muscular pain. Which nursing diagnosis would be
appropriate for this patient?
A) Excess fluid volume
B) Acute pain
C) Disturbed sleep pattern
D) Risk for fall
12. The nurse is caring for an adult patient who is receiving morphine sulfate (Morphine)
and finds the patient unresponsive with a heart rate of 72 and a respiratory rate of 6. The
patient is unresponsive to stimulation. Which is the best action for the nurse to take?
A) Administer Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)
B) Call the rapid response team to intubate the patient
C) Get the code cart and use an ambu bag to give breaths
D) Administer oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin)
13. The nurse is caring for a toddler whose mother suspects has eaten an entire bottle of
chewable aspirin tablets. Which common sign of salicylate intoxication in children will
the nurse assess for?
A) Photosensitivity and nervousness
Dextramethorpan
2. The nurse is caring for a patient taking guaifenesin (Robitussin) who is complaining of
nausea. Which is the nurse’s best response?
A) “This is a symptom of a cardiac problem”
B) “You need to see the physician right away”
C) “You should go to the nearest emergency unit”
D) “This is a common side effect of the drug”
3. A patient states taking oxymetazoline (Afrin) for a cough. Which is the nurse’s best
response?
A) The nurse should take the medication away from the patient
B) The nurse should ask how the patient is taking the medication
C) The nurse should reeducate the patient on the medication
D) The nurse should ask how the medication is working so far
4. Which statement indicates to the nurse the patient understood instructions about self-
administration of salmeterol (Serevent)?
A) “I will take this medication when I am wheezing”
B) “This medication will prevent an asthma attack”
C) “I will use the medication every 6 hours”
D) “This medication may decrease my heart rate”
5. The nurse is caring for patient who is taking inhaled corticosteroids and is experiencing
adverse effects. The physician has written an order to discontinue the medication. Which
is the safest action for the nurse to take?
A) Call the pharmacist for instructions on how to proceed
B) Anticipate an order to relieve withdrawal symptoms
C) Call the physician for medication tapering orders
D) Discontinue the medication and monitor the patient
6. A patient has a prescription for two inhalers. One inhaler is a bronchodilator and the
other is corticosteroid. Which statement tells the nurse the patient needs more teaching?
A) “The two drugs should be taken at least 2 minutes apart”
B) “I’ll take these medications when I have an attack”
C) “The bronchodilator should always be taken first”
D) “The medication should be taken exactly as order”
7. The nurse is caring for patient who is experiencing an acute episode of shortness of
breath and needs immediate relief. Which medication will the nurse choose for the
situation?
A) A beta agonist, such as albuterol (Proventil)
B) A corticosteroid, such as fluticasone (Flovent)
C) An anticholinergic, such as ipratropium (Atrovent)
, D) An antileukotriene, such as montelukast (Singulair)
8. A young adult would like to run a marathon during the summer heat and states he always
takes a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) before running. Which is the
nurse’s best response?
A) “Taking an NSAID before the race is a great way to prevent aches and pain”
B) “Taking an NSAID with potential dehydration may cause renal problems”
C) “Taking an NSAID is good, because NSAIDs are relatively narcotic”
D) “Taking an NSAID with electrolytes has potential to harm the liver”
9. The nurse is taking calls on the triage line in a clinic. Which is the nurse’s best response
when a mother calls to ask which medication to give a 5-year-old child with a fever from
the chicken pox?
A) “Let the fever break on its own; never give a child antipyretic”
B) “Aspirin will always work the best”
C) “You can try an alcohol sponge bath”
D) “Ibuprofen (Motrin); Aspirin is not recommended for children”
10. The nurse is caring for a patient with cancer who has become tolerant to morphine
sulfate (Morphine) and has a new order for a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch. Which would
be important for the nurse to understand about this new medication?
A) The dosage for the new medication will be the exact same as morphine
B) The patch can be used with a heating pad to increase its effectiveness
C) The dosage of the new medication will need to be a lower dose
D) This change in medication will help wean the patient off the morphine
11. The nurse is caring for a patient recovering from a minor automobile accident and is
taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) for muscular pain. Which nursing diagnosis would be
appropriate for this patient?
A) Excess fluid volume
B) Acute pain
C) Disturbed sleep pattern
D) Risk for fall
12. The nurse is caring for an adult patient who is receiving morphine sulfate (Morphine)
and finds the patient unresponsive with a heart rate of 72 and a respiratory rate of 6. The
patient is unresponsive to stimulation. Which is the best action for the nurse to take?
A) Administer Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)
B) Call the rapid response team to intubate the patient
C) Get the code cart and use an ambu bag to give breaths
D) Administer oxycodone hydrochloride (OxyContin)
13. The nurse is caring for a toddler whose mother suspects has eaten an entire bottle of
chewable aspirin tablets. Which common sign of salicylate intoxication in children will
the nurse assess for?
A) Photosensitivity and nervousness
