Saunders NCLEX Pharmacology
Questions
A client is prescribed imipramine once daily. The nurse determines that additional teaching is
needed on the basis of which statement by the client?
"I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
"I'll take the medication in the morning before breakfast."
"I won't notice any medication effects for at least 2 weeks."
"I'll be sure to take a missed medication dose as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next
dose." - verified answer "I'll take the medication in the morning before breakfast."
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. The client should be instructed to take a single daily dose of
the medication at bedtime, not in the morning, because of its side effect of sedation. The client
should avoid alcohol or other central nervous system depressants during therapy. The medication
effects may not be noticed for at least 2 weeks. The client should take the medication exactly as
directed, but if a dose is missed the client should take it as soon as possible unless it is almost time
for another dose.
The nurse notes a persistent, dry cough in an adult client being seen in the ambulatory clinic. When
questioned, the client states that the cough began approximately 2 months ago. On further
assessment, the nurse learns that the client began taking quinapril shortly before the time that the
cough began. How should the nurse interpret the development of the cough?
An early indication of heart failure
Caused by neutropenia as a result of therapy
Caused by a concurrent upper respiratory infection
An expected although bothersome side effect of therapy - verified answer An expected although
bothersome side effect of therapy
,A frequent side effect of therapy with any angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, including
quinapril, is a persistent, dry cough. In general, the cough does not resolve during the course of
medication therapy, so clients should be advised to notify the primary health care provider if the
cough becomes very troublesome. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is analyzing the laboratory studies on a client receiving dantrolene to treat muscle spasms
from an injury. Which laboratory test would identify an adverse effect associated with the
administration of this medication?
Platelet count
Creatinine level
Liver function tests
Blood urea nitrogen level - verified answer Liver function tests
Dose-related liver damage is the most serious adverse effect of dantrolene. To reduce the risk of
liver damage, liver function tests should be performed before treatment and throughout the
treatment interval. Dantrolene is administered at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time
necessary.
A client is taking trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride. The nurse should assess for which side or adverse
effect of this medication?
Diarrhea
Urinary retention
Urinary incontinence
Excessive perspiration - verified answer Urinary retention
,Trihexyphenidyl is an anticholinergic medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Therefore, it can cause urinary hesitancy and retention, constipation, dry mouth, and decreased
sweating.
The nurse would anticipate that the primary health care provider (PHCP) would add which
medication to the regimen of the client receiving isoniazid?
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Gabapentin
Cyanocobalamin - verified answer Pyridoxine
Isoniazid is an antituberculosis medication. Clients receiving isoniazid can develop neuropathy, and
the agent of choice to help prevent this adverse effect is pyridoxine, vitamin B6. Niacin is used to
lower the cholesterol level. Gabapentin is used to prevent seizures and for peripheral neuropathy,
and cyanocobalamin is used to treat anemia.
A client has begun therapy with a xanthine bronchodilator. The nurse determines that the client
understands dietary alterations if the client states to limit which items while taking this medication?
Select all that apply
Milk
Coffee
Oysters
Oranges
Pineapple
Chocolate - verified answer Coffee
Chocolate
, The nurse teaches the client to limit the intake of xanthine-containing foods while taking a xanthine
bronchodilator. These include coffee and chocolate. The other food items are acceptable to
consume.
A client with multiple sclerosis is receiving baclofen. The nurse assessing the client monitors for
which finding as an indication of a primarytherapeutic response to the medication?
Decreased nausea
Decreased muscle spasms
Increased muscle tone and strength
Increased range of motion of all extremities - verified answer Decreased muscle spasms
Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant and acts at the spinal cord level to decrease the frequency and
amplitude of muscle spasms in clients with spinal cord injuries or diseases or with multiple sclerosis.
Increased muscle tone and strength and increased range of motion of all extremities are not directly
related to the effects of this medication. Decreased nausea is an incorrect option.
A female client with carcinoma of the breast is admitted to the hospital for treatment with
intravenously administered doxorubicin. The client tells the nurse that she has been told by her
friends that she is going to lose all her hair. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"Your friends are correct."
"You will not lose your hair."
"Hair loss may occur, but it will grow back just as it is now."
"Hair loss may occur, and it will grow back, but it may have a different color or texture." - verified
answer "Hair loss may occur, and it will grow back, but it may have a different color or texture."
Questions
A client is prescribed imipramine once daily. The nurse determines that additional teaching is
needed on the basis of which statement by the client?
"I need to avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
"I'll take the medication in the morning before breakfast."
"I won't notice any medication effects for at least 2 weeks."
"I'll be sure to take a missed medication dose as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next
dose." - verified answer "I'll take the medication in the morning before breakfast."
Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant. The client should be instructed to take a single daily dose of
the medication at bedtime, not in the morning, because of its side effect of sedation. The client
should avoid alcohol or other central nervous system depressants during therapy. The medication
effects may not be noticed for at least 2 weeks. The client should take the medication exactly as
directed, but if a dose is missed the client should take it as soon as possible unless it is almost time
for another dose.
The nurse notes a persistent, dry cough in an adult client being seen in the ambulatory clinic. When
questioned, the client states that the cough began approximately 2 months ago. On further
assessment, the nurse learns that the client began taking quinapril shortly before the time that the
cough began. How should the nurse interpret the development of the cough?
An early indication of heart failure
Caused by neutropenia as a result of therapy
Caused by a concurrent upper respiratory infection
An expected although bothersome side effect of therapy - verified answer An expected although
bothersome side effect of therapy
,A frequent side effect of therapy with any angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, including
quinapril, is a persistent, dry cough. In general, the cough does not resolve during the course of
medication therapy, so clients should be advised to notify the primary health care provider if the
cough becomes very troublesome. The other options are incorrect.
The nurse is analyzing the laboratory studies on a client receiving dantrolene to treat muscle spasms
from an injury. Which laboratory test would identify an adverse effect associated with the
administration of this medication?
Platelet count
Creatinine level
Liver function tests
Blood urea nitrogen level - verified answer Liver function tests
Dose-related liver damage is the most serious adverse effect of dantrolene. To reduce the risk of
liver damage, liver function tests should be performed before treatment and throughout the
treatment interval. Dantrolene is administered at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest time
necessary.
A client is taking trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride. The nurse should assess for which side or adverse
effect of this medication?
Diarrhea
Urinary retention
Urinary incontinence
Excessive perspiration - verified answer Urinary retention
,Trihexyphenidyl is an anticholinergic medication used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
Therefore, it can cause urinary hesitancy and retention, constipation, dry mouth, and decreased
sweating.
The nurse would anticipate that the primary health care provider (PHCP) would add which
medication to the regimen of the client receiving isoniazid?
Niacin
Pyridoxine
Gabapentin
Cyanocobalamin - verified answer Pyridoxine
Isoniazid is an antituberculosis medication. Clients receiving isoniazid can develop neuropathy, and
the agent of choice to help prevent this adverse effect is pyridoxine, vitamin B6. Niacin is used to
lower the cholesterol level. Gabapentin is used to prevent seizures and for peripheral neuropathy,
and cyanocobalamin is used to treat anemia.
A client has begun therapy with a xanthine bronchodilator. The nurse determines that the client
understands dietary alterations if the client states to limit which items while taking this medication?
Select all that apply
Milk
Coffee
Oysters
Oranges
Pineapple
Chocolate - verified answer Coffee
Chocolate
, The nurse teaches the client to limit the intake of xanthine-containing foods while taking a xanthine
bronchodilator. These include coffee and chocolate. The other food items are acceptable to
consume.
A client with multiple sclerosis is receiving baclofen. The nurse assessing the client monitors for
which finding as an indication of a primarytherapeutic response to the medication?
Decreased nausea
Decreased muscle spasms
Increased muscle tone and strength
Increased range of motion of all extremities - verified answer Decreased muscle spasms
Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant and acts at the spinal cord level to decrease the frequency and
amplitude of muscle spasms in clients with spinal cord injuries or diseases or with multiple sclerosis.
Increased muscle tone and strength and increased range of motion of all extremities are not directly
related to the effects of this medication. Decreased nausea is an incorrect option.
A female client with carcinoma of the breast is admitted to the hospital for treatment with
intravenously administered doxorubicin. The client tells the nurse that she has been told by her
friends that she is going to lose all her hair. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
"Your friends are correct."
"You will not lose your hair."
"Hair loss may occur, but it will grow back just as it is now."
"Hair loss may occur, and it will grow back, but it may have a different color or texture." - verified
answer "Hair loss may occur, and it will grow back, but it may have a different color or texture."
