Test Bank for Lehne’s Pharmacology for Nursing
Care, 12th Edition
By Jacqueline Burchum & Laura Rosenthal
Chapter 1: Orientation to Pharmacology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.
When explaining how a medication works to treat a disease, the nurse draws primarily on knowledge of:
a. Clinical pharmacology
b. Drug efficacy
c. Pharmacokinetics
d. Pharmacotherapeutics
Correct Answer: D — Pharmacotherapeutics
Rationale:
Pharmacotherapeutics focuses on the clinical use of drugs to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Clinical
pharmacology encompasses all drug–human interactions. Drug efficacy refers to the degree to which a drug
produces its intended effect. Pharmacokinetics examines how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes,
and excretes medications.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Four Basic Terms
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
When a drug is described as “easy to administer,” this means:
a. It can be stored indefinitely without refrigeration.
b. It has minimal drug interactions.
c. It promotes patient adherence to the regimen.
d. It is inexpensive to manufacture.
Correct Answer: C — It promotes patient adherence
Rationale:
Medications that are simple to administer (e.g., fewer daily doses, noninvasive routes) increase the
,likelihood of patient compliance. Ease of administration does not necessarily relate to cost, storage, or drug
interactions.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Additional Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Assessment
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3.
A patient reports that an analgesic prescribed is “very effective.” Which statement demonstrates correct
understanding?
a. “I don’t have to worry about toxicity.”
b. “It has no side effects.”
c. “I only take it every 12 hours.”
d. “It relieves my pain for several hours, though it may make me sleepy.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A drug is considered effective if it produces the intended therapeutic effect, even if side effects occur.
Toxicity, side effects, and dosing frequency are separate considerations and do not solely define
effectiveness.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Evaluation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1.
Which characteristics describe an ideal drug? (Select all that apply.)
a. Irreversible action
b. Predictability
c. Ease of administration
d. Chemical stability
e. Simple trade name
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale:
An ideal drug should demonstrate predictability, ease of administration, and chemical stability. It should
have reversible effects and a simple generic name rather than a trade name.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Assessment
,NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
To assess individual variability before administering medication, the nurse should consider which factors?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Chemical stability of the medication
b. Ease of administration
c. Family medical history
d. Patient’s age
e. Patient’s diagnosis
Correct Answers: C, D, E
Rationale:
Genetic predispositions (family history), age-related differences, and the patient’s diagnosis can
significantly alter drug metabolism and response. Drug properties such as stability and ease of
administration do not influence patient variability.
Chapter 2: Application of Pharmacology in
Nursing Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.
A patient using albuterol via metered-dose inhaler reports jitteriness and inconsistent relief. Which action is
not appropriate?
a. Ask the patient to demonstrate inhaler technique.
b. Assess tobacco smoke exposure.
c. Auscultate lungs and obtain vital signs.
d. Recommend reducing to one puff to decrease side effects.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Altering the prescribed dosage is outside the nurse’s scope of practice without a provider’s order. The other
interventions are appropriate components of assessment and evaluation.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
A patient prescribed acetaminophen/hydrocodone asks about taking Tylenol for fever. The best response is:
,a. OTC drugs should never be taken with prescriptions.
b. Taking both increases risk of toxicity.
c. There are no known interactions.
d. They are different drugs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Both medications contain acetaminophen. Concurrent use increases risk for hepatotoxicity and overdose.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
3.
Which action represents the assessment phase before administering an antihypertensive?
a. Request serum drug levels.
b. Monitor for interactions after administration.
c. Ask about OTC medications.
d. Monitor blood pressure during therapy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Assessment includes gathering baseline information prior to therapy. Post-administration monitoring is part
of evaluation.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Assessment
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
4.
A patient rates postoperative pain as 8/10. The order is acetaminophen 650 mg PO every 6 hours PRN.
What should the nurse do?
a. Ask about past effective medications.
b. Contact provider for stronger analgesic.
c. Administer acetaminophen and reposition.
d. Request dosing every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acetaminophen is indicated for mild to moderate pain. Severe pain requires a stronger analgesic.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Nursing Process: Diagnosis
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
5.
, When teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient about insulin, the nurse should begin by:
a. Having the patient demonstrate insulin administration.
b. Teaching storage and syringe disposal.
c. Explaining diet and exercise effects.
d. Discussing long-term complications.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Correct administration is critical because dosing errors can be fatal. Demonstration verifies understanding.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Planning
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
6.
Which action is not part of the six rights of medication administration?
a. Assess pain 15–30 minutes after morphine.
b. Verify last administration time.
c. Check drug reference for correct dosage.
d. Document reason for administration.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Post-administration assessment is part of evaluation, not the six rights.
7.
A patient reports migraine medication is ineffective. The nurse should first:
a. Ask about dose and frequency taken.
b. Assess current pain level.
c. Notify the provider.
d. Suggest biofeedback.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Compliance must be assessed before determining treatment failure.
8.
Which patient has the greatest risk for adverse drug reactions?
a. 30-year-old with kidney disease
b. 75-year-old with cystitis
c. 50-year-old with URI
d. 9-year-old with otitis media
Care, 12th Edition
By Jacqueline Burchum & Laura Rosenthal
Chapter 1: Orientation to Pharmacology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.
When explaining how a medication works to treat a disease, the nurse draws primarily on knowledge of:
a. Clinical pharmacology
b. Drug efficacy
c. Pharmacokinetics
d. Pharmacotherapeutics
Correct Answer: D — Pharmacotherapeutics
Rationale:
Pharmacotherapeutics focuses on the clinical use of drugs to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Clinical
pharmacology encompasses all drug–human interactions. Drug efficacy refers to the degree to which a drug
produces its intended effect. Pharmacokinetics examines how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes,
and excretes medications.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Four Basic Terms
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
When a drug is described as “easy to administer,” this means:
a. It can be stored indefinitely without refrigeration.
b. It has minimal drug interactions.
c. It promotes patient adherence to the regimen.
d. It is inexpensive to manufacture.
Correct Answer: C — It promotes patient adherence
Rationale:
Medications that are simple to administer (e.g., fewer daily doses, noninvasive routes) increase the
,likelihood of patient compliance. Ease of administration does not necessarily relate to cost, storage, or drug
interactions.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Additional Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Assessment
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
3.
A patient reports that an analgesic prescribed is “very effective.” Which statement demonstrates correct
understanding?
a. “I don’t have to worry about toxicity.”
b. “It has no side effects.”
c. “I only take it every 12 hours.”
d. “It relieves my pain for several hours, though it may make me sleepy.”
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
A drug is considered effective if it produces the intended therapeutic effect, even if side effects occur.
Toxicity, side effects, and dosing frequency are separate considerations and do not solely define
effectiveness.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Evaluation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1.
Which characteristics describe an ideal drug? (Select all that apply.)
a. Irreversible action
b. Predictability
c. Ease of administration
d. Chemical stability
e. Simple trade name
Correct Answers: B, C, D
Rationale:
An ideal drug should demonstrate predictability, ease of administration, and chemical stability. It should
have reversible effects and a simple generic name rather than a trade name.
Cognitive Level: Comprehension
Topic: Properties of an Ideal Drug
Nursing Process: Assessment
,NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
To assess individual variability before administering medication, the nurse should consider which factors?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Chemical stability of the medication
b. Ease of administration
c. Family medical history
d. Patient’s age
e. Patient’s diagnosis
Correct Answers: C, D, E
Rationale:
Genetic predispositions (family history), age-related differences, and the patient’s diagnosis can
significantly alter drug metabolism and response. Drug properties such as stability and ease of
administration do not influence patient variability.
Chapter 2: Application of Pharmacology in
Nursing Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1.
A patient using albuterol via metered-dose inhaler reports jitteriness and inconsistent relief. Which action is
not appropriate?
a. Ask the patient to demonstrate inhaler technique.
b. Assess tobacco smoke exposure.
c. Auscultate lungs and obtain vital signs.
d. Recommend reducing to one puff to decrease side effects.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Altering the prescribed dosage is outside the nurse’s scope of practice without a provider’s order. The other
interventions are appropriate components of assessment and evaluation.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
2.
A patient prescribed acetaminophen/hydrocodone asks about taking Tylenol for fever. The best response is:
,a. OTC drugs should never be taken with prescriptions.
b. Taking both increases risk of toxicity.
c. There are no known interactions.
d. They are different drugs.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Both medications contain acetaminophen. Concurrent use increases risk for hepatotoxicity and overdose.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Implementation
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
3.
Which action represents the assessment phase before administering an antihypertensive?
a. Request serum drug levels.
b. Monitor for interactions after administration.
c. Ask about OTC medications.
d. Monitor blood pressure during therapy.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Assessment includes gathering baseline information prior to therapy. Post-administration monitoring is part
of evaluation.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Assessment
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
4.
A patient rates postoperative pain as 8/10. The order is acetaminophen 650 mg PO every 6 hours PRN.
What should the nurse do?
a. Ask about past effective medications.
b. Contact provider for stronger analgesic.
c. Administer acetaminophen and reposition.
d. Request dosing every 4 hours.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Acetaminophen is indicated for mild to moderate pain. Severe pain requires a stronger analgesic.
Cognitive Level: Analysis
Nursing Process: Diagnosis
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies
5.
, When teaching a newly diagnosed diabetic patient about insulin, the nurse should begin by:
a. Having the patient demonstrate insulin administration.
b. Teaching storage and syringe disposal.
c. Explaining diet and exercise effects.
d. Discussing long-term complications.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Correct administration is critical because dosing errors can be fatal. Demonstration verifies understanding.
Cognitive Level: Application
Nursing Process: Planning
NCLEX Category: Physiologic Integrity – Reduction of Risk Potential
6.
Which action is not part of the six rights of medication administration?
a. Assess pain 15–30 minutes after morphine.
b. Verify last administration time.
c. Check drug reference for correct dosage.
d. Document reason for administration.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Post-administration assessment is part of evaluation, not the six rights.
7.
A patient reports migraine medication is ineffective. The nurse should first:
a. Ask about dose and frequency taken.
b. Assess current pain level.
c. Notify the provider.
d. Suggest biofeedback.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Compliance must be assessed before determining treatment failure.
8.
Which patient has the greatest risk for adverse drug reactions?
a. 30-year-old with kidney disease
b. 75-year-old with cystitis
c. 50-year-old with URI
d. 9-year-old with otitis media
