1. A patient with diabetes is prescribed an SGLT-2 inhibitor. What
is the most common side effect associated with this drug class?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Dehydration
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: B) Dehydration
Rationale: SGLT-2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion,
leading to osmotic diuresis, which can cause dehydration as a
common side effect.
2. Which of the following is the primary use for the medication
albuterol?
A. Long-term control of asthma
B. Relief of acute bronchospasm
C. Treatment of infections
D. Reduction of inflammation
Answer: B) Relief of acute bronchospasm
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used to relieve
acute bronchospasm in conditions like asthma.
3. A nurse is administering potassium chloride to a patient. Which of
the following is an essential consideration when administering this
medication?
A. It should always be given on an empty stomach.
B. It should be diluted in a large volume of fluid and given slowly.
C. It should be taken with grapefruit juice to enhance absorption.
D. It should be administered intramuscularly to avoid
gastrointestinal upset.
Answer: B) It should be diluted in a large volume of fluid and given
slowly.
Rationale: Potassium chloride can irritate the gastrointestinal tract
and cause severe pain if given undiluted or too rapidly. It should be
diluted and given slowly to prevent complications like arrhythmias.
4. A nurse is administering a dose of metformin to a patient with
type 2 diabetes. Which of the following should the nurse be aware of
in relation to this medication?
A. Metformin can cause significant weight gain.
B. Metformin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
,C. Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment.
D. Metformin should be taken with high-protein meals for optimal
absorption.
Answer: C) Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal
impairment.
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal
impairment due to the increased risk of lactic acidosis. It should be
used with caution and monitored in patients with renal disease.
5. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which of the following
side effects is most concerning?
A. Constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Nausea
Answer: C) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening side effect of
opioids that can lead to hypoxia or respiratory arrest. It is the most
concerning and requires immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is administering a dose of acetaminophen to a patient.
What is the maximum daily dose for an adult?
A. 1,000 mg
B. 3,000 mg
C. 4,000 mg
D. 6,000 mg
Answer: C) 4,000 mg
Rationale: The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen
for an adult is 4,000 mg to avoid liver toxicity.
7. Which of the following medications is most likely to cause
photosensitivity as a side effect?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Tetracycline
C. Lisinopril
D. Furosemide
Answer: B) Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracycline, a class of antibiotics, is known to increase
the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of
sunburn or rash upon exposure to sunlight.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving intravenous ceftriaxone.
, Which of the following is a potential side effect of this antibiotic?
A. Seizures
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
D. Ototoxicity
Answer: B) Nephrotoxicity
Rationale: Ceftriaxone, like other cephalosporins, can cause
nephrotoxicity, especially in patients with preexisting kidney
problems. Monitoring renal function is essential
9. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Which of the
following findings would indicate digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea
B. Tachycardia and dizziness
C. Weight loss and tremors
D. Hypertension and visual disturbances
Answer: A) Bradycardia and nausea
Rationale: Common symptoms of digoxin toxicity include
bradycardia (slow heart rate), nausea, vomiting, and visual
disturbances like blurred or yellow vision. These symptoms require
prompt assessment and intervention.
10. A patient is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which of the following
electrolytes should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia (low potassium
levels), which requires careful monitoring.
11. Which of the following is an example of an opioid antagonist?
A. Naloxone
B. Fentanyl
C. Hydromorphone
D. Oxycodone
Answer: A) Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid
overdose effects such as respiratory depression.
12. A nurse is teaching a patient who is prescribed lithium. Which of
is the most common side effect associated with this drug class?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Dehydration
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: B) Dehydration
Rationale: SGLT-2 inhibitors increase urinary glucose excretion,
leading to osmotic diuresis, which can cause dehydration as a
common side effect.
2. Which of the following is the primary use for the medication
albuterol?
A. Long-term control of asthma
B. Relief of acute bronchospasm
C. Treatment of infections
D. Reduction of inflammation
Answer: B) Relief of acute bronchospasm
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used to relieve
acute bronchospasm in conditions like asthma.
3. A nurse is administering potassium chloride to a patient. Which of
the following is an essential consideration when administering this
medication?
A. It should always be given on an empty stomach.
B. It should be diluted in a large volume of fluid and given slowly.
C. It should be taken with grapefruit juice to enhance absorption.
D. It should be administered intramuscularly to avoid
gastrointestinal upset.
Answer: B) It should be diluted in a large volume of fluid and given
slowly.
Rationale: Potassium chloride can irritate the gastrointestinal tract
and cause severe pain if given undiluted or too rapidly. It should be
diluted and given slowly to prevent complications like arrhythmias.
4. A nurse is administering a dose of metformin to a patient with
type 2 diabetes. Which of the following should the nurse be aware of
in relation to this medication?
A. Metformin can cause significant weight gain.
B. Metformin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
,C. Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal impairment.
D. Metformin should be taken with high-protein meals for optimal
absorption.
Answer: C) Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal
impairment.
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal
impairment due to the increased risk of lactic acidosis. It should be
used with caution and monitored in patients with renal disease.
5. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which of the following
side effects is most concerning?
A. Constipation
B. Drowsiness
C. Respiratory depression
D. Nausea
Answer: C) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Respiratory depression is a life-threatening side effect of
opioids that can lead to hypoxia or respiratory arrest. It is the most
concerning and requires immediate intervention.
6. A nurse is administering a dose of acetaminophen to a patient.
What is the maximum daily dose for an adult?
A. 1,000 mg
B. 3,000 mg
C. 4,000 mg
D. 6,000 mg
Answer: C) 4,000 mg
Rationale: The maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen
for an adult is 4,000 mg to avoid liver toxicity.
7. Which of the following medications is most likely to cause
photosensitivity as a side effect?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Tetracycline
C. Lisinopril
D. Furosemide
Answer: B) Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracycline, a class of antibiotics, is known to increase
the skin's sensitivity to sunlight, leading to an increased risk of
sunburn or rash upon exposure to sunlight.
8. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving intravenous ceftriaxone.
, Which of the following is a potential side effect of this antibiotic?
A. Seizures
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
D. Ototoxicity
Answer: B) Nephrotoxicity
Rationale: Ceftriaxone, like other cephalosporins, can cause
nephrotoxicity, especially in patients with preexisting kidney
problems. Monitoring renal function is essential
9. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Which of the
following findings would indicate digoxin toxicity?
A. Bradycardia and nausea
B. Tachycardia and dizziness
C. Weight loss and tremors
D. Hypertension and visual disturbances
Answer: A) Bradycardia and nausea
Rationale: Common symptoms of digoxin toxicity include
bradycardia (slow heart rate), nausea, vomiting, and visual
disturbances like blurred or yellow vision. These symptoms require
prompt assessment and intervention.
10. A patient is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Which of the following
electrolytes should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Chloride
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia (low potassium
levels), which requires careful monitoring.
11. Which of the following is an example of an opioid antagonist?
A. Naloxone
B. Fentanyl
C. Hydromorphone
D. Oxycodone
Answer: A) Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid
overdose effects such as respiratory depression.
12. A nurse is teaching a patient who is prescribed lithium. Which of
