Basic Pharmacology for Nurses 19th Edition
All Chapters 1 - 48, Newest Version 2025
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What is the composition of hypotonic intravenous solutions such as 0.45% NaCl?
Fewer dissolved particles than blood
Which medications must be sterile?
Ophthalmic
Which action by the nurse is most accurate when drawing up medication from an ampule?
Use a filter needle to withdraw the medication.
What is the rationale for the nurse applying gentle pressure to the inner corner of the eyelid after
instilling eyedrops?
Prevents systemic effects
Which condition would the nurse expect to be treated with an isotonic solution?
Hemorrhagic shock
Which angle is appropriate when administering an IM medication in the dorsogluteal site to a 46-year-
old obese man?
90 degrees
After teaching a diabetic patient about proper disposal of used syringes and needles, which statement
by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
"It is unusual that anyone could get a needle injury or disease from used needles."
After entering the patient's room to administer oral medications, which action will the nurse take
first?
Check the patient's identification.
The nurse notes that a patient with cardiac disease has IV heparin infusing and that it is behind by 2
hours. What is the best nursing action?
Contact the health care provider for consultation
The nurse is preparing an otic solution. When instructing the patient in regard to area of
administration, the nurse will explain that the solution will be placed
into the ear.
,Which needle will the nurse use to administer an intramuscular (IM) immunization on an 18-month-
old child?
27-gauge, 1 inch needle
Which nursing assessment accurately describes the results of an intradermal skin test?
Erythema and induration
Which receptacle(s) is/are commonly used in the hospital with pediatric oral medications? (Select all
that apply.)
b. Infant feeding nipple
c. Oral syringe
d. Medicine dropper
Which medications are provided in dried, powdered form compressed into small disks?
Tablets
A patient has an infected wound with large amounts of drainage. Which type of dressing would the
nurse use?
AlgiDERM
Which action will the nurse perform when doing a wet to dry dressing every 4 hours on a patient with
a deep wound?
Use Montgomery tapes or a binder to secure the dressing.
Which nursing action is accurate when administering parenteral medication?
Use clinical judgment when rescheduling missed doses of a medication.
A patient has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line inserted to continue IV antibiotic
therapy at home. With proper care, how long can this type of venous access device remain in place?
12 months
A patient with metastatic cancer is being admitted for pain control. Which action will the nurse
perform in administering a transdermal patch?
Label the patch with date, time, dosage, and initials after patch placement
Which gauge needles are used for subcut injections?
25 to 29 gauge
Which type of parenteral medication container is made of glass, is scored, and needs to be broken
open before withdrawing the medication?
Ampule
,The nurse assesses erythema, warmth, and burning pain along the patient's IV site. Which
complication is this patient most likely experiencing?
Phlebitis
When assessing aspirated stomach contents, the nurse notes the color to be green with sediment. The
nurse is aware that this most likely represents ___________ fluid.
gastric
Which dressings would be appropriate to use for treating wounds with exudates? (Select all that
apply.)
c. Kaltostat
d. AlgiDERM
e. Sorbsan
Which infection is often called the "disease of the diseased" because it appears in debilitated
patients?
Candidiasis
The nurse is administering medications to various patients during morning medication pass. The
patient at the lowest risk of having an adverse reaction is the patient receiving
dexamethasone.
The nurse is assessing a patient with nausea and vomiting. Which additional autonomic symptoms
that often accompany vomiting will the nurse observe?
Pallor, sweating, and tachycardia
Why is drug therapy important for selected causes of nausea and vomiting? (Select all that apply.)
Prevents aspiration of gastric contents into the lung
c. Relieves the distress associated with nausea and vomiting
d. Prevents electrolyte imbalances
e. Prevents dehydration
A postoperative appendectomy patient has a nasogastric tube and wonders why the previous nurse
told him that he was receiving an IV "ulcer-preventing" medication called ranitidine. The patient
states that he has never had any stomach problems in his life. Which is the best response by the
nurse?
"Because you are not eating after surgery, this medication will help reduce the hydrochloric acid
your stomach is still secreting."
Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient about cold sores?
Pus-filled lesions indicate a secondary bacterial infection.
, What condition is occurring when a patient experiences nausea immediately on entering the clinic to
receive another course of chemotherapy?
Anticipatory nausea and vomiting
What is the primary pharmacologic therapy for Candida albicans?
Antifungal agents
The nurse is preparing to administer medications and notes that a patient has sucralfate ordered qid.
When is the best time to administer this medication?
1 hour before meals
A patient who is taking NSAIDs to treat arthritis asks the nurse why misoprostol has also been
prescribed. Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?
NSAIDs often cause GI irritation that can result in peptic ulcers.
What is the purpose for the nurse administering metoclopramide (Reglan) IV postoperatively?
Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
A patient is receiving morphine for pain control. What will the nurse emphasize about preventing
constipation?
Stool softeners are taken on a regular basis during opioid use.
An older adult is admitted through the emergency department with complaints of nausea, abdominal
tenderness, and continual stooling. On assessment, the nurse notes abdominal distention, smearing
of stool on undergarments, and hypoactive bowel sounds LUQ and LLQ. The patient is unable to
determine when the last bowel movement was. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
An impaction
Which is considered an acceptable time frame for a patient with gastric distress to self-medicate with
over-the-counter antacids?
Weeks
Which effect will the nurse expect when a patient is taking psyllium while on digoxin?
Decreased absorption of the digoxin
Which is a common adverse effect of magnesium-based antacid preparations?
Diarrhea
The nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing to pass medications to the residents. To which of the
following residents should the nurse administer an antidiarrheal? (Select all that apply.)
b. An 80-year-old woman with diarrhea of sudden onset that has lasted 3 days
c. A 70-year-old woman with a history of chronic diarrhea from GI surgery
e. A 92-year-old man with diarrhea secondary to inflammatory bowel disease
All Chapters 1 - 48, Newest Version 2025
_____________________________________________________________________________________
What is the composition of hypotonic intravenous solutions such as 0.45% NaCl?
Fewer dissolved particles than blood
Which medications must be sterile?
Ophthalmic
Which action by the nurse is most accurate when drawing up medication from an ampule?
Use a filter needle to withdraw the medication.
What is the rationale for the nurse applying gentle pressure to the inner corner of the eyelid after
instilling eyedrops?
Prevents systemic effects
Which condition would the nurse expect to be treated with an isotonic solution?
Hemorrhagic shock
Which angle is appropriate when administering an IM medication in the dorsogluteal site to a 46-year-
old obese man?
90 degrees
After teaching a diabetic patient about proper disposal of used syringes and needles, which statement
by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
"It is unusual that anyone could get a needle injury or disease from used needles."
After entering the patient's room to administer oral medications, which action will the nurse take
first?
Check the patient's identification.
The nurse notes that a patient with cardiac disease has IV heparin infusing and that it is behind by 2
hours. What is the best nursing action?
Contact the health care provider for consultation
The nurse is preparing an otic solution. When instructing the patient in regard to area of
administration, the nurse will explain that the solution will be placed
into the ear.
,Which needle will the nurse use to administer an intramuscular (IM) immunization on an 18-month-
old child?
27-gauge, 1 inch needle
Which nursing assessment accurately describes the results of an intradermal skin test?
Erythema and induration
Which receptacle(s) is/are commonly used in the hospital with pediatric oral medications? (Select all
that apply.)
b. Infant feeding nipple
c. Oral syringe
d. Medicine dropper
Which medications are provided in dried, powdered form compressed into small disks?
Tablets
A patient has an infected wound with large amounts of drainage. Which type of dressing would the
nurse use?
AlgiDERM
Which action will the nurse perform when doing a wet to dry dressing every 4 hours on a patient with
a deep wound?
Use Montgomery tapes or a binder to secure the dressing.
Which nursing action is accurate when administering parenteral medication?
Use clinical judgment when rescheduling missed doses of a medication.
A patient has a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line inserted to continue IV antibiotic
therapy at home. With proper care, how long can this type of venous access device remain in place?
12 months
A patient with metastatic cancer is being admitted for pain control. Which action will the nurse
perform in administering a transdermal patch?
Label the patch with date, time, dosage, and initials after patch placement
Which gauge needles are used for subcut injections?
25 to 29 gauge
Which type of parenteral medication container is made of glass, is scored, and needs to be broken
open before withdrawing the medication?
Ampule
,The nurse assesses erythema, warmth, and burning pain along the patient's IV site. Which
complication is this patient most likely experiencing?
Phlebitis
When assessing aspirated stomach contents, the nurse notes the color to be green with sediment. The
nurse is aware that this most likely represents ___________ fluid.
gastric
Which dressings would be appropriate to use for treating wounds with exudates? (Select all that
apply.)
c. Kaltostat
d. AlgiDERM
e. Sorbsan
Which infection is often called the "disease of the diseased" because it appears in debilitated
patients?
Candidiasis
The nurse is administering medications to various patients during morning medication pass. The
patient at the lowest risk of having an adverse reaction is the patient receiving
dexamethasone.
The nurse is assessing a patient with nausea and vomiting. Which additional autonomic symptoms
that often accompany vomiting will the nurse observe?
Pallor, sweating, and tachycardia
Why is drug therapy important for selected causes of nausea and vomiting? (Select all that apply.)
Prevents aspiration of gastric contents into the lung
c. Relieves the distress associated with nausea and vomiting
d. Prevents electrolyte imbalances
e. Prevents dehydration
A postoperative appendectomy patient has a nasogastric tube and wonders why the previous nurse
told him that he was receiving an IV "ulcer-preventing" medication called ranitidine. The patient
states that he has never had any stomach problems in his life. Which is the best response by the
nurse?
"Because you are not eating after surgery, this medication will help reduce the hydrochloric acid
your stomach is still secreting."
Which information will the nurse include when teaching a patient about cold sores?
Pus-filled lesions indicate a secondary bacterial infection.
, What condition is occurring when a patient experiences nausea immediately on entering the clinic to
receive another course of chemotherapy?
Anticipatory nausea and vomiting
What is the primary pharmacologic therapy for Candida albicans?
Antifungal agents
The nurse is preparing to administer medications and notes that a patient has sucralfate ordered qid.
When is the best time to administer this medication?
1 hour before meals
A patient who is taking NSAIDs to treat arthritis asks the nurse why misoprostol has also been
prescribed. Which explanation by the nurse is accurate?
NSAIDs often cause GI irritation that can result in peptic ulcers.
What is the purpose for the nurse administering metoclopramide (Reglan) IV postoperatively?
Prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting
A patient is receiving morphine for pain control. What will the nurse emphasize about preventing
constipation?
Stool softeners are taken on a regular basis during opioid use.
An older adult is admitted through the emergency department with complaints of nausea, abdominal
tenderness, and continual stooling. On assessment, the nurse notes abdominal distention, smearing
of stool on undergarments, and hypoactive bowel sounds LUQ and LLQ. The patient is unable to
determine when the last bowel movement was. What is the nurse's priority assessment?
An impaction
Which is considered an acceptable time frame for a patient with gastric distress to self-medicate with
over-the-counter antacids?
Weeks
Which effect will the nurse expect when a patient is taking psyllium while on digoxin?
Decreased absorption of the digoxin
Which is a common adverse effect of magnesium-based antacid preparations?
Diarrhea
The nurse in a long-term care facility is preparing to pass medications to the residents. To which of the
following residents should the nurse administer an antidiarrheal? (Select all that apply.)
b. An 80-year-old woman with diarrhea of sudden onset that has lasted 3 days
c. A 70-year-old woman with a history of chronic diarrhea from GI surgery
e. A 92-year-old man with diarrhea secondary to inflammatory bowel disease
