NCLEX Abrams' Clinical Drug Therapy Exam Questions and Answers Graded A+
1.1 The nurse is caring for a woman who has strong beliefs about not putting anything unnatural into
her body. It is most accurate to say that most modern medications are
A. natural products derived from plants
B. natural products derived from minerals
C. synthetic products manufactured in laboratories
D. synthetic modifications of natural products - Answers C.
Rationale: Although most older drugs originated as plants, minerals, or other natural products, newer
drugs are mainly synthetic. Synthetic drugs are standardized and therefore more consistent in their
characteristics and effects than natural products.
1.2 The nurse is taking care of a man who is confused about the different medications he is prescribed.
He notes that some of the drug names have changed over the course of time he has been taking them.
When counseling him, it is most important to keep the following statement in mind:
A. A drug can belong to only one group or classification.
B. A prototype drug is the standard by which similar drugs are compared.
C. Drug groups and prototypes change frequently, and knowledge about a prototype cannot guide
knowledge about other drugs in the same class.
D. The generic name of a drug changes among manufacturers. - Answers B.
Rationale: The first drug to be developed in a group is usually considered the prototype or main example
of the group, and similar drugs that are developed later are compared to the prototype. Knowledge of
the prototype drug can help the nurse understand the actions of other drugs in the class. Most drugs
can belong to multiple groups (e.g., a therapeutic group, a chemical group), depending on various
characteristics. Drug groups and prototypes are usually quite stable, and most new drugs fit into a
known classification. The trade or brand name changes among manufacturers, but the generic name
stays the same.
1.3 In understanding the use of controlled substances for patients, it is important that the nurse knows
that controlled drugs are
A. categorized according to prescription or nonprescription status
B. regulated by state and local laws more than federal laws
C. those that must demonstrate high standards of safety
D. scheduled according to medical use and potential for abuse - Answers D.
, Rationale: Controlled or scheduled drugs are categorized by federal law according to use and abuse
potential. These drugs have regulations that govern prescribing, dispensing, administering, and record-
keeping. Almost all scheduled drugs require prescriptions (i.e., cannot legally be sold over the counter).
Basic laws are federal, and states and local communities may enact additional laws.
1.4 A patient is asking what the difference is between a prescription for 800 mg of a medication that can
be purchased on an OTC basis as a 200-mg tablet. To address this issue, it is important that the nurse
knows that OTC drugs
A. are considered safe for any consumer to use
B. are not available for treatment of most commonly occurring symptoms
C. often differ in indications for use and recommended dosages from their prescription versions
D. are paid for by most insurance policies - Answers C.
Rationale: Uses may be different, and recommended dosages of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are
usually lower than prescription versions. Labels of OTC drugs contain a listing of people who should not
use the drugs, and the drugs are not safe for everyone. Many OTC drugs are available to treat cold
symptoms, heartburn, constipation, and other common problems. Insurance companies do not pay for
OTC drugs.
1.5 A man is very upset with a drug recall of a medication he has been taking for a long time. He states
that he feels like he can no longer trust anyone to protect him. In response to his questions about the
process of drug development, it is important to know that with a new drug, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is responsible for
A. testing the drug with animals
B. testing the drug with healthy people
C. marketing the drug to health care providers
D. evaluating the drug for safety and effectiveness - Answers D.
Rationale: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviews studies reported by others, mainly
pharmaceutical companies, and determines whether a drug is sufficiently safe and effective to be
marketed. The drug manufacturer is responsible for testing the drug (in animals and people) and
marketing the drug.
1.6 Error-reduction strategies during medication administration include which of the following? (Select
all that apply.)
A. quiet zone signs at entrance to the medication room
B. protocols and checklist outlining medication administration
1.1 The nurse is caring for a woman who has strong beliefs about not putting anything unnatural into
her body. It is most accurate to say that most modern medications are
A. natural products derived from plants
B. natural products derived from minerals
C. synthetic products manufactured in laboratories
D. synthetic modifications of natural products - Answers C.
Rationale: Although most older drugs originated as plants, minerals, or other natural products, newer
drugs are mainly synthetic. Synthetic drugs are standardized and therefore more consistent in their
characteristics and effects than natural products.
1.2 The nurse is taking care of a man who is confused about the different medications he is prescribed.
He notes that some of the drug names have changed over the course of time he has been taking them.
When counseling him, it is most important to keep the following statement in mind:
A. A drug can belong to only one group or classification.
B. A prototype drug is the standard by which similar drugs are compared.
C. Drug groups and prototypes change frequently, and knowledge about a prototype cannot guide
knowledge about other drugs in the same class.
D. The generic name of a drug changes among manufacturers. - Answers B.
Rationale: The first drug to be developed in a group is usually considered the prototype or main example
of the group, and similar drugs that are developed later are compared to the prototype. Knowledge of
the prototype drug can help the nurse understand the actions of other drugs in the class. Most drugs
can belong to multiple groups (e.g., a therapeutic group, a chemical group), depending on various
characteristics. Drug groups and prototypes are usually quite stable, and most new drugs fit into a
known classification. The trade or brand name changes among manufacturers, but the generic name
stays the same.
1.3 In understanding the use of controlled substances for patients, it is important that the nurse knows
that controlled drugs are
A. categorized according to prescription or nonprescription status
B. regulated by state and local laws more than federal laws
C. those that must demonstrate high standards of safety
D. scheduled according to medical use and potential for abuse - Answers D.
, Rationale: Controlled or scheduled drugs are categorized by federal law according to use and abuse
potential. These drugs have regulations that govern prescribing, dispensing, administering, and record-
keeping. Almost all scheduled drugs require prescriptions (i.e., cannot legally be sold over the counter).
Basic laws are federal, and states and local communities may enact additional laws.
1.4 A patient is asking what the difference is between a prescription for 800 mg of a medication that can
be purchased on an OTC basis as a 200-mg tablet. To address this issue, it is important that the nurse
knows that OTC drugs
A. are considered safe for any consumer to use
B. are not available for treatment of most commonly occurring symptoms
C. often differ in indications for use and recommended dosages from their prescription versions
D. are paid for by most insurance policies - Answers C.
Rationale: Uses may be different, and recommended dosages of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are
usually lower than prescription versions. Labels of OTC drugs contain a listing of people who should not
use the drugs, and the drugs are not safe for everyone. Many OTC drugs are available to treat cold
symptoms, heartburn, constipation, and other common problems. Insurance companies do not pay for
OTC drugs.
1.5 A man is very upset with a drug recall of a medication he has been taking for a long time. He states
that he feels like he can no longer trust anyone to protect him. In response to his questions about the
process of drug development, it is important to know that with a new drug, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is responsible for
A. testing the drug with animals
B. testing the drug with healthy people
C. marketing the drug to health care providers
D. evaluating the drug for safety and effectiveness - Answers D.
Rationale: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviews studies reported by others, mainly
pharmaceutical companies, and determines whether a drug is sufficiently safe and effective to be
marketed. The drug manufacturer is responsible for testing the drug (in animals and people) and
marketing the drug.
1.6 Error-reduction strategies during medication administration include which of the following? (Select
all that apply.)
A. quiet zone signs at entrance to the medication room
B. protocols and checklist outlining medication administration
