1. A client receiving methotrexate for cancer reports
mouth
sores. What is the nurse's best response?
A. “This is a normal side effect.”
B. “Increase intake of spicy food.”
C. “Use a soft toothbrush and rinse with saline.”
D. “Chew gum frequently.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Mouth sores (stomatitis) are common. Gentle oral
care
is essential to prevent infection and discomfort.
2. A client on sertraline reports increased restlessness
and
confusion. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms
B. Lithium toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome includes agitation,
confusion,
tachycardia, and hyperreflexia.
3. A client is using a scopolamine patch for motion sickness.
What side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Diarrhea
B. Blurred vision and dry mouth
C. Rash
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Scopolamine has anticholinergic effects like dry
mouth,
blurred vision, and urinary retention.
4. A client with asthma uses albuterol PRN. Which
statement
shows proper understanding?
A. “I use this every morning and night.”
B. “I use this when I’m having shortness of breath.”
C. “I use it with my steroid inhaler at the same time.”
D. “I use this even if I’m not having symptoms.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue inhaler used during asthma
attacks
or acute symptoms.
5. A client is prescribed bupropion for smoking cessation.
, Which
side effect is most serious?
A. Dry mouth
B. Insomnia
C. Seizures
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion lowers seizure threshold. Clients at
risk (e.g.,
with eating disorders) need close monitoring.
6. A nurse is educating a client on atorvastatin. What side
effect
should the client report immediately?
A. Headache
B. Muscle pain
C. Drowsiness
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Myopathy can occur with statins and may
progress to
rhabdomyolysis. Report muscle pain immediately.
7. A client takes aluminum hydroxide for GERD. What
adverse
effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Hypokalemia
D. Rash
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids commonly cause
constipation.
8. A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What
is the
priority action?
A. Reassure and monitor
B. Administer antipyretics
C. Check WBC count
D. Suggest lozenges
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. A fever +
sore
throat may signal low WBC—check labs.
9. A client is prescribed exenatide. What is a common side
effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Constipation
mouth
sores. What is the nurse's best response?
A. “This is a normal side effect.”
B. “Increase intake of spicy food.”
C. “Use a soft toothbrush and rinse with saline.”
D. “Chew gum frequently.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Mouth sores (stomatitis) are common. Gentle oral
care
is essential to prevent infection and discomfort.
2. A client on sertraline reports increased restlessness
and
confusion. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Extrapyramidal symptoms
B. Lithium toxicity
C. Serotonin syndrome
D. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome includes agitation,
confusion,
tachycardia, and hyperreflexia.
3. A client is using a scopolamine patch for motion sickness.
What side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Diarrhea
B. Blurred vision and dry mouth
C. Rash
D. Hearing loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Scopolamine has anticholinergic effects like dry
mouth,
blurred vision, and urinary retention.
4. A client with asthma uses albuterol PRN. Which
statement
shows proper understanding?
A. “I use this every morning and night.”
B. “I use this when I’m having shortness of breath.”
C. “I use it with my steroid inhaler at the same time.”
D. “I use this even if I’m not having symptoms.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue inhaler used during asthma
attacks
or acute symptoms.
5. A client is prescribed bupropion for smoking cessation.
, Which
side effect is most serious?
A. Dry mouth
B. Insomnia
C. Seizures
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Bupropion lowers seizure threshold. Clients at
risk (e.g.,
with eating disorders) need close monitoring.
6. A nurse is educating a client on atorvastatin. What side
effect
should the client report immediately?
A. Headache
B. Muscle pain
C. Drowsiness
D. Constipation
Answer: B
Rationale: Myopathy can occur with statins and may
progress to
rhabdomyolysis. Report muscle pain immediately.
7. A client takes aluminum hydroxide for GERD. What
adverse
effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Hypokalemia
D. Rash
Answer: B
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids commonly cause
constipation.
8. A client on clozapine reports fever and sore throat. What
is the
priority action?
A. Reassure and monitor
B. Administer antipyretics
C. Check WBC count
D. Suggest lozenges
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. A fever +
sore
throat may signal low WBC—check labs.
9. A client is prescribed exenatide. What is a common side
effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Constipation