CMS Pharmacology Practice Exam Set 1
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2025 PLUS RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. A nurse is administering morphine IV to a postoperative client. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Pain level
C. Respiratory rate
D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid that can cause respiratory depression.
Monitoring the respiratory rate is the priority to ensure the client is not
experiencing a life-threatening adverse effect.
,2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I’ll watch for signs of bleeding."
B. "I will avoid taking aspirin."
C. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
D. "I’ll have my INR levels checked regularly."
Correct Answer: C. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can decrease the
effectiveness of warfarin. The client should maintain a consistent intake, not
increase it.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving gentamicin. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
C. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
D. Blood pressure 130/84 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
Rationale: An elevated creatinine level indicates nephrotoxicity, a serious
adverse effect of gentamicin. This finding requires immediate provider
notification.
,4. A client receiving lisinopril develops a persistent dry cough. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to drink warm fluids
B. Administer cough suppressants
C. Notify the provider about discontinuing the medication
D. Advise the client that this is a normal side effect
Correct Answer: C. Notify the provider about discontinuing the medication
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
like lisinopril. The provider may switch the client to an angiotensin receptor
blocker (ARB).
5. A nurse is administering insulin glargine to a client with type 1 diabetes.
Which of the following is true about this medication?
A. It peaks in 2–4 hours
B. It can be mixed with regular insulin
C. It should be given at the same time daily
D. It causes rapid drops in blood glucose
Correct Answer: C. It should be given at the same time daily
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin with no peak and provides
basal insulin coverage. It should be administered once daily at the same time.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
should be reported to the provider before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure 136/82 mm Hg
, B. Heart rate 56/min
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. It should not be administered if the
apical pulse is below 60 bpm in adults.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking levothyroxine. Which of the
following indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Weight gain
C. Improved energy levels
D. Cold intolerance
Correct Answer: C. Improved energy levels
Rationale: Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism. Effectiveness is
indicated by improved symptoms such as increased energy and reduced fatigue.
8. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
ferrous sulfate. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take this with milk."
B. "I will take this on an empty stomach."
C. "I will avoid vitamin C while taking this medication."
D. "I will lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill."
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS 2025 PLUS RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS)
1. A nurse is administering morphine IV to a postoperative client. Which of the
following is the priority assessment?
A. Bowel sounds
B. Pain level
C. Respiratory rate
D. Urinary output
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid that can cause respiratory depression.
Monitoring the respiratory rate is the priority to ensure the client is not
experiencing a life-threatening adverse effect.
,2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which of
the following client statements indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I’ll watch for signs of bleeding."
B. "I will avoid taking aspirin."
C. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
D. "I’ll have my INR levels checked regularly."
Correct Answer: C. "I will increase my intake of leafy green vegetables."
Rationale: Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K, which can decrease the
effectiveness of warfarin. The client should maintain a consistent intake, not
increase it.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving gentamicin. Which of the
following findings should the nurse report to the provider immediately?
A. Temperature of 99.1°F (37.3°C)
B. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
C. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
D. Blood pressure 130/84 mm Hg
Correct Answer: C. Creatinine 2.5 mg/dL
Rationale: An elevated creatinine level indicates nephrotoxicity, a serious
adverse effect of gentamicin. This finding requires immediate provider
notification.
,4. A client receiving lisinopril develops a persistent dry cough. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to drink warm fluids
B. Administer cough suppressants
C. Notify the provider about discontinuing the medication
D. Advise the client that this is a normal side effect
Correct Answer: C. Notify the provider about discontinuing the medication
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
like lisinopril. The provider may switch the client to an angiotensin receptor
blocker (ARB).
5. A nurse is administering insulin glargine to a client with type 1 diabetes.
Which of the following is true about this medication?
A. It peaks in 2–4 hours
B. It can be mixed with regular insulin
C. It should be given at the same time daily
D. It causes rapid drops in blood glucose
Correct Answer: C. It should be given at the same time daily
Rationale: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin with no peak and provides
basal insulin coverage. It should be administered once daily at the same time.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following
should be reported to the provider before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure 136/82 mm Hg
, B. Heart rate 56/min
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate 56/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. It should not be administered if the
apical pulse is below 60 bpm in adults.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking levothyroxine. Which of the
following indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased heart rate
B. Weight gain
C. Improved energy levels
D. Cold intolerance
Correct Answer: C. Improved energy levels
Rationale: Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism. Effectiveness is
indicated by improved symptoms such as increased energy and reduced fatigue.
8. A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for
ferrous sulfate. Which statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "I will take this with milk."
B. "I will take this on an empty stomach."
C. "I will avoid vitamin C while taking this medication."
D. "I will lie down for 30 minutes after taking the pill."
