,Chapter 1: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a new cardiac medication
to a patient. The patient states, "I'm not sure I want to take
that; my cousin had a bad reaction to something similar." Which
action by the nurse best demonstrates the assessment phase of
the nursing process in this situation?
A. Document the patient's refusal in the medical record.
B. Educate the patient on the benefits of the new medication.
C. Withhold the medication and notify the prescribing provider
of the patient's concern.
D. Ask the patient to describe the specific reaction his cousin
experienced.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D is correct because assessment involves gathering
more data. Asking for specifics about the reaction provides
crucial information for the nurse to evaluate. A is part of
implementation but does not address data collection. B is part
of implementation/education and is premature before a full
assessment. C is an intervention that may be necessary later,
but the nurse must first assess the nature and relevance of the
patient's concern.
,Teaching Point: Assessment always precedes intervention;
gather all relevant data before acting.
2. An LPN is reviewing a patient's medication list during
admission. The LPN notes that the patient is prescribed two
drugs from the same therapeutic class that may interact. What
is the LPN's most appropriate initial action based on their scope
of practice?
A. Hold one of the medications and inform the patient.
B. Contact the pharmacy to request a change to the order.
C. Report the potential interaction to the supervising RN or
prescribing provider.
D. Administer both medications and monitor for adverse
effects.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. LPNs are responsible for recognizing and
reporting potential problems but do not have the independent
authority to alter prescriptions. Reporting to a supervisor or
provider is the standard, safe action. A and B are outside the
LPN's scope of practice, as they involve making independent
clinical decisions about prescriptions. D is unsafe; administering
a known potential interaction without consultation is negligent.
Teaching Point: LPNs must recognize and report potential drug
interactions but cannot independently alter prescribed therapy.
3. When using the Clinical Judgment Model, which step involves
the nurse analyzing the data gathered during assessment to
identify a patient's specific needs or problems?
, A. Recognize Cues
B. Analyze Cues
C. Prioritize Hypotheses
D. Generate Solutions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B is correct. "Analyze Cues" is the step where the
nurse synthesizes the assessment data (cues) to understand
their significance and begin to form hypotheses. A (Recognize
Cues) is the initial data gathering. C (Prioritize Hypotheses)
involves ranking potential nursing diagnoses or problems. D
(Generate Solutions) is the planning phase for interventions.
Teaching Point: Analyzing cues transforms raw data into
meaningful information for clinical decision-making.
4. A patient is prescribed a medication that must be taken with
food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Which step of the
nursing process is directly addressed when the nurse ensures
the patient has a meal tray before administering the drug?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D is correct. Implementation involves carrying out
the planned interventions, which includes administering
medication under the correct conditions. A (Assessment) would
involve asking the patient about their GI history. B (Diagnosis)
might identify a risk for impaired comfort. C (Planning) would
Practice
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a new cardiac medication
to a patient. The patient states, "I'm not sure I want to take
that; my cousin had a bad reaction to something similar." Which
action by the nurse best demonstrates the assessment phase of
the nursing process in this situation?
A. Document the patient's refusal in the medical record.
B. Educate the patient on the benefits of the new medication.
C. Withhold the medication and notify the prescribing provider
of the patient's concern.
D. Ask the patient to describe the specific reaction his cousin
experienced.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D is correct because assessment involves gathering
more data. Asking for specifics about the reaction provides
crucial information for the nurse to evaluate. A is part of
implementation but does not address data collection. B is part
of implementation/education and is premature before a full
assessment. C is an intervention that may be necessary later,
but the nurse must first assess the nature and relevance of the
patient's concern.
,Teaching Point: Assessment always precedes intervention;
gather all relevant data before acting.
2. An LPN is reviewing a patient's medication list during
admission. The LPN notes that the patient is prescribed two
drugs from the same therapeutic class that may interact. What
is the LPN's most appropriate initial action based on their scope
of practice?
A. Hold one of the medications and inform the patient.
B. Contact the pharmacy to request a change to the order.
C. Report the potential interaction to the supervising RN or
prescribing provider.
D. Administer both medications and monitor for adverse
effects.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C is correct. LPNs are responsible for recognizing and
reporting potential problems but do not have the independent
authority to alter prescriptions. Reporting to a supervisor or
provider is the standard, safe action. A and B are outside the
LPN's scope of practice, as they involve making independent
clinical decisions about prescriptions. D is unsafe; administering
a known potential interaction without consultation is negligent.
Teaching Point: LPNs must recognize and report potential drug
interactions but cannot independently alter prescribed therapy.
3. When using the Clinical Judgment Model, which step involves
the nurse analyzing the data gathered during assessment to
identify a patient's specific needs or problems?
, A. Recognize Cues
B. Analyze Cues
C. Prioritize Hypotheses
D. Generate Solutions
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B is correct. "Analyze Cues" is the step where the
nurse synthesizes the assessment data (cues) to understand
their significance and begin to form hypotheses. A (Recognize
Cues) is the initial data gathering. C (Prioritize Hypotheses)
involves ranking potential nursing diagnoses or problems. D
(Generate Solutions) is the planning phase for interventions.
Teaching Point: Analyzing cues transforms raw data into
meaningful information for clinical decision-making.
4. A patient is prescribed a medication that must be taken with
food to minimize gastrointestinal upset. Which step of the
nursing process is directly addressed when the nurse ensures
the patient has a meal tray before administering the drug?
A. Assessment
B. Diagnosis
C. Planning
D. Implementation
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: D is correct. Implementation involves carrying out
the planned interventions, which includes administering
medication under the correct conditions. A (Assessment) would
involve asking the patient about their GI history. B (Diagnosis)
might identify a risk for impaired comfort. C (Planning) would
