INTRODUCTORY CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS
1.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which finding requires the nurse to hold
the medication and notify the healthcare provider?
A. Heart rate 68 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
C. Heart rate 54 bpm
D. Respiratory rate 20/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm because of the risk
of bradycardia and toxicity.
2.
Which of the following best describes the nurse’s “right of documentation” in medication
administration?
A. Recording the drug manufacturer’s name
B. Charting the medication after administration
C. Documenting before giving the medication
D. Leaving documentation to the next nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The right of documentation means accurately recording the drug, dose, route, time,
and response after administration.
3.
A client receiving furosemide reports weakness and muscle cramps. Which lab value should the
nurse check first?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; hypokalemia leads to weakness and muscle
cramps.
4.
Before administering a new medication, what is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Ask the patient if they’ve taken the drug before
B. Read the medication label three times
C. Check the expiration date only
D. Call the pharmacy for clarification
Answer: B
Rationale: The “three checks” (before removing, before pouring, and before returning) ensure
correct medication administration.
,5.
A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin tablets. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I can swallow the tablet whole.”
B. “I should take it on a full stomach.”
C. “I will place it under my tongue for chest pain.”
D. “I’ll keep it in a plastic bag in my pocket.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is given sublingually to promote rapid absorption and relieve angina
quickly.
6.
When giving insulin, the nurse should:
A. Shake the vial vigorously before use
B. Roll cloudy insulin to mix it
C. Inject insulin glargine and regular insulin in the same syringe
D. Use a 22-gauge, 1-inch needle
Answer: B
Rationale: Cloudy insulin (NPH) should be gently rolled to mix. Never shake or mix glargine
with other insulins.
7.
Which nursing action prevents medication errors?
A. Relying on memory for dosages
B. Clarifying unclear prescriptions before giving
C. Using another nurse’s MAR
D. Skipping barcode scanning
Answer: B
Rationale: Clarifying incomplete or unclear orders is essential for safe medication
administration.
8.
A client prescribed warfarin asks why regular blood tests are needed. The nurse replies:
A. “They’re to monitor your blood sugar.”
B. “To check how your kidneys are working.”
C. “To measure your clotting time.”
D. “To see if you’re dehydrated.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR or PT to ensure safe anticoagulation.
9.
, Which of the following drugs requires monitoring for ototoxicity?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Gentamicin
C. Tetracycline
D. Azithromycin
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
10.
A nurse giving morphine IV should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Morphine depresses the respiratory center; close monitoring is critical.
11.
The nurse knows the “half-life” of a medication refers to:
A. Time it takes for half of the dose to be excreted
B. Time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
C. The period before the first dose acts
D. Time needed for the drug to be completely eliminated
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time it takes for the plasma concentration to reduce by 50%.
12.
Which instruction is most important for a client taking tetracycline?
A. “Take it with milk to protect your stomach.”
B. “Avoid sunlight exposure.”
C. “Take it with an antacid.”
D. “Stop if nausea occurs.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Tetracycline causes photosensitivity; clients should use sun protection.
13.
A nurse must administer a drug via the Z-track method. Which route is this?
A. Intradermal
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
1.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which finding requires the nurse to hold
the medication and notify the healthcare provider?
A. Heart rate 68 bpm
B. Blood pressure 130/80 mm Hg
C. Heart rate 54 bpm
D. Respiratory rate 20/min
Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm because of the risk
of bradycardia and toxicity.
2.
Which of the following best describes the nurse’s “right of documentation” in medication
administration?
A. Recording the drug manufacturer’s name
B. Charting the medication after administration
C. Documenting before giving the medication
D. Leaving documentation to the next nurse
Answer: B
Rationale: The right of documentation means accurately recording the drug, dose, route, time,
and response after administration.
3.
A client receiving furosemide reports weakness and muscle cramps. Which lab value should the
nurse check first?
A. Calcium
B. Sodium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss; hypokalemia leads to weakness and muscle
cramps.
4.
Before administering a new medication, what is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Ask the patient if they’ve taken the drug before
B. Read the medication label three times
C. Check the expiration date only
D. Call the pharmacy for clarification
Answer: B
Rationale: The “three checks” (before removing, before pouring, and before returning) ensure
correct medication administration.
,5.
A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin tablets. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A. “I can swallow the tablet whole.”
B. “I should take it on a full stomach.”
C. “I will place it under my tongue for chest pain.”
D. “I’ll keep it in a plastic bag in my pocket.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is given sublingually to promote rapid absorption and relieve angina
quickly.
6.
When giving insulin, the nurse should:
A. Shake the vial vigorously before use
B. Roll cloudy insulin to mix it
C. Inject insulin glargine and regular insulin in the same syringe
D. Use a 22-gauge, 1-inch needle
Answer: B
Rationale: Cloudy insulin (NPH) should be gently rolled to mix. Never shake or mix glargine
with other insulins.
7.
Which nursing action prevents medication errors?
A. Relying on memory for dosages
B. Clarifying unclear prescriptions before giving
C. Using another nurse’s MAR
D. Skipping barcode scanning
Answer: B
Rationale: Clarifying incomplete or unclear orders is essential for safe medication
administration.
8.
A client prescribed warfarin asks why regular blood tests are needed. The nurse replies:
A. “They’re to monitor your blood sugar.”
B. “To check how your kidneys are working.”
C. “To measure your clotting time.”
D. “To see if you’re dehydrated.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR or PT to ensure safe anticoagulation.
9.
, Which of the following drugs requires monitoring for ototoxicity?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Gentamicin
C. Tetracycline
D. Azithromycin
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
10.
A nurse giving morphine IV should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: Morphine depresses the respiratory center; close monitoring is critical.
11.
The nurse knows the “half-life” of a medication refers to:
A. Time it takes for half of the dose to be excreted
B. Time it takes for the drug to reach peak concentration
C. The period before the first dose acts
D. Time needed for the drug to be completely eliminated
Answer: A
Rationale: Half-life is the time it takes for the plasma concentration to reduce by 50%.
12.
Which instruction is most important for a client taking tetracycline?
A. “Take it with milk to protect your stomach.”
B. “Avoid sunlight exposure.”
C. “Take it with an antacid.”
D. “Stop if nausea occurs.”
Answer: B
Rationale: Tetracycline causes photosensitivity; clients should use sun protection.
13.
A nurse must administer a drug via the Z-track method. Which route is this?
A. Intradermal
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Intramuscular
