Fall SemeSter 2025 | VatI rN Pharmacology
exam PreP 2025–2026 | 255+ VerIFIed PractIce
QueStIoNS wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled
ratIoNaleS | comPlete atI Pharmacology
Study guIde For Nclex rN aNd NurSINg StudeNtS
Question 1:
A nurse is administering a new prescription for lisinopril to a patient with
hypertension. Which assessment should the nurse conduct before administering
the medication?
A. Assess for allergies to sulfa drugs
B. Monitor the patient's blood glucose level
C. Check the patient's blood pressure
D. Evaluate the patient's renal function
Correct answer: C. Check the patient's blood pressure
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension. It is crucial to
assess blood pressure before administration to ensure it is within an acceptable range
to avoid hypotension.
Question 2:
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to
assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Correct answer: B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and the INR is used to monitor its effectiveness
and adjust dosages. The therapeutic INR range for most conditions is typically between
2.0 and 3.0.
Question 3:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of atorvastatin. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should report any muscle pain or weakness."
B. "I can eat grapefruit while taking this medication."
C. "I need to have my liver function tested regularly."
D. "I should follow a low-fat diet while on this medication."
,Correct answer: B. "I can eat grapefruit while taking this medication."
Rationale: Grapefruit can interact with atorvastatin, increasing the risk of statin-related
side effects, such as myopathy and liver toxicity. Patients should avoid grapefruit juice
while on this medication.
Question 4:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed
albuterol. What is the priority nursing action before administering this medication?
A. Assess the patient's heart rate
B. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation
C. Assess lung sounds
D. Check for a history of hypertension
Correct answer: C. Assess lung sounds
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to relieve bronchospasm in COPD.
Assessing lung sounds provides baseline data to evaluate the effectiveness of the
medication after administration.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Which sign would indicate potential
toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
D. Increased urine output
Correct answer: C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos, are characteristic
signs of digoxin toxicity. It is crucial for the nurse to monitor for these symptoms, as
digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range.
Question 6:
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which information is most
important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. "You should take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "This medication may cause weight gain."
C. "Report any symptoms of gastrointestinal distress."
D. "You need to monitor your blood glucose levels daily."
Correct answer: C. "Report any symptoms of gastrointestinal distress."
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea
,and nausea. Patients should be informed to report any severe symptoms, as they may
need a dose adjustment or a different medication.
Question 7:
A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What is the
priority assessment before giving this medication?
A. Assess the patient's potassium level
B. Measure the patient's blood pressure
C. Check for a history of allergies
D. Evaluate the patient's weight
Correct answer: B. Measure the patient's blood pressure
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypotension. It is essential to
assess blood pressure before administration to ensure patient safety.
Question 8:
A patient receiving opioid analgesics for pain management is at risk for
constipation. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent this side
effect?
A. Encourage a low-fiber diet
B. Limit fluid intake
C. Administer a stool softener as needed
D. Increase physical activity
Correct answer: C. Administer a stool softener as needed
Rationale: Opioids can cause constipation; therefore, administering a stool softener
proactively can help prevent this common side effect.
Question 9:
A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of insulin to a patient with diabetes. What
should the nurse verify before administration?
A. The patient's food intake
B. The patient's blood glucose level
C. The patient's renal function
D. The patient's weight
Correct answer: B. The patient's blood glucose level
Rationale: Checking the blood glucose level is critical before administering insulin to
ensure that the patient receives an appropriate dose based on their current blood
glucose status.
, Question 10:
A patient is prescribed a new medication for hypertension. What is the most
important information for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. "You can take this medication with any food."
B. "It is safe to stop taking this medication if you feel better."
C. "This medication may cause you to feel dizzy."
D. "You should avoid driving until you know how this medication affects you."
Correct answer: D. "You should avoid driving until you know how this medication
affects you."
Rationale: Many antihypertensive medications can cause dizziness, particularly when
starting treatment, so patients should be cautioned about driving until they understand
how the medication affects them.
Question 11:
A nurse is administering azithromycin to a patient with a respiratory infection.
Which assessment is most important prior to administration?
A. Assess for allergies to penicillin
B. Check for a history of renal disease
C. Obtain a complete medication history
D. Assess the patient's liver function
Correct answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history
Rationale: Azithromycin can interact with various medications, including those that
affect the QT interval. A complete medication history helps prevent potential drug
interactions.
Question 12:
A patient receiving heparin is scheduled for surgery. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B. Platelet count
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct answer: C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: The aPTT is monitored to assess the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy, ensuring the patient is not at increased risk for bleeding.
Question 13:
exam PreP 2025–2026 | 255+ VerIFIed PractIce
QueStIoNS wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled
ratIoNaleS | comPlete atI Pharmacology
Study guIde For Nclex rN aNd NurSINg StudeNtS
Question 1:
A nurse is administering a new prescription for lisinopril to a patient with
hypertension. Which assessment should the nurse conduct before administering
the medication?
A. Assess for allergies to sulfa drugs
B. Monitor the patient's blood glucose level
C. Check the patient's blood pressure
D. Evaluate the patient's renal function
Correct answer: C. Check the patient's blood pressure
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension. It is crucial to
assess blood pressure before administration to ensure it is within an acceptable range
to avoid hypotension.
Question 2:
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to
assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Complete blood count (CBC)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Correct answer: B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and the INR is used to monitor its effectiveness
and adjust dosages. The therapeutic INR range for most conditions is typically between
2.0 and 3.0.
Question 3:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of atorvastatin. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should report any muscle pain or weakness."
B. "I can eat grapefruit while taking this medication."
C. "I need to have my liver function tested regularly."
D. "I should follow a low-fat diet while on this medication."
,Correct answer: B. "I can eat grapefruit while taking this medication."
Rationale: Grapefruit can interact with atorvastatin, increasing the risk of statin-related
side effects, such as myopathy and liver toxicity. Patients should avoid grapefruit juice
while on this medication.
Question 4:
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed
albuterol. What is the priority nursing action before administering this medication?
A. Assess the patient's heart rate
B. Monitor the patient's oxygen saturation
C. Assess lung sounds
D. Check for a history of hypertension
Correct answer: C. Assess lung sounds
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator used to relieve bronchospasm in COPD.
Assessing lung sounds provides baseline data to evaluate the effectiveness of the
medication after administration.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin. Which sign would indicate potential
toxicity?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
D. Increased urine output
Correct answer: C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos, are characteristic
signs of digoxin toxicity. It is crucial for the nurse to monitor for these symptoms, as
digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range.
Question 6:
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which information is most
important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. "You should take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "This medication may cause weight gain."
C. "Report any symptoms of gastrointestinal distress."
D. "You need to monitor your blood glucose levels daily."
Correct answer: C. "Report any symptoms of gastrointestinal distress."
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea
,and nausea. Patients should be informed to report any severe symptoms, as they may
need a dose adjustment or a different medication.
Question 7:
A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What is the
priority assessment before giving this medication?
A. Assess the patient's potassium level
B. Measure the patient's blood pressure
C. Check for a history of allergies
D. Evaluate the patient's weight
Correct answer: B. Measure the patient's blood pressure
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypotension. It is essential to
assess blood pressure before administration to ensure patient safety.
Question 8:
A patient receiving opioid analgesics for pain management is at risk for
constipation. Which intervention should the nurse implement to prevent this side
effect?
A. Encourage a low-fiber diet
B. Limit fluid intake
C. Administer a stool softener as needed
D. Increase physical activity
Correct answer: C. Administer a stool softener as needed
Rationale: Opioids can cause constipation; therefore, administering a stool softener
proactively can help prevent this common side effect.
Question 9:
A nurse is preparing to administer a dose of insulin to a patient with diabetes. What
should the nurse verify before administration?
A. The patient's food intake
B. The patient's blood glucose level
C. The patient's renal function
D. The patient's weight
Correct answer: B. The patient's blood glucose level
Rationale: Checking the blood glucose level is critical before administering insulin to
ensure that the patient receives an appropriate dose based on their current blood
glucose status.
, Question 10:
A patient is prescribed a new medication for hypertension. What is the most
important information for the nurse to include in the teaching plan?
A. "You can take this medication with any food."
B. "It is safe to stop taking this medication if you feel better."
C. "This medication may cause you to feel dizzy."
D. "You should avoid driving until you know how this medication affects you."
Correct answer: D. "You should avoid driving until you know how this medication
affects you."
Rationale: Many antihypertensive medications can cause dizziness, particularly when
starting treatment, so patients should be cautioned about driving until they understand
how the medication affects them.
Question 11:
A nurse is administering azithromycin to a patient with a respiratory infection.
Which assessment is most important prior to administration?
A. Assess for allergies to penicillin
B. Check for a history of renal disease
C. Obtain a complete medication history
D. Assess the patient's liver function
Correct answer: C. Obtain a complete medication history
Rationale: Azithromycin can interact with various medications, including those that
affect the QT interval. A complete medication history helps prevent potential drug
interactions.
Question 12:
A patient receiving heparin is scheduled for surgery. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B. Platelet count
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Prothrombin time (PT)
Correct answer: C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: The aPTT is monitored to assess the effectiveness and safety of heparin
therapy, ensuring the patient is not at increased risk for bleeding.
Question 13:
