Rasmussen University NUR 2474 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Pharmacology Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process as it relates to medication administration?
A) To ensure medications are prescribed correctly by the provider
B) To provide a systematic framework for safe, individualized, and effective
medication delivery
C) To document all medications given for legal purposes only
D) To reduce the cost of medications for the patient
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for safe, individualized,
and effective medication delivery
Rationale: The nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, evaluation) provides a systematic framework for safe
medication administration. It ensures care is individualized and effective, not
merely for documentation or cost reduction. Prescribing is outside the
nursing scope.
2. What is the most important action for a nurse to take when a medication
order is unclear?
A) Administer the medication as written and monitor the patient closely
B) Clarify the order with the prescribing provider before administration
C) Ask the charge nurse to interpret the order
D) Hold the medication until the next shift
Correct Answer: Clarify the order with the prescribing provider before
administration
,Rationale: The biggest medication error is misinterpreting prescriptions.
Nurses must never assume an unclear order. The safest action is to clarify
directly with the prescriber. Asking another nurse or delaying without
clarification does not resolve the ambiguity.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following
represents the standard "six rights" of medication administration?
A) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, documentation
B) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, assessment
C) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, evaluation
D) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, reason
Correct Answer: Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, documentation
Rationale: The standard six rights are right patient, drug, dose, time, route,
and documentation. Assessment, evaluation, patient education, and the right
to refuse are considered "extra rights" but are not part of the core six.
4. In addition to the standard six rights, which of the following is considered
an "extra right" of medication administration?
A) Right to refuse care
B) Right diagnosis
C) Right prescriber
D) Right pharmacy
Correct Answer: Right to refuse care
Rationale: Extra rights include assessment, evaluation, patient education,
and the patient's right to refuse care. These expand upon the core six to
,enhance safety and patient-centered care. Diagnosis, prescriber, and
pharmacy are not standard rights.
5. A nurse is performing a pre-administration assessment. Which of the
following actions should be included?
A) Evaluating the therapeutic response to the medication
B) Documenting the patient's satisfaction with treatment
C) Collecting baseline data to evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects
D) Assessing for adverse reactions that have already occurred
Correct Answer: Collecting baseline data to evaluate therapeutic and adverse
effects
Rationale: Pre-administration assessment includes collecting baseline data to
later evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects. Evaluating response and
satisfaction are post-administration activities. Assessing for reactions that
have already occurred is also a post-administration function.
6. A patient reports severe pain of 10/10. According to pre-administration
guidelines, what should the nurse do first?
A) Administer a PRN analgesic immediately
B) Call the physician for a new order
C) Intervene with standing orders or PRN meds, then reassess
D) Document the pain level and wait for the next scheduled dose
Correct Answer: Intervene with standing orders or PRN meds, then reassess
Rationale: The guideline is to intervene (PRN meds, standing orders, or call
the physician) and then assess. Waiting or documenting without action
, delays pain relief. Calling the physician is one option, but the nurse should
use available orders first.
7. Which of the following is the primary intervention for a patient
experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?
A) Administer epinephrine immediately
B) Stop the medication that is causing the reaction
C) Apply cool compresses to the rash
D) Notify the provider after the reaction subsides
Correct Answer: Stop the medication that is causing the reaction
Rationale: The primary intervention for an allergic reaction is to stop the
offending medication. While epinephrine may be needed in severe cases,
discontinuing the drug is the first and most critical step. Notifying the
provider should happen promptly, not after the reaction subsides.
8. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best
initial action?
A) Document the refusal and notify the provider
B) Crush the medication and hide it in food
C) Determine the reason for the refusal and investigate
D) Ask a family member to persuade the patient
Correct Answer: Determine the reason for the refusal and investigate
Rationale: If a patient refuses a drug, the nurse must determine why and
investigate. This respects patient autonomy and may uncover issues like side
effects or misunderstanding. Simply documenting or involving family without
understanding the reason is insufficient.
Pharmacology Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of the nursing
process as it relates to medication administration?
A) To ensure medications are prescribed correctly by the provider
B) To provide a systematic framework for safe, individualized, and effective
medication delivery
C) To document all medications given for legal purposes only
D) To reduce the cost of medications for the patient
Correct Answer: To provide a systematic framework for safe, individualized,
and effective medication delivery
Rationale: The nursing process (assessment, diagnosis, planning,
implementation, evaluation) provides a systematic framework for safe
medication administration. It ensures care is individualized and effective, not
merely for documentation or cost reduction. Prescribing is outside the
nursing scope.
2. What is the most important action for a nurse to take when a medication
order is unclear?
A) Administer the medication as written and monitor the patient closely
B) Clarify the order with the prescribing provider before administration
C) Ask the charge nurse to interpret the order
D) Hold the medication until the next shift
Correct Answer: Clarify the order with the prescribing provider before
administration
,Rationale: The biggest medication error is misinterpreting prescriptions.
Nurses must never assume an unclear order. The safest action is to clarify
directly with the prescriber. Asking another nurse or delaying without
clarification does not resolve the ambiguity.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication. Which of the following
represents the standard "six rights" of medication administration?
A) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, documentation
B) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, assessment
C) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, evaluation
D) Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, reason
Correct Answer: Right patient, drug, dose, time, route, documentation
Rationale: The standard six rights are right patient, drug, dose, time, route,
and documentation. Assessment, evaluation, patient education, and the right
to refuse are considered "extra rights" but are not part of the core six.
4. In addition to the standard six rights, which of the following is considered
an "extra right" of medication administration?
A) Right to refuse care
B) Right diagnosis
C) Right prescriber
D) Right pharmacy
Correct Answer: Right to refuse care
Rationale: Extra rights include assessment, evaluation, patient education,
and the patient's right to refuse care. These expand upon the core six to
,enhance safety and patient-centered care. Diagnosis, prescriber, and
pharmacy are not standard rights.
5. A nurse is performing a pre-administration assessment. Which of the
following actions should be included?
A) Evaluating the therapeutic response to the medication
B) Documenting the patient's satisfaction with treatment
C) Collecting baseline data to evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects
D) Assessing for adverse reactions that have already occurred
Correct Answer: Collecting baseline data to evaluate therapeutic and adverse
effects
Rationale: Pre-administration assessment includes collecting baseline data to
later evaluate therapeutic and adverse effects. Evaluating response and
satisfaction are post-administration activities. Assessing for reactions that
have already occurred is also a post-administration function.
6. A patient reports severe pain of 10/10. According to pre-administration
guidelines, what should the nurse do first?
A) Administer a PRN analgesic immediately
B) Call the physician for a new order
C) Intervene with standing orders or PRN meds, then reassess
D) Document the pain level and wait for the next scheduled dose
Correct Answer: Intervene with standing orders or PRN meds, then reassess
Rationale: The guideline is to intervene (PRN meds, standing orders, or call
the physician) and then assess. Waiting or documenting without action
, delays pain relief. Calling the physician is one option, but the nurse should
use available orders first.
7. Which of the following is the primary intervention for a patient
experiencing an allergic reaction to a medication?
A) Administer epinephrine immediately
B) Stop the medication that is causing the reaction
C) Apply cool compresses to the rash
D) Notify the provider after the reaction subsides
Correct Answer: Stop the medication that is causing the reaction
Rationale: The primary intervention for an allergic reaction is to stop the
offending medication. While epinephrine may be needed in severe cases,
discontinuing the drug is the first and most critical step. Notifying the
provider should happen promptly, not after the reaction subsides.
8. A patient refuses to take a prescribed medication. What is the nurse's best
initial action?
A) Document the refusal and notify the provider
B) Crush the medication and hide it in food
C) Determine the reason for the refusal and investigate
D) Ask a family member to persuade the patient
Correct Answer: Determine the reason for the refusal and investigate
Rationale: If a patient refuses a drug, the nurse must determine why and
investigate. This respects patient autonomy and may uncover issues like side
effects or misunderstanding. Simply documenting or involving family without
understanding the reason is insufficient.
