Edition By Visovsky, Zambroski, and Hosler
, Chapter 01: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. An LPN is gathering information during a patient’s admission to a long-term care facility before
administering prescribed medications. Which action is the most critical at this stage?
A. Gather any specialized equipment needed to administer the medication.
B. Observe the patient’s reaction after administering the medication.
C. Collect information regarding the patient’s current condition and health history.
D. Verify the accuracy of the nursing care plan.
Correct Answer: C
Gathering detailed information about the patient and their health status is essential before giving any
medication. This includes understanding current symptoms, reviewing the patient’s medical and drug history,
and recording vital signs. Planning for equipment is part of the planning process, observing the drug’s effects
comes under evaluation, and checking the care plan falls under implementation.
2. While involved in the planning phase of the nursing process for a patient on prescribed medications, which
task should the LPN carry out?
A. Set a goal outlining steps for medication administration.
B. Create a teaching plan regarding the medication's effects.
C. Check whether the patient is experiencing the expected therapeutic effect.
D. Assess the patient’s current understanding of the medication.
Correct Answer: D
Determining the patient's knowledge about the medication is part of the diagnostic phase. Setting
administration steps and developing education materials are planning actions.
3. When educating a patient with depression about possible adverse effects of their medication, which part of
the nursing process does this action fall under?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
In the evaluation stage, the nurse ensures the patient is aware of therapeutic goals, side effects, and adverse
reactions associated with the drug.
,4. Which option is an example of subjective data?
A. The patient says she feels pain in her left arm.
B. Blood pressure recorded as 128/88 in the medical chart.
C. A lab report indicating potassium is 3.8 mmol/L.
D. The ECG report shows normal sinus rhythm.
Correct Answer: A
Subjective data is based on what the patient or caregiver describes, such as symptoms like pain or nausea.
Objective data includes measurable items like lab values and vitals.
5. Which of these statements is an example of objective data?
A. The patient’s spouse says he was confused last night.
B. The patient winces during the exam when moving.
C. The patient admits to drinking alcohol occasionally.
D. The patient claims the pain is intense.
Correct Answer: B
Objective data includes observations that can be measured, such as physical responses to movement. Reports
from the patient or others that can’t be verified are subjective.
6. A nurse checks a patient’s blood pressure before administering a hypertension medication and finds it is
90/50 mm Hg. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Withhold the medication and inform the RN.
B. Give the medication with a full glass of water.
C. Reassess the blood pressure after 30 minutes.
D. Ask the patient to perform pursed-lip breathing first.
Correct Answer: A
The drug should be withheld, and the nurse should notify the RN. A very low blood pressure could require
medication changes. The other actions don’t address the risk of hypotension.
7. When an LPN gathers objective data during an assessment, which example shows a correct understanding
of objective findings?
A. The patient describes chest pain as 8/10.
B. The family says the patient has had pain for a month.
, C. A detailed account of the patient’s illness history.
D. Reviewing prior lab tests and x-ray results.
Correct Answer: D
Objective data includes test results and diagnostic images. Patient or family accounts and subjective pain
ratings are not measurable and are considered subjective.
8. A nurse checks a patient's self-recorded blood pressure readings at a follow-up after starting a new
antihypertensive drug. Which nursing process phase is this?
A. Assessment
B. Planning
C. Diagnosis
D. Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
The evaluation phase assesses whether the patient’s treatment goals are being met. Reviewing daily readings
reflects evaluation of drug effectiveness.
9. An LPN begins her shift by administering medications to her assigned patients. This activity is part of
which nursing process phase?
A. Implementation
B. Assessment
C. Planning
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: A
Administering medications is a direct action that takes place during implementation. Gathering information
and setting goals are done in earlier phases.
10. While reviewing a new antihypertensive order, you notice the dosage schedule is unclear. What is your
best course of action?
A. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify.
B. Ask the pharmacy to interpret the order.
C. Refer to a drug reference book for guidance.
D. Delay giving the drug until the provider returns.
Correct Answer: A