Exam 1 Pharmacology for Nurses (Ch 1-5)
questions and answers 25/2026
What is the difference between therapeutic and pharmacologic classifications? Identify the following
classifications as therapeutic or pharmacologic: betaadrenergic blocker, oral contraceptive, laxative, folic
acid antagonist, and antianginal drug. - Answer The therapeutic classification is a method of organizing
drugs based on their therapeutic usefulness in treating particular diseases. The pharmacologic
classification refers to how a drug works at the molecular, tissue, and body system levels. A beta-
adrenergic blocker is a pharmacologic class; an oral contraceptive is a therapeutic class; laxative is a
therapeutic class; folic acid antagonist is a pharmacologic class; antianginal is a therapeutic class.
Chapter 1
How does the FDA ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs? What types of drugs does the FDA
regulate or control? - Answer The FDA, through its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER),
exercises control over whether prescription drugs and OTC drugs may be used for therapy. The mission
of the CDER is to facilitate the availability of safe, effective drugs; keep unsafe or ineffective drugs off
the market; improve the health of Americans; and provide clear, easily understandable drug information
for safe and effective use. The FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) regulates the
use of biologics including serums, vaccines, and blood products.
Chapter 2
Why are certain drugs placed in schedules? What does the nurse need to know when a scheduled drug
is ordered? - Answer Schedules refer to the potential for abuse. These schedules help the nurse identify
the potential for abuse and require the nurse to maintain complete records for all quantities prescribed.
The higher the abuse potential, the more restrictions are placed on the prescriber and the filling of
refills. When educating the patient about a prescription, the nurse should also include this information
on any prescription or refills as part of the education.
Chapter 2
A nurse is preparing to give a patient a medication and notes that a drug to be given is marked as a
Schedule III drug. What does this information tell the nurse about this medication? - Answer This
Schedule III drug is a controlled substance restricted by the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 and
regulated by the DEA. A Schedule III drug has a moderate abuse potential, moderate potential for
physical dependency, and high potential for psychologic dependency.
Chapter 2
What is the role of the nurse in medication administration? (Select all that apply.)
, 1. Ensure that medications are administered and delivered in a safe manner.
2. Be certain that healthcare provider orders are accurate.
3. Inform the patient that prescribed medications need to be taken only if the patient agrees with the
treatment plan.
4. Ensure that the patient understands the use and administration technique for all prescribed
medications.
5. Prevent adverse drug reactions by properly administering all medications. - Answer 1. Ensure that
medications are administered and delivered in a safe manner.
4. Ensure that the patient understands the use and administration technique for all prescribed
medications.
Chapter 3
Before administering drugs by the enteral route, the nurse should evaluate which of the following?
1. Ability of the patient to lie supine
2. Compatibility of the drug with intravenous fluid
3. Ability of the patient to swallow
4. Patency of the injection port - Answer 3. Ability of the patient to swallow
Chapter 3
While the nurse takes the patient's admission history, the patient describes having a severe allergy to an
antibiotic. What is the nurse's responsibility to prevent an allergic reaction? (Select all that apply.)
1. Instruct the patient to alert all providers about the allergy.
2. Document the allergy in the medical record.
3. Notify the provider and the pharmacy of the allergy and type of allergic reaction.
4. Place an allergy bracelet on the patient. 5. Instruct the patient not to allow anyone to give the
antibiotic. - Answer 2. Document the allergy in the medical record.
3. Notify the provider and the pharmacy of the allergy and type of allergic reaction.
4. Place an allergy bracelet on the patient.
Chapter 3
The order reads, "Lasix 40 mg IV STAT." Which action should the nurse take?
questions and answers 25/2026
What is the difference between therapeutic and pharmacologic classifications? Identify the following
classifications as therapeutic or pharmacologic: betaadrenergic blocker, oral contraceptive, laxative, folic
acid antagonist, and antianginal drug. - Answer The therapeutic classification is a method of organizing
drugs based on their therapeutic usefulness in treating particular diseases. The pharmacologic
classification refers to how a drug works at the molecular, tissue, and body system levels. A beta-
adrenergic blocker is a pharmacologic class; an oral contraceptive is a therapeutic class; laxative is a
therapeutic class; folic acid antagonist is a pharmacologic class; antianginal is a therapeutic class.
Chapter 1
How does the FDA ensure the safety and effectiveness of drugs? What types of drugs does the FDA
regulate or control? - Answer The FDA, through its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER),
exercises control over whether prescription drugs and OTC drugs may be used for therapy. The mission
of the CDER is to facilitate the availability of safe, effective drugs; keep unsafe or ineffective drugs off
the market; improve the health of Americans; and provide clear, easily understandable drug information
for safe and effective use. The FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) regulates the
use of biologics including serums, vaccines, and blood products.
Chapter 2
Why are certain drugs placed in schedules? What does the nurse need to know when a scheduled drug
is ordered? - Answer Schedules refer to the potential for abuse. These schedules help the nurse identify
the potential for abuse and require the nurse to maintain complete records for all quantities prescribed.
The higher the abuse potential, the more restrictions are placed on the prescriber and the filling of
refills. When educating the patient about a prescription, the nurse should also include this information
on any prescription or refills as part of the education.
Chapter 2
A nurse is preparing to give a patient a medication and notes that a drug to be given is marked as a
Schedule III drug. What does this information tell the nurse about this medication? - Answer This
Schedule III drug is a controlled substance restricted by the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 and
regulated by the DEA. A Schedule III drug has a moderate abuse potential, moderate potential for
physical dependency, and high potential for psychologic dependency.
Chapter 2
What is the role of the nurse in medication administration? (Select all that apply.)
, 1. Ensure that medications are administered and delivered in a safe manner.
2. Be certain that healthcare provider orders are accurate.
3. Inform the patient that prescribed medications need to be taken only if the patient agrees with the
treatment plan.
4. Ensure that the patient understands the use and administration technique for all prescribed
medications.
5. Prevent adverse drug reactions by properly administering all medications. - Answer 1. Ensure that
medications are administered and delivered in a safe manner.
4. Ensure that the patient understands the use and administration technique for all prescribed
medications.
Chapter 3
Before administering drugs by the enteral route, the nurse should evaluate which of the following?
1. Ability of the patient to lie supine
2. Compatibility of the drug with intravenous fluid
3. Ability of the patient to swallow
4. Patency of the injection port - Answer 3. Ability of the patient to swallow
Chapter 3
While the nurse takes the patient's admission history, the patient describes having a severe allergy to an
antibiotic. What is the nurse's responsibility to prevent an allergic reaction? (Select all that apply.)
1. Instruct the patient to alert all providers about the allergy.
2. Document the allergy in the medical record.
3. Notify the provider and the pharmacy of the allergy and type of allergic reaction.
4. Place an allergy bracelet on the patient. 5. Instruct the patient not to allow anyone to give the
antibiotic. - Answer 2. Document the allergy in the medical record.
3. Notify the provider and the pharmacy of the allergy and type of allergic reaction.
4. Place an allergy bracelet on the patient.
Chapter 3
The order reads, "Lasix 40 mg IV STAT." Which action should the nurse take?
