NCLEX-RN
Examination, 5th Edition
Pharmacology Test Bank
,NCLEX-RN Examination, 5th Edition Pharmacology Test Bank
Pharmacology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a client in labor. The nurse reviews the physician’s prescriptions and notes that T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the client has a prescription for butorphanol tartrate (Stadol). The nurse understands that this medication
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
is prescribed for:
T T
1. Pain relief T
2. Increasing uterine contractions T T
3. Decreasing uterine contractions T T
4. Promoting fetal lung maturity T T T
ANS: 1 T
Rationale: The client in labor may be given parenteral analgesia during the first stage of labor, up to 2 to 3
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
hours before the anticipated delivery. Butorphanol tartrate is a medication that may be prescribed for
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
pain relief. “Increasing uterine contractions,” “decreasing uterine contractions,” and “promoting fetal
T T T T T T T T T T T
lung maturity” are not actions of this medication.
T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge of the action of butorphanol tartrate is required to answer this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
question. Remember that this medication is used for pain relief. Review the action of this medication if
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
you had difficulty with this question and are unfamiliar with this medication.
T T T T T T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: UnderstandingT T T T
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
T T T T
2. The postpartum nurse is caring for a client with an epidural catheter in place for opioid analgesic
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
administration following cesarean birth. If the client develops respiratory depression and requires
T T T T T T T T T T T T
naloxone (Narcan) as an antidote, the client may complain of which of the following?
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
1. Increase in her pain level T T T T
2. Decrease in her pain level T T T T
, 3. Increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
T T T T T T T T T T T T
ANS: 1 T
Rationale: Remember that opioids are used for epidural analgesia. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist,
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
which reverses the effects of opioids. If it is given, the client may complain of an increase in her pain
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
level. Therefore “decrease in her pain level,” “increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the epidural,” and “decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural” are incorrect.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must know that opioid analgesics are the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
medications used with epidural analgesia to relieve pain. Therefore if naloxone is administered as an
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
antidote for an opioid analgesic, the client’s pain will increase. Review the effects of naloxone if this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
question was difficult. T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding T T T T
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
T T T T
3. A client experiencing preterm labor at the twenty-ninth week of gestation has been admitted to the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
hospital. The client has a prescription to receive betamethasone (Celestone). The nurse understands that
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the medication will do which of the following?
T T T T T T T
1. Prevent spontaneous delivery. T T
2. Stop the uterine contractions.
T T T
3. Promote maturation of the fetal lungs. T T T T T
4. Accelerate the growth rate of the fetus. T T T T T T
ANS: 3 T
Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is classified as an anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid. It
T T T T T T T T T T T
increases the surfactant level and lung maturity in the fetus, which reduces the incidence of respiratory
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
distress syndrome. Delivery must be delayed for at least 48 hours after administration of betamethasone to
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
allow time for the lungs of the fetus to mature.
T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: Options that are comparable or alike are not likely to be correct. With this in
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
mind, eliminate “prevent spontaneous delivery” and “stop the uterine contractions.” Note the strategic
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
words “twenty-ninth week of gestation.” Specific knowledge about the medication and knowledge of the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
problems encountered by premature infants will assist in answering this question. Review the action of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
this medication if this question was difficult.
T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding T T T T
REF: McKinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., & Ashwill, J. (2009). Maternal-child nursing (3rd ed.). St. T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
T T T T
, TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
T T T T
4. A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse assesses the client closely for
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
which sign of magnesium toxicity?
T T T T
1. Proteinuria
2. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes T T T
3. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min T T T T
4. Serum magnesium level of 5 mEq/L
T T T T T
ANS: 3 T
Rationale: Magnesium toxicity is a risk associated with magnesium sulfate therapy. Signs of magnesium
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
toxicity relate to central nervous system (CNS) depression and include respiratory depression, loss of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
deep tendon reflexes, and sudden drop in fetal heart rate and/or maternal heart rate and blood pressure.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. If renal impairment is present, magnesium toxicity can
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
develop very quickly. Therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must recall that magnesium sulfate is a
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
CNS depressant. Begin to answer this question by eliminating “proteinuria” and “hyperactive deep
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
tendon reflexes,” which are signs of preeclampsia. Select between the last two options using medication
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
knowledge and recalling that the therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L. Review this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
medication and the normal magnesium level if this question was difficult.
T T T T T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing T T T T
REF: Lowdermilk, D., Perry, S., & Cashion, K. (2010). Maternity nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
T T T T
5. A pregnant client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is being seen in the antenatal
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
clinic. The nurse recalls that zidovudine (AZT) therapy will be initiated when the fetus has reached how
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
many weeks of gestation?
T T T
1. 4
2. 14
3. 24
4. 34
ANS: 2 T
Rationale: The pregnant women with HIV infection will be prescribed oral AZT in the fourteenth week of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
gestation. Before this time, the fetus is at risk because of the teratogenic effects of the medication. In
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Examination, 5th Edition
Pharmacology Test Bank
,NCLEX-RN Examination, 5th Edition Pharmacology Test Bank
Pharmacology
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is caring for a client in labor. The nurse reviews the physician’s prescriptions and notes that T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the client has a prescription for butorphanol tartrate (Stadol). The nurse understands that this medication
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
is prescribed for:
T T
1. Pain relief T
2. Increasing uterine contractions T T
3. Decreasing uterine contractions T T
4. Promoting fetal lung maturity T T T
ANS: 1 T
Rationale: The client in labor may be given parenteral analgesia during the first stage of labor, up to 2 to 3
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
hours before the anticipated delivery. Butorphanol tartrate is a medication that may be prescribed for
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
pain relief. “Increasing uterine contractions,” “decreasing uterine contractions,” and “promoting fetal
T T T T T T T T T T T
lung maturity” are not actions of this medication.
T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge of the action of butorphanol tartrate is required to answer this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
question. Remember that this medication is used for pain relief. Review the action of this medication if
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
you had difficulty with this question and are unfamiliar with this medication.
T T T T T T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: UnderstandingT T T T
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
T T T T
2. The postpartum nurse is caring for a client with an epidural catheter in place for opioid analgesic
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
administration following cesarean birth. If the client develops respiratory depression and requires
T T T T T T T T T T T T
naloxone (Narcan) as an antidote, the client may complain of which of the following?
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
1. Increase in her pain level T T T T
2. Decrease in her pain level T T T T
, 3. Increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
T T T T T T T T T T T T
ANS: 1 T
Rationale: Remember that opioids are used for epidural analgesia. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist,
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
which reverses the effects of opioids. If it is given, the client may complain of an increase in her pain
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
level. Therefore “decrease in her pain level,” “increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the epidural,” and “decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural” are incorrect.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must know that opioid analgesics are the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
medications used with epidural analgesia to relieve pain. Therefore if naloxone is administered as an
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
antidote for an opioid analgesic, the client’s pain will increase. Review the effects of naloxone if this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
question was difficult. T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding T T T T
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
T T T T
3. A client experiencing preterm labor at the twenty-ninth week of gestation has been admitted to the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
hospital. The client has a prescription to receive betamethasone (Celestone). The nurse understands that
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
the medication will do which of the following?
T T T T T T T
1. Prevent spontaneous delivery. T T
2. Stop the uterine contractions.
T T T
3. Promote maturation of the fetal lungs. T T T T T
4. Accelerate the growth rate of the fetus. T T T T T T
ANS: 3 T
Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is classified as an anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid. It
T T T T T T T T T T T
increases the surfactant level and lung maturity in the fetus, which reduces the incidence of respiratory
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
distress syndrome. Delivery must be delayed for at least 48 hours after administration of betamethasone to
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
allow time for the lungs of the fetus to mature.
T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: Options that are comparable or alike are not likely to be correct. With this in
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
mind, eliminate “prevent spontaneous delivery” and “stop the uterine contractions.” Note the strategic
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
words “twenty-ninth week of gestation.” Specific knowledge about the medication and knowledge of the
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
problems encountered by premature infants will assist in answering this question. Review the action of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
this medication if this question was difficult.
T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding T T T T
REF: McKinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., & Ashwill, J. (2009). Maternal-child nursing (3rd ed.). St. T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Louis: Saunders. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
T T T T
, TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
T T T T
4. A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse assesses the client closely for
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
which sign of magnesium toxicity?
T T T T
1. Proteinuria
2. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes T T T
3. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min T T T T
4. Serum magnesium level of 5 mEq/L
T T T T T
ANS: 3 T
Rationale: Magnesium toxicity is a risk associated with magnesium sulfate therapy. Signs of magnesium
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
toxicity relate to central nervous system (CNS) depression and include respiratory depression, loss of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
deep tendon reflexes, and sudden drop in fetal heart rate and/or maternal heart rate and blood pressure.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. If renal impairment is present, magnesium toxicity can
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
develop very quickly. Therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L.
T T T T T T T T T T T T
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must recall that magnesium sulfate is a
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
CNS depressant. Begin to answer this question by eliminating “proteinuria” and “hyperactive deep
T T T T T T T T T T T T T
tendon reflexes,” which are signs of preeclampsia. Select between the last two options using medication
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
knowledge and recalling that the therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L. Review this
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
medication and the normal magnesium level if this question was difficult.
T T T T T T T T T T
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing T T T T
REF: Lowdermilk, D., Perry, S., & Cashion, K. (2010). Maternity nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity T T T T
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology T T
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
T T T T
5. A pregnant client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is being seen in the antenatal
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
clinic. The nurse recalls that zidovudine (AZT) therapy will be initiated when the fetus has reached how
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
many weeks of gestation?
T T T
1. 4
2. 14
3. 24
4. 34
ANS: 2 T
Rationale: The pregnant women with HIV infection will be prescribed oral AZT in the fourteenth week of
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
gestation. Before this time, the fetus is at risk because of the teratogenic effects of the medication. In
T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T T
