VATI PN
Pharmacology
(Exam-style)
(NGN- STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO S ”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➢ Exam has 60 Pharmacology nursing questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,1.1 A nurse is preparing to administer diclofenac to a client with chronic bursitis.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer on an empty stomach to enhance absorption
B. Administer with food or milk
C. Have the client lie flat for 30 minutes after administration
D. Monitor for hyperglycemia before giving the medication
Answer: B. Administer with food or milk
Rationale: Diclofenac is an NSAID that causes gastric irritation by inhibiting
prostaglandin synthesis, which protects the gastric mucosa. Taking it with food or
milk minimizes GI adverse effects like ulceration and bleeding.
2. Trend Item – Laboratory Monitoring
2.1 A nurse is planning care for a client with asthma who has a prescription for
methylprednisolone. Which of the following lab values should the nurse
monitor?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Blood glucose level
C. Serum potassium
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Answer: B. Blood glucose level
Rationale: Methylprednisolone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreases
peripheral glucose uptake by muscle and adipose tissue, resulting in
hyperglycemia. Regular glucose monitoring is essential during corticosteroid
therapy.
3. Select-All-That-Apply – Raloxifene Indications
,3.1 A nurse is caring for a postmenopausal client who has a prescription for
raloxifene. The nurse should instruct the client that raloxifene is prescribed for
which of the following? (Select all that apply)
A. Reducing the risk of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer
B. Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis
C. Managing vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes)
D. Preventing cardiovascular disease
E. Reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia
Answer: A. Reducing the risk of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer; B.
Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis
Rationale: Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that acts
as an estrogen agonist on bone (preventing osteoporosis) and an estrogen
antagonist on breast tissue (reducing breast cancer risk). Unlike tamoxifen, it does
not stimulate the endometrium and does not treat hot flashes.
4. Bow-Tie Item – Heparin Therapy Safety
4.1 A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin by continuous IV infusion for
venous thrombosis. Complete the following diagram by selecting from the
options below.
Table
Action to Take Potential Complication Lab Value to Monitor
? Bleeding ?
Options: aPTT / INR / Protamine sulfate / Vitamin K / Platelet count / 4-6 hours
initially / Daily
Answer:
• Action to Take: Monitor aPTT every 4-6 hours initially
, • Lab Value to Monitor: aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy requires monitoring activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT) to maintain therapeutic range (usually 1.5-2.5 times control). The
frequency is every 4-6 hours until therapeutic, then periodically. Protamine sulfate
is the antidote for heparin overdose.
5. Enhanced Multiple Choice – Electrolyte Imbalance
5.1 A nurse is assessing a client who has a positive Trousseau's sign. Which of
the following should the nurse plan to administer?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: B. Calcium gluconate
Rationale: Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with blood pressure cuff inflation)
indicates latent tetany from hypocalcemia. Calcium gluconate is the IV
replacement of choice for acute hypocalcemia to prevent life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and seizures.
6. Case Study: Antipsychotic Therapy
Case Study Introduction: A nurse is administering haloperidol to a client with
schizophrenia.
6.1 For which of the following adverse drug events should the nurse monitor?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal effects (parkinsonism)
C. Nephrotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity
Pharmacology
(Exam-style)
(NGN- STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO S ”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➢ Exam has 60 Pharmacology nursing questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,1.1 A nurse is preparing to administer diclofenac to a client with chronic bursitis.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer on an empty stomach to enhance absorption
B. Administer with food or milk
C. Have the client lie flat for 30 minutes after administration
D. Monitor for hyperglycemia before giving the medication
Answer: B. Administer with food or milk
Rationale: Diclofenac is an NSAID that causes gastric irritation by inhibiting
prostaglandin synthesis, which protects the gastric mucosa. Taking it with food or
milk minimizes GI adverse effects like ulceration and bleeding.
2. Trend Item – Laboratory Monitoring
2.1 A nurse is planning care for a client with asthma who has a prescription for
methylprednisolone. Which of the following lab values should the nurse
monitor?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Blood glucose level
C. Serum potassium
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Answer: B. Blood glucose level
Rationale: Methylprednisolone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis and decreases
peripheral glucose uptake by muscle and adipose tissue, resulting in
hyperglycemia. Regular glucose monitoring is essential during corticosteroid
therapy.
3. Select-All-That-Apply – Raloxifene Indications
,3.1 A nurse is caring for a postmenopausal client who has a prescription for
raloxifene. The nurse should instruct the client that raloxifene is prescribed for
which of the following? (Select all that apply)
A. Reducing the risk of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer
B. Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis
C. Managing vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes)
D. Preventing cardiovascular disease
E. Reducing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia
Answer: A. Reducing the risk of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer; B.
Treating postmenopausal osteoporosis
Rationale: Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that acts
as an estrogen agonist on bone (preventing osteoporosis) and an estrogen
antagonist on breast tissue (reducing breast cancer risk). Unlike tamoxifen, it does
not stimulate the endometrium and does not treat hot flashes.
4. Bow-Tie Item – Heparin Therapy Safety
4.1 A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin by continuous IV infusion for
venous thrombosis. Complete the following diagram by selecting from the
options below.
Table
Action to Take Potential Complication Lab Value to Monitor
? Bleeding ?
Options: aPTT / INR / Protamine sulfate / Vitamin K / Platelet count / 4-6 hours
initially / Daily
Answer:
• Action to Take: Monitor aPTT every 4-6 hours initially
, • Lab Value to Monitor: aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy requires monitoring activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT) to maintain therapeutic range (usually 1.5-2.5 times control). The
frequency is every 4-6 hours until therapeutic, then periodically. Protamine sulfate
is the antidote for heparin overdose.
5. Enhanced Multiple Choice – Electrolyte Imbalance
5.1 A nurse is assessing a client who has a positive Trousseau's sign. Which of
the following should the nurse plan to administer?
A. Potassium chloride
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium bicarbonate
Answer: B. Calcium gluconate
Rationale: Trousseau's sign (carpal spasm with blood pressure cuff inflation)
indicates latent tetany from hypocalcemia. Calcium gluconate is the IV
replacement of choice for acute hypocalcemia to prevent life-threatening cardiac
dysrhythmias and seizures.
6. Case Study: Antipsychotic Therapy
Case Study Introduction: A nurse is administering haloperidol to a client with
schizophrenia.
6.1 For which of the following adverse drug events should the nurse monitor?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Extrapyramidal effects (parkinsonism)
C. Nephrotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity
