LPN to ADN Bridge Week 6: Pharmacology and Dosage Calculations
Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following tasks is strictly within the RN scope of practice
compared to the LPN role regarding pharmacology?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable patient
B. Reinforcing teaching previously provided by the RN
C. Performing the initial assessment and medication education for a new drug
D. Administering a routine intramuscular injection
Answer: C
Rationale: While LPNs can administer medications and reinforce teaching, the RN is
responsible for the initial assessment, developing the plan of care, and providing the
primary education for new medications.
2. A patient is prescribed 1,000 mL of Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours. At
what rate should the nurse set the IV pump in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 120 mL/hr
D. 150 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume (1000 mL) divided by total time (8 hours) equals 125 mL/hr.
,3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with end-
stage renal disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: D
Rationale: Excretion is primarily handled by the kidneys. Impaired renal function leads to
a decrease in the elimination of drugs from the body.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a narrow
therapeutic index. What does this indicate?
A. There is a small margin between the effective dose and the toxic dose
B. The lethal dose is much higher than the effective dose
C. The drug is very safe and requires little monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Answer: A
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a therapeutic
concentration and a toxic concentration is very small, requiring close monitoring of blood
levels.
5. A physician orders Heparin 5,000 units subcutaneous every 12 hours. The vial
is labeled 10,000 units/mL. How many mL will the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2.0 mL
Answer: A
Rationale: Desired (5,000) / Have (10,000) * Volume (1 mL) = 0.5 mL.
, 6. During a medication reconciliation, the RN notices a discrepancy between the
patient’s home meds and the hospital orders. What is the RN’s priority action?
A. Contact the prescribing provider to clarify the orders
B. Tell the patient to continue taking their home medications
C. Administer the hospital-ordered medications only
D. Wait for the pharmacist to fix the list
Answer: A
Rationale: The RN must clarify discrepancies with the provider to ensure patient safety
and prevent medication errors during transitions of care.
7. Which of the following is an example of an ‘agonist’ drug?
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response
B. A drug that blocks a receptor site to prevent a response
C. A drug that accelerates the metabolism of other drugs
D. A drug that competes for protein binding sites
Answer: A
Rationale: An agonist is a medication that mimics the action of the endogenous messenger
by binding to and activating a receptor.
8. The nurse is calculating a pediatric dose based on weight. The child weighs 22
lbs. How many kilograms is this?
A. 10 kg
B. 5 kg
C. 11 kg
D. 22 kg
Answer: A
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. .2 = 10 kg.
Quiz 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. Which of the following tasks is strictly within the RN scope of practice
compared to the LPN role regarding pharmacology?
A. Administering oral medications to a stable patient
B. Reinforcing teaching previously provided by the RN
C. Performing the initial assessment and medication education for a new drug
D. Administering a routine intramuscular injection
Answer: C
Rationale: While LPNs can administer medications and reinforce teaching, the RN is
responsible for the initial assessment, developing the plan of care, and providing the
primary education for new medications.
2. A patient is prescribed 1,000 mL of Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours. At
what rate should the nurse set the IV pump in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 120 mL/hr
D. 150 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume (1000 mL) divided by total time (8 hours) equals 125 mL/hr.
,3. Which pharmacokinetic process is primarily affected in a patient with end-
stage renal disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
Answer: D
Rationale: Excretion is primarily handled by the kidneys. Impaired renal function leads to
a decrease in the elimination of drugs from the body.
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a narrow
therapeutic index. What does this indicate?
A. There is a small margin between the effective dose and the toxic dose
B. The lethal dose is much higher than the effective dose
C. The drug is very safe and requires little monitoring
D. The drug has a very long half-life
Answer: A
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between a therapeutic
concentration and a toxic concentration is very small, requiring close monitoring of blood
levels.
5. A physician orders Heparin 5,000 units subcutaneous every 12 hours. The vial
is labeled 10,000 units/mL. How many mL will the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2.0 mL
Answer: A
Rationale: Desired (5,000) / Have (10,000) * Volume (1 mL) = 0.5 mL.
, 6. During a medication reconciliation, the RN notices a discrepancy between the
patient’s home meds and the hospital orders. What is the RN’s priority action?
A. Contact the prescribing provider to clarify the orders
B. Tell the patient to continue taking their home medications
C. Administer the hospital-ordered medications only
D. Wait for the pharmacist to fix the list
Answer: A
Rationale: The RN must clarify discrepancies with the provider to ensure patient safety
and prevent medication errors during transitions of care.
7. Which of the following is an example of an ‘agonist’ drug?
A. A drug that binds to a receptor and produces a biological response
B. A drug that blocks a receptor site to prevent a response
C. A drug that accelerates the metabolism of other drugs
D. A drug that competes for protein binding sites
Answer: A
Rationale: An agonist is a medication that mimics the action of the endogenous messenger
by binding to and activating a receptor.
8. The nurse is calculating a pediatric dose based on weight. The child weighs 22
lbs. How many kilograms is this?
A. 10 kg
B. 5 kg
C. 11 kg
D. 22 kg
Answer: A
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. .2 = 10 kg.
