Lehne's Pharmacology for Nursing
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a patient who has
been prescribed an oral antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia. The
patient asks, "If the drug kills bacteria, why can't it kill only the
harmful bacteria?"
Question
Which response by the nurse best explains an important
limitation of pharmacotherapy?
Options
A. All drugs produce effects only at the intended site.
B. No medication is completely selective for its target.
C. Antibiotics affect only viruses and bacteria.
D. Drug selectivity eliminates adverse effects.
Correct Answer
B. No medication is completely selective for its target.
,Detailed Rationale
Drug selectivity refers to a medication's ability to affect one
tissue or receptor more than others. However, no drug is
perfectly selective, particularly as doses increase. Because
drugs may interact with unintended receptors or tissues,
adverse effects can occur despite therapeutic benefits. Nurses
should educate patients that medications are designed to
maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing unwanted
effects, but complete selectivity is not achievable.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A. All drugs produce effects only at the intended site.
Why Incorrect
Many medications act on multiple receptors or tissues.
Common Misconception
Patients often assume medications affect only diseased organs.
Medication Safety Risk
May lead patients to ignore adverse effects.
Nursing Consideration
Teach patients to report unexpected symptoms promptly.
, C. Antibiotics affect only viruses and bacteria.
Why Incorrect
Antibiotics target bacteria—not viruses—and may also disrupt
normal bacterial flora.
Common Misconception
Many patients believe antibiotics treat viral infections.
Medication Safety Risk
Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to resistance.
Nursing Consideration
Promote antimicrobial stewardship.
D. Drug selectivity eliminates adverse effects.
Why Incorrect
Selectivity reduces—but does not eliminate—the likelihood of
adverse effects.
Common Misconception
Patients may believe prescribed drugs are completely safe.
Medication Safety Risk
Delayed recognition of toxicity.
Care
12th Edition
• Author(s)Jacqueline Rosenjack
Burchum; Laura D. Rosenthal
,TEST BANK
Question 1 (MCQ)
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing discharge teaching for a patient who has
been prescribed an oral antibiotic for bacterial pneumonia. The
patient asks, "If the drug kills bacteria, why can't it kill only the
harmful bacteria?"
Question
Which response by the nurse best explains an important
limitation of pharmacotherapy?
Options
A. All drugs produce effects only at the intended site.
B. No medication is completely selective for its target.
C. Antibiotics affect only viruses and bacteria.
D. Drug selectivity eliminates adverse effects.
Correct Answer
B. No medication is completely selective for its target.
,Detailed Rationale
Drug selectivity refers to a medication's ability to affect one
tissue or receptor more than others. However, no drug is
perfectly selective, particularly as doses increase. Because
drugs may interact with unintended receptors or tissues,
adverse effects can occur despite therapeutic benefits. Nurses
should educate patients that medications are designed to
maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing unwanted
effects, but complete selectivity is not achievable.
Incorrect Option Analysis
A. All drugs produce effects only at the intended site.
Why Incorrect
Many medications act on multiple receptors or tissues.
Common Misconception
Patients often assume medications affect only diseased organs.
Medication Safety Risk
May lead patients to ignore adverse effects.
Nursing Consideration
Teach patients to report unexpected symptoms promptly.
, C. Antibiotics affect only viruses and bacteria.
Why Incorrect
Antibiotics target bacteria—not viruses—and may also disrupt
normal bacterial flora.
Common Misconception
Many patients believe antibiotics treat viral infections.
Medication Safety Risk
Inappropriate antibiotic use contributes to resistance.
Nursing Consideration
Promote antimicrobial stewardship.
D. Drug selectivity eliminates adverse effects.
Why Incorrect
Selectivity reduces—but does not eliminate—the likelihood of
adverse effects.
Common Misconception
Patients may believe prescribed drugs are completely safe.
Medication Safety Risk
Delayed recognition of toxicity.
