Pharmacology, Dosage
Calculation, and Medication
Administration 2026/2027
### Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient's apical pulse is
52 beats per minute. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the digoxin as prescribed
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
C. Administer the digoxin with a glass of milk
D. Double the dose to achieve therapeutic effect
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in
adults. Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin toxicity, and the healthcare provider should be notified before
administering the dose.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
,---
### Question 2
The healthcare provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg orally every 8 hours for a patient with a
respiratory infection. The medication is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should use the formula: Desired dose / Available dose × Volume. 500
mg / 250 mg × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL per dose.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. 10 mL
---
### Question 3
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril 10 mg orally daily. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Dry, persistent cough
,B. Hyperkalemia
C. Angioedema
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a dry, persistent cough, hyperkalemia, and
angioedema. The patient should be monitored for these adverse effects, and the healthcare provider
should be notified if they occur.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
### Question 4
The nurse is preparing to administer heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously. Which action is correct for this
administration?
A. Administer the injection in the deltoid muscle
B. Massage the injection site after administration
C. Administer the injection in the abdomen
D. Aspirate before injecting the medication
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Heparin should be administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The nurse
should not massage the site after injection to prevent hematoma formation, and aspiration is not
necessary.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Administer the injection in the abdomen
, ---
### Question 5
A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus) 20 units subcutaneously at
bedtime. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "This insulin should be taken with meals."
B. "This insulin should not be mixed with other insulins."
C. "This insulin will peak in 2-4 hours."
D. "This insulin should be given in the same syringe as regular insulin."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should not be mixed with other
insulins in the same syringe. It provides a steady basal level of insulin without a peak.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "This insulin should not be mixed with other insulins."
---
### Question 6
The healthcare provider prescribes cefazolin 1 g intravenous piggyback (IVPB) to be infused over 30
minutes. The medication is available in 100 mL of normal saline. At what rate should the nurse set the
infusion pump?
A. 100 mL/hour
Calculation, and Medication
Administration 2026/2027
### Question 1
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient's apical pulse is
52 beats per minute. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the digoxin as prescribed
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
C. Administer the digoxin with a glass of milk
D. Double the dose to achieve therapeutic effect
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in
adults. Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin toxicity, and the healthcare provider should be notified before
administering the dose.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider
,---
### Question 2
The healthcare provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg orally every 8 hours for a patient with a
respiratory infection. The medication is available as 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The nurse should use the formula: Desired dose / Available dose × Volume. 500
mg / 250 mg × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL per dose.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. 10 mL
---
### Question 3
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril 10 mg orally daily. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Dry, persistent cough
,B. Hyperkalemia
C. Angioedema
D. All of the above
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause a dry, persistent cough, hyperkalemia, and
angioedema. The patient should be monitored for these adverse effects, and the healthcare provider
should be notified if they occur.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D. All of the above
---
### Question 4
The nurse is preparing to administer heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously. Which action is correct for this
administration?
A. Administer the injection in the deltoid muscle
B. Massage the injection site after administration
C. Administer the injection in the abdomen
D. Aspirate before injecting the medication
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Heparin should be administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The nurse
should not massage the site after injection to prevent hematoma formation, and aspiration is not
necessary.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C. Administer the injection in the abdomen
, ---
### Question 5
A patient with diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus) 20 units subcutaneously at
bedtime. Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching?
A. "This insulin should be taken with meals."
B. "This insulin should not be mixed with other insulins."
C. "This insulin will peak in 2-4 hours."
D. "This insulin should be given in the same syringe as regular insulin."
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should not be mixed with other
insulins in the same syringe. It provides a steady basal level of insulin without a peak.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B. "This insulin should not be mixed with other insulins."
---
### Question 6
The healthcare provider prescribes cefazolin 1 g intravenous piggyback (IVPB) to be infused over 30
minutes. The medication is available in 100 mL of normal saline. At what rate should the nurse set the
infusion pump?
A. 100 mL/hour