Evolve NCLEX Prep Q and A Pharmacology Study Guide Updated Latest 2026–2027 Nursing Pharmacology Drug Therapy Medication Administration NCLEX RN NCLEX PN Exam Questions with Verified Answers for BSN RN ADN LPN Nursing Students and Instructors.

PharmacologyY TestY Bank 1

, PharmacologyY TestY Bank 2




Silvestri:SaundersComprehensiveReviewforthe Y Y Y Y Y Y




NCLEX-RN®Examination,5thEdition Y Y Y




Pharmacology Y




Test Bank Y




MULTIPLECHOICE Y




1. TheI!nurse is caring for a client in labor. The nurse reviews the physician’s prescriptions and notes that the
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client has a prescription for butorphanol tartrate (Stadol). The nurse understands that this medicationis
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Y FY




prescribed for: FY




1. Pain relief FY




2. Increasing uterine contractions FY FY




3. Decreasing uterine contractions FY FY




4. Promoting fetal lung maturity FY FY FY




ANS: 1 F Y




Rationale: The client in labor may be given parenteral analgesia during the first stage of labor, up to 2 to3
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Y FY




hours before the anticipated delivery. Butorphanol tartrate is a medication that may be prescribed for pain
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relief. “Increasing uterine contractions,” “decreasing uterine contractions,” and “promoting fetal lung
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maturity” are not actions of this medication.
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Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge of the action of butorphanol tartrate is required to answer this question.
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Remember that this medication is used for pain relief. Review the action of this medication ifyou had
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Y FY FY




difficulty with this question and are unfamiliar with this medication.
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PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding FY FY FY FY




REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
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Y




OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity FY FY FY




TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology FY FY




MSC: F Y Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning FY FY FY




2. The postpartum nurse is caring for a client with an epidural catheter in place for opioid analgesic
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Y




administration following cesarean birth. If the client develops respiratory depression and requires
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Y




naloxone (Narcan) as an antidote, the client may complain of which of the following?
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1. Increase in her pain level FY FY FY FY




2. Decrease in her pain level FY FY FY FY




3. Increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
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4. Decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural
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ANS: 1 F Y

, PharmacologyY TestY Bank 3



Rationale: Remember that opioids are used for epidural analgesia. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist,
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which reverses the effects of opioids. If it is given, the client may complain of an increase in her pain level.
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Therefore “decrease in her pain level,” “increase in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the
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epidural,” and “decrease in the amount of itching from the opioid used in the epidural” are incorrect.
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Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must know that opioid analgesics are the
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Y




medications used with epidural analgesia to relieve pain. Therefore if naloxone is administered as an
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antidote for an opioid analgesic, the client’s pain will increase. Review the effects of naloxone if this
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question was difficult. FY FY




PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding FY FY FY FY




REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
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Y




OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity FY FY FY




TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology FY FY




MSC: F Y Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment FY FY FY




3. A client experiencing preterm labor at the twenty-ninth week of gestation has been admitted to the
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hospital. The client has a prescription to receive betamethasone (Celestone). The nurse understands thatthe
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Y FY




medication will do which of the following? FY FY FY FY FY FY




1. Prevent spontaneous delivery. FY FY




2. Stop the uterine contractions.
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3. Promote maturation of the fetal lungs. FY FY FY FY FY




4. Accelerate the growth rate of the fetus. FY FY FY FY FY FY




ANS: 3 F Y




Rationale: Betamethasone (Celestone) is classified as an anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid. It
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increases the surfactant level and lung maturity in the fetus, which reduces the incidence of respiratory
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distress syndrome. Delivery must be delayed for at least 48 hours after administration of betamethasoneto
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Y FY




allow time for the lungs of the fetus to mature.
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Test-Taking Strategy: Options that are comparable or alike are not likely to be correct. With this in mind,
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eliminate “prevent spontaneous delivery” and “stop the uterine contractions.” Note the strategic words
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“twenty-ninth week of gestation.” Specific knowledge about the medication and knowledge of theproblems
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Y FY




encountered by premature infants will assist in answering this question. Review the action of this
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medication if this question was difficult. FY FY FY FY FY




PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding FY FY FY FY




REF: McKinney, E., James, S., Murray, S., &Ashwill, J. (2009). Maternal-child nursing (3rd ed.). St. FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY F
Y




Louis: Saunders.FY OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity FY FY FY




TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology FY FY




MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
F Y FY FY FY




4. A client with preeclampsia is receiving magnesium sulfate. The nurse assesses the client closely for
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Y




which sign of magnesium toxicity?
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, PharmacologyY TestY Bank 4



1. Proteinuria
2. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes FY FY FY




3. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min FY FY FY FY




4. Serum magnesium level of 5 mEq/L FY FY FY FY FY




ANS: 3 F Y




Rationale: Magnesium toxicity is a risk associated with magnesium sulfate therapy. Signs of magnesium
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Y




toxicity relate to central nervous system (CNS) depression and include respiratory depression, loss of deep
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tendon reflexes, and sudden drop in fetal heart rate and/or maternal heart rate and blood pressure.
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Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys. If renal impairment is present, magnesium toxicity candevelop
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Y FY




very quickly. Therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L.
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Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must recall that magnesium sulfate is a
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CNS depressant. Begin to answer this question by eliminating “proteinuria” and “hyperactive deep tendon
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reflexes,” which are signs of preeclampsia. Select between the last two options using medicationknowledge
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Y FY




and recalling that the therapeutic serum levels of magnesium are 4 to 7 mEq/L. Review this medication and
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the normal magnesium level if this question was difficult.
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PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Analyzing FY FY FY FY




REF: Lowdermilk, D., Perry, S., & Cashion, K. (2010). Maternity nursing (8th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY FY




OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity FY FY FY F
Y




TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology FY FY




MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Assessment
F Y FY FY FY




5. A pregnant client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is being seen in the antenatal
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Y




clinic. The nurse recalls that zidovudine (AZT) therapy will be initiated when the fetus has reached how
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Y




many weeks of gestation? FY FY FY




1. 4
2. 14
3. 24
4. 34

ANS: 2 F Y




Rationale: The pregnant women with HIV infection will be prescribed oralAZT in the fourteenth weekof
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Y FY




gestation. Before this time, the fetus is at risk because of the teratogenic effects of the medication. In
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addition, a bolus ofAZT is given intravenously during labor, and the neonate is treated for six weeksafter
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Y FY




birth.

Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must be familiar with pharmacological
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therapy for clients who are HIV-positive. Knowing that the fetus is most vulnerable to the effects of
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medications and chemicals during the period of organogenesis will assist you in selecting the correct
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answer. Review treatment measures for the pregnant client with HIV infection if you had difficulty withthis
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Y FY




question.