ATI Pharmacology Made Easy Exam Questions &
Answers |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 NCLEX-RN Next Gen (NGN) Practice
Questions with Rationales |
Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old woman is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. Her medical history includes hypertension, chronic kidney
disease stage 3, and osteoarthritis. The provider prescribes an
intravenous antibiotic. Before administering the first dose, the nurse
reviews the patient's electronic health record and notes a documented
history of an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin. Vital signs are stable,
and the patient states, "I'm not sure what antibiotic I'm getting today."
Question Stem
Which nursing action is the priority before administering the
medication?
A.
,Verify the patient's allergy history and notify the provider before
administering the antibiotic.
B.
Administer the medication slowly while monitoring for rash.
C.
Premedicate the patient with diphenhydramine.
D.
Ask another nurse to witness the medication administration.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: A. Verify the patient's allergy history and notify the
provider before administering the antibiotic.
Detailed Rationale
Medication safety begins with verifying allergies before administering
any drug. A documented history of anaphylaxis to penicillin represents a
potentially life-threatening contraindication to administering penicillin
or closely related beta-lactam antibiotics. The nurse should verify the
allergy, determine the prescribed medication, and clarify the order with
the provider if there is any concern regarding cross-reactivity or
inappropriate prescribing. Preventing medication errors is a primary
nursing responsibility and aligns with the "right patient," "right
medication," and "right assessment" principles of safe medication
administration.
,Option B is incorrect because administering the medication while
"monitoring for rash" exposes the patient to unnecessary risk.
Anaphylaxis can occur rapidly and may not begin with a mild rash.
Option C is incorrect because antihistamines do not prevent IgE-
mediated anaphylaxis and should never be used to justify administering
a contraindicated medication.
Option D is incorrect because obtaining a witness does not address the
underlying safety concern. Independent double checks are useful for
selected high-alert medications but do not replace assessment of
allergies.
Nurses should always review allergies, previous reactions, and
medication history before the first dose of any medication, especially
antibiotics, to prevent serious adverse drug events.
Learning Objectives
After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Identify the importance of allergy assessment before medication
administration.
• Prioritize nursing interventions that prevent medication errors.
• Recognize when a medication order requires clarification before
administration.
• Apply safe medication administration principles.
Medication Safety Focus
Contraindication
, Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing morning medications for four hospitalized clients.
During medication reconciliation, one client states, "I stopped taking
one of my blood pressure pills because it made me dizzy, but I forgot to
tell my doctor." Another client reports taking several over-the-counter
herbal supplements daily.
Question Stem
What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?
A.
To verify that medications are administered at the scheduled time.
B.
To compare all current medications with new medication orders to
identify discrepancies and prevent errors.
C.
To ensure patients receive only brand-name medications.
D.
To reduce the number of medications prescribed during hospitalization.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. To compare all current medications with new
medication orders to identify discrepancies and prevent errors.
Answers |
Introduction to Pharmacology |
20 NCLEX-RN Next Gen (NGN) Practice
Questions with Rationales |
Nursing Pharmacology Study Guide
Question 1
Clinical Scenario
A 72-year-old woman is admitted with community-acquired
pneumonia. Her medical history includes hypertension, chronic kidney
disease stage 3, and osteoarthritis. The provider prescribes an
intravenous antibiotic. Before administering the first dose, the nurse
reviews the patient's electronic health record and notes a documented
history of an anaphylactic reaction to penicillin. Vital signs are stable,
and the patient states, "I'm not sure what antibiotic I'm getting today."
Question Stem
Which nursing action is the priority before administering the
medication?
A.
,Verify the patient's allergy history and notify the provider before
administering the antibiotic.
B.
Administer the medication slowly while monitoring for rash.
C.
Premedicate the patient with diphenhydramine.
D.
Ask another nurse to witness the medication administration.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: A. Verify the patient's allergy history and notify the
provider before administering the antibiotic.
Detailed Rationale
Medication safety begins with verifying allergies before administering
any drug. A documented history of anaphylaxis to penicillin represents a
potentially life-threatening contraindication to administering penicillin
or closely related beta-lactam antibiotics. The nurse should verify the
allergy, determine the prescribed medication, and clarify the order with
the provider if there is any concern regarding cross-reactivity or
inappropriate prescribing. Preventing medication errors is a primary
nursing responsibility and aligns with the "right patient," "right
medication," and "right assessment" principles of safe medication
administration.
,Option B is incorrect because administering the medication while
"monitoring for rash" exposes the patient to unnecessary risk.
Anaphylaxis can occur rapidly and may not begin with a mild rash.
Option C is incorrect because antihistamines do not prevent IgE-
mediated anaphylaxis and should never be used to justify administering
a contraindicated medication.
Option D is incorrect because obtaining a witness does not address the
underlying safety concern. Independent double checks are useful for
selected high-alert medications but do not replace assessment of
allergies.
Nurses should always review allergies, previous reactions, and
medication history before the first dose of any medication, especially
antibiotics, to prevent serious adverse drug events.
Learning Objectives
After completing this question, the learner should be able to:
• Identify the importance of allergy assessment before medication
administration.
• Prioritize nursing interventions that prevent medication errors.
• Recognize when a medication order requires clarification before
administration.
• Apply safe medication administration principles.
Medication Safety Focus
Contraindication
, Question 2
Clinical Scenario
A nurse is preparing morning medications for four hospitalized clients.
During medication reconciliation, one client states, "I stopped taking
one of my blood pressure pills because it made me dizzy, but I forgot to
tell my doctor." Another client reports taking several over-the-counter
herbal supplements daily.
Question Stem
What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation?
A.
To verify that medications are administered at the scheduled time.
B.
To compare all current medications with new medication orders to
identify discrepancies and prevent errors.
C.
To ensure patients receive only brand-name medications.
D.
To reduce the number of medications prescribed during hospitalization.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer: B. To compare all current medications with new
medication orders to identify discrepancies and prevent errors.
