PHARMACOLOGY AND THE NURSING PROCESS IN LPN PRACTICE
Comprehensive 200-Question Study/Practice Exam
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Question 1. The LPN is collecting data for the initial assessment of a
patient upon admission to a long-term care facility before giving the
patient's prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN consider to be the
highest priority?
A. Obtain any special equipment that will be needed to give the patient's
drug.
B. Monitor the patient for a response to the drug given.
C. Collect data about the patient and the patient's health condition.
D. Review the nursing care plan to verify that it is accurate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Collecting and documenting data about the patient and the
patient's health condition is a critical step before any drugs are given.
Information regarding the present illness, signs/symptoms, medical
records, drug history, and vital signs are needed before drug
administration. The other options represent later phases of the nursing
process.
---
Question 2. The LPN is working with a patient in the planning stage of the
nursing process related to the patient's prescribed drugs. Which action
should the LPN take during this stage?
,A. Develop a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give the drug.
B. Develop a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug's actions.
C. Determine that the patient is experiencing the expected response to his
drug.
D. Determine how much the patient understands about his drug.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Determining how much the patient understands about his drug
is part of the diagnosis phase of the nursing process. Developing nursing
goals and teaching plans are part of the planning phase. Evaluating
patient response belongs to the evaluation phase.
---
Question 3. You are teaching a patient with depression about the potential
adverse effects of a prescribed drug. What part of the nursing process
related to drug therapy are you engaging in at this point of the teaching
plan?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the LPN
understands and teaches the patient the drug's therapeutic effects,
expected side effects, and potential adverse effects. This ensures the
patient can recognize and report concerning symptoms.
,---
Question 4. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. The patient states she has pain in her left arm.
B. The medical chart has a recorded blood pressure of 128/88.
C. The serum potassium level is 3.8 mmol/L.
D. The patient's ECG shows normal sinus rhythm.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reports from the patient or caregiver are considered subjective
data. Symptoms such as pain, nausea, or dizziness are examples that
cannot be objectively "seen." Laboratory values, ECG results, and vital
signs are objective data.
---
Question 5. Which statement provides an example of objective data?
A. The wife states the patient was confused last night.
B. Grimacing with movement is present during the examination.
C. The patient reports moderate alcohol consumption.
D. The patient states pain is severe.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measurable data obtained during a physical exam, such as
grimacing with movement, is objective data. Subjective data includes
information from the patient or family that cannot be independently
verified.
, ---
Question 6. The LPN/VN is assessing a patient before giving a drug for
blood pressure management. The nurse notes the blood pressure to be
90/50 mm Hg. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Hold the drug and report the blood pressure to the RN.
B. Give the patient a full glass of water before giving the drug.
C. Come back in 30 minutes and recheck the blood pressure.
D. Have the patient perform pursed lip breathing before giving the drug.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The best action is to hold the drug and contact the RN. The
patient may need a dose adjustment or a different medication. The low
blood pressure indicates a risk for hypotension. Pursed lip breathing is not
appropriate in this situation.
---
Question 7. The LPN is collecting objective data for inclusion in the nursing
assessment. Which piece of information indicates that the LPN has clear
understanding of objective assessment data?
A. A patient's rating of chest pain as 8 on a 1 to 10 scale.
B. Family members report that patient has been experiencing pain for 1
month.
C. Detailed history of the patient's current illness upon admission.
D. Compilation of past laboratory results and x-ray reports.
Correct Answer: D
Comprehensive 200-Question Study/Practice Exam
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Question 1. The LPN is collecting data for the initial assessment of a
patient upon admission to a long-term care facility before giving the
patient's prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN consider to be the
highest priority?
A. Obtain any special equipment that will be needed to give the patient's
drug.
B. Monitor the patient for a response to the drug given.
C. Collect data about the patient and the patient's health condition.
D. Review the nursing care plan to verify that it is accurate.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Collecting and documenting data about the patient and the
patient's health condition is a critical step before any drugs are given.
Information regarding the present illness, signs/symptoms, medical
records, drug history, and vital signs are needed before drug
administration. The other options represent later phases of the nursing
process.
---
Question 2. The LPN is working with a patient in the planning stage of the
nursing process related to the patient's prescribed drugs. Which action
should the LPN take during this stage?
,A. Develop a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give the drug.
B. Develop a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug's actions.
C. Determine that the patient is experiencing the expected response to his
drug.
D. Determine how much the patient understands about his drug.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Determining how much the patient understands about his drug
is part of the diagnosis phase of the nursing process. Developing nursing
goals and teaching plans are part of the planning phase. Evaluating
patient response belongs to the evaluation phase.
---
Question 3. You are teaching a patient with depression about the potential
adverse effects of a prescribed drug. What part of the nursing process
related to drug therapy are you engaging in at this point of the teaching
plan?
A. Assessment
B. Implementation
C. Evaluation
D. Diagnosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the LPN
understands and teaches the patient the drug's therapeutic effects,
expected side effects, and potential adverse effects. This ensures the
patient can recognize and report concerning symptoms.
,---
Question 4. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
A. The patient states she has pain in her left arm.
B. The medical chart has a recorded blood pressure of 128/88.
C. The serum potassium level is 3.8 mmol/L.
D. The patient's ECG shows normal sinus rhythm.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Reports from the patient or caregiver are considered subjective
data. Symptoms such as pain, nausea, or dizziness are examples that
cannot be objectively "seen." Laboratory values, ECG results, and vital
signs are objective data.
---
Question 5. Which statement provides an example of objective data?
A. The wife states the patient was confused last night.
B. Grimacing with movement is present during the examination.
C. The patient reports moderate alcohol consumption.
D. The patient states pain is severe.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Measurable data obtained during a physical exam, such as
grimacing with movement, is objective data. Subjective data includes
information from the patient or family that cannot be independently
verified.
, ---
Question 6. The LPN/VN is assessing a patient before giving a drug for
blood pressure management. The nurse notes the blood pressure to be
90/50 mm Hg. What is the nurse's best action?
A. Hold the drug and report the blood pressure to the RN.
B. Give the patient a full glass of water before giving the drug.
C. Come back in 30 minutes and recheck the blood pressure.
D. Have the patient perform pursed lip breathing before giving the drug.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The best action is to hold the drug and contact the RN. The
patient may need a dose adjustment or a different medication. The low
blood pressure indicates a risk for hypotension. Pursed lip breathing is not
appropriate in this situation.
---
Question 7. The LPN is collecting objective data for inclusion in the nursing
assessment. Which piece of information indicates that the LPN has clear
understanding of objective assessment data?
A. A patient's rating of chest pain as 8 on a 1 to 10 scale.
B. Family members report that patient has been experiencing pain for 1
month.
C. Detailed history of the patient's current illness upon admission.
D. Compilation of past laboratory results and x-ray reports.
Correct Answer: D
