KAPLAN PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 180 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | BRAND NEW 2025/2026
VERSION
Core Domains
1. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics – Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion, Mechanism of Action, Receptor Binding
2. Medication Administration – Routes, Rights of Administration, Dosage
Calculations, IV Therapy, Infusion Rates
3. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Antihypertensives, Antidiabetics,
Anticoagulants, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications, Cardiac Glycosides
4. Adverse Effects and Toxicity – Side Effects, Adverse Reactions, Black Box
Warnings, Toxic Levels, Antidotes
5. Drug Interactions – Synergistic, Antagonistic, Food-Drug Interactions, Herb-
Drug Interactions, Lab-Drug Interactions
6. High-Alert Medications – Heparin, Insulin, Opioids, Anticoagulants,
Chemotherapy Agents, Electrolytes
7. Pediatric and Geriatric Pharmacology – Age-Related Changes, Dosing
Adjustments, Safe Administration, Polypharmacy
8. Patient Education and Adherence – Medication Teaching, Side Effect
Management, Compliance Strategies, Lifestyle Modifications
9. Nursing Responsibilities – Pre-administration Assessment, Monitoring,
Documentation, Client Response Evaluation, Adverse Reaction Reporting
10. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple Response
(SATA), Unfolding Cases, Prioritization, Quality Improvement
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for nursing
students and healthcare professionals preparing for the Kaplan Pharmacology
assessment. The examination covers all essential pharmacological domains
,required for successful program completion and NCLEX-RN/PN readiness,
including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication administration, drug
classifications, adverse effects, drug interactions, high-alert medications, pediatric
and geriatric pharmacology, patient education, and nursing responsibilities.
Through a combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply
(SATA), and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will
demonstrate their understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical judgment,
and safe medication administration in diverse patient scenarios. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and reinforcing key
concepts. Successful completion of this examination demonstrates readiness for the
official Kaplan Pharmacology assessment and the NCLEX licensure examination.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-180
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. Available is
amoxicillin 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
B. 10 mL
RATIONALE: Use the formula: Desired / Available × Quantity = 500 mg / 250
mg × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse should administer 10 mL of
amoxicillin.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will avoid leafy green vegetables."
B. "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
C. "I will have my INR checked regularly."
D. Both A and C
, D. Both A and C
RATIONALE: Clients on warfarin should avoid vitamin K-rich foods (leafy
greens) and have INR monitored regularly. Ibuprofen increases bleeding risk and
should be avoided.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take when administering this
medication?
A. Administer the medication intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle
B. Expel the air bubble from the syringe before injection
C. Administer the medication subcutaneously in the abdomen
D. Massage the injection site after administration
C. Administer the medication subcutaneously in the abdomen
RATIONALE: Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen,
alternating sides. The air bubble should not be expelled to ensure full dose
delivery, and the injection site should not be massaged to prevent hematoma
formation.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Measure the client's blood pressure
D. Check the client's serum potassium level
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than
60/min in adults. The apical pulse should be assessed for 1 full minute before
administration.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct
the client to report to the provider?
, A. Weight gain
B. Constipation
C. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing)
D. Insomnia
C. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing)
RATIONALE: Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse
effect. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing, abdominal
pain, and dizziness. Weight gain is not typically associated with metformin; it may
cause weight loss.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for heparin therapy.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate
the therapeutic effectiveness of the medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Prothrombin time (PT)
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using aPTT, which should be 1.5
to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin
therapy. Platelet count is monitored to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of
the following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening
B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
D. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM | 180 QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES | BRAND NEW 2025/2026
VERSION
Core Domains
1. Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics – Absorption, Distribution,
Metabolism, Excretion, Mechanism of Action, Receptor Binding
2. Medication Administration – Routes, Rights of Administration, Dosage
Calculations, IV Therapy, Infusion Rates
3. Drug Classifications – Antibiotics, Antihypertensives, Antidiabetics,
Anticoagulants, Psychotropics, Respiratory Medications, Cardiac Glycosides
4. Adverse Effects and Toxicity – Side Effects, Adverse Reactions, Black Box
Warnings, Toxic Levels, Antidotes
5. Drug Interactions – Synergistic, Antagonistic, Food-Drug Interactions, Herb-
Drug Interactions, Lab-Drug Interactions
6. High-Alert Medications – Heparin, Insulin, Opioids, Anticoagulants,
Chemotherapy Agents, Electrolytes
7. Pediatric and Geriatric Pharmacology – Age-Related Changes, Dosing
Adjustments, Safe Administration, Polypharmacy
8. Patient Education and Adherence – Medication Teaching, Side Effect
Management, Compliance Strategies, Lifestyle Modifications
9. Nursing Responsibilities – Pre-administration Assessment, Monitoring,
Documentation, Client Response Evaluation, Adverse Reaction Reporting
10. NGN – Clinical Judgment, Bow-Tie Case Studies, Extended Multiple Response
(SATA), Unfolding Cases, Prioritization, Quality Improvement
Introduction
This comprehensive practice examination is meticulously designed for nursing
students and healthcare professionals preparing for the Kaplan Pharmacology
assessment. The examination covers all essential pharmacological domains
,required for successful program completion and NCLEX-RN/PN readiness,
including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, medication administration, drug
classifications, adverse effects, drug interactions, high-alert medications, pediatric
and geriatric pharmacology, patient education, and nursing responsibilities.
Through a combination of multiple-choice questions, Select-All-That-Apply
(SATA), and Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) style case studies, candidates will
demonstrate their understanding of pharmacological principles, clinical judgment,
and safe medication administration in diverse patient scenarios. Each question
includes a detailed rationale explaining the correct answer and reinforcing key
concepts. Successful completion of this examination demonstrates readiness for the
official Kaplan Pharmacology assessment and the NCLEX licensure examination.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-180
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of amoxicillin PO. Available is
amoxicillin 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
B. 10 mL
RATIONALE: Use the formula: Desired / Available × Quantity = 500 mg / 250
mg × 5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse should administer 10 mL of
amoxicillin.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will avoid leafy green vegetables."
B. "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
C. "I will have my INR checked regularly."
D. Both A and C
, D. Both A and C
RATIONALE: Clients on warfarin should avoid vitamin K-rich foods (leafy
greens) and have INR monitored regularly. Ibuprofen increases bleeding risk and
should be avoided.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for enoxaparin.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take when administering this
medication?
A. Administer the medication intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle
B. Expel the air bubble from the syringe before injection
C. Administer the medication subcutaneously in the abdomen
D. Massage the injection site after administration
C. Administer the medication subcutaneously in the abdomen
RATIONALE: Enoxaparin is administered subcutaneously in the abdomen,
alternating sides. The air bubble should not be expelled to ensure full dose
delivery, and the injection site should not be massaged to prevent hematoma
formation.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take prior to administration?
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
B. Assess the client's respiratory rate
C. Measure the client's blood pressure
D. Check the client's serum potassium level
A. Check the client's apical pulse for 1 full minute
RATIONALE: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than
60/min in adults. The apical pulse should be assessed for 1 full minute before
administration.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
metformin. Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct
the client to report to the provider?
, A. Weight gain
B. Constipation
C. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing)
D. Insomnia
C. Lactic acidosis symptoms (muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing)
RATIONALE: Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse
effect. Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, difficulty breathing, abdominal
pain, and dizziness. Weight gain is not typically associated with metformin; it may
cause weight loss.
6. A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for heparin therapy.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor to evaluate
the therapeutic effectiveness of the medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Prothrombin time (PT)
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Platelet count
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
RATIONALE: Heparin therapy is monitored using aPTT, which should be 1.5
to 2.5 times the normal control value. PT and INR are used to monitor warfarin
therapy. Platelet count is monitored to detect heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication from an ampule. Which of
the following is an appropriate action for the nurse to take?
A. Cleanse the tip of the ampule with an alcohol swab after opening
B. Add 0.5 mL of diluent to the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
D. Inject air into the ampule prior to drawing the medication
C. Use a filter needle to aspirate the medication
