Pharmacology & Medication
Administration – Comprehensive Drug
EXAM Questions & Answers
Question 1. A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Which
assessment is most important before administration?
A. Serum potassium level
B. Blood glucose
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity; check
potassium before administering.
Question 2. A patient receiving warfarin has an INR of 4.5. The nurse should:
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose to correct the INR
D. Administer vitamin K orally
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: INR 4.5 is above therapeutic range (2–3) and increases bleeding
risk; hold and notify provider.
,Question 3. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic acting on the ascending loop
of Henle.
Question 4. The nurse is administering enoxaparin subcutaneously. Which
action is correct?
A. Aspirate before injection
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Do not aspirate; inject into the abdomen
D. Use the dorsogluteal site
Correct Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Do not aspirate or massage; inject into the abdomen to prevent
hematoma.
Question 5. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. The nurse should
teach that this medication is:
A. A corticosteroid for long-term control
B. A bronchodilator for acute symptom relief
C. An anti-inflammatory taken daily
D. A leukotriene modifier
Correct Answer: B ✓
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue
inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
Question 6. A patient is prescribed metformin. Which side effect should the
nurse include in teaching?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Gastrointestinal upset
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes GI upset; starting with a low dose
and titrating helps.
Question 7. The nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. What
is the maximum infusion rate?
A. 5 mEq/hr
B. 10 mEq/hr
C. 20 mEq/hr
D. 40 mEq/hr
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: IV potassium should not exceed 10 mEq/hr through a peripheral
line; central line up to 20 mEq/hr.
Question 8. A patient is prescribed amiodarone. The nurse should monitor
for:
A. Tachycardia
, B. Pulmonary toxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis; monitor for cough,
dyspnea, and baseline PFTs.
Question 9. A patient with a penicillin allergy should avoid:
A. Cephalexin
B. Vancomycin
C. Metronidazole
D. Doxycycline
Correct Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Cephalexin is a cephalosporin with cross-reactivity risk in
penicillin-allergic patients.
Question 10. A patient is prescribed heparin IV. Which lab test is used to
monitor therapy?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin; PT/INR monitors warfarin.
Administration – Comprehensive Drug
EXAM Questions & Answers
Question 1. A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Which
assessment is most important before administration?
A. Serum potassium level
B. Blood glucose
C. Serum creatinine
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity; check
potassium before administering.
Question 2. A patient receiving warfarin has an INR of 4.5. The nurse should:
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Increase the dose to correct the INR
D. Administer vitamin K orally
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: INR 4.5 is above therapeutic range (2–3) and increases bleeding
risk; hold and notify provider.
,Question 3. Which medication is a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic acting on the ascending loop
of Henle.
Question 4. The nurse is administering enoxaparin subcutaneously. Which
action is correct?
A. Aspirate before injection
B. Massage the site after injection
C. Do not aspirate; inject into the abdomen
D. Use the dorsogluteal site
Correct Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Do not aspirate or massage; inject into the abdomen to prevent
hematoma.
Question 5. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol. The nurse should
teach that this medication is:
A. A corticosteroid for long-term control
B. A bronchodilator for acute symptom relief
C. An anti-inflammatory taken daily
D. A leukotriene modifier
Correct Answer: B ✓
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue
inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
Question 6. A patient is prescribed metformin. Which side effect should the
nurse include in teaching?
A. Weight gain
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Gastrointestinal upset
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: C ✓
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes GI upset; starting with a low dose
and titrating helps.
Question 7. The nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. What
is the maximum infusion rate?
A. 5 mEq/hr
B. 10 mEq/hr
C. 20 mEq/hr
D. 40 mEq/hr
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: IV potassium should not exceed 10 mEq/hr through a peripheral
line; central line up to 20 mEq/hr.
Question 8. A patient is prescribed amiodarone. The nurse should monitor
for:
A. Tachycardia
, B. Pulmonary toxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis; monitor for cough,
dyspnea, and baseline PFTs.
Question 9. A patient with a penicillin allergy should avoid:
A. Cephalexin
B. Vancomycin
C. Metronidazole
D. Doxycycline
Correct Answer: A ✓
Rationale: Cephalexin is a cephalosporin with cross-reactivity risk in
penicillin-allergic patients.
Question 10. A patient is prescribed heparin IV. Which lab test is used to
monitor therapy?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct Answer: B ✓
Rationale: aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin; PT/INR monitors warfarin.
