RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam Study Guide |
Complete Actual Exam Questions with 100%
Verified Accurate Answers and Clinical Rationales
| Latest Updated Edition 2026/2027 – Already
Graded A+
Question 1
You receive report from the off-going nurse that the person being cared for just received
their fourth dose of IV vancomycin that was administered over 30 minutes. Upon
assessment, you notice their face and neck are red and they are itching all over. What
would you suspect?
A. You should not take this medicine at the same time as other medicines
B. Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
C. An increase in histamine production
D. NOT amiloride
Answer: B
Rationale: Red man syndrome is a reaction to rapid IV vancomycin infusion,
characterized by redness and itching of the face, neck, and upper body. It occurs due to
histamine release when the medication is infused too quickly. The recommended infusion
time for vancomycin is at least 60 minutes.
Question 2
A patient says they frequently take Tylenol at home. Which statement is correct?
A. OTC drugs do not interact with prescription meds
B. Tylenol is always safe in any dose
C. I should pay attention to OTC drug label
D. I don't need to tell the nurse about Tylenol
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients should always pay attention to OTC drug labels and follow dosing
instructions. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken in excessive doses or with
alcohol. Patients should inform healthcare providers about all OTC medications they
take.
pg. 1
,Question 3
Why would normal saline (NS) be the solution of choice when preparing to administer a
blood transfusion?
A. D5W is initially isotonic
B. NS is isotonic
C. LR is hypertonic
D. 0.45% NS is hypotonic
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is isotonic and compatible with blood products. It
does not cause hemolysis of red blood cells, unlike hypotonic solutions such as D5W or
0.45% NS. Lactated Ringer's should not be used with blood transfusions due to calcium
content.
Question 4
A patient has a new order for digoxin. What would be assessed immediately before
administering?
A. Apical HR
B. O2 Saturation Levels
C. O2 Level
D. Rectal Temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: The apical pulse should be assessed for a full minute before administering
digoxin. If the pulse is below 60 bpm (or below 70 bpm in children), the medication
should be withheld and the provider notified due to risk of digoxin toxicity and
bradycardia.
Question 5
125 mcg is how many mg?
A. 0.125 mg
B. 0.0125 mg
C. 1.25 mg
D. 0.203 mg
pg. 2
, Answer: A
Rationale: To convert micrograms to milligrams, divide by 1000. 125 mcg ÷ 1000 =
0.125 mg.
Question 6
An order is placed for sublingual medication. The patient has an NG tube. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Hold the medication
B. Hold the dose
C. Administer the medication
D. Contact the pharmacy
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual medications are absorbed through the oral mucosa and are
effective even if the patient has an NG tube. The medication should still be administered
sublingually as prescribed. Holding the medication would delay treatment.
Question 7
A patient is on morphine PCA and is unresponsive. You suspect narcotic overdose. What
medication should be given?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Eplerenone
C. 400 mg
D. Narcan (naloxone)
Answer: D
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid overdose. It reverses respiratory
depression and sedation caused by opioids such as morphine. It should be administered
immediately in suspected opioid overdose.
Question 8
Your patient presents with CHF and has a potassium level of 5.8. Which diuretic do you
anticipate being ordered by the provider?
A. Calcitonin
B. Diazepam
pg. 3
Complete Actual Exam Questions with 100%
Verified Accurate Answers and Clinical Rationales
| Latest Updated Edition 2026/2027 – Already
Graded A+
Question 1
You receive report from the off-going nurse that the person being cared for just received
their fourth dose of IV vancomycin that was administered over 30 minutes. Upon
assessment, you notice their face and neck are red and they are itching all over. What
would you suspect?
A. You should not take this medicine at the same time as other medicines
B. Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
C. An increase in histamine production
D. NOT amiloride
Answer: B
Rationale: Red man syndrome is a reaction to rapid IV vancomycin infusion,
characterized by redness and itching of the face, neck, and upper body. It occurs due to
histamine release when the medication is infused too quickly. The recommended infusion
time for vancomycin is at least 60 minutes.
Question 2
A patient says they frequently take Tylenol at home. Which statement is correct?
A. OTC drugs do not interact with prescription meds
B. Tylenol is always safe in any dose
C. I should pay attention to OTC drug label
D. I don't need to tell the nurse about Tylenol
Answer: C
Rationale: Patients should always pay attention to OTC drug labels and follow dosing
instructions. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if taken in excessive doses or with
alcohol. Patients should inform healthcare providers about all OTC medications they
take.
pg. 1
,Question 3
Why would normal saline (NS) be the solution of choice when preparing to administer a
blood transfusion?
A. D5W is initially isotonic
B. NS is isotonic
C. LR is hypertonic
D. 0.45% NS is hypotonic
Answer: B
Rationale: Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) is isotonic and compatible with blood products. It
does not cause hemolysis of red blood cells, unlike hypotonic solutions such as D5W or
0.45% NS. Lactated Ringer's should not be used with blood transfusions due to calcium
content.
Question 4
A patient has a new order for digoxin. What would be assessed immediately before
administering?
A. Apical HR
B. O2 Saturation Levels
C. O2 Level
D. Rectal Temperature
Answer: A
Rationale: The apical pulse should be assessed for a full minute before administering
digoxin. If the pulse is below 60 bpm (or below 70 bpm in children), the medication
should be withheld and the provider notified due to risk of digoxin toxicity and
bradycardia.
Question 5
125 mcg is how many mg?
A. 0.125 mg
B. 0.0125 mg
C. 1.25 mg
D. 0.203 mg
pg. 2
, Answer: A
Rationale: To convert micrograms to milligrams, divide by 1000. 125 mcg ÷ 1000 =
0.125 mg.
Question 6
An order is placed for sublingual medication. The patient has an NG tube. What is the
most appropriate action?
A. Hold the medication
B. Hold the dose
C. Administer the medication
D. Contact the pharmacy
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual medications are absorbed through the oral mucosa and are
effective even if the patient has an NG tube. The medication should still be administered
sublingually as prescribed. Holding the medication would delay treatment.
Question 7
A patient is on morphine PCA and is unresponsive. You suspect narcotic overdose. What
medication should be given?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Eplerenone
C. 400 mg
D. Narcan (naloxone)
Answer: D
Rationale: Naloxone (Narcan) is the antidote for opioid overdose. It reverses respiratory
depression and sedation caused by opioids such as morphine. It should be administered
immediately in suspected opioid overdose.
Question 8
Your patient presents with CHF and has a potassium level of 5.8. Which diuretic do you
anticipate being ordered by the provider?
A. Calcitonin
B. Diazepam
pg. 3
