KAPLAN NCLEX PHARMACOLOGY
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
• Safe Medication Administration and Nursing Responsibilities
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Autonomic and Central Nervous System Agents
• Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
• Endocrine and Metabolic Agents
• Anti-infective and Immunologic Agents
• Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Medications
• Oncology, Hematology, and Pain Management
• Psychotropic and Neurologic Medications
• Emergency, Toxicology, and Antidotes
Introduction
This NCLEX-focused pharmacology examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing candidate's ability to apply pharmacological principles in a clinical
setting, with an emphasis on safe medication administration, patient
education, and critical thinking. The exam integrates foundational
pharmacotherapeutic concepts with clinical scenarios that require the analysis
of drug actions, side effects, contraindications, and nursing interventions. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions assess the candidate's readiness
to make sound clinical judgments regarding medication administration,
monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects, and providing patient-centered
,care. Emphasis is placed on recognizing drug interactions, understanding legal
and ethical responsibilities, and prioritizing nursing actions to ensure patient
safety. Candidates are expected to demonstrate competence in applying
pharmacological knowledge to diverse patient populations across the lifespan
and in various healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
Question 1
The nurse is administering a dopamine infusion to a patient in septic shock.
Which assessment finding indicates the medication is having the desired
therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Increased peripheral edema
B. Increased blood pressure
RATIONALE: Dopamine is a vasopressor used in septic shock to increase
blood pressure. The desired therapeutic effect is an increase in blood pressure
and perfusion to vital organs. Decreased urine output and increased edema
are adverse effects.
Question 2
A patient prescribed warfarin has an INR of 5.0. The nurse should anticipate
an order for which medication?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
B. Vitamin K
, RATIONALE: An INR of 5.0 is elevated and indicates an increased risk of
bleeding. Vitamin K (phytonadione) is the specific antidote for warfarin and
is used to reverse its anticoagulant effects.
Question 3
The nurse is providing education to a patient prescribed a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid aged cheeses and cured meats."
B. "I will take the medication with food."
C. "I can drink red wine with dinner."
D. "I will avoid over-the-counter cold medications."
C. "I can drink red wine with dinner."
RATIONALE: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods, leading to a
hypertensive crisis. Red wine, aged cheeses, and cured meats are high in
tyramine and must be avoided. OTC cold medications can also interact
dangerously.
Question 4
The nurse is administering intravenous gentamicin to a patient. Which
laboratory value should be monitored to assess for a potential adverse effect of
this medication?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Liver function tests
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum calcium
A. Serum creatinine
RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is
nephrotoxic. Serum creatinine and BUN should be monitored to assess for
renal impairment. Ototoxicity is another adverse effect.
, Question 5
A patient prescribed metformin reports experiencing gastrointestinal distress.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to minimize this side effect?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
C. "Take the medication with food."
D. "Split the tablet in half and take it twice daily."
C. "Take the medication with food."
RATIONALE: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects
such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking the medication with meals
can help minimize these symptoms.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving a continuous heparin infusion. The
aPTT level is 85 seconds (normal range 25-35 seconds). Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Decrease the infusion rate
C. Discontinue the infusion
D. Administer protamine sulfate
B. Decrease the infusion rate
RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for aPTT on heparin is typically 1.5 to
2.5 times the normal control (approximately 60-80 seconds). An aPTT of 85
seconds is above the therapeutic range, indicating the patient is at risk for
bleeding. The infusion rate should be decreased.
Question 7
A patient prescribed furosemide is also prescribed digoxin. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which electrolyte imbalance that increases the risk of
digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains:
• Safe Medication Administration and Nursing Responsibilities
• Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
• Autonomic and Central Nervous System Agents
• Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
• Endocrine and Metabolic Agents
• Anti-infective and Immunologic Agents
• Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Medications
• Oncology, Hematology, and Pain Management
• Psychotropic and Neurologic Medications
• Emergency, Toxicology, and Antidotes
Introduction
This NCLEX-focused pharmacology examination is designed to evaluate the
nursing candidate's ability to apply pharmacological principles in a clinical
setting, with an emphasis on safe medication administration, patient
education, and critical thinking. The exam integrates foundational
pharmacotherapeutic concepts with clinical scenarios that require the analysis
of drug actions, side effects, contraindications, and nursing interventions. The
multiple-choice and scenario-based questions assess the candidate's readiness
to make sound clinical judgments regarding medication administration,
monitoring for therapeutic and adverse effects, and providing patient-centered
,care. Emphasis is placed on recognizing drug interactions, understanding legal
and ethical responsibilities, and prioritizing nursing actions to ensure patient
safety. Candidates are expected to demonstrate competence in applying
pharmacological knowledge to diverse patient populations across the lifespan
and in various healthcare settings.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1-100
Question 1
The nurse is administering a dopamine infusion to a patient in septic shock.
Which assessment finding indicates the medication is having the desired
therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Decreased heart rate
D. Increased peripheral edema
B. Increased blood pressure
RATIONALE: Dopamine is a vasopressor used in septic shock to increase
blood pressure. The desired therapeutic effect is an increase in blood pressure
and perfusion to vital organs. Decreased urine output and increased edema
are adverse effects.
Question 2
A patient prescribed warfarin has an INR of 5.0. The nurse should anticipate
an order for which medication?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
B. Vitamin K
, RATIONALE: An INR of 5.0 is elevated and indicates an increased risk of
bleeding. Vitamin K (phytonadione) is the specific antidote for warfarin and
is used to reverse its anticoagulant effects.
Question 3
The nurse is providing education to a patient prescribed a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Which statement by the patient indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I will avoid aged cheeses and cured meats."
B. "I will take the medication with food."
C. "I can drink red wine with dinner."
D. "I will avoid over-the-counter cold medications."
C. "I can drink red wine with dinner."
RATIONALE: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods, leading to a
hypertensive crisis. Red wine, aged cheeses, and cured meats are high in
tyramine and must be avoided. OTC cold medications can also interact
dangerously.
Question 4
The nurse is administering intravenous gentamicin to a patient. Which
laboratory value should be monitored to assess for a potential adverse effect of
this medication?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Liver function tests
C. Serum potassium
D. Serum calcium
A. Serum creatinine
RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is
nephrotoxic. Serum creatinine and BUN should be monitored to assess for
renal impairment. Ototoxicity is another adverse effect.
, Question 5
A patient prescribed metformin reports experiencing gastrointestinal distress.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to minimize this side effect?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
C. "Take the medication with food."
D. "Split the tablet in half and take it twice daily."
C. "Take the medication with food."
RATIONALE: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects
such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Taking the medication with meals
can help minimize these symptoms.
Question 6
The nurse is caring for a patient receiving a continuous heparin infusion. The
aPTT level is 85 seconds (normal range 25-35 seconds). Which action should
the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Decrease the infusion rate
C. Discontinue the infusion
D. Administer protamine sulfate
B. Decrease the infusion rate
RATIONALE: The therapeutic range for aPTT on heparin is typically 1.5 to
2.5 times the normal control (approximately 60-80 seconds). An aPTT of 85
seconds is above the therapeutic range, indicating the patient is at risk for
bleeding. The infusion rate should be decreased.
Question 7
A patient prescribed furosemide is also prescribed digoxin. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which electrolyte imbalance that increases the risk of
digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
