NU 150 Exams 3, & 4 Prep Packet / NU
150 Pharmacology Exams 3 and 4
Newest Practice Test Banks
EXAM 3: Antibiotics, Pain Management, and Special
Populations (Questions 1-60)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer antibiotics to a patient with a suspected
bacterial infection. What is the nurse's priority action before administration?
A. Administer an antipyretic
B. Obtain a specimen for culture and sensitivity
C. Start IV fluids
D. Check capillary refill
Rationale: Cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics so the causative
organism can be accurately identified and therapy appropriately targeted.
2. A patient who is prescribed penicillin reports itching and swelling of the face.
What is the nurse's first action?
A. Administer an antihistamine
B. Discontinue the penicillin
,C. Document the reaction and continue
D. Apply ice packs to the face
Rationale: Itching and facial swelling indicate a possible allergic reaction, which may
progress to anaphylaxis. The first priority is to stop the medication.
3. A nurse is educating a patient prescribed sulfonamide. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate to include in the teaching?
A. "Avoid all fruits while on this medication."
B. "Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors."
C. "Take this medication only at bedtime."
D. "Do not drink any water with this medication."
Rationale: Sulfonamides cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of severe sunburn.
Patients should wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
4. A patient prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics asks why this type of antibiotic
was chosen. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It will prevent any infection in the future."
B. "It can kill a variety of bacteria that may be causing your infection."
C. "It works only on viral infections."
D. "It is weaker than other antibiotics."
Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics act against many gram-positive and gram-
negative organisms and are often used empirically until culture and sensitivity results
are available.
5. The nurse is educating a patient about tetracycline. Which food should the
patient avoid while taking this medication?
,A. Green leafy vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Whole grains
D. Lean meats
Rationale: Tetracycline binds with calcium in dairy products, which reduces absorption
and effectiveness. Patients should avoid taking it with milk, cheese, or yogurt.
6. A child is prescribed tetracycline for an infection. Which potential adverse effect
should the nurse discuss with the parents?
A. Photosensitivity
B. Stained or discolored teeth
C. Tinnitus
D. Constipation
Rationale: Tetracycline binds to developing teeth and bones, causing permanent
yellow-gray-brown discoloration. It should be avoided in children under age 8 and
during pregnancy.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Superinfection
D. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt normal flora, leading to
superinfections such as oral or vaginal candidiasis and C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
8. A patient with a deep wound infection is prescribed clindamycin. The nurse
should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
, A. Pseudomembranous colitis
B. Cardiac arrhythmias
C. Seizures
D. Hemolytic anemia
Rationale: Clindamycin is a high-risk antibiotic for causing C. difficile-associated
diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis, which can be life-threatening.
9. The nurse is preparing to administer an aminoglycoside. Which laboratory value
is most important to review before the initial dose?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum glucose
D. Baseline creatinine and BUN
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are nephrotoxic, so renal function must be assessed prior
to therapy and monitored throughout. Doses are adjusted based on renal function.
10. A patient is receiving amphotericin B for a systemic fungal infection. The nurse
should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hepatotoxicity
D. Cardiotoxicity
Rationale: Amphotericin B is known for its significant nephrotoxic potential. Renal
function, electrolytes, and intake/output must be closely monitored. Prehydration may
be used.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient taking omeprazole. Which complication
should the nurse monitor for in a postmenopausal patient?
150 Pharmacology Exams 3 and 4
Newest Practice Test Banks
EXAM 3: Antibiotics, Pain Management, and Special
Populations (Questions 1-60)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer antibiotics to a patient with a suspected
bacterial infection. What is the nurse's priority action before administration?
A. Administer an antipyretic
B. Obtain a specimen for culture and sensitivity
C. Start IV fluids
D. Check capillary refill
Rationale: Cultures should be obtained before starting antibiotics so the causative
organism can be accurately identified and therapy appropriately targeted.
2. A patient who is prescribed penicillin reports itching and swelling of the face.
What is the nurse's first action?
A. Administer an antihistamine
B. Discontinue the penicillin
,C. Document the reaction and continue
D. Apply ice packs to the face
Rationale: Itching and facial swelling indicate a possible allergic reaction, which may
progress to anaphylaxis. The first priority is to stop the medication.
3. A nurse is educating a patient prescribed sulfonamide. Which nursing
intervention is most appropriate to include in the teaching?
A. "Avoid all fruits while on this medication."
B. "Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors."
C. "Take this medication only at bedtime."
D. "Do not drink any water with this medication."
Rationale: Sulfonamides cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of severe sunburn.
Patients should wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
4. A patient prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics asks why this type of antibiotic
was chosen. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It will prevent any infection in the future."
B. "It can kill a variety of bacteria that may be causing your infection."
C. "It works only on viral infections."
D. "It is weaker than other antibiotics."
Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics act against many gram-positive and gram-
negative organisms and are often used empirically until culture and sensitivity results
are available.
5. The nurse is educating a patient about tetracycline. Which food should the
patient avoid while taking this medication?
,A. Green leafy vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Whole grains
D. Lean meats
Rationale: Tetracycline binds with calcium in dairy products, which reduces absorption
and effectiveness. Patients should avoid taking it with milk, cheese, or yogurt.
6. A child is prescribed tetracycline for an infection. Which potential adverse effect
should the nurse discuss with the parents?
A. Photosensitivity
B. Stained or discolored teeth
C. Tinnitus
D. Constipation
Rationale: Tetracycline binds to developing teeth and bones, causing permanent
yellow-gray-brown discoloration. It should be avoided in children under age 8 and
during pregnancy.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Which complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypotension
B. Tachycardia
C. Superinfection
D. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Broad-spectrum antibiotics can disrupt normal flora, leading to
superinfections such as oral or vaginal candidiasis and C. difficile-associated diarrhea.
8. A patient with a deep wound infection is prescribed clindamycin. The nurse
should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
, A. Pseudomembranous colitis
B. Cardiac arrhythmias
C. Seizures
D. Hemolytic anemia
Rationale: Clindamycin is a high-risk antibiotic for causing C. difficile-associated
diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis, which can be life-threatening.
9. The nurse is preparing to administer an aminoglycoside. Which laboratory value
is most important to review before the initial dose?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Serum glucose
D. Baseline creatinine and BUN
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are nephrotoxic, so renal function must be assessed prior
to therapy and monitored throughout. Doses are adjusted based on renal function.
10. A patient is receiving amphotericin B for a systemic fungal infection. The nurse
should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hepatotoxicity
D. Cardiotoxicity
Rationale: Amphotericin B is known for its significant nephrotoxic potential. Renal
function, electrolytes, and intake/output must be closely monitored. Prehydration may
be used.
11. The nurse is caring for a patient taking omeprazole. Which complication
should the nurse monitor for in a postmenopausal patient?
