NR293 EXAM 2 LILLEY PHARMACOLOGY END OF CHAPTER QUESTIONS | STUDY
GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
For best results when treating severe pain associated with pathologic spinal fractures related to
metastatic bone cancer, the nurse should remember that the best type of dosage schedule is to
administer the pain medication: - correct answer ✔✔around the clock, with additional doses as needed
for breakthrough pain.
A patient is receiving an opioid via a PCA pump as part of his postoperative pain management program.
During rounds, the nurse finds him unresponsive, with respirations of 8 breaths/min and blood pressure
of 102/58 mm Hg. After stopping the opioid infusion, what should the nurse do next? - correct answer
✔✔Administer an opiate antagonist per standing orders
A patient with bone pain caused by metastatic cancer will be receiving transdermal fentanyl patches. The
patient asks the nurse what benefits these patches have. The nurse's best response includes which of
these features? - correct answer ✔✔More constant drug levels for analgesia
Intravenous morphine is prescribed for a patient who has had surgery. The nurse informs the patient
that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication? (Select all that apply.) - correct
answer ✔✔constipation
pruritus
nausea
Several patients have standard orders for acetaminophen as needed for pain. While reviewing their
histories and assessments, the nurse discovers that one of the patients has a contraindication to
acetaminophen therapy. Which patient should receive an alternate medication? - correct answer ✔✔A
patient admitted with severe hepatitis
An opioid analgesic is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient's medical history knowing
this medication is contraindicated in which disorder? - correct answer ✔✔Severe asthma
A patient with renal cancer needs an opiate for pain control. Which opioid medication would be the
safest choice for this patient? - correct answer ✔✔methadone (Dolophine)
During a patient's recovery from a lengthy surgery, the nurse monitors for signs of malignant
hyperthermia. In addition to a rapid rise in body temperature, which assessment findings would indicate
the possible presence of this condition? (Select all that apply.) - correct answer ✔✔tachypnea
tachycardia
muscle rigidity
The nurse is administering an NMBD to a patient during a surgical procedure. Number the phases of
muscle paralysis in the order in which the patient will experience them. - correct answer ✔✔1. muscle
weakness
2. paralysis of small rapidly moving muscles, like the fingers and eyes
3. paralysis of muscles of the limbs, neck, and trunk
4. paralysis of intercostals and diaphragm muscles
, A patient is about to undergo cardioversion, and the nurse is reviewing the procedure and explaining
moderate sedation with propofol. The patient asks, "I am afraid of feeling it when they shock me." What
is the nurse's best response? - correct answer ✔✔"These medications will help ease any pain during the
procedure, and many patients often report having no recollection of the procedure."
A patient is recovering from general anesthesia. What is the nurse's main concern during the immediate
postoperative period? - correct answer ✔✔Airway
Which nursing diagnosis is possible for a patient who is now recovering after having been under general
anesthesia for 3 to 4 hours during surgery? - correct answer ✔✔Impaired gas exchange due to the CNS
depressant effect of general anesthesia
The surgical nurse is reviewing operative cases scheduled for the day. Which of these patients is more
prone to complications from general anesthesia? - correct answer ✔✔A 79-year-old woman who is
about to have hip replacement surgery
The physician has requested "lidocaine with epinephrine." The nurse recognizes that the most important
reason for adding epinephrine is that it - correct answer ✔✔reduces bleeding in the surgical area
A patient has been admitted to the emergency department because of an overdose of an oral
benzodiazepine. He is very drowsy but still responsive. The nurse will prepare for which immediate
intervention? - correct answer ✔✔Administration of flumazenil
An older adult has been given a benzodiazepine for sleep induction, but the night nurse noted that the
patient was awake most of the night, watching television and reading in bed. The nurse documents that
the patient has had which type of reaction to the medication? - correct answer ✔✔Paradoxical
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication for sleep. Which intervention applies to the
administration of a non-benzodiazepine, such as zaleplon (Sonata)? - correct answer ✔✔Because of their
rapid onset, these drugs need to be taken just before bedtime.
The nurse will monitor the patient who is taking a muscle relaxant for which adverse effect? - correct
answer ✔✔CNS depression
A hospitalized patient is complaining of having difficulty sleeping. Which action will the nurse take first to
address this problem? - correct answer ✔✔Provide an environment that is restful, and reduce loud
noises.
Which considerations are important for the nurse to remember when administering a benzodiazepine as
a sedative-hypnotic drug? (Select all that apply.) - correct answer ✔✔The dose needs to be given about 1
hour before the patient's bedtime.
The patient needs to be evaluated for the drowsiness that may occur the morning after a benzodiazepine
is taken.
The nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a patient who will be discharged to home after being
hospitalized for a hysterectomy. The patient asked for a sleeping pill, and the surgeon wrote a
GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
For best results when treating severe pain associated with pathologic spinal fractures related to
metastatic bone cancer, the nurse should remember that the best type of dosage schedule is to
administer the pain medication: - correct answer ✔✔around the clock, with additional doses as needed
for breakthrough pain.
A patient is receiving an opioid via a PCA pump as part of his postoperative pain management program.
During rounds, the nurse finds him unresponsive, with respirations of 8 breaths/min and blood pressure
of 102/58 mm Hg. After stopping the opioid infusion, what should the nurse do next? - correct answer
✔✔Administer an opiate antagonist per standing orders
A patient with bone pain caused by metastatic cancer will be receiving transdermal fentanyl patches. The
patient asks the nurse what benefits these patches have. The nurse's best response includes which of
these features? - correct answer ✔✔More constant drug levels for analgesia
Intravenous morphine is prescribed for a patient who has had surgery. The nurse informs the patient
that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication? (Select all that apply.) - correct
answer ✔✔constipation
pruritus
nausea
Several patients have standard orders for acetaminophen as needed for pain. While reviewing their
histories and assessments, the nurse discovers that one of the patients has a contraindication to
acetaminophen therapy. Which patient should receive an alternate medication? - correct answer ✔✔A
patient admitted with severe hepatitis
An opioid analgesic is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient's medical history knowing
this medication is contraindicated in which disorder? - correct answer ✔✔Severe asthma
A patient with renal cancer needs an opiate for pain control. Which opioid medication would be the
safest choice for this patient? - correct answer ✔✔methadone (Dolophine)
During a patient's recovery from a lengthy surgery, the nurse monitors for signs of malignant
hyperthermia. In addition to a rapid rise in body temperature, which assessment findings would indicate
the possible presence of this condition? (Select all that apply.) - correct answer ✔✔tachypnea
tachycardia
muscle rigidity
The nurse is administering an NMBD to a patient during a surgical procedure. Number the phases of
muscle paralysis in the order in which the patient will experience them. - correct answer ✔✔1. muscle
weakness
2. paralysis of small rapidly moving muscles, like the fingers and eyes
3. paralysis of muscles of the limbs, neck, and trunk
4. paralysis of intercostals and diaphragm muscles
, A patient is about to undergo cardioversion, and the nurse is reviewing the procedure and explaining
moderate sedation with propofol. The patient asks, "I am afraid of feeling it when they shock me." What
is the nurse's best response? - correct answer ✔✔"These medications will help ease any pain during the
procedure, and many patients often report having no recollection of the procedure."
A patient is recovering from general anesthesia. What is the nurse's main concern during the immediate
postoperative period? - correct answer ✔✔Airway
Which nursing diagnosis is possible for a patient who is now recovering after having been under general
anesthesia for 3 to 4 hours during surgery? - correct answer ✔✔Impaired gas exchange due to the CNS
depressant effect of general anesthesia
The surgical nurse is reviewing operative cases scheduled for the day. Which of these patients is more
prone to complications from general anesthesia? - correct answer ✔✔A 79-year-old woman who is
about to have hip replacement surgery
The physician has requested "lidocaine with epinephrine." The nurse recognizes that the most important
reason for adding epinephrine is that it - correct answer ✔✔reduces bleeding in the surgical area
A patient has been admitted to the emergency department because of an overdose of an oral
benzodiazepine. He is very drowsy but still responsive. The nurse will prepare for which immediate
intervention? - correct answer ✔✔Administration of flumazenil
An older adult has been given a benzodiazepine for sleep induction, but the night nurse noted that the
patient was awake most of the night, watching television and reading in bed. The nurse documents that
the patient has had which type of reaction to the medication? - correct answer ✔✔Paradoxical
The nurse is preparing to administer a medication for sleep. Which intervention applies to the
administration of a non-benzodiazepine, such as zaleplon (Sonata)? - correct answer ✔✔Because of their
rapid onset, these drugs need to be taken just before bedtime.
The nurse will monitor the patient who is taking a muscle relaxant for which adverse effect? - correct
answer ✔✔CNS depression
A hospitalized patient is complaining of having difficulty sleeping. Which action will the nurse take first to
address this problem? - correct answer ✔✔Provide an environment that is restful, and reduce loud
noises.
Which considerations are important for the nurse to remember when administering a benzodiazepine as
a sedative-hypnotic drug? (Select all that apply.) - correct answer ✔✔The dose needs to be given about 1
hour before the patient's bedtime.
The patient needs to be evaluated for the drowsiness that may occur the morning after a benzodiazepine
is taken.
The nurse is reviewing the prescriptions for a patient who will be discharged to home after being
hospitalized for a hysterectomy. The patient asked for a sleeping pill, and the surgeon wrote a
