https://www.stuvia.com/user/papersprime
Pharmacology NURSING EXAM TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS Exam 2 Study guide
1. The nurse recalls the potential side effects of sympathomimetic therapy and
advises the patient education to:: -Take medication early in the day to avoid
insomnia -Report side effects such as dyspnea and palpitations
-Do not "double up" on doses
This medication does not cause drowsiness so advising the patient to take medication
late at night to minimize drowsiness is the exception.
2. The nurse recalls that the general mechanisms by which drugs affect neurotransmitter
activity to alter autonomic nervous system (ANS) response include:: -Affecting the
synthesis of the neurotransmitter
-Binding to the receptor site on the neuron
-Influencing the release of the neurotransmitter
-influencing the storage of the neurotransmitter
Tip: Medications do not correct physiologic defects in the ANS, but they do alter ANS
responses by each of the mechanisms.
3. The nurse has an order to administer atropine, an anticholinergic drug, and
understands that medication is contraindicated for which patient:: The patient with
glaucoma
Tip: Anticholinergic drugs can increase pressure in the eye; they must be avoided for
patients with glaucoma.
4. The nurse is reviewing the medications a physician has ordered and notices the drug
bethanechol (Urecholine), a cholinergic drug, for this patient with urinary retention.
This patient also has an enlarged prostate gland secondary to a malignant tumor. What
is the priority action by the nurse?: Hold the drug and contact the physician
Tip: Bethanechol (Urecholine) relaxes the urinary sphincter and increases voiding
pressure but it is contraindicated with any physical obstruction of the urinary tract, such
as an enlarged prostrate secondary to a malignant tumor. The patient should not
receive this drug so the physician should be contacted for additional direction. There is
1/9
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Pharmacology NURSING EXAM TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS Exam 2 Study guide
no indication that the patient should be catharized and pushing fluids would exacerbate
the problem.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient whoa has a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder,
and knows it is important to determine whether the patient has which of the
symptoms specific to this symptom?: Inability to concentrate at work and complete
usual assignments
6. Which of these interventions would the nurse expect to see listed as the first
priority in the plan of care for a patient who has situational anxiety?: Instruct the patient
on the use of coping strategies to address situations that cause anxiety
7. The nurse notes that Setraline (Zoloft) is prescribed for a patient with depression and
recalls that this drug is a more desirable treatment for depression than a drug from
the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class because:: The drug has sympathomimetic and
anticholinergic effects
Tip: Sertraline (Zoloft) is a SSRI. These drugs are safer than MAO inhibitors and TCAs-
which makes them drugs of choice. They are approximately as efficacious at relieving
depression as MAO inhibitors and TCAs. SSRI's can cause nausea (GI effect) and their
most common side effect is related to sexual dysfunction.
8. The patient is receiving escitalopram (Lexapro) for treatment of generalized anxiety
disorder questions the nurse: "I am just nervous, not depressed. Why am I taking an
antidepressant medication?" What is the best response by the
nurse?: The same brain chemicals are involved with anxiety as well as depression so these
medications also treat anxiety.
Tip: Antidepressants are frequently used to treat anxiety. They reduce anxiety by altering
levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are also involved with
depression.
9. The nurse is admitting the patient to the psych unit with a diagnosis of depression.
Which data collected from the initial history and assessment would the nurse
determine required additional medical evaluation:: History of hypothyroidism
2/9
Pharmacology NURSING EXAM TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS Exam 2 Study guide
1. The nurse recalls the potential side effects of sympathomimetic therapy and
advises the patient education to:: -Take medication early in the day to avoid
insomnia -Report side effects such as dyspnea and palpitations
-Do not "double up" on doses
This medication does not cause drowsiness so advising the patient to take medication
late at night to minimize drowsiness is the exception.
2. The nurse recalls that the general mechanisms by which drugs affect neurotransmitter
activity to alter autonomic nervous system (ANS) response include:: -Affecting the
synthesis of the neurotransmitter
-Binding to the receptor site on the neuron
-Influencing the release of the neurotransmitter
-influencing the storage of the neurotransmitter
Tip: Medications do not correct physiologic defects in the ANS, but they do alter ANS
responses by each of the mechanisms.
3. The nurse has an order to administer atropine, an anticholinergic drug, and
understands that medication is contraindicated for which patient:: The patient with
glaucoma
Tip: Anticholinergic drugs can increase pressure in the eye; they must be avoided for
patients with glaucoma.
4. The nurse is reviewing the medications a physician has ordered and notices the drug
bethanechol (Urecholine), a cholinergic drug, for this patient with urinary retention.
This patient also has an enlarged prostate gland secondary to a malignant tumor. What
is the priority action by the nurse?: Hold the drug and contact the physician
Tip: Bethanechol (Urecholine) relaxes the urinary sphincter and increases voiding
pressure but it is contraindicated with any physical obstruction of the urinary tract, such
as an enlarged prostrate secondary to a malignant tumor. The patient should not
receive this drug so the physician should be contacted for additional direction. There is
1/9
, https://www.stuvia.com/user/papersprime
Pharmacology NURSING EXAM TEST QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS Exam 2 Study guide
no indication that the patient should be catharized and pushing fluids would exacerbate
the problem.
5. A nurse is assessing a patient whoa has a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder,
and knows it is important to determine whether the patient has which of the
symptoms specific to this symptom?: Inability to concentrate at work and complete
usual assignments
6. Which of these interventions would the nurse expect to see listed as the first
priority in the plan of care for a patient who has situational anxiety?: Instruct the patient
on the use of coping strategies to address situations that cause anxiety
7. The nurse notes that Setraline (Zoloft) is prescribed for a patient with depression and
recalls that this drug is a more desirable treatment for depression than a drug from
the tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) class because:: The drug has sympathomimetic and
anticholinergic effects
Tip: Sertraline (Zoloft) is a SSRI. These drugs are safer than MAO inhibitors and TCAs-
which makes them drugs of choice. They are approximately as efficacious at relieving
depression as MAO inhibitors and TCAs. SSRI's can cause nausea (GI effect) and their
most common side effect is related to sexual dysfunction.
8. The patient is receiving escitalopram (Lexapro) for treatment of generalized anxiety
disorder questions the nurse: "I am just nervous, not depressed. Why am I taking an
antidepressant medication?" What is the best response by the
nurse?: The same brain chemicals are involved with anxiety as well as depression so these
medications also treat anxiety.
Tip: Antidepressants are frequently used to treat anxiety. They reduce anxiety by altering
levels of norepinephrine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters are also involved with
depression.
9. The nurse is admitting the patient to the psych unit with a diagnosis of depression.
Which data collected from the initial history and assessment would the nurse
determine required additional medical evaluation:: History of hypothyroidism
2/9
