REX-PN EXAMINATION | COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED ANSWER EXPLANATIONS | 2026 UPDATE
• A client arrives to the ER with a blood glucose of 32 mmol/L. What are the 3
polys of Type diabetes mellitus?
A. Polyuria, polyopia, polycystic
B. Polydipsia, polyphagia, polyarthritis
C. Polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia
D. Polyuria, polycythemia, polyarthritis -✓✓ Polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia
Type I diabetes mellitus (DM) develops when the body can no longer produce
insulin due to the destruction of beta cells of the pancreas responsible for insulin
production. Lack of insulin production leads to poor control of blood glucose
levels. Polyphagia, polyuria, and polydipsia are known as the cardinal signs of
diabetes. They develop faster in clients with type I DM.
Polydipsia refers to increased thirst caused by high blood sugar levels that make
the blood more concentrated.
Polyuria is the medical term for increased frequency of urination and passage of
high volumes of urine, followed by the excess intake of fluids.
Polyphagia refers to increased appetite which occurs because of excess loss of
glucose in the urine, making the body crave food.
• Which of the following drugs is the most effective when it comes to easing the
symptoms of osteoarthritis?
A. Acyclovir
B. Baclofen
C. Acetaminophen
D. Diclofenac -✓✓ Answer: D. Diclofenac
,Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat
generalized pain, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, and osteoarthritis. It works
by inhibiting the activity of COX-1 and COX-2, which are responsible for the
production of lipid compounds that are essential in pain response and
inflammation.
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant drug.
Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic drug.
• Which statement about the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection is true?
A. Treatment is difficult because antivirals are unsafe for the population
B. Asymptomatic individuals do not need to be treated
C. Treatment for HIV varies for each client
D. Only one drug is required to treat all clients with HIV -✓✓ Answer: C.
Treatment for HIV varies for each client
HIV is also known as the human immunodeficiency virus. Failure to treat infection
due to this virus can develop autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is a
life-threatening condition. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue,
and weight loss. The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. It
involves the use of a combination of antiviral drugs. The specifications of the drug
therapy for HIV are different for each individual because the treatment is supposed
to blend in with other medications that the client must take, which depends on
many factors such as comorbidities, nutrition, and immune status.
The answer option A is incorrect because many antiviral drugs work well. The
answer option B is also wrong because even asymptomatic clients with HIV
require treatment. Treating HIV starting from the early stages is better since it may
help reduce the mortality rate. The answer option D is also incorrect because the
treatment usually involves a combination of antiviral drugs
,• A client will be undergoing day surgery. The nurse told him to hold his daily
aspirin for three days before the surgery. What is the rationale for this direction?
A. It has anti-inflammatory effects
B. It has antithrombotic effects
C. It has analgesic effects
D. It has antipyretic effects -✓✓ Answer: B. It has antithrombotic effects
Aspirin is a drug used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It also has an
antithrombotic effect which means it may interfere with clot formation. Thus,
clients scheduled for surgery are told not to take this drug as early as seven days
before the procedure since this may cause excessive bleeding and harm the client.
• What system would be a priority to assess on a client taking
fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)?
A. Circulatory system
B. Hepatobiliary system
C. Respiratory system
D. Neurological System -✓✓ Answer: 3. Respiratory system
Advair is a medication containing fluticasone (a corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a
B2 adrenergic receptor agonist that promotes bronchodilation). These two drugs
are used in combination when treating symptoms of asthma and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Since this drug is on the client's chart, the client
most probably has one of these respiratory problems; thus, the nurse must prioritize
his respiratory system during the assessment.
• A psychiatrist prescribed fluoxetine to a client who was diagnosed with
depression. What are the side effects of this drug?
, A. Weight changes, nausea, diarrhea
B. Sensitivity to light, convulsions, swelling of the limbs, high blood sugar
C. Postprandial hypotension and dizziness
D. Tachycardia, immunosuppression, fever -✓✓ Answer: A. Weight changes,
nausea, diarrhea
Fluoxetine, sold under the brand name Prozac or Sarafem, is classified as a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It treats psychiatric conditions such
as depression, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Its side
effects include decreased libido, mouth dryness, weight changes, and
gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and nausea.
Fluoxetine causes gastrointestinal symptoms since it leads to increased serotonin
levels, which stimulate receptors in the nervous system and the gastrointestinal
tract. Alterations may bring about weight changes in appetite, which is also another
side effect of the mechanism of action of SSRIs.
• Which side effects of Phenytoin can occur when taking the incorrect dose?
A. Abnormal heart rhythm
B. Vertigo, weakness, nausea and vomiting, unsteady gait
C. Grey mucous membranes
D. Bulimia nervosa -✓✓ Answer: B. Vertigo, weakness, nausea and vomiting,
unsteady gait
Phenytoin is anticonvulsant drug. It is often used in clients with complex partial
seizures, grand mal seizures, and postoperative seizures.
Like most drugs, Phenytoin can also produce unwanted effects in the body when
used too often or too much. Self-medication administration, improper use of the
drug, and drug interactions are three major causes of phenytoin intoxication. The
most common symptoms of phenytoin intoxication include dizziness, nausea,
DETAILED ANSWER EXPLANATIONS | 2026 UPDATE
• A client arrives to the ER with a blood glucose of 32 mmol/L. What are the 3
polys of Type diabetes mellitus?
A. Polyuria, polyopia, polycystic
B. Polydipsia, polyphagia, polyarthritis
C. Polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia
D. Polyuria, polycythemia, polyarthritis -✓✓ Polyphagia, polyuria, polydipsia
Type I diabetes mellitus (DM) develops when the body can no longer produce
insulin due to the destruction of beta cells of the pancreas responsible for insulin
production. Lack of insulin production leads to poor control of blood glucose
levels. Polyphagia, polyuria, and polydipsia are known as the cardinal signs of
diabetes. They develop faster in clients with type I DM.
Polydipsia refers to increased thirst caused by high blood sugar levels that make
the blood more concentrated.
Polyuria is the medical term for increased frequency of urination and passage of
high volumes of urine, followed by the excess intake of fluids.
Polyphagia refers to increased appetite which occurs because of excess loss of
glucose in the urine, making the body crave food.
• Which of the following drugs is the most effective when it comes to easing the
symptoms of osteoarthritis?
A. Acyclovir
B. Baclofen
C. Acetaminophen
D. Diclofenac -✓✓ Answer: D. Diclofenac
,Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat
generalized pain, rheumatoid arthritis, dysmenorrhea, and osteoarthritis. It works
by inhibiting the activity of COX-1 and COX-2, which are responsible for the
production of lipid compounds that are essential in pain response and
inflammation.
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant drug.
Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic drug.
• Which statement about the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
infection is true?
A. Treatment is difficult because antivirals are unsafe for the population
B. Asymptomatic individuals do not need to be treated
C. Treatment for HIV varies for each client
D. Only one drug is required to treat all clients with HIV -✓✓ Answer: C.
Treatment for HIV varies for each client
HIV is also known as the human immunodeficiency virus. Failure to treat infection
due to this virus can develop autoimmune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is a
life-threatening condition. Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue,
and weight loss. The treatment for HIV is called antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. It
involves the use of a combination of antiviral drugs. The specifications of the drug
therapy for HIV are different for each individual because the treatment is supposed
to blend in with other medications that the client must take, which depends on
many factors such as comorbidities, nutrition, and immune status.
The answer option A is incorrect because many antiviral drugs work well. The
answer option B is also wrong because even asymptomatic clients with HIV
require treatment. Treating HIV starting from the early stages is better since it may
help reduce the mortality rate. The answer option D is also incorrect because the
treatment usually involves a combination of antiviral drugs
,• A client will be undergoing day surgery. The nurse told him to hold his daily
aspirin for three days before the surgery. What is the rationale for this direction?
A. It has anti-inflammatory effects
B. It has antithrombotic effects
C. It has analgesic effects
D. It has antipyretic effects -✓✓ Answer: B. It has antithrombotic effects
Aspirin is a drug used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. It also has an
antithrombotic effect which means it may interfere with clot formation. Thus,
clients scheduled for surgery are told not to take this drug as early as seven days
before the procedure since this may cause excessive bleeding and harm the client.
• What system would be a priority to assess on a client taking
fluticasone/salmeterol (Advair)?
A. Circulatory system
B. Hepatobiliary system
C. Respiratory system
D. Neurological System -✓✓ Answer: 3. Respiratory system
Advair is a medication containing fluticasone (a corticosteroid) and salmeterol (a
B2 adrenergic receptor agonist that promotes bronchodilation). These two drugs
are used in combination when treating symptoms of asthma and chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. Since this drug is on the client's chart, the client
most probably has one of these respiratory problems; thus, the nurse must prioritize
his respiratory system during the assessment.
• A psychiatrist prescribed fluoxetine to a client who was diagnosed with
depression. What are the side effects of this drug?
, A. Weight changes, nausea, diarrhea
B. Sensitivity to light, convulsions, swelling of the limbs, high blood sugar
C. Postprandial hypotension and dizziness
D. Tachycardia, immunosuppression, fever -✓✓ Answer: A. Weight changes,
nausea, diarrhea
Fluoxetine, sold under the brand name Prozac or Sarafem, is classified as a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It treats psychiatric conditions such
as depression, bulimia nervosa, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Its side
effects include decreased libido, mouth dryness, weight changes, and
gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and nausea.
Fluoxetine causes gastrointestinal symptoms since it leads to increased serotonin
levels, which stimulate receptors in the nervous system and the gastrointestinal
tract. Alterations may bring about weight changes in appetite, which is also another
side effect of the mechanism of action of SSRIs.
• Which side effects of Phenytoin can occur when taking the incorrect dose?
A. Abnormal heart rhythm
B. Vertigo, weakness, nausea and vomiting, unsteady gait
C. Grey mucous membranes
D. Bulimia nervosa -✓✓ Answer: B. Vertigo, weakness, nausea and vomiting,
unsteady gait
Phenytoin is anticonvulsant drug. It is often used in clients with complex partial
seizures, grand mal seizures, and postoperative seizures.
Like most drugs, Phenytoin can also produce unwanted effects in the body when
used too often or too much. Self-medication administration, improper use of the
drug, and drug interactions are three major causes of phenytoin intoxication. The
most common symptoms of phenytoin intoxication include dizziness, nausea,
