NSG 3100 — Fundamentals of Nursing
Exam 3 Practice Exam — Ch. 34 Diagnostic Testing • Ch. 35 Medication Administration • Ch. 40
Bowel Elimination • Ch. 41 Urinary Elimination
Set A — 50 Questions
Directions: Choose the best answer for each item. For items marked SATA (Select All That Apply), select every option that
applies. An answer key with rationales follows the exam.
1. Which term describes a substance given specifically for its therapeutic, desired effect on the body?
A. Medication
B. Drug
C. Chemical compound
D. Pharmacodynamic agent
2. The nurse is teaching a nursing student about drug names. Which name is never capitalized and often contains a
suffix that hints at the drug class (e.g., "-olol" for beta-blockers)?
A. Chemical name
B. Generic name
C. Official name
D. Trade name
3. At the start of the shift, the nurse counting the automated dispensing cabinet's Schedule II medications finds the
physical count of hydromorphone does not match the electronic record. What should the nurse do first?
A. Chart the discrepancy and continue with morning medications
B. Assume a counting error and adjust the electronic record to match
C. Notify the charge nurse/supervisor immediately and follow facility protocol for investigation
D. Wait until end of shift to see if the discrepancy resolves
4. A nurse prepares a 10 mg vial of morphine sulfate but the order is for 4 mg IV. What is required to properly
waste the remaining 6 mg?
A. The nurse may waste it alone if documented immediately
B. The medication may be saved in the patient's drawer for the next dose
C. Only a pharmacist may witness controlled substance wasting
D. Two licensed clinical staff members must witness and document the disposal
5. Which of the following are classified as Schedule II controlled substances? Select all that apply. (Select All
That Apply)
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Diazepam
D. Adderall
E. Codeine with acetaminophen
F. Cocaine
6. The nurse needs a medication to take effect as rapidly as possible in an emergency. Which route provides the
fastest onset of action?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Subcutaneous
, D. Intramuscular
7. A patient has a history of cirrhosis of the liver. The nurse should anticipate that this patient is at greatest risk for
altered drug ________, requiring dose adjustment.
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
8. Fifteen minutes after receiving IV penicillin, a patient develops audible wheezing, facial swelling, and
hypotension. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the IV infusion rate and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Administer an oral antihistamine and monitor
C. Stop the medication immediately and prepare to administer epinephrine
D. Document the finding and notify the provider at the end of the shift
9. A patient given diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that typically causes drowsiness, becomes unexpectedly
agitated and hyperactive. The nurse recognizes this as which type of drug response?
A. Side effect
B. Toxic effect
C. Synergistic effect
D. Idiosyncratic reaction
10. A patient taking warfarin tells the nurse she also takes ginkgo biloba daily for memory. The nurse should
recognize this combination places the patient at increased risk for:
A. Bleeding
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hepatotoxicity
11. Which factors affect the absorption of an orally administered medication? Select all that apply. (Select All
That Apply)
A. Route of administration
B. Blood flow to the administration site
C. Patient's age
D. Body surface area
E. The prescriber's years of clinical experience
F. The drug's ability to dissolve/become soluble
12. The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old patient newly prescribed several new medications. Which age-related
changes increase this patient's risk for adverse drug effects? Select all that apply. (Select All That Apply)
A. Decreased renal function
B. Improved visual acuity
C. Increased proportion of fat to lean body mass
D. Decreased liver function
E. Altered organ responsiveness causing adverse effects to become pronounced before therapeutic effects are
achieved
13. The nurse is preparing to administer scheduled medications to four patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
Exam 3 Practice Exam — Ch. 34 Diagnostic Testing • Ch. 35 Medication Administration • Ch. 40
Bowel Elimination • Ch. 41 Urinary Elimination
Set A — 50 Questions
Directions: Choose the best answer for each item. For items marked SATA (Select All That Apply), select every option that
applies. An answer key with rationales follows the exam.
1. Which term describes a substance given specifically for its therapeutic, desired effect on the body?
A. Medication
B. Drug
C. Chemical compound
D. Pharmacodynamic agent
2. The nurse is teaching a nursing student about drug names. Which name is never capitalized and often contains a
suffix that hints at the drug class (e.g., "-olol" for beta-blockers)?
A. Chemical name
B. Generic name
C. Official name
D. Trade name
3. At the start of the shift, the nurse counting the automated dispensing cabinet's Schedule II medications finds the
physical count of hydromorphone does not match the electronic record. What should the nurse do first?
A. Chart the discrepancy and continue with morning medications
B. Assume a counting error and adjust the electronic record to match
C. Notify the charge nurse/supervisor immediately and follow facility protocol for investigation
D. Wait until end of shift to see if the discrepancy resolves
4. A nurse prepares a 10 mg vial of morphine sulfate but the order is for 4 mg IV. What is required to properly
waste the remaining 6 mg?
A. The nurse may waste it alone if documented immediately
B. The medication may be saved in the patient's drawer for the next dose
C. Only a pharmacist may witness controlled substance wasting
D. Two licensed clinical staff members must witness and document the disposal
5. Which of the following are classified as Schedule II controlled substances? Select all that apply. (Select All
That Apply)
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Diazepam
D. Adderall
E. Codeine with acetaminophen
F. Cocaine
6. The nurse needs a medication to take effect as rapidly as possible in an emergency. Which route provides the
fastest onset of action?
A. Intravenous
B. Oral
C. Subcutaneous
, D. Intramuscular
7. A patient has a history of cirrhosis of the liver. The nurse should anticipate that this patient is at greatest risk for
altered drug ________, requiring dose adjustment.
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
8. Fifteen minutes after receiving IV penicillin, a patient develops audible wheezing, facial swelling, and
hypotension. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Slow the IV infusion rate and reassess in 15 minutes
B. Administer an oral antihistamine and monitor
C. Stop the medication immediately and prepare to administer epinephrine
D. Document the finding and notify the provider at the end of the shift
9. A patient given diphenhydramine, an antihistamine that typically causes drowsiness, becomes unexpectedly
agitated and hyperactive. The nurse recognizes this as which type of drug response?
A. Side effect
B. Toxic effect
C. Synergistic effect
D. Idiosyncratic reaction
10. A patient taking warfarin tells the nurse she also takes ginkgo biloba daily for memory. The nurse should
recognize this combination places the patient at increased risk for:
A. Bleeding
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hypertension
D. Hepatotoxicity
11. Which factors affect the absorption of an orally administered medication? Select all that apply. (Select All
That Apply)
A. Route of administration
B. Blood flow to the administration site
C. Patient's age
D. Body surface area
E. The prescriber's years of clinical experience
F. The drug's ability to dissolve/become soluble
12. The nurse is caring for an 82-year-old patient newly prescribed several new medications. Which age-related
changes increase this patient's risk for adverse drug effects? Select all that apply. (Select All That Apply)
A. Decreased renal function
B. Improved visual acuity
C. Increased proportion of fat to lean body mass
D. Decreased liver function
E. Altered organ responsiveness causing adverse effects to become pronounced before therapeutic effects are
achieved
13. The nurse is preparing to administer scheduled medications to four patients. Which patient should the nurse
assess first?
