Pharmacology Exam 4
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Updated 2026
,1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving an intravenous antibiotic. The
nurse notes that the provider has ordered serum drug peak and trough levels. The
nurse
understands that these tests are necessary for which type of drugs?
a. Drugs with a broad spectrum
b. Drugs with a narrow spectrum
c. Drugs with a broad therapeutic index
d. Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index
ANS: D
Medications with a narrow therapeutic index have a limited range between the
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. It is important to monitor these medications closely by
evaluating regular serum peak and trough levels.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin (Amoxil) to a patient and learns that
the patient previously experienced a rash when taking penicillin. Which action will the
nurse take?
a. Administer the amoxicillin and have epinephrine available.
b. Ask the provider to order an antihistamine.
c. Contact the provider to discuss using a different antibiotic.
d. Request an order for a beta-lactamase resistant drug.____
ANS: C
Patients who have previously experienced manifestations of allergy to a penicillin should
not use penicillins again unless necessary. The nurse should contact the provider to
discuss using another antibiotic from a different class. Epinephrine and antihistamines are
useful when patients are experiencing allergic reactions, depending on severity.
,3. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of an antibiotic to a patient
admitted for a urinary tract infection. Which action is most important prior to
administering the antibiotic?
a.Administering a small test dose to determine whether hypersensitivity exists
b.Having epinephrine available in the event of a severe hypersensitivity reaction
c.Monitoring baseline vital signs, including temperature and blood pressured.
d.Obtaining a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity___
ANS: D
To obtain the most accurate culture, the specimen should be obtained before antibiotic
therapy begins. It is important to obtain cultures when possible to correctly identify the
organism and help determine which antibiotic will be most effective. Administering test
doses to determine hypersensitivity is sometimes done when there is a strong suspicion
of allergy when a particular antibiotic is needed. Epinephrine is kept close at hand when
there is a strong suspicion of allergy.
, 4. The nurse is teaching a patient who will be discharged home from the hospital to take
amoxicillin (Amoxil) twice daily for 10 days. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
a."Discontinue the antibiotic when your temperature returns to normal and your
symptoms have improved."
b. "If diarrhea occurs, stop taking the drug immediately and contact your provider."
c. "Stop taking the drug and notify your provider if you develop a rash while taking
this drug."
d. "You may save any unused antibiotic to use if your symptoms recur."____
ANS: C
Patients who develop signs of allergy, such as rash, should notify their provider before
continuing medication therapy. Patients should be counseled to continue taking their
antibiotics until completion of the prescribed regimen even when they feel well. Diarrhea
is an adverse effect but does not warrant cessation of the drug. Before deciding to stop
taking a medication due to a side effect, encourage the patient to contact the provider
first. Patients should discard any unused antibiotic.
5.The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of intravenous ceftriaxone
(Rocephin) to a patient. When reviewing the patient's chart, the nurse notes that the
patient previously experienced a rash when taking amoxicillin. What is the nurse's next
action?
a. Administer the drug and observe closely for hypersensitivity reactions.
b. Ask the provider whether a cephalosporin from a different generation may be used.
c. Contact the provider to report drug hypersensitivity.
d. Notify the provider and suggest an oral cephalosporin.____
ANS: A
A small percentage of patients who are allergic to penicillin could also be allergic to a
cephalosporin product. Patients should be monitored closely after receiving a
cephalosporin if they are allergic to penicillin. There is no difference in hypersensitivity
potential between different generations or method of delivery of cephalosporins
Questions Verified and
Provided with A+
Graded Answers |Latest
Updated 2026
,1. The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving an intravenous antibiotic. The
nurse notes that the provider has ordered serum drug peak and trough levels. The
nurse
understands that these tests are necessary for which type of drugs?
a. Drugs with a broad spectrum
b. Drugs with a narrow spectrum
c. Drugs with a broad therapeutic index
d. Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index
ANS: D
Medications with a narrow therapeutic index have a limited range between the
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. It is important to monitor these medications closely by
evaluating regular serum peak and trough levels.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin (Amoxil) to a patient and learns that
the patient previously experienced a rash when taking penicillin. Which action will the
nurse take?
a. Administer the amoxicillin and have epinephrine available.
b. Ask the provider to order an antihistamine.
c. Contact the provider to discuss using a different antibiotic.
d. Request an order for a beta-lactamase resistant drug.____
ANS: C
Patients who have previously experienced manifestations of allergy to a penicillin should
not use penicillins again unless necessary. The nurse should contact the provider to
discuss using another antibiotic from a different class. Epinephrine and antihistamines are
useful when patients are experiencing allergic reactions, depending on severity.
,3. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of an antibiotic to a patient
admitted for a urinary tract infection. Which action is most important prior to
administering the antibiotic?
a.Administering a small test dose to determine whether hypersensitivity exists
b.Having epinephrine available in the event of a severe hypersensitivity reaction
c.Monitoring baseline vital signs, including temperature and blood pressured.
d.Obtaining a urine specimen for culture and sensitivity___
ANS: D
To obtain the most accurate culture, the specimen should be obtained before antibiotic
therapy begins. It is important to obtain cultures when possible to correctly identify the
organism and help determine which antibiotic will be most effective. Administering test
doses to determine hypersensitivity is sometimes done when there is a strong suspicion
of allergy when a particular antibiotic is needed. Epinephrine is kept close at hand when
there is a strong suspicion of allergy.
, 4. The nurse is teaching a patient who will be discharged home from the hospital to take
amoxicillin (Amoxil) twice daily for 10 days. Which statement by the nurse is correct?
a."Discontinue the antibiotic when your temperature returns to normal and your
symptoms have improved."
b. "If diarrhea occurs, stop taking the drug immediately and contact your provider."
c. "Stop taking the drug and notify your provider if you develop a rash while taking
this drug."
d. "You may save any unused antibiotic to use if your symptoms recur."____
ANS: C
Patients who develop signs of allergy, such as rash, should notify their provider before
continuing medication therapy. Patients should be counseled to continue taking their
antibiotics until completion of the prescribed regimen even when they feel well. Diarrhea
is an adverse effect but does not warrant cessation of the drug. Before deciding to stop
taking a medication due to a side effect, encourage the patient to contact the provider
first. Patients should discard any unused antibiotic.
5.The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of intravenous ceftriaxone
(Rocephin) to a patient. When reviewing the patient's chart, the nurse notes that the
patient previously experienced a rash when taking amoxicillin. What is the nurse's next
action?
a. Administer the drug and observe closely for hypersensitivity reactions.
b. Ask the provider whether a cephalosporin from a different generation may be used.
c. Contact the provider to report drug hypersensitivity.
d. Notify the provider and suggest an oral cephalosporin.____
ANS: A
A small percentage of patients who are allergic to penicillin could also be allergic to a
cephalosporin product. Patients should be monitored closely after receiving a
cephalosporin if they are allergic to penicillin. There is no difference in hypersensitivity
potential between different generations or method of delivery of cephalosporins
