NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Practice Test
1. A client is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 128/80 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
2. A client is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Bleeding time
3. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A. "Increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables."
B. "Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor."
C. "Take aspirin for headaches."
D. "This medication will dissolve an existing clot."
4. A client is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which instruction is essential for the
nurse to include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Maintain a consistent fluid and sodium intake."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "You will need to have your blood glucose checked regularly."
,6. A client is experiencing an acute gout attack. Which medication does the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Aspirin
7. A client is prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
B. "Take this medication in the morning on an empty stomach."
C. "Take this medication with an antacid."
D. "Stop taking this medication if you feel better."
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Call 911 if the pain is not relieved after 5 minutes."
C. "Take up to five tablets for chest pain."
D. "Store the tablets in a clear plastic bag."
9. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
provide?
A. "Increase your intake of bananas and oranges."
B. "Avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium."
C. "Take this medication with a potassium supplement."
D. "Limit your fluid intake to 1 liter per day."
10. A client is prescribed ferrous sulfate. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication with milk."
B. "Take this medication with vitamin C."
C. "Take this medication at bedtime."
D. "Expect your stools to be light-colored."
11. A client is prescribed prednisone. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if you feel better."
B. "Take this medication with food or milk."
C. "This medication will increase your risk of infection."
D. "Avoid contact with people who are sick."
12. A client is prescribed atorvastatin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
,A. Potassium
B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
C. Blood glucose
D. Platelet count
13. A client is prescribed metformin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "This medication can cause a metallic taste in your mouth."
C. "You are at high risk for hypoglycemia."
D. "You should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
14. A client is prescribed a nitroglycerin patch. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Apply the patch to the same spot every day."
B. "Remove the patch at night to prevent tolerance."
C. "Place the patch on a hairy area of your chest."
D. "You can take a shower with the patch on."
15. A client is prescribed levodopa-carbidopa. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication with a high-protein meal."
B. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
C. "This medication will cure your Parkinson's disease."
D. "You can stop taking this medication if your symptoms improve."
16. A client is prescribed allopurinol. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication during an acute gout attack."
B. "Increase your fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "This medication will relieve pain immediately."
17. A client is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which finding indicates a need
for immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 50 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
18. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if your heart rate is below 60."
B. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
, C. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D. "This medication can cause diarrhea."
19. A client is prescribed an MAOI. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Increase your intake of tyramine-rich foods."
B. "Avoid aged cheeses and cured meats."
C. "You can drink red wine in moderation."
D. "Take this medication with an SSRI."
20. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Increase your fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation."
C. "This medication will not cause drowsiness."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
21. A client is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Increase your intake of grapefruit juice."
B. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
C. "This medication can cause constipation."
D. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
22. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a nicotine patch.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Apply the patch to a hairy area."
B. "Remove the patch at night to prevent sleep disturbances."
C. "You can smoke while wearing the patch."
D. "Apply a new patch every 12 hours."
23. A client is prescribed a loop diuretic. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
24. A client is prescribed enoxaparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
1. A client is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding should the nurse report
immediately?
A. Heart rate of 72 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 128/80 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
2. A client is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Bleeding time
3. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A. "Increase your intake of green, leafy vegetables."
B. "Use a soft toothbrush and an electric razor."
C. "Take aspirin for headaches."
D. "This medication will dissolve an existing clot."
4. A client is receiving furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which instruction is essential for the
nurse to include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Maintain a consistent fluid and sodium intake."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "You will need to have your blood glucose checked regularly."
,6. A client is experiencing an acute gout attack. Which medication does the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Aspirin
7. A client is prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication at bedtime."
B. "Take this medication in the morning on an empty stomach."
C. "Take this medication with an antacid."
D. "Stop taking this medication if you feel better."
8. A nurse is teaching a client about a new prescription for nitroglycerin sublingual
tablets. Which instruction is correct?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Call 911 if the pain is not relieved after 5 minutes."
C. "Take up to five tablets for chest pain."
D. "Store the tablets in a clear plastic bag."
9. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
provide?
A. "Increase your intake of bananas and oranges."
B. "Avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium."
C. "Take this medication with a potassium supplement."
D. "Limit your fluid intake to 1 liter per day."
10. A client is prescribed ferrous sulfate. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication with milk."
B. "Take this medication with vitamin C."
C. "Take this medication at bedtime."
D. "Expect your stools to be light-colored."
11. A client is prescribed prednisone. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if you feel better."
B. "Take this medication with food or milk."
C. "This medication will increase your risk of infection."
D. "Avoid contact with people who are sick."
12. A client is prescribed atorvastatin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
,A. Potassium
B. Liver function tests (LFTs)
C. Blood glucose
D. Platelet count
13. A client is prescribed metformin. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "This medication can cause a metallic taste in your mouth."
C. "You are at high risk for hypoglycemia."
D. "You should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
14. A client is prescribed a nitroglycerin patch. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Apply the patch to the same spot every day."
B. "Remove the patch at night to prevent tolerance."
C. "Place the patch on a hairy area of your chest."
D. "You can take a shower with the patch on."
15. A client is prescribed levodopa-carbidopa. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication with a high-protein meal."
B. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
C. "This medication will cure your Parkinson's disease."
D. "You can stop taking this medication if your symptoms improve."
16. A client is prescribed allopurinol. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Take this medication during an acute gout attack."
B. "Increase your fluid intake to 2-3 liters per day."
C. "Avoid foods high in potassium."
D. "This medication will relieve pain immediately."
17. A client is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which finding indicates a need
for immediate intervention?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats per minute
B. Heart rate of 50 beats per minute
C. Blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg
D. Urine output of 50 mL/hr
18. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Stop taking this medication if your heart rate is below 60."
B. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
, C. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D. "This medication can cause diarrhea."
19. A client is prescribed an MAOI. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Increase your intake of tyramine-rich foods."
B. "Avoid aged cheeses and cured meats."
C. "You can drink red wine in moderation."
D. "Take this medication with an SSRI."
20. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which instruction should the nurse
include?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Increase your fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation."
C. "This medication will not cause drowsiness."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
21. A client is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Increase your intake of grapefruit juice."
B. "Change positions slowly to prevent dizziness."
C. "This medication can cause constipation."
D. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
22. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for a nicotine patch.
Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. "Apply the patch to a hairy area."
B. "Remove the patch at night to prevent sleep disturbances."
C. "You can smoke while wearing the patch."
D. "Apply a new patch every 12 hours."
23. A client is prescribed a loop diuretic. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
24. A client is prescribed enoxaparin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
