NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST 2024
Question 1
A nurse is caring for an infant after a surgical procedure. After ensuring that the ordered dose is
appropriate for the infant's age and weight, the nurse administers a narcotic analgesic intravenously.
When assessing the infant 15 minutes later, the nurse notes respirations of 22 breaths/minute and a
heart rate of 110 beats/minute. The infant is asleep in the parent's arms and does not awaken when
vital signs are assessed. The nurse understands that these findings are the result of:
immaturity of the blood-brain barrier in the infant.
Question 2
A child will receive 750 mg of an antibiotic for 10 days. The child attends day care. The drug may be
dosed in several ways and is available in two concentrations. Which dosing regimen will the nurse
discuss with the child's provider?
500 mg/5 mL to 375 mg PO twice daily
Question 3
Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with sedative side effects is not
recommended for infants. Which response by the nurse is correct?
"Infants are more susceptible to central nervous system effects than are adults."
Question 4
A nurse caring for a 5-year-old child notes that the child has discoloration of several teeth. When
taking a medication history, the nurse will ask about which group of medications?
Tetracyclines
Question 5
An infant has allergies and often develops a pruritic rash when exposed to allergens. The infant's
parents ask the nurse about using a topical antihistamine. What should the nurse tell them?
Applying an antihistamine to the skin can cause toxicity in this age group.
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
,Question 6
An infant is receiving a medication that has a narrow therapeutic range. The nurse reviews the
medication information and learns that the drug is excreted by the kidneys. When giving the
medication, the nurse will assess the infant for:
signs of drug toxicity.
Question 7
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing students to calculate medication doses for children using a
formula based on body surface area. Which statement by a nursing student indicates understanding
of the teaching?
"This formula helps approximate the first dose; other doses should be based on clinical observations."
Question 8
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing students about medication administration in children. Which
statement by a student indicates an understanding of the teaching?
"Drugs effective in adults may not work in children, even if the dose is proportional for weight and size."
Question 9
A nurse is teaching nursing students about pediatric medication administration. What will the nurse
include when discussing pediatric drug research?
Studies showed a significant percentage of unanticipated and potentially lethal side effects in children.
Question 10
A prescriber has ordered medication for a newborn. The medication is eliminated primarily by hepatic
metabolism. The nurse expects the prescriber to:
order a dose that is lower than an adult dose.
Question 11
The parents of a child with asthma ask the nurse why their child can not use oral corticosteroids more
often, because they are so effective. The nurse will offer which information that is true for children?
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
,Chronic steroid use can inhibit growth.
Question 12
A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone [Risperdal Consta] IM. The nurse teaching
this patient about this medication will make which statement?
"You will need to take an oral antipsychotic drug for 3 weeks."
Question 13
A patient with schizophrenia shows suicidal behaviors, and the provider orders clozapine [Clozaril].
The nurse teaches the family about the medication and its side effects. Which statement by a family
member indicates a need for further teaching about this drug?
"If the ANC is less than 3000, the drug will be discontinued permanently."
Question 14
A patient in whom drug therapy has failed several times in the past is readmitted to a hospital to
begin therapy for schizophrenia. What will the nurse do to help improve adherence?
Teach the patient about drug side effects and how to manage them.
Question 15
A nurse provides teaching for a patient about to begin taking an FGA drug for schizophrenia. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching about side effects of these drugs?
"Dry mouth and constipation are uncommon with this medication."
Question 16
A patient taking an FGA medication develops severe parkinsonism and is treated with amantadine
[Symmetrel]. The amantadine is withdrawn 2 months later, and the parkinsonism returns. The nurse
will expect the provider to:
try a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA).
Question 17
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia? Select all that apply.
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
, Poor judgment
Poor self-care
Poverty of speech
Question 18
A patient is taking an FGA for schizophrenia. The nurse notes that the patient has trouble speaking
and chewing and observes slow, wormlike-movements of the patient's tongue. The nurse recognizes
which adverse effect in this patient?
Tardive dyskinesia
Question 19
A nurse and a nursing student are discussing the plan of care for a patient with schizophrenia. The
patient, who has been taking a high-potency FGA for 2 months, has become restless and constantly
needs to be in motion. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further education?
"Because this may be an exacerbation of psychosis, the provider may increase the dose of the FGA."
Question 20
A patient who is taking a first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) drug for schizophrenia comes to the
clinic for evaluation. The nurse observes that the patient has a shuffling gait and mild tremors. The
nurse will ask the patient's provider about which course of action?
Giving an anticholinergic medication
Question 21
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking an oral FGA for 1 week. The patient has been taking the
drug daily in two divided doses. The individual complains of daytime drowsiness. The patient's family
reports a decrease in the person's hostility and anxiety but states that the patient remains antisocial
with disordered thinking. What will the nurse tell the patient and the family?
Some symptoms take months to improve.
Question 22
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking an antipsychotic drug for several days. The nurse enters
the patient's room to administer a dose of haloperidol [Haldol] and finds the patient having facial
spasms. The patient's head is thrust back, and the patient is unable to speak. What will the nurse do?
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST 2024
Question 1
A nurse is caring for an infant after a surgical procedure. After ensuring that the ordered dose is
appropriate for the infant's age and weight, the nurse administers a narcotic analgesic intravenously.
When assessing the infant 15 minutes later, the nurse notes respirations of 22 breaths/minute and a
heart rate of 110 beats/minute. The infant is asleep in the parent's arms and does not awaken when
vital signs are assessed. The nurse understands that these findings are the result of:
immaturity of the blood-brain barrier in the infant.
Question 2
A child will receive 750 mg of an antibiotic for 10 days. The child attends day care. The drug may be
dosed in several ways and is available in two concentrations. Which dosing regimen will the nurse
discuss with the child's provider?
500 mg/5 mL to 375 mg PO twice daily
Question 3
Parents ask the nurse why an over-the-counter cough suppressant with sedative side effects is not
recommended for infants. Which response by the nurse is correct?
"Infants are more susceptible to central nervous system effects than are adults."
Question 4
A nurse caring for a 5-year-old child notes that the child has discoloration of several teeth. When
taking a medication history, the nurse will ask about which group of medications?
Tetracyclines
Question 5
An infant has allergies and often develops a pruritic rash when exposed to allergens. The infant's
parents ask the nurse about using a topical antihistamine. What should the nurse tell them?
Applying an antihistamine to the skin can cause toxicity in this age group.
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
,Question 6
An infant is receiving a medication that has a narrow therapeutic range. The nurse reviews the
medication information and learns that the drug is excreted by the kidneys. When giving the
medication, the nurse will assess the infant for:
signs of drug toxicity.
Question 7
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing students to calculate medication doses for children using a
formula based on body surface area. Which statement by a nursing student indicates understanding
of the teaching?
"This formula helps approximate the first dose; other doses should be based on clinical observations."
Question 8
A pediatric nurse is teaching nursing students about medication administration in children. Which
statement by a student indicates an understanding of the teaching?
"Drugs effective in adults may not work in children, even if the dose is proportional for weight and size."
Question 9
A nurse is teaching nursing students about pediatric medication administration. What will the nurse
include when discussing pediatric drug research?
Studies showed a significant percentage of unanticipated and potentially lethal side effects in children.
Question 10
A prescriber has ordered medication for a newborn. The medication is eliminated primarily by hepatic
metabolism. The nurse expects the prescriber to:
order a dose that is lower than an adult dose.
Question 11
The parents of a child with asthma ask the nurse why their child can not use oral corticosteroids more
often, because they are so effective. The nurse will offer which information that is true for children?
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
,Chronic steroid use can inhibit growth.
Question 12
A patient with schizophrenia receives a dose of risperidone [Risperdal Consta] IM. The nurse teaching
this patient about this medication will make which statement?
"You will need to take an oral antipsychotic drug for 3 weeks."
Question 13
A patient with schizophrenia shows suicidal behaviors, and the provider orders clozapine [Clozaril].
The nurse teaches the family about the medication and its side effects. Which statement by a family
member indicates a need for further teaching about this drug?
"If the ANC is less than 3000, the drug will be discontinued permanently."
Question 14
A patient in whom drug therapy has failed several times in the past is readmitted to a hospital to
begin therapy for schizophrenia. What will the nurse do to help improve adherence?
Teach the patient about drug side effects and how to manage them.
Question 15
A nurse provides teaching for a patient about to begin taking an FGA drug for schizophrenia. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching about side effects of these drugs?
"Dry mouth and constipation are uncommon with this medication."
Question 16
A patient taking an FGA medication develops severe parkinsonism and is treated with amantadine
[Symmetrel]. The amantadine is withdrawn 2 months later, and the parkinsonism returns. The nurse
will expect the provider to:
try a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA).
Question 17
What are negative symptoms of schizophrenia? Select all that apply.
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
, Poor judgment
Poor self-care
Poverty of speech
Question 18
A patient is taking an FGA for schizophrenia. The nurse notes that the patient has trouble speaking
and chewing and observes slow, wormlike-movements of the patient's tongue. The nurse recognizes
which adverse effect in this patient?
Tardive dyskinesia
Question 19
A nurse and a nursing student are discussing the plan of care for a patient with schizophrenia. The
patient, who has been taking a high-potency FGA for 2 months, has become restless and constantly
needs to be in motion. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further education?
"Because this may be an exacerbation of psychosis, the provider may increase the dose of the FGA."
Question 20
A patient who is taking a first-generation antipsychotic (FGA) drug for schizophrenia comes to the
clinic for evaluation. The nurse observes that the patient has a shuffling gait and mild tremors. The
nurse will ask the patient's provider about which course of action?
Giving an anticholinergic medication
Question 21
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking an oral FGA for 1 week. The patient has been taking the
drug daily in two divided doses. The individual complains of daytime drowsiness. The patient's family
reports a decrease in the person's hostility and anxiety but states that the patient remains antisocial
with disordered thinking. What will the nurse tell the patient and the family?
Some symptoms take months to improve.
Question 22
A patient with schizophrenia has been taking an antipsychotic drug for several days. The nurse enters
the patient's room to administer a dose of haloperidol [Haldol] and finds the patient having facial
spasms. The patient's head is thrust back, and the patient is unable to speak. What will the nurse do?
NURS 6521 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
