Pharmacology MSN 571 practice questions|A+
Graded
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone (Oxycontin) refill. Which action
should the prescriber take initially?
Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The patient reports feeling
jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does not feel that the medication is always
effective. Which action will the provider take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication
effectiveness?
Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital signs.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient history finding would be
most concerning to the provider?
The patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for hospital discharge. Which
action by the provider will best support the patient's ability to effectively manage medication
therapy?
Asking the patient to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine headaches is not working.
Which action is the prescriber's priority when addressing the patient's concern?
Ask the patient about the number and frequency of tablets taken.
.The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity. Which
action is most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient?
Obtaining baseline liver function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most important for the
provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level is maintained?
Order periodic laboratory testing.
.Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both advanced practice
registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)?
More patients will have access to health care.
.A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a pruritic,
dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important for the provider
to take to minimize this patient's risk for injury?
Discontinue the ampicillin.
.Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's commitment to adherence to
any type of medication therapy?
Providing medication education that the patient can easily understand
, .Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's nonadherence with their
medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the therapy?
"I've been taking this medication for well over a week and I lost only a half a pound."
.How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for
patients?
Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can suggest adequate
medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
.Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of effective medication
education?
"This medication needs to be stored in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1 with breakfast, 1 with
lunch, and one with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed until all the tablets are
gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any itching, headache, or difficulty
breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder asks why blood tests
are required on a regular basis. Which provider responses demonstrate an understanding of why the
patient requires a variety of laboratory tests?
"We need to monitor how your thyroid is functioning." "We need to monitor kidney function while
you are on this drug. This medication can cause you to lose sodium, so we need to measure sodium
levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of developing muscle
toxicity?
Substitute grapefruit juice with orange juice
.When prescribing drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, what intervention does the provider take to
decrease risk to the patient?
Monitor the patient's plasma drug levels at regular intervals.
.A patient reports that a medication no longer effectively alleviates symptoms. What process informs
the provider's response to the patient's concerns?
Desensitization of receptor sites results from continual exposure to the drug.
.A patient reports that Brand X tablets work faster than Brand Y tablets of the same amount of the
same drug. Which statement informs the prescriber's response when explaining this phenomenon to
the patient?
Inactive ingredients used in composition can result in differing rates of dissolution, which can alter the
drug's onset of action.
.A patient receiving intravenous gentamicin has a toxic serum drug level. The prescriber confirms that
the dosing is correct. Which possible cause of this situation will the provider explore?
Whether patient is taking a medication that binds to serum albumin.
.A patient takes a drug that is metabolized by CYP3A4 isoenzymes. If a CYP3A4 inducing drug is
prescribed, what drug adjustment may be necessary to maintain a therapeutic level of CYP3A4
substrate?
Graded
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone (Oxycontin) refill. Which action
should the prescriber take initially?
Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The patient reports feeling
jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does not feel that the medication is always
effective. Which action will the provider take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication
effectiveness?
Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital signs.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient history finding would be
most concerning to the provider?
The patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for hospital discharge. Which
action by the provider will best support the patient's ability to effectively manage medication
therapy?
Asking the patient to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine headaches is not working.
Which action is the prescriber's priority when addressing the patient's concern?
Ask the patient about the number and frequency of tablets taken.
.The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatotoxicity. Which
action is most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient?
Obtaining baseline liver function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most important for the
provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level is maintained?
Order periodic laboratory testing.
.Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both advanced practice
registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)?
More patients will have access to health care.
.A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a pruritic,
dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important for the provider
to take to minimize this patient's risk for injury?
Discontinue the ampicillin.
.Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's commitment to adherence to
any type of medication therapy?
Providing medication education that the patient can easily understand
, .Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's nonadherence with their
medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the therapy?
"I've been taking this medication for well over a week and I lost only a half a pound."
.How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for
patients?
Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can suggest adequate
medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.
.Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of effective medication
education?
"This medication needs to be stored in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1 with breakfast, 1 with
lunch, and one with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed until all the tablets are
gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any itching, headache, or difficulty
breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder asks why blood tests
are required on a regular basis. Which provider responses demonstrate an understanding of why the
patient requires a variety of laboratory tests?
"We need to monitor how your thyroid is functioning." "We need to monitor kidney function while
you are on this drug. This medication can cause you to lose sodium, so we need to measure sodium
levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of developing muscle
toxicity?
Substitute grapefruit juice with orange juice
.When prescribing drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, what intervention does the provider take to
decrease risk to the patient?
Monitor the patient's plasma drug levels at regular intervals.
.A patient reports that a medication no longer effectively alleviates symptoms. What process informs
the provider's response to the patient's concerns?
Desensitization of receptor sites results from continual exposure to the drug.
.A patient reports that Brand X tablets work faster than Brand Y tablets of the same amount of the
same drug. Which statement informs the prescriber's response when explaining this phenomenon to
the patient?
Inactive ingredients used in composition can result in differing rates of dissolution, which can alter the
drug's onset of action.
.A patient receiving intravenous gentamicin has a toxic serum drug level. The prescriber confirms that
the dosing is correct. Which possible cause of this situation will the provider explore?
Whether patient is taking a medication that binds to serum albumin.
.A patient takes a drug that is metabolized by CYP3A4 isoenzymes. If a CYP3A4 inducing drug is
prescribed, what drug adjustment may be necessary to maintain a therapeutic level of CYP3A4
substrate?
