1. A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of digoxin to a client.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take before administering the
medication?
A) Monitor the client’s blood pressure
B) Check the client’s pulse rate
C) Assess the client’s respiratory rate
D) Measure the client’s temperature
Answer: B) Check the client’s pulse rate
Rationale:
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that affects heart rate. Before administering it, the
nurse should check the client's pulse. If the pulse is below 60 beats per minute
(bradycardia), the nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking furosemide (Lasix). Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C) Hypokalemia
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the excretion of sodium, chloride, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a common side effect, so the nurse should monitor
potassium levels closely in clients taking this medication.
3. A client is prescribed an opioid for pain management. Which of the following
is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take when administering the
medication?
A) Encourage the client to take the medication with food to reduce
gastrointestinal upset
,B) Monitor the client’s respiratory rate closely, especially if it falls below 12
breaths per minute
C) Administer the medication every 8 hours regardless of the client’s pain level
D) Give the medication with a high-fat meal to increase absorption
Answer: B) Monitor the client’s respiratory rate closely, especially if it falls below
12 breaths per minute
Rationale:
Opioids can depress the respiratory system. A decrease in respiratory rate below
12 breaths per minute is a critical sign of opioid overdose, so respiratory
monitoring is essential.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of an inhaler with a spacer for
asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) "You should inhale deeply while using the inhaler."
B) "The spacer should be cleaned with soap and water every day."
C) "You should use the inhaler before meals."
D) "You do not need to shake the inhaler before use."
Answer: B) "The spacer should be cleaned with soap and water every day."
Rationale:
Spacers should be cleaned regularly to prevent medication buildup and bacterial
growth. Cleaning the spacer with soap and water ensures the medication is
delivered effectively.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
The nurse should monitor the client’s laboratory results for which of the
following?
A) Platelet count
B) Hemoglobin level
, C) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D) Liver function tests
Answer: C) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting process. The INR is a measure
of blood coagulation and is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy
and adjust dosages to prevent bleeding complications.
6. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B) "You may need to have liver function tests while on this medication."
C) "You should stop the medication if you experience muscle pain."
D) "You can take this medication at any time of day, regardless of meals."
Answer: B) "You may need to have liver function tests while on this medication."
Rationale:
Atorvastatin is a statin that can affect liver function, so clients need periodic liver
function tests to monitor for potential liver damage.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) for depression. Which of the following is an expected side effect
of this medication?
A) Drowsiness
B) Weight gain
C) Insomnia
D) Tachycardia
Answer: C) Insomnia
Rationale:
SSRIs are commonly prescribed for depression, and one of the common side
Which of the following actions should the nurse take before administering the
medication?
A) Monitor the client’s blood pressure
B) Check the client’s pulse rate
C) Assess the client’s respiratory rate
D) Measure the client’s temperature
Answer: B) Check the client’s pulse rate
Rationale:
Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that affects heart rate. Before administering it, the
nurse should check the client's pulse. If the pulse is below 60 beats per minute
(bradycardia), the nurse should hold the medication and notify the provider.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who is taking furosemide (Lasix). Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer: C) Hypokalemia
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the excretion of sodium, chloride, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a common side effect, so the nurse should monitor
potassium levels closely in clients taking this medication.
3. A client is prescribed an opioid for pain management. Which of the following
is the most appropriate action for the nurse to take when administering the
medication?
A) Encourage the client to take the medication with food to reduce
gastrointestinal upset
,B) Monitor the client’s respiratory rate closely, especially if it falls below 12
breaths per minute
C) Administer the medication every 8 hours regardless of the client’s pain level
D) Give the medication with a high-fat meal to increase absorption
Answer: B) Monitor the client’s respiratory rate closely, especially if it falls below
12 breaths per minute
Rationale:
Opioids can depress the respiratory system. A decrease in respiratory rate below
12 breaths per minute is a critical sign of opioid overdose, so respiratory
monitoring is essential.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about the use of an inhaler with a spacer for
asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the
teaching plan?
A) "You should inhale deeply while using the inhaler."
B) "The spacer should be cleaned with soap and water every day."
C) "You should use the inhaler before meals."
D) "You do not need to shake the inhaler before use."
Answer: B) "The spacer should be cleaned with soap and water every day."
Rationale:
Spacers should be cleaned regularly to prevent medication buildup and bacterial
growth. Cleaning the spacer with soap and water ensures the medication is
delivered effectively.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving warfarin (Coumadin) therapy.
The nurse should monitor the client’s laboratory results for which of the
following?
A) Platelet count
B) Hemoglobin level
, C) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D) Liver function tests
Answer: C) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting process. The INR is a measure
of blood coagulation and is used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy
and adjust dosages to prevent bleeding complications.
6. A client is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which of the following instructions
should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B) "You may need to have liver function tests while on this medication."
C) "You should stop the medication if you experience muscle pain."
D) "You can take this medication at any time of day, regardless of meals."
Answer: B) "You may need to have liver function tests while on this medication."
Rationale:
Atorvastatin is a statin that can affect liver function, so clients need periodic liver
function tests to monitor for potential liver damage.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) for depression. Which of the following is an expected side effect
of this medication?
A) Drowsiness
B) Weight gain
C) Insomnia
D) Tachycardia
Answer: C) Insomnia
Rationale:
SSRIs are commonly prescribed for depression, and one of the common side
