NURS 3813 FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RIONALES |100% VERIFIED |GRADE A+
Question: a diabetic patient receives daily NPH insulin 15 units SQ at 0730. at what time will the
medication peak?
a. 2230-2330
b. 1830-2030
c. 1330-1530
d. 0830-1030 ✓✓Correct Answer: c. 1330-1530
NPH peak time: 4-8 hours
Question: a patient presents with hypoglycemia. which of the following is consistent with this
diagnosis?
a. warm, dry skin
b. weakness, headache
c. polyphagia
d. polydipsia ✓✓Correct Answer: b. weakness, headache
Question: the nurse notes in a patient's medication history that the patient has been taking
desmopressin (DDAVP). based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which
disorder?
a. adrenocortical insufficiency
b. carcinoid tumor
c. Diabetes Mellitus
d. diabetes insipidus ✓✓Correct Answer: d. diabetes insipidus
desmopressin prevents and/or controls polydipsia, polyuria, and dehydration; symptoms are caused
by deficiency in ADH
1|Page
,diabetes insipidus: can't regulate fluids; increase in thirst and urination
Question: a glucocorticoid is prescribed for a patient. the nurse checks the patient's medical history
knowing that glucocorticoid therapy is contraindicated in which disorder?
a. central edema
b. TB meningitis
c. COPD
d. PUD (peptic ulcer disease) ✓✓Correct Answer: d. PUD (peptic ulcer disease)
contraindications of glucocorticoids include: cataracts, drug allergy, glaucoma, PUD, mental health
problems, and DM; other options are indications for glucocorticoids
Question: during drug therapy for pneumonia, a female pt develops a vaginal superinfection, the
nurse explains that this infection is caused by:
a. the infection spreading from her lungs to a new site of infection
b. large doses of antibiotics that kill normal flora
c. an allergic reaction to antibiotics
d. resistance of pneminia-casuing bacteria to drugs ✓✓Correct Answer: b. large doses of antibiotics
that kill normal flora
normally occurring bacteria are killed during antibiotic therapy, allowing other flora to take over and
result in superinfections
Question: when reviewing the medication orders for a pt who is taking penicillin, the nurse notes
that the pt is also taking the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). what possible side effect may
occur as the result of an interaction between these two drugs?
a. the warfarin will increase the effectiveness of the penicillin
b. the warfarin will reduce the anti-infective action of the penicillin
c. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant on warfarin
d. the penicillin will cause the anticoagulant effect of warfarin to decrease ✓✓Correct Answer: c. the
penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant on warfarin
2|Page
,administering penicillin reduces the vitamin K in the gut (intestines); therefore, enhanced
anticoagulant effect of warfarin may occur
Question: when selecting the ideal antibiotic for an infection, the nurse must ensure:
a. medications are able to replace host defenses
b. to administer the ordered medication within 30 mins of the order
c. medications are given without regard to therapeutic levels
d. cultures are taken before initiation of the drug ✓✓Correct Answer: d. cultures are taken before
initiation of the drug
Question: MRSA is typically associated with
a. resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics
b. skin infections
c. failure to wash hands with soap and water
d. UTIs ✓✓Correct Answer: b. skin infections
Question: the nurse answer's a patient's call light and finds the patient sitting up in bed and
requesting pain medication. what will the nurse do first?
a. check the orders and give the pt the requested pain meds
b. provide comfort measures to the pt
c. assess the pt's pain and pain level
d. evaluate the effectiveness of previous pain medications ✓✓Correct Answer: c. assess the pt's pain
and pain level
always assess first before any interventions
Question: The patient's medication administration record (MAR) lists two medications that are due
at 0900, but the patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) for a procedure. The nurse's coworker suggests
giving the medications via IV because the patient is NPO. What will the nurse do?
3|Page
, a. Give the medications PO with a small sip of water
b. Give the medications via the IV route because the patient is NPO
c. Hold the medications until after the test is completed
d. Call the health care provider to clarify the instructions as needed ✓✓Correct Answer: d. Call the
health care provider to clarify the instructions as needed
PO does not equal IV (have different absorption rates); always ask when you're unsure
Question: a patient is prescribed ibuprofen 200 mg PO every 4 hours as needed for pain; the
pharmacy sends up enteric-coated tablets, but the patient refuses the tablets, stating that she
cannot swallow pills. What will the nurse do?
a. Crush the tablets and mix them with applesauce or pudding
b. Call the pharmacy and ask for the liquid form of the medication
c. Call the pharmacy and ask for the IV form of the medication
d. Encourage the patient to try and swallow the tablets ✓✓Correct Answer: b. Call the pharmacy and
ask for the liquid form of the medication
Question: what are the risk factors for osteoporosis? ✓✓Correct Answer: european/asian descent
slender body build
early estrogen deficiency
smoking
alcohol consumption
nonadherence vs. noncompliance ✓✓Correct Answer: nonadherence: accidental failure to take
medications (e.g. i left my pills in the bedroom and forgot to take them with my breakfast)
noncompliance: deliberate failure to take medications (e.g. skipping because you don't like the taste,
saw the side effects on tv, can't afford to pay for them)
initial action to take when checking up on a type II diabetic patient ✓✓Correct Answer: check blood
glucose level for hypoglycemia
4|Page
RIONALES |100% VERIFIED |GRADE A+
Question: a diabetic patient receives daily NPH insulin 15 units SQ at 0730. at what time will the
medication peak?
a. 2230-2330
b. 1830-2030
c. 1330-1530
d. 0830-1030 ✓✓Correct Answer: c. 1330-1530
NPH peak time: 4-8 hours
Question: a patient presents with hypoglycemia. which of the following is consistent with this
diagnosis?
a. warm, dry skin
b. weakness, headache
c. polyphagia
d. polydipsia ✓✓Correct Answer: b. weakness, headache
Question: the nurse notes in a patient's medication history that the patient has been taking
desmopressin (DDAVP). based on this finding, the nurse interprets that the patient has which
disorder?
a. adrenocortical insufficiency
b. carcinoid tumor
c. Diabetes Mellitus
d. diabetes insipidus ✓✓Correct Answer: d. diabetes insipidus
desmopressin prevents and/or controls polydipsia, polyuria, and dehydration; symptoms are caused
by deficiency in ADH
1|Page
,diabetes insipidus: can't regulate fluids; increase in thirst and urination
Question: a glucocorticoid is prescribed for a patient. the nurse checks the patient's medical history
knowing that glucocorticoid therapy is contraindicated in which disorder?
a. central edema
b. TB meningitis
c. COPD
d. PUD (peptic ulcer disease) ✓✓Correct Answer: d. PUD (peptic ulcer disease)
contraindications of glucocorticoids include: cataracts, drug allergy, glaucoma, PUD, mental health
problems, and DM; other options are indications for glucocorticoids
Question: during drug therapy for pneumonia, a female pt develops a vaginal superinfection, the
nurse explains that this infection is caused by:
a. the infection spreading from her lungs to a new site of infection
b. large doses of antibiotics that kill normal flora
c. an allergic reaction to antibiotics
d. resistance of pneminia-casuing bacteria to drugs ✓✓Correct Answer: b. large doses of antibiotics
that kill normal flora
normally occurring bacteria are killed during antibiotic therapy, allowing other flora to take over and
result in superinfections
Question: when reviewing the medication orders for a pt who is taking penicillin, the nurse notes
that the pt is also taking the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin). what possible side effect may
occur as the result of an interaction between these two drugs?
a. the warfarin will increase the effectiveness of the penicillin
b. the warfarin will reduce the anti-infective action of the penicillin
c. the penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant on warfarin
d. the penicillin will cause the anticoagulant effect of warfarin to decrease ✓✓Correct Answer: c. the
penicillin will cause an enhanced anticoagulant on warfarin
2|Page
,administering penicillin reduces the vitamin K in the gut (intestines); therefore, enhanced
anticoagulant effect of warfarin may occur
Question: when selecting the ideal antibiotic for an infection, the nurse must ensure:
a. medications are able to replace host defenses
b. to administer the ordered medication within 30 mins of the order
c. medications are given without regard to therapeutic levels
d. cultures are taken before initiation of the drug ✓✓Correct Answer: d. cultures are taken before
initiation of the drug
Question: MRSA is typically associated with
a. resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics
b. skin infections
c. failure to wash hands with soap and water
d. UTIs ✓✓Correct Answer: b. skin infections
Question: the nurse answer's a patient's call light and finds the patient sitting up in bed and
requesting pain medication. what will the nurse do first?
a. check the orders and give the pt the requested pain meds
b. provide comfort measures to the pt
c. assess the pt's pain and pain level
d. evaluate the effectiveness of previous pain medications ✓✓Correct Answer: c. assess the pt's pain
and pain level
always assess first before any interventions
Question: The patient's medication administration record (MAR) lists two medications that are due
at 0900, but the patient is NPO (nothing by mouth) for a procedure. The nurse's coworker suggests
giving the medications via IV because the patient is NPO. What will the nurse do?
3|Page
, a. Give the medications PO with a small sip of water
b. Give the medications via the IV route because the patient is NPO
c. Hold the medications until after the test is completed
d. Call the health care provider to clarify the instructions as needed ✓✓Correct Answer: d. Call the
health care provider to clarify the instructions as needed
PO does not equal IV (have different absorption rates); always ask when you're unsure
Question: a patient is prescribed ibuprofen 200 mg PO every 4 hours as needed for pain; the
pharmacy sends up enteric-coated tablets, but the patient refuses the tablets, stating that she
cannot swallow pills. What will the nurse do?
a. Crush the tablets and mix them with applesauce or pudding
b. Call the pharmacy and ask for the liquid form of the medication
c. Call the pharmacy and ask for the IV form of the medication
d. Encourage the patient to try and swallow the tablets ✓✓Correct Answer: b. Call the pharmacy and
ask for the liquid form of the medication
Question: what are the risk factors for osteoporosis? ✓✓Correct Answer: european/asian descent
slender body build
early estrogen deficiency
smoking
alcohol consumption
nonadherence vs. noncompliance ✓✓Correct Answer: nonadherence: accidental failure to take
medications (e.g. i left my pills in the bedroom and forgot to take them with my breakfast)
noncompliance: deliberate failure to take medications (e.g. skipping because you don't like the taste,
saw the side effects on tv, can't afford to pay for them)
initial action to take when checking up on a type II diabetic patient ✓✓Correct Answer: check blood
glucose level for hypoglycemia
4|Page
