1 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
NCLEX Questions-Pharmacology (with rationales)
Questions with Detailed Verified Answers (100% Correct
Answers) /Already Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
Ans: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Exampromax - Stuvia US
Rationale:
Approved By:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are
medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of
acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be
avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level
by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum calcium
concentration.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron
deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron
with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
, 2 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should
be instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that
is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not
assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C
than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would
indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
Exampromax - Stuvia US
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Approved By:
Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, diiness, hyperpnea, and
psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated
with salicylism.zz
A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication
record and would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which
medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
, 3 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of
isotretinoin.
The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The
nurse would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of
the medication if the medication were being applied to which of the
following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
Exampromax - Stuvia US
3. Soles of the feet
Approved By:
4. Palms of the hands
Ans: 2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable
(scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from
regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for
the client with a partial-thickness burn, which has cultured positive for
gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing information to the client
about the medication. Which statement made by the client indicates a lack
of understanding about the treatments?
1. "The medication is an antibacterial."
2. "The medication will help heal the burn."
3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
4. "The medication should be applied directly to the wound."
, 4 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad spectrum
of activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast.
It is applied directly to the wound to assist in healing. It does not stain the
skin.
The client with metastatic breast cancer is receiving tamoxifen. The nurse
specifically monitors which laboratory value while the client is taking this
medication?
1. Glucose level
2. Calcium level
3. Potassium level
Exampromax - Stuvia US
4. Prothrombin time
Approved By:
Ans: 2. Calcium level
Rationale:
Tamoxifen may increase calcium, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Before
the initiation of therapy, a complete blood count, platelet count, and serum
calcium levels should be assessed. These blood levels, along with cholesterol
and triglyceride levels, should be monitored periodically during therapy.
The nurse should assess for hypercalcemia while the client is taking this
medication. Signs of hypercalcemia include increased urine volume,
excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, constipation, hypotonicity of muscles,
and deep bone and flank pain.
A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium
gluconate is prescribed for the client. The nurse determines that this
medication has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.
NCLEX Questions-Pharmacology (with rationales)
Questions with Detailed Verified Answers (100% Correct
Answers) /Already Graded A+
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the
nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
Ans: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Exampromax - Stuvia US
Rationale:
Approved By:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are
medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of
acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be
avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level
by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum calcium
concentration.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron
deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron
with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
, 2 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should
be instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that
is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not
assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C
than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would
indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
Exampromax - Stuvia US
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Approved By:
Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, diiness, hyperpnea, and
psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated
with salicylism.zz
A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication
record and would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which
medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
, 3 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of
isotretinoin.
The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The
nurse would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of
the medication if the medication were being applied to which of the
following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
Exampromax - Stuvia US
3. Soles of the feet
Approved By:
4. Palms of the hands
Ans: 2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation.
Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable
(scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from
regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for
the client with a partial-thickness burn, which has cultured positive for
gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing information to the client
about the medication. Which statement made by the client indicates a lack
of understanding about the treatments?
1. "The medication is an antibacterial."
2. "The medication will help heal the burn."
3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
4. "The medication should be applied directly to the wound."
, 4 Exampromax - Stuvia US 2025/2026
Ans: 3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad spectrum
of activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast.
It is applied directly to the wound to assist in healing. It does not stain the
skin.
The client with metastatic breast cancer is receiving tamoxifen. The nurse
specifically monitors which laboratory value while the client is taking this
medication?
1. Glucose level
2. Calcium level
3. Potassium level
Exampromax - Stuvia US
4. Prothrombin time
Approved By:
Ans: 2. Calcium level
Rationale:
Tamoxifen may increase calcium, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Before
the initiation of therapy, a complete blood count, platelet count, and serum
calcium levels should be assessed. These blood levels, along with cholesterol
and triglyceride levels, should be monitored periodically during therapy.
The nurse should assess for hypercalcemia while the client is taking this
medication. Signs of hypercalcemia include increased urine volume,
excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, constipation, hypotonicity of muscles,
and deep bone and flank pain.
A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium
gluconate is prescribed for the client. The nurse determines that this
medication has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.
