SILVESTRI SAUNDERS
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
FOR THE NCLEX-RN®
EXAMINATION, 5TH
EDITIONPHARMACOLOG
QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
Johnmark
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, TEST BANK
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A pregnant client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is being seen in the antenatal
clinic. The nurse recalls that zidovudine (AZT) therapy will be initiated when the fetus has reached how
many weeks of gestation?
ANS: 2
Rationale: The pregnant women with HIV infection will be prescribed oral AZT in the fourteenth week
of gestation. Before this time, the fetus is at risk because of the teratogenic effects of the medication.
, In addition, a bolus of AZT is given intravenously during labor, and the neonate is treated for six weeks
after birth.
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must be familiar with pharmacological
therapy for clients who are HIV-positive. Knowing that the fetus is most vulnerable to the effects of
medications and chemicals during the period of organogenesis will assist you in selecting the correct
answer. Review treatment measures for the pregnant client with HIV infection if you had difficulty with
this question.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
2. The nurse has a routine prescription to instill erythromycin ointment (Ilotycin) into the eyes of a
newborn. The nurse plans to explain to the parents that the purpose of the medication is to:
1. Help the newborn to see more clearly.
2. Guard against infection acquired during intrauterine life.
3. Ensure the sterility of the conjunctiva in the newborn.
4. Protect the newborn from contracting an eye infection during birth.
ANS: 4
Rationale: The use of eye prophylaxis with an agent such as erythromycin protects the newborn from
contracting a conjunctival infection during birth. This infection, called ophthalmia neonatorum, results
from maternal vaginal infection with chlamydia or gonorrhea. This prophylaxis is mandatory in the
United States. “Help the newborn to see more clearly,” “guard against infection acquired during
intrauterine life,” and “ensure the sterility of the conjunctiva in the newborn” do not describe the
purposes of this medication.
Test-Taking Strategy: Familiarity with the purpose of this medication is needed to answer this
question.
Remember erythromycin protects the newborn from contracting a conjunctival infection during birth.
Review the purpose of this medication if you had difficulty with this question.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
OBJ: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning
, 3. The nurse has a routine prescription to administer an injection of phytonadione (vitamin K) to the
newborn. Before giving the medication, the nurse explains to the client that this medication will:
1. Prevent clotting abnormalities in the newborn.
2. Stimulate the liver to produce vitamin K.
3. Prevent vitamin deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins.
4. Supplement the infant, because breast milk and formula are low in vitamin K.
ANS: 1
Rationale: Vitamin K is given to the newborn to prevent clotting abnormalities. Vitamin K is usually
produced by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which is sterile in the newborn. The other options
are incorrect reasons for administering this medication to a newborn.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Thinking about the action and purpose of vitamin
K will assist in answering correctly. Review the rationale for this newborn prophylaxis if this question
was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
REF: Perry, S., Hockenberry, M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson, D. (2010). Maternal child nursing care
(4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Implementation
4. The client who has developed atrial fibrillation is not responding to medication therapy and has been
placed on warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse is doing discharge dietary teaching with the client. The nurse
would tell the client to avoid which of the following foods while taking this medication?
ANS: 3
Rationale: Anticoagulant medications work by antagonizing the action of vitamin K, which is needed
for clotting. When a client is taking an anticoagulant, foods high in vitamin K are often omitted from
the diet. Vitamin K is found in large amounts in green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage,
turnip greens, and lettuce. The other options listed are foods that are lower in vitamin K.
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge about the relationship between warfarin and vitamin K is needed to
answer this question. Note the strategic word “avoid” in the question. This tells you that the correct
option is a food that is high in vitamin K. If you had difficulty with this question, review foods high in
vitamin K.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
FOR THE NCLEX-RN®
EXAMINATION, 5TH
EDITIONPHARMACOLOG
QUESTIONS WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2025
Johnmark
[COMPANY NAME] [Company address]
, TEST BANK
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A pregnant client who has human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is being seen in the antenatal
clinic. The nurse recalls that zidovudine (AZT) therapy will be initiated when the fetus has reached how
many weeks of gestation?
ANS: 2
Rationale: The pregnant women with HIV infection will be prescribed oral AZT in the fourteenth week
of gestation. Before this time, the fetus is at risk because of the teratogenic effects of the medication.
, In addition, a bolus of AZT is given intravenously during labor, and the neonate is treated for six weeks
after birth.
Test-Taking Strategy: To answer this question accurately, you must be familiar with pharmacological
therapy for clients who are HIV-positive. Knowing that the fetus is most vulnerable to the effects of
medications and chemicals during the period of organogenesis will assist you in selecting the correct
answer. Review treatment measures for the pregnant client with HIV infection if you had difficulty with
this question.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Understanding
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Planning
2. The nurse has a routine prescription to instill erythromycin ointment (Ilotycin) into the eyes of a
newborn. The nurse plans to explain to the parents that the purpose of the medication is to:
1. Help the newborn to see more clearly.
2. Guard against infection acquired during intrauterine life.
3. Ensure the sterility of the conjunctiva in the newborn.
4. Protect the newborn from contracting an eye infection during birth.
ANS: 4
Rationale: The use of eye prophylaxis with an agent such as erythromycin protects the newborn from
contracting a conjunctival infection during birth. This infection, called ophthalmia neonatorum, results
from maternal vaginal infection with chlamydia or gonorrhea. This prophylaxis is mandatory in the
United States. “Help the newborn to see more clearly,” “guard against infection acquired during
intrauterine life,” and “ensure the sterility of the conjunctiva in the newborn” do not describe the
purposes of this medication.
Test-Taking Strategy: Familiarity with the purpose of this medication is needed to answer this
question.
Remember erythromycin protects the newborn from contracting a conjunctival infection during birth.
Review the purpose of this medication if you had difficulty with this question.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
REF: Lehne, R. (2010). Pharmacology for nursing care (7th ed.). St. Louis: Saunders.
OBJ: Client Needs: Health Promotion and Maintenance
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Teaching and Learning
, 3. The nurse has a routine prescription to administer an injection of phytonadione (vitamin K) to the
newborn. Before giving the medication, the nurse explains to the client that this medication will:
1. Prevent clotting abnormalities in the newborn.
2. Stimulate the liver to produce vitamin K.
3. Prevent vitamin deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins.
4. Supplement the infant, because breast milk and formula are low in vitamin K.
ANS: 1
Rationale: Vitamin K is given to the newborn to prevent clotting abnormalities. Vitamin K is usually
produced by bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, which is sterile in the newborn. The other options
are incorrect reasons for administering this medication to a newborn.
Test-Taking Strategy: Use the process of elimination. Thinking about the action and purpose of vitamin
K will assist in answering correctly. Review the rationale for this newborn prophylaxis if this question
was difficult.
PTS: 1
DIF: Level of Cognitive Ability: Applying
REF: Perry, S., Hockenberry, M., Lowdermilk, D., & Wilson, D. (2010). Maternal child nursing care
(4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. OBJ: Client Needs: Physiological Integrity
TOP: Content Area: Pharmacology
MSC: Integrated Process: Nursing Process—Implementation
4. The client who has developed atrial fibrillation is not responding to medication therapy and has been
placed on warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse is doing discharge dietary teaching with the client. The nurse
would tell the client to avoid which of the following foods while taking this medication?
ANS: 3
Rationale: Anticoagulant medications work by antagonizing the action of vitamin K, which is needed
for clotting. When a client is taking an anticoagulant, foods high in vitamin K are often omitted from
the diet. Vitamin K is found in large amounts in green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage,
turnip greens, and lettuce. The other options listed are foods that are lower in vitamin K.
Test-Taking Strategy: Knowledge about the relationship between warfarin and vitamin K is needed to
answer this question. Note the strategic word “avoid” in the question. This tells you that the correct
option is a food that is high in vitamin K. If you had difficulty with this question, review foods high in
vitamin K.
