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ESI PN Pharmacology Exam 2025 – Verified
H
Medication Questions & Answers in Full with
Rationales | 100% Verified
Student Name:_________
Date: __
Time Limit:75 minutes
Total Questions:60
Section 1: Pain Medications (15 Questions)
1. A client is prescribed morphine sulfate 4 mg IV every 4 hours for postoperative pain. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. ==Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min==
C. Pain rating of 6/10
D. Heart rate 90 bpm
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression;a rate of 8 breaths/min is critically low
and requires immediate intervention to prevent hypoxia.
2. A nurse is administering acetaminophen 650 mg PO for a client’s fever. What is the
maximum daily dose for adults?
A. 2,000 mg
B. ==4,000 mg==
C. 6,000 mg
D. 8,000 mg
Rationale: The maximum daily dose of acetaminophenfor adults is 4,000 mg to prevent liver
toxicity.
3. (SATA) Which interventions should the nurse implement when administering IV morphine?
Select all that apply.
A. ==Monitor respiratory rate==
B. ==Assess pain level before and after==
C. ==Check for allergies to opioids==
, . Administer without diluting
D
Rationale: Monitoring respiratory rate, assessingpain, and checking allergies are critical for safe
morphine administration; IV morphine should be diluted to reduce vein irritation.
4. A client with chronic back pain is prescribed ibuprofen 800 mg PO three times daily. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. ==Gastric irritation==
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Ibuprofen, an NSAID, can cause gastricirritation or ulcers, requiring monitoring for
GI symptoms.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer fentanyl 50 mcg IV for a client in labor. What is the
onset time for IV fentanyl?
A. ==1–2 minutes==
B. 5–10 minutes
C. 15–20 minutes
D. 30–45 minutes
Rationale: IV fentanyl has a rapid onset of 1–2 minutes,making it effective for acute pain
management.
6. Calculation: A client is prescribed hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg, 1–2 tablets
PO every 4–6 hours PRN for pain. If the client takes 2 tablets every 4 hours for 24 hours,
how many mg of acetaminophen are administered?
A. 1,950 mg
B. ==3,900 mg==
C. 5,850 mg
D. 7,800 mg
Rationale: 24 hours ÷ 4 hours = 6 doses; 2 tablets/dose× 325 mg/tablet = 650 mg/dose; 650 mg
× 6 doses = 3,900 mg.
7. A client reports itching after receiving morphine. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. ==Administer diphenhydramine as prescribed==
B. Increase the morphine dose
C. Apply a cold compress
D. Discontinue morphine immediately
Rationale: Itching is a common side effect of morphinedue to histamine release;
diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, is appropriate to manage this symptom.
8. Which medication is contraindicated for a client with a history of asthma?
A. Acetaminophen
B. ==Ibuprofen==
C. Morphine
D. Codeine
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can trigger bronchospasm in clients with asthma, making it
contraindicated.
9. A client is receiving ketorolac 15 mg IV every 6 hours for pain. What is the maximum
duration for IV ketorolac therapy?
ESI PN Pharmacology Exam 2025 – Verified
H
Medication Questions & Answers in Full with
Rationales | 100% Verified
Student Name:_________
Date: __
Time Limit:75 minutes
Total Questions:60
Section 1: Pain Medications (15 Questions)
1. A client is prescribed morphine sulfate 4 mg IV every 4 hours for postoperative pain. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
B. ==Respiratory rate 8 breaths/min==
C. Pain rating of 6/10
D. Heart rate 90 bpm
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression;a rate of 8 breaths/min is critically low
and requires immediate intervention to prevent hypoxia.
2. A nurse is administering acetaminophen 650 mg PO for a client’s fever. What is the
maximum daily dose for adults?
A. 2,000 mg
B. ==4,000 mg==
C. 6,000 mg
D. 8,000 mg
Rationale: The maximum daily dose of acetaminophenfor adults is 4,000 mg to prevent liver
toxicity.
3. (SATA) Which interventions should the nurse implement when administering IV morphine?
Select all that apply.
A. ==Monitor respiratory rate==
B. ==Assess pain level before and after==
C. ==Check for allergies to opioids==
, . Administer without diluting
D
Rationale: Monitoring respiratory rate, assessingpain, and checking allergies are critical for safe
morphine administration; IV morphine should be diluted to reduce vein irritation.
4. A client with chronic back pain is prescribed ibuprofen 800 mg PO three times daily. Which
side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. ==Gastric irritation==
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Ibuprofen, an NSAID, can cause gastricirritation or ulcers, requiring monitoring for
GI symptoms.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer fentanyl 50 mcg IV for a client in labor. What is the
onset time for IV fentanyl?
A. ==1–2 minutes==
B. 5–10 minutes
C. 15–20 minutes
D. 30–45 minutes
Rationale: IV fentanyl has a rapid onset of 1–2 minutes,making it effective for acute pain
management.
6. Calculation: A client is prescribed hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg, 1–2 tablets
PO every 4–6 hours PRN for pain. If the client takes 2 tablets every 4 hours for 24 hours,
how many mg of acetaminophen are administered?
A. 1,950 mg
B. ==3,900 mg==
C. 5,850 mg
D. 7,800 mg
Rationale: 24 hours ÷ 4 hours = 6 doses; 2 tablets/dose× 325 mg/tablet = 650 mg/dose; 650 mg
× 6 doses = 3,900 mg.
7. A client reports itching after receiving morphine. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. ==Administer diphenhydramine as prescribed==
B. Increase the morphine dose
C. Apply a cold compress
D. Discontinue morphine immediately
Rationale: Itching is a common side effect of morphinedue to histamine release;
diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, is appropriate to manage this symptom.
8. Which medication is contraindicated for a client with a history of asthma?
A. Acetaminophen
B. ==Ibuprofen==
C. Morphine
D. Codeine
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can trigger bronchospasm in clients with asthma, making it
contraindicated.
9. A client is receiving ketorolac 15 mg IV every 6 hours for pain. What is the maximum
duration for IV ketorolac therapy?
