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PHARMACOLOGY EXAM NCLEX-PN: QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS [GRADE A]
>> Pharmacokinetics
- correct answer- "Study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by
the body.
Elderly, Pt with Liver/Renal DX have difficulty excreting medications, develop drug toxicity."
>> Pharmacodynamics
- correct answer- "Study of how drugs are used by the body.
EX: Oral hypoglycemics, explain how the blood glucose is reduced by stimulating pancreatic beta
cells to produce more insulin, making insulin receptor sites more sensitive to insulin, and
increasing # of insulin receptor cells. Pt pancreas must produce some insulin."
>> Pharmacotherapeutics
- correct answer- "Study of how the client responds to the drug. Pt may experience side effects
like GI upset from drugs like antibiotics. May cause some discomfort but not severe enough to
d/c medication.
EX: Demerol causes N/V, but Phenergan given with to prevent discomfort of effects."
>> Anti-Infectives
- correct answer- Used for the TX of infections, common side effects are GI upset
>> Anti-Hypertensives
- correct answer- Lower BP and increase blood flow to the myocardium. Common side effects are
specific to the type RX.
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>> Antidiarrheals
- correct answer- Decrease gastric motility and reduce water content in the intestinal tract. Side
effects include bloating and gas.
>> Diuretics
- correct answer- Decrease H20 and Na absorption in Loop of Henle (loop diuretics) or inhibit
antidiuretic hormone (K+ sparing). Side effects include of non K+ sparing = hypokalemia.
>> Antacids
- correct answer- Reduce hydrocloric acid in the stomach. Side effect of Ca and Aluminum based =
constipation. Mg based = diarrhea
>> Antipyretics
- correct answer- Reduce fever
>> Antihistamines
- correct answer- Block the release of histamine in allergic reactions. Side effects are dry mouth,
drowsiness, sedation.
>> Bronchodilators
- correct answer- Dilate large air passages, commonly RX for pt with asthma or COLD. Side effect is
Tachycardia
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>> Laxatives
- correct answer- Promote the passage of stool. Types: stool softners, cathartics, fiber, lubricants,
and stimulants.
>> Anticoagulants
- correct answer- Prevent clot formation by decreasing Vit.K levels, blocking the clotting chain,
preventing platelet aggregation.
>> Antianemics
- correct answer- Increase factors for RBC production. EX: B12, Iron, Epogen (erythropoetin)
>> Narcotics/Analgesics
- correct answer- Relieve mod/severe pain. EX: Opioids (morphine, codeine); synthetic opioids
(meperidine); NSAIDs (ketorolac)
>> Anticonvulsants
- correct answer- Used to TX/mgmt of seizure disorder and TX of bipolar. EX: Phenobarbital,
phenytoin (dilantin); Lorazepam (Ativan).
>> Anticholinergics
- correct answer- Cause mm to become dry, oral secretions decreased. EX: Atropine used Preop.
>> Mydriatics
- correct answer- Dilate pupils. Tx pt with cataracts
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM NCLEX-PN: QUESTIONS
AND VERIFIED ANSWERS [GRADE A]
>> Pharmacokinetics
- correct answer- "Study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by
the body.
Elderly, Pt with Liver/Renal DX have difficulty excreting medications, develop drug toxicity."
>> Pharmacodynamics
- correct answer- "Study of how drugs are used by the body.
EX: Oral hypoglycemics, explain how the blood glucose is reduced by stimulating pancreatic beta
cells to produce more insulin, making insulin receptor sites more sensitive to insulin, and
increasing # of insulin receptor cells. Pt pancreas must produce some insulin."
>> Pharmacotherapeutics
- correct answer- "Study of how the client responds to the drug. Pt may experience side effects
like GI upset from drugs like antibiotics. May cause some discomfort but not severe enough to
d/c medication.
EX: Demerol causes N/V, but Phenergan given with to prevent discomfort of effects."
>> Anti-Infectives
- correct answer- Used for the TX of infections, common side effects are GI upset
>> Anti-Hypertensives
- correct answer- Lower BP and increase blood flow to the myocardium. Common side effects are
specific to the type RX.
, Page 2 of 21
>> Antidiarrheals
- correct answer- Decrease gastric motility and reduce water content in the intestinal tract. Side
effects include bloating and gas.
>> Diuretics
- correct answer- Decrease H20 and Na absorption in Loop of Henle (loop diuretics) or inhibit
antidiuretic hormone (K+ sparing). Side effects include of non K+ sparing = hypokalemia.
>> Antacids
- correct answer- Reduce hydrocloric acid in the stomach. Side effect of Ca and Aluminum based =
constipation. Mg based = diarrhea
>> Antipyretics
- correct answer- Reduce fever
>> Antihistamines
- correct answer- Block the release of histamine in allergic reactions. Side effects are dry mouth,
drowsiness, sedation.
>> Bronchodilators
- correct answer- Dilate large air passages, commonly RX for pt with asthma or COLD. Side effect is
Tachycardia
, Page 3 of 21
>> Laxatives
- correct answer- Promote the passage of stool. Types: stool softners, cathartics, fiber, lubricants,
and stimulants.
>> Anticoagulants
- correct answer- Prevent clot formation by decreasing Vit.K levels, blocking the clotting chain,
preventing platelet aggregation.
>> Antianemics
- correct answer- Increase factors for RBC production. EX: B12, Iron, Epogen (erythropoetin)
>> Narcotics/Analgesics
- correct answer- Relieve mod/severe pain. EX: Opioids (morphine, codeine); synthetic opioids
(meperidine); NSAIDs (ketorolac)
>> Anticonvulsants
- correct answer- Used to TX/mgmt of seizure disorder and TX of bipolar. EX: Phenobarbital,
phenytoin (dilantin); Lorazepam (Ativan).
>> Anticholinergics
- correct answer- Cause mm to become dry, oral secretions decreased. EX: Atropine used Preop.
>> Mydriatics
- correct answer- Dilate pupils. Tx pt with cataracts
