,Chapter 01 — Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS —
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
1.
Stem: A newly licensed LPN prepares to administer morning
medications to a stable patient. Before giving an oral
antihypertensive, which action best reflects the LPN’s
application of the nursing process and the clinical judgment
model?
A. Confirm the medication name on the MAR and give the drug.
B. Measure and document the patient’s blood pressure
immediately before administration.
C. Ask the patient whether the medication caused any side
effects in the past.
D. Call the RN to request administration instructions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: B — Measuring and documenting the patient’s
current blood pressure is assessment-focused, links
pharmacologic action to physiologic data, and supports
clinical judgment about safe administration of an
antihypertensive.
, • A — Confirming the MAR is necessary but insufficient; it
omits current physiologic assessment required before
antihypertensive administration.
• C — Asking about past side effects is relevant but
secondary to obtaining objective vital-sign data that
directly affects immediate safety.
• D — Calling the RN unnecessarily defers an LPN’s expected
assessment responsibility for a stable, routine medication
when data collection is appropriate.
Teaching Point: Always obtain current physiologic data relevant
to a drug’s action before administration.
2.
Stem: An LPN notes a new order for a diuretic in a patient with
congestive heart failure. Using the clinical judgment model,
which interpretation should guide priority actions?
A. The diuretic is prescribed to cure heart failure.
B. The LPN should withhold the drug until the RN reviews all
labs.
C. The LPN should assess current weight, intake/output, and
electrolytes (if available).
D. The LPN should administer the diuretic and then monitor the
patient after one hour.
Correct Answer: C
, Rationales:
• Correct: C — Assessing weight, I&O, and electrolyte status
provides the data necessary to judge appropriateness and
monitor for effectiveness/safety of diuretic therapy.
• A — Diuretics manage symptoms and fluid overload; they
do not cure heart failure.
• B — Withholding without assessment delays care; an LPN
can collect initial data to inform whether referral is
needed.
• D — Administering before assessment risks harm if the
patient is hypovolemic or electrolyte abnormal.
Teaching Point: Gather objective volume-status data before
initiating diuretic therapy.
3.
Stem: A patient scheduled for oral antibiotics reports an allergy
to “penicillin” but cannot recall the reaction. Which immediate
action by the LPN best follows the nursing process and clinical
judgment steps?
A. Administer the antibiotic because the allergy is uncertain.
B. Document the allergy and administer an antihistamine
prophylactically.
C. Ask targeted questions about the nature and timing of the
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS —
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
1.
Stem: A newly licensed LPN prepares to administer morning
medications to a stable patient. Before giving an oral
antihypertensive, which action best reflects the LPN’s
application of the nursing process and the clinical judgment
model?
A. Confirm the medication name on the MAR and give the drug.
B. Measure and document the patient’s blood pressure
immediately before administration.
C. Ask the patient whether the medication caused any side
effects in the past.
D. Call the RN to request administration instructions.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
• Correct: B — Measuring and documenting the patient’s
current blood pressure is assessment-focused, links
pharmacologic action to physiologic data, and supports
clinical judgment about safe administration of an
antihypertensive.
, • A — Confirming the MAR is necessary but insufficient; it
omits current physiologic assessment required before
antihypertensive administration.
• C — Asking about past side effects is relevant but
secondary to obtaining objective vital-sign data that
directly affects immediate safety.
• D — Calling the RN unnecessarily defers an LPN’s expected
assessment responsibility for a stable, routine medication
when data collection is appropriate.
Teaching Point: Always obtain current physiologic data relevant
to a drug’s action before administration.
2.
Stem: An LPN notes a new order for a diuretic in a patient with
congestive heart failure. Using the clinical judgment model,
which interpretation should guide priority actions?
A. The diuretic is prescribed to cure heart failure.
B. The LPN should withhold the drug until the RN reviews all
labs.
C. The LPN should assess current weight, intake/output, and
electrolytes (if available).
D. The LPN should administer the diuretic and then monitor the
patient after one hour.
Correct Answer: C
, Rationales:
• Correct: C — Assessing weight, I&O, and electrolyte status
provides the data necessary to judge appropriateness and
monitor for effectiveness/safety of diuretic therapy.
• A — Diuretics manage symptoms and fluid overload; they
do not cure heart failure.
• B — Withholding without assessment delays care; an LPN
can collect initial data to inform whether referral is
needed.
• D — Administering before assessment risks harm if the
patient is hypovolemic or electrolyte abnormal.
Teaching Point: Gather objective volume-status data before
initiating diuretic therapy.
3.
Stem: A patient scheduled for oral antibiotics reports an allergy
to “penicillin” but cannot recall the reaction. Which immediate
action by the LPN best follows the nursing process and clinical
judgment steps?
A. Administer the antibiotic because the allergy is uncertain.
B. Document the allergy and administer an antihistamine
prophylactically.
C. Ask targeted questions about the nature and timing of the
