,Chapter 01 — Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Stem: A 72-year-old patient is prescribed a new oral
anticoagulant. The LPN/LVN is asked to reinforce teaching
about the medication’s purpose. Which statement by the LPN
best describes the role of the LPN in medication education?
A. Provide detailed mechanisms of action and
pharmacokinetics.
B. Reinforce teaching previously provided by the RN and
document the patient’s understanding.
C. Initiate independent teaching about dose adjustments
based on lab values.
D. Make changes to the medication schedule if the patient
requests it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Reinforcing teaching and documenting patient
understanding is an appropriate LPN/LVN role within the
nursing process; it supports safe medication use and
communicates findings to the RN.
A: LPNs should not be expected to provide complex
pharmacokinetic explanations beyond their scope; that is
typically an RN or provider-level discussion.
C: Dose adjustments based on labs are beyond typical LPN
scope and require RN or prescriber decision-making.
,D: Altering medication schedules is outside LPN authority and
risks medication errors and legal issues.
Teaching Point: LPNs reinforce teaching, assess
understanding, and document; they don’t independently
adjust therapy.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE
NURSING PROCESS — Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process in LPN Practice
Stem: During the planning phase of the nursing process,
which action by the LPN is most appropriate when preparing
to administer a high-risk medication?
A. Create an individualized outcome that includes
measurable criteria for effectiveness and safety.
B. Decide not to involve the RN because the LPN can
complete the plan independently.
C. Refuse to check the medication label if the patient
confirms the name.
D. Assume the medication will be safe because it was
prescribed by the provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct: Developing measurable outcomes (e.g., absence of
, bleeding, therapeutic lab ranges) is central to the planning
phase and promotes safe administration and evaluation.
B: The LPN should collaborate with the RN for high-risk
medications; acting independently may breach scope of
practice.
C: The LPN must always verify medication labels and follow
the “rights” of medication administration regardless of
patient statements.
D: Prescriber orders do not replace nursing assessment and
safety checks; assumptions risk patient harm.
Teaching Point: Plan measurable outcomes for effectiveness
and safety before administering high-risk drugs.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE
NURSING PROCESS — Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process in LPN Practice
Stem: A patient reports dizziness after receiving an
antihypertensive. Using the nursing process, what is the LPN’s
best immediate action?
A. Document the symptom and ignore since the medication is
prescribed.
B. Perform a focused assessment (vital signs and orthostatic
changes) and report findings to the RN.
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Stem: A 72-year-old patient is prescribed a new oral
anticoagulant. The LPN/LVN is asked to reinforce teaching
about the medication’s purpose. Which statement by the LPN
best describes the role of the LPN in medication education?
A. Provide detailed mechanisms of action and
pharmacokinetics.
B. Reinforce teaching previously provided by the RN and
document the patient’s understanding.
C. Initiate independent teaching about dose adjustments
based on lab values.
D. Make changes to the medication schedule if the patient
requests it.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Reinforcing teaching and documenting patient
understanding is an appropriate LPN/LVN role within the
nursing process; it supports safe medication use and
communicates findings to the RN.
A: LPNs should not be expected to provide complex
pharmacokinetic explanations beyond their scope; that is
typically an RN or provider-level discussion.
C: Dose adjustments based on labs are beyond typical LPN
scope and require RN or prescriber decision-making.
,D: Altering medication schedules is outside LPN authority and
risks medication errors and legal issues.
Teaching Point: LPNs reinforce teaching, assess
understanding, and document; they don’t independently
adjust therapy.
2.
Chapter 1 — Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE
NURSING PROCESS — Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process in LPN Practice
Stem: During the planning phase of the nursing process,
which action by the LPN is most appropriate when preparing
to administer a high-risk medication?
A. Create an individualized outcome that includes
measurable criteria for effectiveness and safety.
B. Decide not to involve the RN because the LPN can
complete the plan independently.
C. Refuse to check the medication label if the patient
confirms the name.
D. Assume the medication will be safe because it was
prescribed by the provider.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct: Developing measurable outcomes (e.g., absence of
, bleeding, therapeutic lab ranges) is central to the planning
phase and promotes safe administration and evaluation.
B: The LPN should collaborate with the RN for high-risk
medications; acting independently may breach scope of
practice.
C: The LPN must always verify medication labels and follow
the “rights” of medication administration regardless of
patient statements.
D: Prescriber orders do not replace nursing assessment and
safety checks; assumptions risk patient harm.
Teaching Point: Plan measurable outcomes for effectiveness
and safety before administering high-risk drugs.
3.
Chapter 1 — Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE
NURSING PROCESS — Pharmacology and the Nursing
Process in LPN Practice
Stem: A patient reports dizziness after receiving an
antihypertensive. Using the nursing process, what is the LPN’s
best immediate action?
A. Document the symptom and ignore since the medication is
prescribed.
B. Perform a focused assessment (vital signs and orthostatic
changes) and report findings to the RN.
