,Chapter 01 — Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS / USING THE
CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: An LPN is assigned to give morning medications to a
stable patient who reports new-onset dizziness after receiving
the scheduled antihypertensive. Which immediate action best
reflects appropriate use of the nursing process and clinical
judgment?
A. Hold the antihypertensive and document the reason.
B. Administer the antihypertensive and recheck blood pressure
in 1 hour.
C. Assess orthostatic vitals and notify the supervising RN before
further medication decisions.
D. Encourage the patient to rest and give the next scheduled
dose as usual.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct: Assessing orthostatic vitals and notifying
the supervising RN uses the assessment and communication
steps of the nursing process and Tanner’s clinical judgment
model (notice/interpret/respond), prioritizing safety before
medication decisions. Nevada State University
Rationale — A: Holding without assessment or communication
omits critical data and collaboration required for safe decisions.
Rationale — B: Administering before assessment risks harm if
,hypotension is present.
Rationale — D: Passive rest without assessment ignores
potential adverse drug effect and delays appropriate action.
Teaching Point: Always assess and communicate changes before
altering medication therapy.
2.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice — THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS /
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: During admission medication reconciliation, the LPN
notes the patient lists multiple herbal supplements. Which
action best demonstrates appropriate application of the nursing
process?
A. Advise the patient to stop all supplements immediately.
B. Document the supplements and inform the RN or prescriber
for interaction screening.
C. Tell the patient that supplements are safe and continue
current medication administration.
D. Discard the herbal list as non-prescription information is not
relevant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Documenting and communicating allows a
systematic assessment for potential drug–herb interactions and
appropriate clinician follow-up, fitting the nursing process.
, Rationale — A: Advising to stop without prescriber input may
create risks and exceeds LPN scope for medication changes.
Rationale — C: Assuming safety without screening risks
interactions and adverse events.
Rationale — D: Ignoring the information neglects a critical
component of safe medication management.
Teaching Point: Document and escalate medication
reconciliation concerns for prescriber review.
3.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice — THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS /
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: An LPN preparing to administer insulin reviews the MAR
and notes the patient’s morning blood glucose was 58 mg/dL.
What is the nurse’s best next step?
A. Give the scheduled insulin dose and recheck glucose in 1
hour.
B. Withhold insulin, provide a fast-acting carbohydrate, and
notify the RN or prescriber.
C. Give half the insulin dose now and document the reasoning.
D. Skip the insulin and instruct the patient to eat a large
breakfast.
Correct Answer: B
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS / USING THE
CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: An LPN is assigned to give morning medications to a
stable patient who reports new-onset dizziness after receiving
the scheduled antihypertensive. Which immediate action best
reflects appropriate use of the nursing process and clinical
judgment?
A. Hold the antihypertensive and document the reason.
B. Administer the antihypertensive and recheck blood pressure
in 1 hour.
C. Assess orthostatic vitals and notify the supervising RN before
further medication decisions.
D. Encourage the patient to rest and give the next scheduled
dose as usual.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale — Correct: Assessing orthostatic vitals and notifying
the supervising RN uses the assessment and communication
steps of the nursing process and Tanner’s clinical judgment
model (notice/interpret/respond), prioritizing safety before
medication decisions. Nevada State University
Rationale — A: Holding without assessment or communication
omits critical data and collaboration required for safe decisions.
Rationale — B: Administering before assessment risks harm if
,hypotension is present.
Rationale — D: Passive rest without assessment ignores
potential adverse drug effect and delays appropriate action.
Teaching Point: Always assess and communicate changes before
altering medication therapy.
2.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice — THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS /
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: During admission medication reconciliation, the LPN
notes the patient lists multiple herbal supplements. Which
action best demonstrates appropriate application of the nursing
process?
A. Advise the patient to stop all supplements immediately.
B. Document the supplements and inform the RN or prescriber
for interaction screening.
C. Tell the patient that supplements are safe and continue
current medication administration.
D. Discard the herbal list as non-prescription information is not
relevant.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale — Correct: Documenting and communicating allows a
systematic assessment for potential drug–herb interactions and
appropriate clinician follow-up, fitting the nursing process.
, Rationale — A: Advising to stop without prescriber input may
create risks and exceeds LPN scope for medication changes.
Rationale — C: Assuming safety without screening risks
interactions and adverse events.
Rationale — D: Ignoring the information neglects a critical
component of safe medication management.
Teaching Point: Document and escalate medication
reconciliation concerns for prescriber review.
3.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice — THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS /
USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: An LPN preparing to administer insulin reviews the MAR
and notes the patient’s morning blood glucose was 58 mg/dL.
What is the nurse’s best next step?
A. Give the scheduled insulin dose and recheck glucose in 1
hour.
B. Withhold insulin, provide a fast-acting carbohydrate, and
notify the RN or prescriber.
C. Give half the insulin dose now and document the reasoning.
D. Skip the insulin and instruct the patient to eat a large
breakfast.
Correct Answer: B
