,Chapter 1: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
1. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
A nurse is preparing to administer a new medication to a
patient. According to the nursing process and the LPN's role,
which action is most essential for the LPN to perform before
administration?
A) Evaluate the effectiveness of the medication after 24 hours.
B) Develop the initial nursing care plan for the medication.
C) Collect baseline data and verify the patient's allergies.
D) Formulate nursing diagnoses related to the medication
regimen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C) Collecting baseline data and verifying allergies are
key components of the assessment phase, which is a primary
responsibility of the LPN. This is a critical safety step that must
precede any medication administration. A) Evaluation is an LPN
function but occurs after the medication is given. B) and D)
Developing care plans and formulating nursing diagnoses are
primarily the responsibility of the RN, though the LPN
contributes data and participates in planning.
Teaching Point: Assessment and safety checks are fundamental
LPN responsibilities prior to drug administration.
,2. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
An LPN is reviewing a patient’s medication list during a shift
assessment. The LPN notes the patient is taking a drug that may
cause dizziness as a side effect. Which subsequent action by the
LPN best demonstrates the "planning" phase of the nursing
process?
A) Instructing the patient to call for assistance before getting
out of bed.
B) Documenting that the patient reported feeling lightheaded
yesterday.
C) Asking the RN if a fall-risk alert bracelet should be placed on
the patient.
D) Notifying the provider that the patient’s medication is
causing a side effect.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C) Collaborating with the RN to establish a plan (like
a fall-risk alert) is part of the planning phase, where outcomes
and interventions are developed. A) This is an intervention,
which falls under the implementation phase. B) This is part of
the assessment phase. D) This is an action that implements the
plan of care.
Teaching Point: Planning involves collaborating to establish
measurable goals and outcomes for patient safety.
3. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
When assisting with the development of a patient's care plan,
, which nursing diagnosis is most directly aligned with the
principles of safe medication administration?
A) Deficient Knowledge related to complex medication regimen.
B) Risk for Injury related to adverse effects of prescribed drug
therapy.
C) Noncompliance related to financial constraints of
medications.
D) Anxiety related to fear of receiving injections.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B) "Risk for Injury" directly addresses the potential
for harm from medication side effects (e.g., falls, bleeding,
anaphylaxis), which is a core safety priority in pharmacology. A),
C), and D) are all valid diagnoses but are more focused on
education, psychosocial, or economic factors rather than the
immediate physical risk of injury from the drug itself.
Teaching Point: Prioritizing "Risk for Injury" addresses the
paramount goal of preventing patient harm from drug therapy.
4. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
An LPN is administering morning medications. The patient
questions why they are receiving a new diuretic, stating, "The
doctor didn't tell me about this." What is the LPN's best initial
action?
A) Administer the medication as ordered since it was verified by
the pharmacy.
B) Explain the general purpose of diuretics to the best of their
Practice
1. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
A nurse is preparing to administer a new medication to a
patient. According to the nursing process and the LPN's role,
which action is most essential for the LPN to perform before
administration?
A) Evaluate the effectiveness of the medication after 24 hours.
B) Develop the initial nursing care plan for the medication.
C) Collect baseline data and verify the patient's allergies.
D) Formulate nursing diagnoses related to the medication
regimen.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C) Collecting baseline data and verifying allergies are
key components of the assessment phase, which is a primary
responsibility of the LPN. This is a critical safety step that must
precede any medication administration. A) Evaluation is an LPN
function but occurs after the medication is given. B) and D)
Developing care plans and formulating nursing diagnoses are
primarily the responsibility of the RN, though the LPN
contributes data and participates in planning.
Teaching Point: Assessment and safety checks are fundamental
LPN responsibilities prior to drug administration.
,2. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
An LPN is reviewing a patient’s medication list during a shift
assessment. The LPN notes the patient is taking a drug that may
cause dizziness as a side effect. Which subsequent action by the
LPN best demonstrates the "planning" phase of the nursing
process?
A) Instructing the patient to call for assistance before getting
out of bed.
B) Documenting that the patient reported feeling lightheaded
yesterday.
C) Asking the RN if a fall-risk alert bracelet should be placed on
the patient.
D) Notifying the provider that the patient’s medication is
causing a side effect.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: C) Collaborating with the RN to establish a plan (like
a fall-risk alert) is part of the planning phase, where outcomes
and interventions are developed. A) This is an intervention,
which falls under the implementation phase. B) This is part of
the assessment phase. D) This is an action that implements the
plan of care.
Teaching Point: Planning involves collaborating to establish
measurable goals and outcomes for patient safety.
3. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
When assisting with the development of a patient's care plan,
, which nursing diagnosis is most directly aligned with the
principles of safe medication administration?
A) Deficient Knowledge related to complex medication regimen.
B) Risk for Injury related to adverse effects of prescribed drug
therapy.
C) Noncompliance related to financial constraints of
medications.
D) Anxiety related to fear of receiving injections.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: B) "Risk for Injury" directly addresses the potential
for harm from medication side effects (e.g., falls, bleeding,
anaphylaxis), which is a core safety priority in pharmacology. A),
C), and D) are all valid diagnoses but are more focused on
education, psychosocial, or economic factors rather than the
immediate physical risk of injury from the drug itself.
Teaching Point: Prioritizing "Risk for Injury" addresses the
paramount goal of preventing patient harm from drug therapy.
4. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN's Role and the Nursing Process
An LPN is administering morning medications. The patient
questions why they are receiving a new diuretic, stating, "The
doctor didn't tell me about this." What is the LPN's best initial
action?
A) Administer the medication as ordered since it was verified by
the pharmacy.
B) Explain the general purpose of diuretics to the best of their
