ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications — Definition of Terms &
Pharmacology
Stem
A newly licensed nurse is preparing discharge teaching. A
patient asks why the clinician referred to “pharmacodynamics”
when discussing the medication’s effects. The nurse wants to
,explain in a way the patient will understand and correctly link it
to the patient’s response to the drug. Which explanation should
the nurse provide?
A. “Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs are made and
where they come from.”
B. “Pharmacodynamics explains what the drug does to the body
and why you might feel better or have side effects.”
C. “Pharmacodynamics describes the legal standards that
regulate drug manufacturing.”
D. “Pharmacodynamics is the brand name of the medicine your
doctor ordered.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
This answer correctly describes pharmacodynamics: how drugs
affect the body, including therapeutic and adverse effects. It
links the concept to the patient’s experience and supports
patient-centered teaching. Explaining effects supports
adherence and safety monitoring.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
This describes drug sources and preparation (pharmaceutics),
not pharmacodynamics; it would confuse the patient.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
This describes drug standards/regulation, not
pharmacodynamics — inaccurate and misleading.
,Rationale — Incorrect (D)
This confuses a pharmacologic term with a product name; it is
incorrect and would misinform the patient.
Teaching point
Pharmacodynamics = what the drug does to the body
(therapeutic and adverse effects).
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications — Drug Sources & Drug
Uses
Stem
A nurse is checking a newly prescribed antibiotic for an older
adult with impaired renal function. The order reads
“ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO q12h.” The patient asks why the dose
is not lower given their kidney disease. Which nursing action
demonstrates best use of knowledge about drug sources and
uses?
A. Administer the dose as ordered immediately and document
the patient’s question.
B. Hold the dose and call the prescriber to request a renal-dose
adjustment before administration.
C. Give half the pill now and chart that the dose was reduced
, for safety.
D. Ask the patient to refuse the drug and document the refusal
to avoid legal responsibility.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Holding the dose and contacting the prescriber for a renal
adjustment is appropriate when renal impairment may require
dose modification; it prioritizes patient safety and collaborative
care. It prevents potential toxicity while seeking prescriber
orders.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Administering without verifying renal dosing risks accumulation
and adverse effects; merely documenting the question is
insufficient.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Splitting a pill and arbitrarily reducing a dose is unsafe and a
medication administration error unless validated and ordered.
Rationale — Incorrect (D)
Encouraging refusal to avoid responsibility abdicates nursing
duty to ensure safe, evidence-based dosing and to
communicate with prescriber.
Teaching point
Verify renal dosing and clarify orders before administering to
patients with renal impairment.
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications — Definition of Terms &
Pharmacology
Stem
A newly licensed nurse is preparing discharge teaching. A
patient asks why the clinician referred to “pharmacodynamics”
when discussing the medication’s effects. The nurse wants to
,explain in a way the patient will understand and correctly link it
to the patient’s response to the drug. Which explanation should
the nurse provide?
A. “Pharmacodynamics is the study of how drugs are made and
where they come from.”
B. “Pharmacodynamics explains what the drug does to the body
and why you might feel better or have side effects.”
C. “Pharmacodynamics describes the legal standards that
regulate drug manufacturing.”
D. “Pharmacodynamics is the brand name of the medicine your
doctor ordered.”
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
This answer correctly describes pharmacodynamics: how drugs
affect the body, including therapeutic and adverse effects. It
links the concept to the patient’s experience and supports
patient-centered teaching. Explaining effects supports
adherence and safety monitoring.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
This describes drug sources and preparation (pharmaceutics),
not pharmacodynamics; it would confuse the patient.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
This describes drug standards/regulation, not
pharmacodynamics — inaccurate and misleading.
,Rationale — Incorrect (D)
This confuses a pharmacologic term with a product name; it is
incorrect and would misinform the patient.
Teaching point
Pharmacodynamics = what the drug does to the body
(therapeutic and adverse effects).
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Orientation to Medications — Drug Sources & Drug
Uses
Stem
A nurse is checking a newly prescribed antibiotic for an older
adult with impaired renal function. The order reads
“ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO q12h.” The patient asks why the dose
is not lower given their kidney disease. Which nursing action
demonstrates best use of knowledge about drug sources and
uses?
A. Administer the dose as ordered immediately and document
the patient’s question.
B. Hold the dose and call the prescriber to request a renal-dose
adjustment before administration.
C. Give half the pill now and chart that the dose was reduced
, for safety.
D. Ask the patient to refuse the drug and document the refusal
to avoid legal responsibility.
Correct answer: B
Rationale — Correct (B)
Holding the dose and contacting the prescriber for a renal
adjustment is appropriate when renal impairment may require
dose modification; it prioritizes patient safety and collaborative
care. It prevents potential toxicity while seeking prescriber
orders.
Rationale — Incorrect (A)
Administering without verifying renal dosing risks accumulation
and adverse effects; merely documenting the question is
insufficient.
Rationale — Incorrect (C)
Splitting a pill and arbitrarily reducing a dose is unsafe and a
medication administration error unless validated and ordered.
Rationale — Incorrect (D)
Encouraging refusal to avoid responsibility abdicates nursing
duty to ensure safe, evidence-based dosing and to
communicate with prescriber.
Teaching point
Verify renal dosing and clarify orders before administering to
patients with renal impairment.
