NCLEX Pharmacology- RESPIRATORY
Test Questions with Correct and
Elaborated Answers 2026/2027 Edition
A client tells the nurse that he has started to take an OTC antihistamine, diphenhydramine. In
teaching him about side effects, what is most important for the nurse to tell the client?
a. Do not to take this drug at bedtime to avoid insomnia.
b. Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
c. Nightmares and nervousness are more likely in an adult.
d. Limit use to 1 to 2 puffs/sprays 4 to 6 times per day to avoid rebound congestion. - Answer
b. Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
The client complains of a sore throat and has been told it is due to beta-hemolytic streptococcal
infection. The nurse realizes this condition is called what?
a. Acute rhinitis.
b. Acute sinusitis.
c. Acute pharyngitis.
d. Acute rhinorrhea. - Answer c. Acute pharyngitis.
A client is prescribed the decongestant oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray. What should the nurse
teach the client?
a. Take this drug at bedtime as a sleep aid.
b. Directly spray away from the nasal septum and gently sniff.
c. This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma.
d. Limit the drug to 5 days of use to prevent rebound nasal congestion. - Answer d. Limit the
drug to 5 days of use to prevent rebound nasal congestion.
A client has been prescribed guaifenesin (Robitussin). The nurse realizes that the purpose of the
drug is to accomplish what?
a. To treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness
b. To loosen bronchial secretions so they can be eliminated by coughing
c. To compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine response
,d. To stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction of capillaries in
nasal mucosa - Answer b. To loosen bronchial secretions so they can be eliminated by
coughing
Beclomethasone (Beconase) has been prescribed for a client with allergic rhinitis. The nurse
teaches the client that which is the most common side effect from continuous use?
a. Dizziness
b. Rhinorrhea
c. Hallucinations
d. Dry nasal mucosa - Answer d. Dry nasal mucosa
The nurse is teaching a client about diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Which are topics to include?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Take medication with food to decrease gastric distress.
b. Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
c. Notify the health care provider if confusion or hypotension occurs.
d. Take sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth.
e. Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the drug. - Answer a. Take medication with food to decrease gastric distress.
b. Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
c. Notify the health care provider if confusion or hypotension occurs.
d. Take sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth.
e. Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the drug.
The nurse is caring for a client who is taking a first-generation antihistamine. What is the most
important fact for the nurse to teach the client?
a. "Do not drive after taking this medication."
b. "Make sure you drink a lot of liquids while on this medication."
c. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
d. "Do not take this medication for more than 2 days." - Answer a. "Do not drive after taking
this medication."
The nurse is caring for a client in the clinic who states that he is afraid of taking antihistamines
because he is a truck driver. What is the best information for the nurse to give this client?
, a. "Take the medication only when you are not driving."
b. "Take a lower dose than normal when you have to drive."
c. "You are correct, you should not take antihistamines."
d. "You may be able to safely take a second-generation antihistamine." - Answer d. "You may
be able to safely take a second-generation antihistamine."
The client tells the nurse that she has a bad cold, is coughing, and feels like she has "stuff" in her
lungs. What should the nurse do?
a. Administer dextromethorphan.
b. Administer guaifenesin.
c. Encourage the client to drink fluids hourly.
d. Administer fluticasone (Flonase). - Answer Administer guaifenesin.
What is the most important thing for the nurse to teach a client who is switching allergy
medications from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to loratadine (Claritin)?
a. This medication can potentially cause dysrhythmias.
b. This medication has fewer sedative effects.
c. This medication has increased bronchodilating effects.
d. This medication causes less gastrointestinal upset. - Answer b. This medication has fewer
sedative effects.
A client complains of worsening nasal congestion despite the use of oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal
spray every 2 hours. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Oxymetazoline is not an effective nasal decongestant."
b. "Overuse of nasal decongestants results in rebound congestion."
c. "Oxymetazoline should be administered every hour for severe congestion."
d. "You are probably displaying an idiosyncratic reaction to oxymetazoline." - Answer b.
"Overuse of nasal decongestants results in rebound congestion."
Which statement indicates that the client understands the teaching about beclomethasone
diproprionate (Beconase)?
a. "I will need to taper off the medication to prevent acute adrenal crisis."
Test Questions with Correct and
Elaborated Answers 2026/2027 Edition
A client tells the nurse that he has started to take an OTC antihistamine, diphenhydramine. In
teaching him about side effects, what is most important for the nurse to tell the client?
a. Do not to take this drug at bedtime to avoid insomnia.
b. Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
c. Nightmares and nervousness are more likely in an adult.
d. Limit use to 1 to 2 puffs/sprays 4 to 6 times per day to avoid rebound congestion. - Answer
b. Avoid driving a motor vehicle until stabilized on the drug.
The client complains of a sore throat and has been told it is due to beta-hemolytic streptococcal
infection. The nurse realizes this condition is called what?
a. Acute rhinitis.
b. Acute sinusitis.
c. Acute pharyngitis.
d. Acute rhinorrhea. - Answer c. Acute pharyngitis.
A client is prescribed the decongestant oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal spray. What should the nurse
teach the client?
a. Take this drug at bedtime as a sleep aid.
b. Directly spray away from the nasal septum and gently sniff.
c. This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma.
d. Limit the drug to 5 days of use to prevent rebound nasal congestion. - Answer d. Limit the
drug to 5 days of use to prevent rebound nasal congestion.
A client has been prescribed guaifenesin (Robitussin). The nurse realizes that the purpose of the
drug is to accomplish what?
a. To treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness
b. To loosen bronchial secretions so they can be eliminated by coughing
c. To compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine response
,d. To stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction of capillaries in
nasal mucosa - Answer b. To loosen bronchial secretions so they can be eliminated by
coughing
Beclomethasone (Beconase) has been prescribed for a client with allergic rhinitis. The nurse
teaches the client that which is the most common side effect from continuous use?
a. Dizziness
b. Rhinorrhea
c. Hallucinations
d. Dry nasal mucosa - Answer d. Dry nasal mucosa
The nurse is teaching a client about diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Which are topics to include?
(Select all that apply.)
a. Take medication with food to decrease gastric distress.
b. Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
c. Notify the health care provider if confusion or hypotension occurs.
d. Take sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth.
e. Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the drug. - Answer a. Take medication with food to decrease gastric distress.
b. Avoid alcohol and other central nervous system depressants.
c. Notify the health care provider if confusion or hypotension occurs.
d. Take sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth.
e. Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on
the drug.
The nurse is caring for a client who is taking a first-generation antihistamine. What is the most
important fact for the nurse to teach the client?
a. "Do not drive after taking this medication."
b. "Make sure you drink a lot of liquids while on this medication."
c. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
d. "Do not take this medication for more than 2 days." - Answer a. "Do not drive after taking
this medication."
The nurse is caring for a client in the clinic who states that he is afraid of taking antihistamines
because he is a truck driver. What is the best information for the nurse to give this client?
, a. "Take the medication only when you are not driving."
b. "Take a lower dose than normal when you have to drive."
c. "You are correct, you should not take antihistamines."
d. "You may be able to safely take a second-generation antihistamine." - Answer d. "You may
be able to safely take a second-generation antihistamine."
The client tells the nurse that she has a bad cold, is coughing, and feels like she has "stuff" in her
lungs. What should the nurse do?
a. Administer dextromethorphan.
b. Administer guaifenesin.
c. Encourage the client to drink fluids hourly.
d. Administer fluticasone (Flonase). - Answer Administer guaifenesin.
What is the most important thing for the nurse to teach a client who is switching allergy
medications from diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to loratadine (Claritin)?
a. This medication can potentially cause dysrhythmias.
b. This medication has fewer sedative effects.
c. This medication has increased bronchodilating effects.
d. This medication causes less gastrointestinal upset. - Answer b. This medication has fewer
sedative effects.
A client complains of worsening nasal congestion despite the use of oxymetazoline (Afrin) nasal
spray every 2 hours. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Oxymetazoline is not an effective nasal decongestant."
b. "Overuse of nasal decongestants results in rebound congestion."
c. "Oxymetazoline should be administered every hour for severe congestion."
d. "You are probably displaying an idiosyncratic reaction to oxymetazoline." - Answer b.
"Overuse of nasal decongestants results in rebound congestion."
Which statement indicates that the client understands the teaching about beclomethasone
diproprionate (Beconase)?
a. "I will need to taper off the medication to prevent acute adrenal crisis."
