RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam Questions and Answers
(Update 2026-2027)
This study guide covers essential pharmacology concepts for nursing practice, including
medication classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects,
contraindications, and nursing considerations for safe medication administration. Learners will
review cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, antimicrobial, and pain management
medications, along with dosage calculations, medication safety principles, and patient education
strategies. The material is designed to strengthen pharmacological knowledge, support clinical
decision-making, and reinforce medication management concepts commonly assessed in nursing
competency and Relias-based evaluations.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of vancomycin IV. The available
concentration is 500 mg/100 mL. The infusion should be administered over 60
minutes. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in gtt/min?
A) 15 gtt/min
B) 20 gtt/min
C) 25 gtt/min
D) 30 gtt/min
Answer: C) 25 gtt/min
Rationale: Total volume = 100 mL. Total time = 60 minutes. Rate = 100 mL ÷ 60 min =
1.67 mL/min. Then 1.67 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 25 gtt/min.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO. The available tablets are 250 mg
each. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablet
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 4 tablets
,Answer: C) 2 tablets
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available dose per tablet = 500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets.
Question 3
A patient is prescribed ondansetron 8 mg IV push. The available vial contains 4
mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 1 mL
B) 2 mL
C) 3 mL
D) 4 mL
Answer: B) 2 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 8 mg ÷ 4 mg/mL = 2 mL.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed metronidazole 500 mg IV. The available concentration is
500 mg/100 mL. The infusion should be administered over 60 minutes. What is the
infusion rate in mL/hr?
A) 50 mL/hr
B) 100 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 200 mL/hr
Answer: B) 100 mL/hr
Rationale: Total volume = 100 mL. Total time = 1 hour. Rate = 100 mL/hr.
Question 5
,A patient is prescribed ampicillin 250 mg IV every 6 hours. The available vial
contains 500 mg/5 mL after reconstitution. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 1.5 mL
B) 2.5 mL
C) 3.5 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: B) 2.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 250 mg ÷ 500 mg/5 mL = 250 ÷ 100
mg/mL = 2.5 mL.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed epoetin alfa (Epogen) 4,000 units subcutaneously. The
available vial contains 10,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A) 0.2 mL
B) 0.4 mL
C) 0.6 mL
D) 0.8 mL
Answer: B) 0.4 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 4,000 units ÷ 10,000 units/mL = 0.4
mL.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) 100 mcg subcutaneously. The
available vial contains 200 mcg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
, C) 0.75 mL
D) 1 mL
Answer: B) 0.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 100 mcg ÷ 200 mcg/mL = 0.5 mL.
Question 8
A patient is prescribed ferrous sulfate 325 mg PO daily. Which instruction should
the nurse include?
A) Take with milk
B) Take on an empty stomach
C) Take with antacids
D) Take with orange juice to enhance absorption
Answer: D) Take with orange juice to enhance absorption
Rationale: Iron is best absorbed in an acidic environment. Vitamin C (orange juice)
enhances absorption. Iron should be taken on an empty stomach but may be taken with
food if GI upset occurs.
Question 9
A patient is receiving iron dextran IV. Which adverse effect requires the most
immediate nursing action?
A) Nausea
B) Dizziness
C) Anaphylaxis
D) Constipation
Answer: C) Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Iron dextran can cause severe anaphylactic reactions. Administer a test dose
before the full dose, and monitor closely for signs of anaphylaxis (urticaria, dyspnea,
hypotension).
(Update 2026-2027)
This study guide covers essential pharmacology concepts for nursing practice, including
medication classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic uses, adverse effects,
contraindications, and nursing considerations for safe medication administration. Learners will
review cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, neurological, antimicrobial, and pain management
medications, along with dosage calculations, medication safety principles, and patient education
strategies. The material is designed to strengthen pharmacological knowledge, support clinical
decision-making, and reinforce medication management concepts commonly assessed in nursing
competency and Relias-based evaluations.
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer 500 mg of vancomycin IV. The available
concentration is 500 mg/100 mL. The infusion should be administered over 60
minutes. The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in gtt/min?
A) 15 gtt/min
B) 20 gtt/min
C) 25 gtt/min
D) 30 gtt/min
Answer: C) 25 gtt/min
Rationale: Total volume = 100 mL. Total time = 60 minutes. Rate = 100 mL ÷ 60 min =
1.67 mL/min. Then 1.67 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 25 gtt/min.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin 500 mg PO. The available tablets are 250 mg
each. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablet
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 4 tablets
,Answer: C) 2 tablets
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available dose per tablet = 500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets.
Question 3
A patient is prescribed ondansetron 8 mg IV push. The available vial contains 4
mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 1 mL
B) 2 mL
C) 3 mL
D) 4 mL
Answer: B) 2 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 8 mg ÷ 4 mg/mL = 2 mL.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed metronidazole 500 mg IV. The available concentration is
500 mg/100 mL. The infusion should be administered over 60 minutes. What is the
infusion rate in mL/hr?
A) 50 mL/hr
B) 100 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 200 mL/hr
Answer: B) 100 mL/hr
Rationale: Total volume = 100 mL. Total time = 1 hour. Rate = 100 mL/hr.
Question 5
,A patient is prescribed ampicillin 250 mg IV every 6 hours. The available vial
contains 500 mg/5 mL after reconstitution. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose?
A) 1.5 mL
B) 2.5 mL
C) 3.5 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: B) 2.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 250 mg ÷ 500 mg/5 mL = 250 ÷ 100
mg/mL = 2.5 mL.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed epoetin alfa (Epogen) 4,000 units subcutaneously. The
available vial contains 10,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A) 0.2 mL
B) 0.4 mL
C) 0.6 mL
D) 0.8 mL
Answer: B) 0.4 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 4,000 units ÷ 10,000 units/mL = 0.4
mL.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp) 100 mcg subcutaneously. The
available vial contains 200 mcg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
, C) 0.75 mL
D) 1 mL
Answer: B) 0.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available concentration = 100 mcg ÷ 200 mcg/mL = 0.5 mL.
Question 8
A patient is prescribed ferrous sulfate 325 mg PO daily. Which instruction should
the nurse include?
A) Take with milk
B) Take on an empty stomach
C) Take with antacids
D) Take with orange juice to enhance absorption
Answer: D) Take with orange juice to enhance absorption
Rationale: Iron is best absorbed in an acidic environment. Vitamin C (orange juice)
enhances absorption. Iron should be taken on an empty stomach but may be taken with
food if GI upset occurs.
Question 9
A patient is receiving iron dextran IV. Which adverse effect requires the most
immediate nursing action?
A) Nausea
B) Dizziness
C) Anaphylaxis
D) Constipation
Answer: C) Anaphylaxis
Rationale: Iron dextran can cause severe anaphylactic reactions. Administer a test dose
before the full dose, and monitor closely for signs of anaphylaxis (urticaria, dyspnea,
hypotension).
