RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam Questions and Answers
(Latest Update 2026)
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.
RN Pharmacology A - Relias Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is available in 250 mg/5 mL.
The prescribed dose is 150 mg. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 2 mL
B) 3 mL
C) 4 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: B) 3 mL
Rationale: Using the formula: (Desired dose ÷ Available dose) × Quantity = (150 mg ÷
250 mg) × 5 mL = 0.6 × 5 = 3 mL. The nurse should administer 3 mL of the medication.
,Question 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The available tablets are 125 mcg
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: Convert 0.25 mg to mcg: 0.25 mg × 1000 = 250 mcg. Then 250 mcg ÷ 125 mcg
per tablet = 2 tablets. The nurse should administer 2 tablets.
Question 3
The nurse is administering 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline over 4 hours. The drop
factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in gtt/min?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 25 gtt/min
C) 31 gtt/min
D) 42 gtt/min
Answer: C) 31 gtt/min
Rationale: Total volume ÷ total time in minutes = 500 mL ÷ 240 minutes = 2.08 mL/min.
Then 2.08 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 31.2 gtt/min, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed 40 mg of furosemide IV push. The available vial contains 10
mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
,A) 2 mL
B) 3 mL
C) 4 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: C) 4 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ Available concentration = 40 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 4 mL. The
nurse should administer 4 mL of furosemide.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin infusion. The order is for heparin
25,000 units in 500 mL of 0.9% NS to infuse at 1,200 units/hr. What is the infusion
rate in mL/hr?
A) 20 mL/hr
B) 24 mL/hr
C) 30 mL/hr
D) 36 mL/hr
Answer: B) 24 mL/hr
Rationale: Concentration = 25,000 units ÷ 500 mL = 50 units/mL. Rate = 1,200 units/hr ÷
50 units/mL = 24 mL/hr.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed morphine sulfate 4 mg IV push. The available vial contains
8 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2 mL
, Answer: B) 0.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ Available concentration = 4 mg ÷ 8 mg/mL = 0.5 mL. The nurse
should administer 0.5 mL of morphine sulfate.
Question 7
Which of the following is a contraindication for the administration of digoxin?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Heart failure
C) Ventricular tachycardia
D) Supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: C) Ventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Digoxin is contraindicated in ventricular tachycardia as it can worsen the
condition. It is used for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and supraventricular tachycardia.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to administer amiodarone IV. Which of the following is the
most important assessment prior to administration?
A) Blood pressure
B) Respiratory rate
C) Temperature
D) Blood glucose
Answer: A) Blood pressure
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause significant hypotension, especially when administered
rapidly IV. Blood pressure should be closely monitored before, during, and after
administration.
(Latest Update 2026)
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.
RN Pharmacology A - Relias Exam
Questions and Answers with Verified Answers (Latest
Update 2026)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is available in 250 mg/5 mL.
The prescribed dose is 150 mg. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 2 mL
B) 3 mL
C) 4 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: B) 3 mL
Rationale: Using the formula: (Desired dose ÷ Available dose) × Quantity = (150 mg ÷
250 mg) × 5 mL = 0.6 × 5 = 3 mL. The nurse should administer 3 mL of the medication.
,Question 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The available tablets are 125 mcg
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: Convert 0.25 mg to mcg: 0.25 mg × 1000 = 250 mcg. Then 250 mcg ÷ 125 mcg
per tablet = 2 tablets. The nurse should administer 2 tablets.
Question 3
The nurse is administering 500 mL of 0.9% normal saline over 4 hours. The drop
factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in gtt/min?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 25 gtt/min
C) 31 gtt/min
D) 42 gtt/min
Answer: C) 31 gtt/min
Rationale: Total volume ÷ total time in minutes = 500 mL ÷ 240 minutes = 2.08 mL/min.
Then 2.08 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 31.2 gtt/min, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed 40 mg of furosemide IV push. The available vial contains 10
mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
,A) 2 mL
B) 3 mL
C) 4 mL
D) 5 mL
Answer: C) 4 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ Available concentration = 40 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 4 mL. The
nurse should administer 4 mL of furosemide.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin infusion. The order is for heparin
25,000 units in 500 mL of 0.9% NS to infuse at 1,200 units/hr. What is the infusion
rate in mL/hr?
A) 20 mL/hr
B) 24 mL/hr
C) 30 mL/hr
D) 36 mL/hr
Answer: B) 24 mL/hr
Rationale: Concentration = 25,000 units ÷ 500 mL = 50 units/mL. Rate = 1,200 units/hr ÷
50 units/mL = 24 mL/hr.
Question 6
A patient is prescribed morphine sulfate 4 mg IV push. The available vial contains
8 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2 mL
, Answer: B) 0.5 mL
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ Available concentration = 4 mg ÷ 8 mg/mL = 0.5 mL. The nurse
should administer 0.5 mL of morphine sulfate.
Question 7
Which of the following is a contraindication for the administration of digoxin?
A) Atrial fibrillation
B) Heart failure
C) Ventricular tachycardia
D) Supraventricular tachycardia
Answer: C) Ventricular tachycardia
Rationale: Digoxin is contraindicated in ventricular tachycardia as it can worsen the
condition. It is used for atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and supraventricular tachycardia.
Question 8
A nurse is preparing to administer amiodarone IV. Which of the following is the
most important assessment prior to administration?
A) Blood pressure
B) Respiratory rate
C) Temperature
D) Blood glucose
Answer: A) Blood pressure
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause significant hypotension, especially when administered
rapidly IV. Blood pressure should be closely monitored before, during, and after
administration.
