VATI PN Pharmacology Assessment
A nurse is administering a varicella immunization to a young adult client who did not receive the
immunization as a child. The client asks the nurse if they will need additional doses of the
vaccine. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"You will require a total of three doses about 6 months apart."
"You should return for a second dose in 4 to 8 weeks."
"You can get a booster dose every 10 years."
"You should get another dose in 2 weeks." - ANS-"You should return for a second dose in 4 to 8
weeks."
A nurse is administering ear drops into an adult client's right ear. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Straighten the ear canal by pulling the auricle down and back.
Assist the client into Fowler's position.
Place a cotton ball in the ear canal for 30 min after instilling the drops.
Instill drops holding the dropper 1 cm (0.4 in.) above the ear canal. - ANS-Instill drops holding
the dropper 1 cm (0.4 in.) above the ear canal.
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a myasthenia gravis and is experiencing a
cholinergic crisis. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the RN to
administer?
Bethanechol
Propranolol
Atropine
Epinephrine - ANS-Atropine
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has oral benzodiazepine toxicity. The client has
an IV infusing and is nonresponsive. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
anticipate first?
Administering norepinephrine via continuous IV infusion
Administering IV flumazenil
Performing gastric lavage
Preparing the client for mechanical ventilation - ANS-Administering IV flumazenil
A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and a new prescription for lithium. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse plan to monitor for potential adverse effects?
, Prothrombin Time
Hematocrit
Sodium
Potassium - ANS-Sodium
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. The client received a dose of regular
insulin prior to an episode of vomiting and is now unable to eat. For which of the following
manifestations should the nurse monitor?
Deep respirations
Polyuria
Increased thirst
Confusion - ANS-Confusion
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative and is receiving morphine for acute
pain. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations as an
adverse effect of this medication?
Urinary frequency
Constipation
Muscle rigidity
Physical dependency - ANS-Constipation
A nurse is collecting data about herbal supplement use from a client who has a new prescription
for fluoxetine. The nurse should identify that which of the following supplements is
contraindicated with this medication?
St. John's Wort
Saw Palmetto
Echinacea
Ginkgo biloba - ANS-ST. JOHN'S WORT.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to avoid taking St. John's Wort with SSRI's such
as fluoxetine because this can increase the risk for serotonin syndrome. Manifestations of
serotonin syndrome can include hallucinations, tachycardia, and vomiting.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has heart failure and is scheduled to receive a dose
of digoxin. For which of the following findings should the nurse withhold the dose and notify the
provider?
Heart Rate 50/min
Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
Respiratory rate 18/min
Potassium 4.6 mEq/L - ANS-Heart Rate 50/min
A nurse is administering a varicella immunization to a young adult client who did not receive the
immunization as a child. The client asks the nurse if they will need additional doses of the
vaccine. Which of the following responses should the nurse make?
"You will require a total of three doses about 6 months apart."
"You should return for a second dose in 4 to 8 weeks."
"You can get a booster dose every 10 years."
"You should get another dose in 2 weeks." - ANS-"You should return for a second dose in 4 to 8
weeks."
A nurse is administering ear drops into an adult client's right ear. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Straighten the ear canal by pulling the auricle down and back.
Assist the client into Fowler's position.
Place a cotton ball in the ear canal for 30 min after instilling the drops.
Instill drops holding the dropper 1 cm (0.4 in.) above the ear canal. - ANS-Instill drops holding
the dropper 1 cm (0.4 in.) above the ear canal.
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has a myasthenia gravis and is experiencing a
cholinergic crisis. Which of the following medications should the nurse expect the RN to
administer?
Bethanechol
Propranolol
Atropine
Epinephrine - ANS-Atropine
A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has oral benzodiazepine toxicity. The client has
an IV infusing and is nonresponsive. Which of the following interventions should the nurse
anticipate first?
Administering norepinephrine via continuous IV infusion
Administering IV flumazenil
Performing gastric lavage
Preparing the client for mechanical ventilation - ANS-Administering IV flumazenil
A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and a new prescription for lithium. Which
of the following laboratory values should the nurse plan to monitor for potential adverse effects?
, Prothrombin Time
Hematocrit
Sodium
Potassium - ANS-Sodium
A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetes mellitus. The client received a dose of regular
insulin prior to an episode of vomiting and is now unable to eat. For which of the following
manifestations should the nurse monitor?
Deep respirations
Polyuria
Increased thirst
Confusion - ANS-Confusion
A nurse is caring for a client who is 2 days post-operative and is receiving morphine for acute
pain. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following manifestations as an
adverse effect of this medication?
Urinary frequency
Constipation
Muscle rigidity
Physical dependency - ANS-Constipation
A nurse is collecting data about herbal supplement use from a client who has a new prescription
for fluoxetine. The nurse should identify that which of the following supplements is
contraindicated with this medication?
St. John's Wort
Saw Palmetto
Echinacea
Ginkgo biloba - ANS-ST. JOHN'S WORT.
Rationale: The nurse should instruct the client to avoid taking St. John's Wort with SSRI's such
as fluoxetine because this can increase the risk for serotonin syndrome. Manifestations of
serotonin syndrome can include hallucinations, tachycardia, and vomiting.
A nurse is collecting data from a client who has heart failure and is scheduled to receive a dose
of digoxin. For which of the following findings should the nurse withhold the dose and notify the
provider?
Heart Rate 50/min
Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
Respiratory rate 18/min
Potassium 4.6 mEq/L - ANS-Heart Rate 50/min
