NCLEX RN Antibiotics Practice Exam
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
1. A client is prescribed amoxicillin for a bacterial infection. Which statement by
the client indicates correct understanding of the medication?
A. “I can stop taking it when I feel better.”
B. “I should take the medication for the entire prescribed course.”
C. “I should save the remaining medication for my next infection.”
D. “I should double the next dose if I miss one.”
Answer: B. Take the medication for the entire prescribed course.
Rationale: Completing the prescribed antibiotic course helps ensure adequate
treatment of the infection and reduces the risk of treatment failure and
resistance.
2. Which assessment finding is most important before administering penicillin?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. History of allergy to penicillin
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: C. History of allergy to penicillin.
Rationale: Penicillins can cause serious hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis. Allergy history must be assessed before administration.
,3. A client receiving IV ceftriaxone develops wheezing, facial swelling, and
hypotension. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Administer the next scheduled dose
C. Stop the medication and initiate emergency treatment
D. Document the findings
Answer: C. Stop the medication and initiate emergency treatment.
Rationale: Wheezing, facial swelling, and hypotension indicate possible
anaphylaxis. The offending medication should be stopped immediately and
emergency measures initiated.
4. Which antibiotic is classified as an aminoglycoside?
A. Gentamicin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Azithromycin
D. Clindamycin
Answer: A. Gentamicin.
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic commonly used for
serious gram-negative infections.
5. Which adverse effect is associated with aminoglycosides?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Constipation
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Photosensitivity only
Answer: A. Ototoxicity.
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Hearing
changes, tinnitus, and balance problems should be reported.
,6. A client receiving gentamicin has a rising serum creatinine level. What should
the nurse do?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage a high-fat meal
D. Give an additional dose
Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: Gentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity. Rising creatinine may
indicate impaired renal function and requires prompt evaluation.
7. Which antibiotic is a macrolide?
A. Azithromycin
B. Vancomycin
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Cefazolin
Answer: A. Azithromycin.
Rationale: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for a variety of
respiratory and other bacterial infections.
8. A client taking azithromycin reports palpitations and dizziness. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. QT interval prolongation
C. Urinary retention
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B. QT interval prolongation.
Rationale: Macrolides such as azithromycin can prolong the QT interval and
increase the risk of potentially serious dysrhythmias.
, 9. Which antibiotic is commonly used to treat methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
A. Vancomycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Penicillin V
D. Cephalexin
Answer: A. Vancomycin.
Rationale: Vancomycin is commonly used for serious infections caused by
susceptible gram-positive organisms, including MRSA.
10. A client receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and itching of the upper
body during the infusion. What is the most likely cause?
A. Rapid infusion
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kidney failure
D. Food allergy
Answer: A. Rapid infusion.
Rationale: Rapid IV administration of vancomycin can cause vancomycin
infusion reaction, characterized by flushing, itching, and sometimes
hypotension.
11. Which intervention helps reduce the risk of a vancomycin infusion
reaction?
A. Administering the medication rapidly
B. Infusing vancomycin over the recommended period
C. Mixing it with all other IV medications
D. Administering it intramuscularly
Answer: B. Infusing vancomycin over the recommended period.
Rationale: Slow administration reduces the risk of histamine-mediated
infusion reactions associated with rapid vancomycin infusion.
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026
1. A client is prescribed amoxicillin for a bacterial infection. Which statement by
the client indicates correct understanding of the medication?
A. “I can stop taking it when I feel better.”
B. “I should take the medication for the entire prescribed course.”
C. “I should save the remaining medication for my next infection.”
D. “I should double the next dose if I miss one.”
Answer: B. Take the medication for the entire prescribed course.
Rationale: Completing the prescribed antibiotic course helps ensure adequate
treatment of the infection and reduces the risk of treatment failure and
resistance.
2. Which assessment finding is most important before administering penicillin?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. History of allergy to penicillin
D. Bowel sounds
Answer: C. History of allergy to penicillin.
Rationale: Penicillins can cause serious hypersensitivity reactions, including
anaphylaxis. Allergy history must be assessed before administration.
,3. A client receiving IV ceftriaxone develops wheezing, facial swelling, and
hypotension. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Slow the infusion
B. Administer the next scheduled dose
C. Stop the medication and initiate emergency treatment
D. Document the findings
Answer: C. Stop the medication and initiate emergency treatment.
Rationale: Wheezing, facial swelling, and hypotension indicate possible
anaphylaxis. The offending medication should be stopped immediately and
emergency measures initiated.
4. Which antibiotic is classified as an aminoglycoside?
A. Gentamicin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Azithromycin
D. Clindamycin
Answer: A. Gentamicin.
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic commonly used for
serious gram-negative infections.
5. Which adverse effect is associated with aminoglycosides?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Constipation
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Photosensitivity only
Answer: A. Ototoxicity.
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Hearing
changes, tinnitus, and balance problems should be reported.
,6. A client receiving gentamicin has a rising serum creatinine level. What should
the nurse do?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Notify the healthcare provider
C. Encourage a high-fat meal
D. Give an additional dose
Answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider.
Rationale: Gentamicin can cause nephrotoxicity. Rising creatinine may
indicate impaired renal function and requires prompt evaluation.
7. Which antibiotic is a macrolide?
A. Azithromycin
B. Vancomycin
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Cefazolin
Answer: A. Azithromycin.
Rationale: Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used for a variety of
respiratory and other bacterial infections.
8. A client taking azithromycin reports palpitations and dizziness. Which
complication should the nurse suspect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. QT interval prolongation
C. Urinary retention
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B. QT interval prolongation.
Rationale: Macrolides such as azithromycin can prolong the QT interval and
increase the risk of potentially serious dysrhythmias.
, 9. Which antibiotic is commonly used to treat methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
A. Vancomycin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Penicillin V
D. Cephalexin
Answer: A. Vancomycin.
Rationale: Vancomycin is commonly used for serious infections caused by
susceptible gram-positive organisms, including MRSA.
10. A client receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and itching of the upper
body during the infusion. What is the most likely cause?
A. Rapid infusion
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Kidney failure
D. Food allergy
Answer: A. Rapid infusion.
Rationale: Rapid IV administration of vancomycin can cause vancomycin
infusion reaction, characterized by flushing, itching, and sometimes
hypotension.
11. Which intervention helps reduce the risk of a vancomycin infusion
reaction?
A. Administering the medication rapidly
B. Infusing vancomycin over the recommended period
C. Mixing it with all other IV medications
D. Administering it intramuscularly
Answer: B. Infusing vancomycin over the recommended period.
Rationale: Slow administration reduces the risk of histamine-mediated
infusion reactions associated with rapid vancomycin infusion.
