NCLEX RN Pharmacological and
Parenteral Therapies Exam 5 100
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea, anorexia, and seeing yellow
halos around lights. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Administer an antacid
Answer: Hold the digoxin and notify the provider.
Rationale: These are classic manifestations of digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be withheld, and the provider should be notified for further
evaluation, including assessment of the apical pulse and serum digoxin level.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide IV. Which laboratory value
is most important to review?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, increasing the risk for dysrhythmias.
, 3. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 5.8 and no active bleeding. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Administer the scheduled dose
B. Hold the warfarin and notify the provider
C. Administer aspirin
D. Encourage foods high in vitamin K immediately
Answer: Hold the warfarin and notify the provider.
Rationale: An INR of 5.8 indicates excessive anticoagulation and increased
bleeding risk. The medication should be held and the provider notified for
further management.
4. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: Protamine sulfate.
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to and neutralizes heparin, making it the
specific antidote for heparin-associated excessive anticoagulation.
5. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has
respirations of 7/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced
respiratory depression.
6. Which assessment is most important before administering metoprolol?
,A. Bowel sounds
B. Apical pulse and blood pressure
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation only
Answer: Apical pulse and blood pressure.
Rationale: Metoprolol decreases heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse
should assess for bradycardia and hypotension before administration.
7. A client taking lisinopril develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Give the next dose with food
B. Notify the provider and prepare for emergency airway management
C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: Notify the provider and prepare for emergency airway management.
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors and can rapidly compromise the airway.
8. A client taking spironolactone should be taught to avoid excessive intake
of which food?
A. Apples
B. White rice
C. Bananas
D. Bread
Answer: Bananas.
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Excessive
potassium intake can contribute to hyperkalemia.
9. Which medication requires monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
, Answer: Lithium carbonate.
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and serum levels must be
monitored to prevent toxicity.
10.A client taking lithium develops severe diarrhea, vomiting, coarse
tremors, and confusion. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the next dose
B. Hold lithium and notify the provider
C. Encourage sodium restriction
D. Give an antidiarrheal and continue therapy
Answer: Hold lithium and notify the provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, coarse tremors, and confusion
suggest lithium toxicity. Lithium should be withheld and the provider notified
immediately.
11.Which instruction is most important for a client taking phenytoin?
A. Stop the medication when seizures stop
B. Maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental care
C. Take double doses if one dose is missed
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: Maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental care.
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia. Good oral hygiene and
regular dental visits help reduce this complication.
12.A client receiving IV phenytoin develops hypotension and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Continue the infusion because this is expected
D. Administer potassium
Answer: Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
Parenteral Therapies Exam 5 100
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. A client receiving digoxin reports nausea, anorexia, and seeing yellow
halos around lights. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
C. Encourage increased fluid intake
D. Administer an antacid
Answer: Hold the digoxin and notify the provider.
Rationale: These are classic manifestations of digoxin toxicity. The medication
should be withheld, and the provider should be notified for further
evaluation, including assessment of the apical pulse and serum digoxin level.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide IV. Which laboratory value
is most important to review?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. White blood cell count
Answer: Potassium.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium
loss, increasing the risk for dysrhythmias.
, 3. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 5.8 and no active bleeding. Which
action is most appropriate?
A. Administer the scheduled dose
B. Hold the warfarin and notify the provider
C. Administer aspirin
D. Encourage foods high in vitamin K immediately
Answer: Hold the warfarin and notify the provider.
Rationale: An INR of 5.8 indicates excessive anticoagulation and increased
bleeding risk. The medication should be held and the provider notified for
further management.
4. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: Protamine sulfate.
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to and neutralizes heparin, making it the
specific antidote for heparin-associated excessive anticoagulation.
5. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has
respirations of 7/min. Which medication should the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse opioid-induced
respiratory depression.
6. Which assessment is most important before administering metoprolol?
,A. Bowel sounds
B. Apical pulse and blood pressure
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation only
Answer: Apical pulse and blood pressure.
Rationale: Metoprolol decreases heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse
should assess for bradycardia and hypotension before administration.
7. A client taking lisinopril develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Give the next dose with food
B. Notify the provider and prepare for emergency airway management
C. Place the client in Trendelenburg position
D. Encourage oral fluids
Answer: Notify the provider and prepare for emergency airway management.
Rationale: Angioedema is a potentially life-threatening adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors and can rapidly compromise the airway.
8. A client taking spironolactone should be taught to avoid excessive intake
of which food?
A. Apples
B. White rice
C. Bananas
D. Bread
Answer: Bananas.
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Excessive
potassium intake can contribute to hyperkalemia.
9. Which medication requires monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Sertraline
B. Lithium carbonate
C. Haloperidol
D. Buspirone
, Answer: Lithium carbonate.
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range, and serum levels must be
monitored to prevent toxicity.
10.A client taking lithium develops severe diarrhea, vomiting, coarse
tremors, and confusion. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the next dose
B. Hold lithium and notify the provider
C. Encourage sodium restriction
D. Give an antidiarrheal and continue therapy
Answer: Hold lithium and notify the provider.
Rationale: Severe gastrointestinal symptoms, coarse tremors, and confusion
suggest lithium toxicity. Lithium should be withheld and the provider notified
immediately.
11.Which instruction is most important for a client taking phenytoin?
A. Stop the medication when seizures stop
B. Maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental care
C. Take double doses if one dose is missed
D. Avoid all dairy products
Answer: Maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental care.
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gingival hyperplasia. Good oral hygiene and
regular dental visits help reduce this complication.
12.A client receiving IV phenytoin develops hypotension and cardiac
dysrhythmias. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Increase the infusion rate
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Continue the infusion because this is expected
D. Administer potassium
Answer: Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
