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CLAYTON’S BASIC PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES, 19TH EDITION (WILLIHNGANZ,
GUREVITZ, & CLAYTON)-- COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and needs to identify the
name under which the drug is listed by the FDA. Which name should the nurse
reference?
A. Brand name
B. Nonproprietary name
C. Official name
D. Trademark name
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The official name is the name under which a drug is listed by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). This is distinct from the brand/trademark name, which is
given by the manufacturer.
Q2. Which legislation first authorized the FDA to determine the safety of a drug
before its marketing?
A. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938)
B. Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1952)
C. Controlled Substances Act (1970)
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D. Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendment (1962)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 authorized the FDA to
determine the safety of all drugs before marketing. The Durham-Humphrey Amendment
defined prescription vs. OTC drugs; the Controlled Substances Act addressed drug
scheduling; and the Kefauver-Harris Amendment added efficacy requirements after the
thalidomide tragedy.
Q3. A nurse is reviewing a medication order and needs to identify the drug's
nonproprietary name. Which term describes this name?
A. The name assigned by the manufacturer for marketing purposes.
B. The name that is the official name listed by the FDA.
C. The name that is universally accepted and not owned by any company.
D. The chemical name describing the molecular structure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nonproprietary (generic) name is the universally accepted name of a
drug, not owned by any company, and is often the official name listed by regulatory
agencies.
Q4. Which source provides the most comprehensive and authoritative drug
information for nurses?
A. A manufacturer's promotional brochure.
B. A social media discussion forum.
C. The FDA-approved prescribing information (package insert).
D. A colleague's personal notes.
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FDA-approved prescribing information (package insert) is the most
authoritative source for drug information, containing indications, contraindications,
warnings, and dosing.
Q5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription. Which name should the
nurse use to help the patient avoid confusion between brand and generic
products?
A. Only the brand name.
B. Only the chemical name.
C. Both the brand and generic names.
D. Neither name; just the purpose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using both the brand and generic names helps the patient recognize the
medication regardless of which version is dispensed, reducing confusion and potential
duplication.
Q6. Which of the following is considered a “high-alert” medication requiring
independent double-check before administration?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Multivitamin
D. Loratadine
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Insulin is a high-alert medication because errors can cause serious harm;
independent double-checks are recommended.
Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions (Q7–Q14)
Q7. Which priority action should be implemented when hives are assessed on a
patient started on a new medication?
A. Notify the physician of the allergic reaction.
B. Continue the medication and monitor.
C. Apply a warm compress to the hives.
D. Document the finding and reassess in 24 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hives indicate an allergic reaction; the physician must be notified
immediately, and the medication should be stopped.
Q8. The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma.
Thirty minutes later, the patient is agitated and states that “everyone is out to get
me.” Which term is used for this unusual reaction?
A. Allergic reaction
B. Idiosyncratic reaction
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Tolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An idiosyncratic reaction is an unusual, unexpected response to a drug that
is not related to its known pharmacological action.
CLAYTON’S BASIC PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSES, 19TH EDITION (WILLIHNGANZ,
GUREVITZ, & CLAYTON)-- COMPREHENSIVE —EXAM QUESTIONS LATEST EDITION
2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q1. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and needs to identify the
name under which the drug is listed by the FDA. Which name should the nurse
reference?
A. Brand name
B. Nonproprietary name
C. Official name
D. Trademark name
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The official name is the name under which a drug is listed by the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration (FDA). This is distinct from the brand/trademark name, which is
given by the manufacturer.
Q2. Which legislation first authorized the FDA to determine the safety of a drug
before its marketing?
A. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (1938)
B. Durham-Humphrey Amendment (1952)
C. Controlled Substances Act (1970)
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D. Kefauver-Harris Drug Amendment (1962)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 authorized the FDA to
determine the safety of all drugs before marketing. The Durham-Humphrey Amendment
defined prescription vs. OTC drugs; the Controlled Substances Act addressed drug
scheduling; and the Kefauver-Harris Amendment added efficacy requirements after the
thalidomide tragedy.
Q3. A nurse is reviewing a medication order and needs to identify the drug's
nonproprietary name. Which term describes this name?
A. The name assigned by the manufacturer for marketing purposes.
B. The name that is the official name listed by the FDA.
C. The name that is universally accepted and not owned by any company.
D. The chemical name describing the molecular structure.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nonproprietary (generic) name is the universally accepted name of a
drug, not owned by any company, and is often the official name listed by regulatory
agencies.
Q4. Which source provides the most comprehensive and authoritative drug
information for nurses?
A. A manufacturer's promotional brochure.
B. A social media discussion forum.
C. The FDA-approved prescribing information (package insert).
D. A colleague's personal notes.
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Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The FDA-approved prescribing information (package insert) is the most
authoritative source for drug information, containing indications, contraindications,
warnings, and dosing.
Q5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription. Which name should the
nurse use to help the patient avoid confusion between brand and generic
products?
A. Only the brand name.
B. Only the chemical name.
C. Both the brand and generic names.
D. Neither name; just the purpose.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using both the brand and generic names helps the patient recognize the
medication regardless of which version is dispensed, reducing confusion and potential
duplication.
Q6. Which of the following is considered a “high-alert” medication requiring
independent double-check before administration?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Insulin
C. Multivitamin
D. Loratadine
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Insulin is a high-alert medication because errors can cause serious harm;
independent double-checks are recommended.
Chapter 2: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug Interactions (Q7–Q14)
Q7. Which priority action should be implemented when hives are assessed on a
patient started on a new medication?
A. Notify the physician of the allergic reaction.
B. Continue the medication and monitor.
C. Apply a warm compress to the hives.
D. Document the finding and reassess in 24 hours.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hives indicate an allergic reaction; the physician must be notified
immediately, and the medication should be stopped.
Q8. The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma.
Thirty minutes later, the patient is agitated and states that “everyone is out to get
me.” Which term is used for this unusual reaction?
A. Allergic reaction
B. Idiosyncratic reaction
C. Anaphylaxis
D. Tolerance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An idiosyncratic reaction is an unusual, unexpected response to a drug that
is not related to its known pharmacological action.
