Test #4 Pharmacology Bank Questions
_____ vomiting is caused by direct stimulation of the vomiting center by neurologic lesions involving the
brainstem. - ANSWER-Projectile
A 12-year-old patient has acute diarrhea and an upper respiratory infection. Other family members have
had similar symptoms, which have resolved. The primary care NP should recommend: - ANSWER-an
electrolyte solution (Pedialyte).
A 19-year-old male was started on risperidone. Monitoring for risperidone includes observing for
common side effects, including: - ANSWER-Bradykinesia, akathisia, and agitation
A 2-year-old child has chronic "toddler's" diarrhea, which has an unknown but benign etiology. The
child's parent asks the primary care NP if a medication can be used to treat the child's symptoms. The
NP should recommend giving: - ANSWER-an electrolyte solution (Pedialyte).
A 5-year-old child has chronic constipation. The primary care NP plans to prescribe a laxative for long-
term management. In addition to pharmacologic therapy, the NP should also recommend _____ g of
fiber per day. - ANSWER-10
A 66-year-old male was prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) while in an acute psychiatric unit for recalcitrant
depression. The NP managing his primary health care needs to understand the following regarding
phenelzine and other MAOIs: - ANSWER-He should not be prescribed any serotonergic drug such as
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
MAOIs interact with many common foods, including yogurt, sour cream, and soy sauce
Symptoms of hypertensive crisis (headache, tachycardia, sweating) require immediate treatment
A child has been taking methylphenidate 5 mg at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM for 30 days after a new
diagnosis of AD/HD and comes to the clinic for evaluation. The child's mother reports that the child
exhibits some nervousness and insomnia but is doing much better in school. The primary care NP should
suggest: - ANSWER-discontinuing the 4 PM dose
A child is diagnosed with AD/HD after being expelled from school for disruptive behaviors. The child's
parents are reluctant to start medication because of the stigma attached. The primary care NP should
suggest: - ANSWER-Concerta.
A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in depressed individuals? - ANSWER-
Serotonin
A female patient who is underweight tells the primary care NP that she has been using bisacodyl
(Dulcolax) daily for several years. The NP should: - ANSWER-prescribe docusate sodium (Colace) and
decrease bisacodyl gradually.
A first-line drug for abortive therapy in simple migraine is: - ANSWER-Naproxen (Aleve)
,Test #4 Pharmacology Bank Questions
A home care patient taking levothyroxine (Synthroid) measures the pulse, finds it to be 110 beats per
minute, and notifies his health care provider. Which action would be the most appropriate response of
the health care provider? - ANSWER-Withhold the dose, and notify the prescriber of the drug.
A patient comes to the clinic and reports recurrent headaches. The patient has a headache diary, which
reveals irritability and food cravings followed the next day by visual disturbances and unilateral right-
sided headache, nausea, and photophobia lasting 2 to 3 days. The NP should recognize these symptoms
as _____ migraine. - ANSWER-classic
A patient comes to the clinic concerned about possible migraine headaches. The primary care NP
conducts a history and physical examination, and the patient describes vise-like pressure in the back of
the head that occurs almost daily during the work week. The NP should recommend: - ANSWER-
acetaminophen.
A patient comes to the clinic with a 4-day history of 10 to 12 liquid stools each day. The patient reports
seeing blood and mucus in the stools. The patient has had nausea but no vomiting. The primary care NP
notes a temperature of 37.9° C, a heart rate of 96 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm
Hg. A physical examination reveals dry oral mucous membranes and capillary refill of 4 seconds. The
NP's priority should be to: - ANSWER-begin rehydration therapy.
A patient has a drug order for prochlorperazine (Compazine) for management of nausea and vomiting.
Review the following statements, and select the one that most accurately describes the action of the
drug. - ANSWER-It blocks the effects of dopamine in the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
A patient has a drug order for zolpidem (Ambien) written in the medical record. Which of the following
conditions would the health care provider expect to see in the progress notes? - ANSWER-Insomnia
A patient has been diagnosed with IBS and tells the primary care NP that symptoms of diarrhea and
cramping are worsening. The patient asks about possible drug therapy to treat the symptoms. The NP
should prescribe: - ANSWER-dicyclomine (Bentyl).
A patient has been instructed to use meclizine (Bonine) to prevent motion sickness. Select the
statement that demonstrates that the patient understands proper use of the drug. - ANSWER-
Administer at least 30 minutes and preferably 1-2 hours before travel.
A patient has been taking antibiotics to treat recurrent pneumonia. The patient is in the clinic after
having diarrhea for 5 days with six to seven liquid stools each day. The primary care NP should: -
ANSWER-order testing for Clostridium difficile and consider metronidazole therapy
A patient has been taking donepezil (Aricept) for several months after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's
disease. The patient's spouse brings the patient to the clinic and reports that the patient seems to be
having visual hallucinations. The primary care NP should: - ANSWER-decrease the dose.
A patient has begun taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. When will the effects of the drug first be
felt? - ANSWER-1-4 weeks
A patient in the clinic reports heartburn 30 minutes after meals, a feeling of fullness, frequent belching,
and a constant sour taste. The patient has a normal weight and reports having a high-stress job. The
primary care NP should recommend: - ANSWER-daily treatment with a PPI.
, Test #4 Pharmacology Bank Questions
A patient is experiencing an age-related decline in mental functioning. Which of the following
substances may be helpful? - ANSWER-Ginkgo
A patient is identified as having stage 2 Alzheimer's disease and elects to take donepezil (Aricept). The
patient asks the primary care nurse practitioner (NP) how long the medication will be needed. The NP
should tell the patient that donepezil must be taken: - ANSWER-indefinitely because it is not curative.
A patient is in the clinic complaining of nausea and vomiting that has lasted 2 to 3 days. The patient has
dry oral mucous membranes, a blood pressure of 90/56 mm Hg, a pulse of 96 beats per minute, and a
temperature of 38.8° C. The primary care NP notes a capillary refill of greater than 3 seconds. The NP
should: - ANSWER-admit to the hospital for intravenous (IV) rehydration.
A patient is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease stage 6 on the Global Deterioration Scale. The
primary care NP should prescribe: - ANSWER-memantine (Namenda)
A patient is receiving dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). Review the following symptoms, and select the
one for which the health care provider assesses the patient. - ANSWER-Irritability
A patient is receiving methylphenidate (Ritalin) for the treatment of narcolepsy. What long-term effects
should the health care provider expect to monitor in this patient? - ANSWER-Drug tolerance
A patient is taking a low-dose PPI for long-term management of GERD and reports taking sodium
bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer) to help with occasional heartburn. The primary care NP should tell the patient
to: - ANSWER-take calcium carbonate (Tums) instead of sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer).
A patient is undergoing thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Levothroid). At what time
should the health care provider instruct the patient to take this drug? - ANSWER-Before breakfast on an
empty stomach
A patient receiving a tricyclic antidepressant complains of constipation. What is the health care
provider's interpretation of the patient's complaint? - ANSWER-It is a common side effect of the drug.
A patient reports frequent headaches to the primary NP. The patient describes the headaches as
unilateral and moderate in intensity, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. There is no
aura, and the headaches generally last 24 to 48 hours. The NP should: - ANSWER-recognize these as
classic migraines and order sumatriptan (Imitrex).
A patient reports having episodes of dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness and describes a sensation of
the room spinning when these occur. The primary care NP will refer the patient to a specialist who, after
diagnostic testing, is likely to prescribe: - ANSWER-meclizine.
A patient reports having occasional acute constipation with large, hard stools and pain and asks the
primary care NP about medication to treat this condition. The NP learns that the patient drinks 1500 mL
of water daily; eats fruits, vegetables, and bran; and exercises regularly. The NP should recommend: -
ANSWER-a saline laxative as needed.
A patient takes an antispasmodic and an occasional antidiarrheal medication to treat IBS. The patient
comes to the clinic and reports having dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and more frequent constipation.
_____ vomiting is caused by direct stimulation of the vomiting center by neurologic lesions involving the
brainstem. - ANSWER-Projectile
A 12-year-old patient has acute diarrhea and an upper respiratory infection. Other family members have
had similar symptoms, which have resolved. The primary care NP should recommend: - ANSWER-an
electrolyte solution (Pedialyte).
A 19-year-old male was started on risperidone. Monitoring for risperidone includes observing for
common side effects, including: - ANSWER-Bradykinesia, akathisia, and agitation
A 2-year-old child has chronic "toddler's" diarrhea, which has an unknown but benign etiology. The
child's parent asks the primary care NP if a medication can be used to treat the child's symptoms. The
NP should recommend giving: - ANSWER-an electrolyte solution (Pedialyte).
A 5-year-old child has chronic constipation. The primary care NP plans to prescribe a laxative for long-
term management. In addition to pharmacologic therapy, the NP should also recommend _____ g of
fiber per day. - ANSWER-10
A 66-year-old male was prescribed phenelzine (Nardil) while in an acute psychiatric unit for recalcitrant
depression. The NP managing his primary health care needs to understand the following regarding
phenelzine and other MAOIs: - ANSWER-He should not be prescribed any serotonergic drug such as
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
MAOIs interact with many common foods, including yogurt, sour cream, and soy sauce
Symptoms of hypertensive crisis (headache, tachycardia, sweating) require immediate treatment
A child has been taking methylphenidate 5 mg at 8 AM, 12 PM, and 4 PM for 30 days after a new
diagnosis of AD/HD and comes to the clinic for evaluation. The child's mother reports that the child
exhibits some nervousness and insomnia but is doing much better in school. The primary care NP should
suggest: - ANSWER-discontinuing the 4 PM dose
A child is diagnosed with AD/HD after being expelled from school for disruptive behaviors. The child's
parents are reluctant to start medication because of the stigma attached. The primary care NP should
suggest: - ANSWER-Concerta.
A decrease in receptor binding for which neurotransmitter is found in depressed individuals? - ANSWER-
Serotonin
A female patient who is underweight tells the primary care NP that she has been using bisacodyl
(Dulcolax) daily for several years. The NP should: - ANSWER-prescribe docusate sodium (Colace) and
decrease bisacodyl gradually.
A first-line drug for abortive therapy in simple migraine is: - ANSWER-Naproxen (Aleve)
,Test #4 Pharmacology Bank Questions
A home care patient taking levothyroxine (Synthroid) measures the pulse, finds it to be 110 beats per
minute, and notifies his health care provider. Which action would be the most appropriate response of
the health care provider? - ANSWER-Withhold the dose, and notify the prescriber of the drug.
A patient comes to the clinic and reports recurrent headaches. The patient has a headache diary, which
reveals irritability and food cravings followed the next day by visual disturbances and unilateral right-
sided headache, nausea, and photophobia lasting 2 to 3 days. The NP should recognize these symptoms
as _____ migraine. - ANSWER-classic
A patient comes to the clinic concerned about possible migraine headaches. The primary care NP
conducts a history and physical examination, and the patient describes vise-like pressure in the back of
the head that occurs almost daily during the work week. The NP should recommend: - ANSWER-
acetaminophen.
A patient comes to the clinic with a 4-day history of 10 to 12 liquid stools each day. The patient reports
seeing blood and mucus in the stools. The patient has had nausea but no vomiting. The primary care NP
notes a temperature of 37.9° C, a heart rate of 96 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of 90/60 mm
Hg. A physical examination reveals dry oral mucous membranes and capillary refill of 4 seconds. The
NP's priority should be to: - ANSWER-begin rehydration therapy.
A patient has a drug order for prochlorperazine (Compazine) for management of nausea and vomiting.
Review the following statements, and select the one that most accurately describes the action of the
drug. - ANSWER-It blocks the effects of dopamine in the chemoreceptor trigger zone.
A patient has a drug order for zolpidem (Ambien) written in the medical record. Which of the following
conditions would the health care provider expect to see in the progress notes? - ANSWER-Insomnia
A patient has been diagnosed with IBS and tells the primary care NP that symptoms of diarrhea and
cramping are worsening. The patient asks about possible drug therapy to treat the symptoms. The NP
should prescribe: - ANSWER-dicyclomine (Bentyl).
A patient has been instructed to use meclizine (Bonine) to prevent motion sickness. Select the
statement that demonstrates that the patient understands proper use of the drug. - ANSWER-
Administer at least 30 minutes and preferably 1-2 hours before travel.
A patient has been taking antibiotics to treat recurrent pneumonia. The patient is in the clinic after
having diarrhea for 5 days with six to seven liquid stools each day. The primary care NP should: -
ANSWER-order testing for Clostridium difficile and consider metronidazole therapy
A patient has been taking donepezil (Aricept) for several months after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's
disease. The patient's spouse brings the patient to the clinic and reports that the patient seems to be
having visual hallucinations. The primary care NP should: - ANSWER-decrease the dose.
A patient has begun taking fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. When will the effects of the drug first be
felt? - ANSWER-1-4 weeks
A patient in the clinic reports heartburn 30 minutes after meals, a feeling of fullness, frequent belching,
and a constant sour taste. The patient has a normal weight and reports having a high-stress job. The
primary care NP should recommend: - ANSWER-daily treatment with a PPI.
, Test #4 Pharmacology Bank Questions
A patient is experiencing an age-related decline in mental functioning. Which of the following
substances may be helpful? - ANSWER-Ginkgo
A patient is identified as having stage 2 Alzheimer's disease and elects to take donepezil (Aricept). The
patient asks the primary care nurse practitioner (NP) how long the medication will be needed. The NP
should tell the patient that donepezil must be taken: - ANSWER-indefinitely because it is not curative.
A patient is in the clinic complaining of nausea and vomiting that has lasted 2 to 3 days. The patient has
dry oral mucous membranes, a blood pressure of 90/56 mm Hg, a pulse of 96 beats per minute, and a
temperature of 38.8° C. The primary care NP notes a capillary refill of greater than 3 seconds. The NP
should: - ANSWER-admit to the hospital for intravenous (IV) rehydration.
A patient is newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease stage 6 on the Global Deterioration Scale. The
primary care NP should prescribe: - ANSWER-memantine (Namenda)
A patient is receiving dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine). Review the following symptoms, and select the
one for which the health care provider assesses the patient. - ANSWER-Irritability
A patient is receiving methylphenidate (Ritalin) for the treatment of narcolepsy. What long-term effects
should the health care provider expect to monitor in this patient? - ANSWER-Drug tolerance
A patient is taking a low-dose PPI for long-term management of GERD and reports taking sodium
bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer) to help with occasional heartburn. The primary care NP should tell the patient
to: - ANSWER-take calcium carbonate (Tums) instead of sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer).
A patient is undergoing thyroid replacement therapy with levothyroxine (Levothroid). At what time
should the health care provider instruct the patient to take this drug? - ANSWER-Before breakfast on an
empty stomach
A patient receiving a tricyclic antidepressant complains of constipation. What is the health care
provider's interpretation of the patient's complaint? - ANSWER-It is a common side effect of the drug.
A patient reports frequent headaches to the primary NP. The patient describes the headaches as
unilateral and moderate in intensity, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and photophobia. There is no
aura, and the headaches generally last 24 to 48 hours. The NP should: - ANSWER-recognize these as
classic migraines and order sumatriptan (Imitrex).
A patient reports having episodes of dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness and describes a sensation of
the room spinning when these occur. The primary care NP will refer the patient to a specialist who, after
diagnostic testing, is likely to prescribe: - ANSWER-meclizine.
A patient reports having occasional acute constipation with large, hard stools and pain and asks the
primary care NP about medication to treat this condition. The NP learns that the patient drinks 1500 mL
of water daily; eats fruits, vegetables, and bran; and exercises regularly. The NP should recommend: -
ANSWER-a saline laxative as needed.
A patient takes an antispasmodic and an occasional antidiarrheal medication to treat IBS. The patient
comes to the clinic and reports having dry mouth, difficulty urinating, and more frequent constipation.
