,Chapter 01 — Pharmacology and the
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS
Stem: A 72-year-old patient is prescribed a new
antihypertensive. As the LPN, which action is the most
appropriate first step before administering the first dose?
A. Administer the medication and document later.
B. Check the patient's current blood pressure and heart rate.
C. Ask the patient if they have taken the medication before.
D. Contact the prescriber to confirm the dose.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Checking current blood pressure and heart rate
provides baseline data to assess medication effect and safety
prior to first dose, aligning with assessment in the nursing
process.
A: Administering before assessment risks harm and violates
safe medication practice.
C: Asking about prior use is useful but does not replace
objective baseline vital signs.
D: Contacting the prescriber is unnecessary if the order is
clear and baseline assessment is obtained.
Teaching Point: Always obtain baseline vital signs before
administering medications that affect cardiovascular status.
,2.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS
Stem: Which of the following best describes the LPN's role in
patient education about a new oral antibiotic?
A. Provide detailed pathophysiology of infection and drug
pharmacokinetics.
B. Teach dosage schedule, common side effects, and when to
contact the nurse.
C. Decide to change the dose if the patient reports dizziness.
D. Refuse to provide education and defer entirely to the RN.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: LPNs teach practical, safety-focused information—
dosage schedule, key side effects, and escalation—consistent
with their role in health teaching.
A: Detailed pharmacokinetics is beyond typical LPN patient-
teaching scope and not necessary for safe use.
C: Adjusting dose is a prescriber/RN responsibility; LPNs must
report adverse effects.
D: Refusing to educate when within scope neglects patient
safety and the nursing process.
, Teaching Point: LPN education should focus on safe
medication use and when to seek help.
3.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
Section: USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: During medication administration, an LPN notes the
MAR lists a drug that the patient is allergic to. The
prescriber’s order remains on the MAR. What is the next best
action?
A. Hold the medication and notify the RN or prescriber
immediately.
B. Administer the medication and observe closely for
reaction.
C. Ask the patient if they are sure about their allergy.
D. Remove the allergy from the medical record if the patient
is uncertain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct: Holding a medication that conflicts with
documented allergy and notifying responsible staff is
appropriate clinical judgment to prevent harm.
B: Administering despite a documented allergy risks serious
adverse reaction.
Nursing Process in LPN Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS
Stem: A 72-year-old patient is prescribed a new
antihypertensive. As the LPN, which action is the most
appropriate first step before administering the first dose?
A. Administer the medication and document later.
B. Check the patient's current blood pressure and heart rate.
C. Ask the patient if they have taken the medication before.
D. Contact the prescriber to confirm the dose.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: Checking current blood pressure and heart rate
provides baseline data to assess medication effect and safety
prior to first dose, aligning with assessment in the nursing
process.
A: Administering before assessment risks harm and violates
safe medication practice.
C: Asking about prior use is useful but does not replace
objective baseline vital signs.
D: Contacting the prescriber is unnecessary if the order is
clear and baseline assessment is obtained.
Teaching Point: Always obtain baseline vital signs before
administering medications that affect cardiovascular status.
,2.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
Section: THE LPN/VN’S ROLE AND THE NURSING PROCESS
Stem: Which of the following best describes the LPN's role in
patient education about a new oral antibiotic?
A. Provide detailed pathophysiology of infection and drug
pharmacokinetics.
B. Teach dosage schedule, common side effects, and when to
contact the nurse.
C. Decide to change the dose if the patient reports dizziness.
D. Refuse to provide education and defer entirely to the RN.
Correct Answer: B
Rationales:
Correct: LPNs teach practical, safety-focused information—
dosage schedule, key side effects, and escalation—consistent
with their role in health teaching.
A: Detailed pharmacokinetics is beyond typical LPN patient-
teaching scope and not necessary for safe use.
C: Adjusting dose is a prescriber/RN responsibility; LPNs must
report adverse effects.
D: Refusing to educate when within scope neglects patient
safety and the nursing process.
, Teaching Point: LPN education should focus on safe
medication use and when to seek help.
3.
Chapter 1 — Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
Section: USING THE CLINICAL JUDGMENT MODEL
Stem: During medication administration, an LPN notes the
MAR lists a drug that the patient is allergic to. The
prescriber’s order remains on the MAR. What is the next best
action?
A. Hold the medication and notify the RN or prescriber
immediately.
B. Administer the medication and observe closely for
reaction.
C. Ask the patient if they are sure about their allergy.
D. Remove the allergy from the medical record if the patient
is uncertain.
Correct Answer: A
Rationales:
Correct: Holding a medication that conflicts with
documented allergy and notifying responsible staff is
appropriate clinical judgment to prevent harm.
B: Administering despite a documented allergy risks serious
adverse reaction.
