,Chapter 1: Orientation to Pharmacology
vvv vvv vvv vvv
Test Bank
vvv vvv
MULTIPLE CHOICE vvv
1. The nurse is teaching a patient how a medication works to treat an illness. To
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
do this, the nurse will rely on knowledge of:
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. clinical pharmacology. vvv
b. drug efficacy. vvv
c. pharmacokinetics.
d. pharmacotherapeutics.
ANS: v v v D
Pharmacotherapeutics is the study of the use of drugs to diagnose, treat, and vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
prevent conditions. Clinical pharmacology is concerned with all aspects of drug–
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
human interactions. Drug efficacy measures the extent to which a given drug
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
causes an intended effect.
vvv vvv vvv vvv
Pharmacokinetics is the study of the impact of the body on a drug. vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Four Basic vvv vvv v v v vvv
Terms TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. What vvv does it mean when a drug is described as easy to administer?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. It vvv can be stored indefinitely without need for refrigeration.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. It vvv does not interact significantly with other medications.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. It vvv enhances patient adherence to the drug regimen.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. It vvv is usually relatively inexpensive to produce.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v C
A major benefit of drugs that are easy to administer is that patients taking them
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
are more likely to comply with the drug regimen. Drugs that are easy to give
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
may have the other attributes listed, but those properties are independent of ease
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
of administration.
vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension vvv vvv
REF: Additional Properties of an Ideal Drug: Ease of
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Administration TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Assessment vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
3. A patient tells the nurse that he was told by the prescriber that the analgesic he
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
is taking is very effective. Which statement by the patient demonstrates an
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
understanding of the drug’s effectiveness?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. “I don’t have to worry about toxicity, since it takes a large amount of
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
this drug to cause an overdose.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. “It has no side effects and doesn’t interact with other drugs.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. “I only have to take it every 12 hours.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. “It might make me sleepy, and it lessens pain for several hours at a time.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v D
, A drug is effective if it produces the intended effects, even if it also produces side
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effects. Because no drug is completely safe, the level of toxicity does not determine
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effectiveness. All drugs have side effects and many react with other substances;
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
these do not affect the drug’s effectiveness. Ease of administration is independent
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
of a drug’s effectiveness.
vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Properties of an Ideal
vvv vvv v v v vvv vvv vvv
Drug TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Evaluation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
MULTIPLE RESPONSE vvv
1. What are the properties of an ideal drug? (Select all that apply.)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Irreversible action vvv
b. Predictability
c. Ease of administration vvv vvv
d. Chemical stability vvv
e. A simple trade name
vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v B, C, D vvv vvv
In addition to predictability, ease of administration, and chemical stability, other
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
properties include a reversible action so that any harm the drug may cause can be
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
undone and a simple generic name, because generic names are usually complex
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
and difficult to remember and pronounce.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension vvv vvv
REF: Properties of an Ideal Drug | Additional Properties of an
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Ideal Drug TOP:
vvv vvv Nursing Process: Assessment
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. Before administering a medication, what does the nurse need to know to evaluate
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
how individual patient variability might affect the patient’s response to the
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication? (Select all that apply.)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Chemical stability of the medication vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. Ease of administration vvv vvv
c. Family medical history vvv vvv
d. Patient’s age vvv
e. Patient’s diagnosis vvv
ANS: v v v C, D, E vvv vvv
The family medical history can indicate genetic factors that may affect a patient’s
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
response to a medication. Patients of different ages can respond differently to
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medications. The patient’s illness can affect how drugs are metabolized. The
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
chemical stability of the medication and the ease of administration are properties of
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
drugs.
vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Sources of Individual
vvv vvv v v v vvv vvv
Variation TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
, Chapter 2: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Practice Test Bank
vvv vvv vvv
MULTIPLE CHOICE vvv
1. A patient is using a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterol for asthma. The
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication label instructs the patient to administer “2 puffs every 4 hours as
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
needed for coughing or wheezing.” The patient reports feeling jittery sometimes
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
when taking the medication, and she doesn’t feel that the medication is always
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effective. Which is not an appropriate nursing intervention for this patient?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Asking the patient to demonstrate use of the inhaler
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. Assessing the patient’s exposure to tobacco smoke vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. Auscultating lung sounds and obtaining vital signs vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. Suggesting that the patient use one puff to reduce side effects
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v D
It is not within the nurse’s scope of practice to change the dose of a medication
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
without an order from a prescriber. Asking the patient to demonstrate inhaler use
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
helps the nurse to evaluate the patient’s ability to administer the medication
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
properly and is part of the nurse’s evaluation. Assessing tobacco smoke exposure
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
helps the nurse determine whether nondrug therapies, such a smoke avoidance, can
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
be used as an adjunct to drug therapy. Performing a physical assessment helps
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
the nurse evaluate the patient’s response to the medication.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application vvv vvv
REF: Applying the Nursing Process in Drug Therapy: Preadministration
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Assessment [and all subsections under this heading] TOP:
vvv vvv Nursing Process:
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv v v v vvv
Implementation
vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. A postoperative patient is being discharged home with acetaminophen/hydrocodone
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
(Lortab) for pain. The patient asks the nurse about using Tylenol for fever.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. “It is not safe to take over-the-counter drugs with prescription medications.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. “Taking the two medications together poses a risk of drug toxicity.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. “There are no known drug interactions, so this will be safe.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. “Tylenol and Lortab are different drugs, so there is no risk of overdose.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v B
Tylenol is the trade name and acetaminophen is the generic name for the same
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication. It is important to teach patients to be aware of the different names for
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
the same drug to minimize the risk of overdose. Over-the-counter (OTC)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medications and prescription medications may be taken together unless significant
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
harmful drug interactions are possible. Even though no drug interactions are at
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
play in this case, both drugs contain acetaminophen, which could lead to toxicity.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application vvv vvv
REF: Application of Pharmacology in Patient Education: Dosage and
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Administration TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
vvv vvv vvv vvv
Test Bank
vvv vvv
MULTIPLE CHOICE vvv
1. The nurse is teaching a patient how a medication works to treat an illness. To
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
do this, the nurse will rely on knowledge of:
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. clinical pharmacology. vvv
b. drug efficacy. vvv
c. pharmacokinetics.
d. pharmacotherapeutics.
ANS: v v v D
Pharmacotherapeutics is the study of the use of drugs to diagnose, treat, and vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
prevent conditions. Clinical pharmacology is concerned with all aspects of drug–
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
human interactions. Drug efficacy measures the extent to which a given drug
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
causes an intended effect.
vvv vvv vvv vvv
Pharmacokinetics is the study of the impact of the body on a drug. vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Four Basic vvv vvv v v v vvv
Terms TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. What vvv does it mean when a drug is described as easy to administer?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. It vvv can be stored indefinitely without need for refrigeration.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. It vvv does not interact significantly with other medications.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. It vvv enhances patient adherence to the drug regimen.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. It vvv is usually relatively inexpensive to produce.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v C
A major benefit of drugs that are easy to administer is that patients taking them
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
are more likely to comply with the drug regimen. Drugs that are easy to give
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
may have the other attributes listed, but those properties are independent of ease
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
of administration.
vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension vvv vvv
REF: Additional Properties of an Ideal Drug: Ease of
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Administration TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Assessment vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
3. A patient tells the nurse that he was told by the prescriber that the analgesic he
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
is taking is very effective. Which statement by the patient demonstrates an
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
understanding of the drug’s effectiveness?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. “I don’t have to worry about toxicity, since it takes a large amount of
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
this drug to cause an overdose.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. “It has no side effects and doesn’t interact with other drugs.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. “I only have to take it every 12 hours.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. “It might make me sleepy, and it lessens pain for several hours at a time.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v D
, A drug is effective if it produces the intended effects, even if it also produces side
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effects. Because no drug is completely safe, the level of toxicity does not determine
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effectiveness. All drugs have side effects and many react with other substances;
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
these do not affect the drug’s effectiveness. Ease of administration is independent
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
of a drug’s effectiveness.
vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Properties of an Ideal
vvv vvv v v v vvv vvv vvv
Drug TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Evaluation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
MULTIPLE RESPONSE vvv
1. What are the properties of an ideal drug? (Select all that apply.)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Irreversible action vvv
b. Predictability
c. Ease of administration vvv vvv
d. Chemical stability vvv
e. A simple trade name
vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v B, C, D vvv vvv
In addition to predictability, ease of administration, and chemical stability, other
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
properties include a reversible action so that any harm the drug may cause can be
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
undone and a simple generic name, because generic names are usually complex
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
and difficult to remember and pronounce.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension vvv vvv
REF: Properties of an Ideal Drug | Additional Properties of an
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Ideal Drug TOP:
vvv vvv Nursing Process: Assessment
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. Before administering a medication, what does the nurse need to know to evaluate
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
how individual patient variability might affect the patient’s response to the
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication? (Select all that apply.)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Chemical stability of the medication vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. Ease of administration vvv vvv
c. Family medical history vvv vvv
d. Patient’s age vvv
e. Patient’s diagnosis vvv
ANS: v v v C, D, E vvv vvv
The family medical history can indicate genetic factors that may affect a patient’s
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
response to a medication. Patients of different ages can respond differently to
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medications. The patient’s illness can affect how drugs are metabolized. The
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
chemical stability of the medication and the ease of administration are properties of
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
drugs.
vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis REF: Sources of Individual
vvv vvv v v v vvv vvv
Variation TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation
vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
, Chapter 2: Application of Pharmacology in Nursing
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Practice Test Bank
vvv vvv vvv
MULTIPLE CHOICE vvv
1. A patient is using a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterol for asthma. The
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication label instructs the patient to administer “2 puffs every 4 hours as
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
needed for coughing or wheezing.” The patient reports feeling jittery sometimes
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
when taking the medication, and she doesn’t feel that the medication is always
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
effective. Which is not an appropriate nursing intervention for this patient?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. Asking the patient to demonstrate use of the inhaler
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. Assessing the patient’s exposure to tobacco smoke vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. Auscultating lung sounds and obtaining vital signs vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. Suggesting that the patient use one puff to reduce side effects
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v D
It is not within the nurse’s scope of practice to change the dose of a medication
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
without an order from a prescriber. Asking the patient to demonstrate inhaler use
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
helps the nurse to evaluate the patient’s ability to administer the medication
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
properly and is part of the nurse’s evaluation. Assessing tobacco smoke exposure
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
helps the nurse determine whether nondrug therapies, such a smoke avoidance, can
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
be used as an adjunct to drug therapy. Performing a physical assessment helps
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
the nurse evaluate the patient’s response to the medication.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application vvv vvv
REF: Applying the Nursing Process in Drug Therapy: Preadministration
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Assessment [and all subsections under this heading] TOP:
vvv vvv Nursing Process:
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv v v v vvv
Implementation
vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Therapies
vvv
2. A postoperative patient is being discharged home with acetaminophen/hydrocodone
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
(Lortab) for pain. The patient asks the nurse about using Tylenol for fever.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Which statement by the nurse is correct?
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
a. “It is not safe to take over-the-counter drugs with prescription medications.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
b. “Taking the two medications together poses a risk of drug toxicity.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
c. “There are no known drug interactions, so this will be safe.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
d. “Tylenol and Lortab are different drugs, so there is no risk of overdose.”
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
ANS: v v v B
Tylenol is the trade name and acetaminophen is the generic name for the same
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medication. It is important to teach patients to be aware of the different names for
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
the same drug to minimize the risk of overdose. Over-the-counter (OTC)
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
medications and prescription medications may be taken together unless significant
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
harmful drug interactions are possible. Even though no drug interactions are at
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
play in this case, both drugs contain acetaminophen, which could lead to toxicity.
vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application vvv vvv
REF: Application of Pharmacology in Patient Education: Dosage and
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
Administration TOP:
vvv Nursing Process: Implementation vvv v v v vvv vvv
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential
v v v vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv vvv
