ADMINISTERING
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Chapter 1 Introduction / Definition of Terms
Stem
A 72-year-old hospitalized patient is prescribed a medication
described in the eMAR as an "antagonist at β-adrenergic
receptors." The patient's spouse asks you to explain what that
means in plain language. Which response best translates the
pharmacologic term while prioritizing safe patient education?
,A. “It’s a medicine that blocks adrenaline receptors and will
make the heart beat faster.”
B. “It’s a medicine that stops certain nerve signals; this helps
lower blood pressure and decreases heart workload.”
C. “It’s a strong sedative used for anxiety and you might feel
sleepy.”
D. “It’s a diet pill that hampers metabolism and causes weight
loss.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): This translates "antagonist at β-adrenergic
receptors" into patient-centered language, linking mechanism
to expected effect (lowered heart workload/blood pressure)
and supports safe education. It avoids jargon and is clinically
accurate for β-blocker class effects.
A: Incorrect — blocking β receptors typically decreases heart
rate, not increases it; this would misinform the family.
C: Incorrect — describes a sedative, not a β-receptor
antagonist; risks confusion about sedation and monitoring.
D: Incorrect — inaccurate and could cause misinformation and
inappropriate expectations about purpose/side effects.
Teaching Point
Translate pharmacologic terms into effects and monitoring
needs for patients.
,Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pharmacology [LO 1-1]
Stem
You’re teaching a newly licensed nurse how pharmacology
informs nursing assessments. Which nursing assessment best
reflects application of pharmacologic knowledge before
administering a diuretic to an older adult?
A. Verify patient's last meal and document appetite.
B. Check recent serum potassium and orthostatic blood
pressures.
C. Ask whether the patient prefers tablets or capsules.
D. Confirm whether the patient had bowel movements
overnight.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances
(especially hypokalemia) and orthostatic hypotension; checking
potassium and orthostatics is pharmacology-informed and
prevents adverse events.
A: Incorrect — while nutrition is relevant, it’s not the priority
, pharmacologic assessment for diuretics.
C: Incorrect — formulation preference is secondary to safety
assessments before administration.
D: Incorrect — bowel movements are not a primary
pharmacologic safety concern for diuretics.
Teaching Point
Match medication class risks to focused pre-administration
assessments.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources [LO 1-2]
Stem
A nurse preparing patient education notes that a prescribed
medication is a biologic derived from recombinant DNA. What is
the most important teaching point to include for this patient?
A. “This drug is always taken by mouth and has no interactions.”
B. “Because it’s a biologic, it may require special storage,
administration technique, and monitoring for immune
reactions.”
C. “It’s cheaper than chemical drugs and rarely causes side
effects.”
MEDICATIONS: 2025 RELEASE
• AUTHOR(S)DONNA
GAUWITZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Chapter 1 Introduction / Definition of Terms
Stem
A 72-year-old hospitalized patient is prescribed a medication
described in the eMAR as an "antagonist at β-adrenergic
receptors." The patient's spouse asks you to explain what that
means in plain language. Which response best translates the
pharmacologic term while prioritizing safe patient education?
,A. “It’s a medicine that blocks adrenaline receptors and will
make the heart beat faster.”
B. “It’s a medicine that stops certain nerve signals; this helps
lower blood pressure and decreases heart workload.”
C. “It’s a strong sedative used for anxiety and you might feel
sleepy.”
D. “It’s a diet pill that hampers metabolism and causes weight
loss.”
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): This translates "antagonist at β-adrenergic
receptors" into patient-centered language, linking mechanism
to expected effect (lowered heart workload/blood pressure)
and supports safe education. It avoids jargon and is clinically
accurate for β-blocker class effects.
A: Incorrect — blocking β receptors typically decreases heart
rate, not increases it; this would misinform the family.
C: Incorrect — describes a sedative, not a β-receptor
antagonist; risks confusion about sedation and monitoring.
D: Incorrect — inaccurate and could cause misinformation and
inappropriate expectations about purpose/side effects.
Teaching Point
Translate pharmacologic terms into effects and monitoring
needs for patients.
,Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Pharmacology [LO 1-1]
Stem
You’re teaching a newly licensed nurse how pharmacology
informs nursing assessments. Which nursing assessment best
reflects application of pharmacologic knowledge before
administering a diuretic to an older adult?
A. Verify patient's last meal and document appetite.
B. Check recent serum potassium and orthostatic blood
pressures.
C. Ask whether the patient prefers tablets or capsules.
D. Confirm whether the patient had bowel movements
overnight.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): Diuretics can cause electrolyte imbalances
(especially hypokalemia) and orthostatic hypotension; checking
potassium and orthostatics is pharmacology-informed and
prevents adverse events.
A: Incorrect — while nutrition is relevant, it’s not the priority
, pharmacologic assessment for diuretics.
C: Incorrect — formulation preference is secondary to safety
assessments before administration.
D: Incorrect — bowel movements are not a primary
pharmacologic safety concern for diuretics.
Teaching Point
Match medication class risks to focused pre-administration
assessments.
Citation
Gauwitz, D. (2025). Administering Medications. Ch. 1.
3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Drug Sources [LO 1-2]
Stem
A nurse preparing patient education notes that a prescribed
medication is a biologic derived from recombinant DNA. What is
the most important teaching point to include for this patient?
A. “This drug is always taken by mouth and has no interactions.”
B. “Because it’s a biologic, it may require special storage,
administration technique, and monitoring for immune
reactions.”
C. “It’s cheaper than chemical drugs and rarely causes side
effects.”
