,Chapter 1: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN
Practice
1. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
A patient is prescribed a new antihypertensive medication. The
LPN/VN reviews the patient's chart and notes a history of
asthma. The LPN/VN recognizes that some antihypertensives
can cause bronchospasm. Which step of the Clinical Judgment
Model is the LPN/VN demonstrating?
A) Taking action
B) Recognizing cues
C) Generating solutions
D) Evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: B) Recognizing cues
Rationale: Recognizing cues involves identifying relevant and
important information from different sources (e.g., the patient's
history, current medications). Noting the history of asthma in
relation to a new drug's potential side effect is a key assessment
cue. The other options are incorrect because taking action (A)
involves implementing a plan, generating solutions (C) involves
planning nursing interventions, and evaluating outcomes (D)
involves assessing the patient's response after an intervention.
Teaching Point: Recognizing relevant patient data is the first
step in safe medication administration.
,2. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
An LPN/VN is preparing to administer an oral antibiotic to a
patient. The patient states, "The last time I took a pill like that,
my throat got really tight and I couldn't breathe." What is the
LPN/VN's immediate and priority action based on clinical
judgment?
A) Administer the medication with a full glass of water to ease
swallowing.
B) Document the patient's statement as a subjective complaint
in the chart.
C) Withhold the medication and notify the registered nurse (RN)
or prescribing provider immediately.
D) Reassure the patient that this is a common side effect of
antibiotics.
Correct Answer: C) Withhold the medication and notify the
registered nurse (RN) or prescribing provider immediately.
Rationale: The patient's statement suggests a potential life-
threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The LPN/VN's
immediate priority is patient safety, which requires withholding
the suspected allergen and promptly notifying the supervising
RN or provider for further orders. Administering the drug (A)
could cause harm. Documentation (B) is important but not the
immediate action. Reassuring the patient (D) is inappropriate
and dismisses a critical cue.
Teaching Point: A patient report of a prior allergic reaction is a
critical cue to stop the medication process.
, 3. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
After administering a first dose of an opioid analgesic, the
LPN/VN makes a plan to reassess the patient's pain level and
respiratory rate in 30 minutes. Which step of the Clinical
Judgment Model does this plan represent?
A) Analyzing cues
B) Prioritizing hypotheses
C) Generating solutions
D) Evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: C) Generating solutions
Rationale: Generating solutions involves planning appropriate
interventions to address the patient's needs. Planning specific
monitoring parameters (pain and respirations) for a high-risk
medication is a key nursing intervention. Analyzing cues (A)
involves linking the data to the patient's problems, prioritizing
hypotheses (B) involves establishing priorities of care, and
evaluating outcomes (D) occurs after the intervention is
implemented.
Teaching Point: Planning to monitor for both therapeutic and
adverse effects is a crucial nursing intervention.
4. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
An LPN/VN is collecting a medication history from a newly
admitted patient. What is the primary purpose of this nursing
action within the nursing process?
Practice
1. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
A patient is prescribed a new antihypertensive medication. The
LPN/VN reviews the patient's chart and notes a history of
asthma. The LPN/VN recognizes that some antihypertensives
can cause bronchospasm. Which step of the Clinical Judgment
Model is the LPN/VN demonstrating?
A) Taking action
B) Recognizing cues
C) Generating solutions
D) Evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: B) Recognizing cues
Rationale: Recognizing cues involves identifying relevant and
important information from different sources (e.g., the patient's
history, current medications). Noting the history of asthma in
relation to a new drug's potential side effect is a key assessment
cue. The other options are incorrect because taking action (A)
involves implementing a plan, generating solutions (C) involves
planning nursing interventions, and evaluating outcomes (D)
involves assessing the patient's response after an intervention.
Teaching Point: Recognizing relevant patient data is the first
step in safe medication administration.
,2. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
An LPN/VN is preparing to administer an oral antibiotic to a
patient. The patient states, "The last time I took a pill like that,
my throat got really tight and I couldn't breathe." What is the
LPN/VN's immediate and priority action based on clinical
judgment?
A) Administer the medication with a full glass of water to ease
swallowing.
B) Document the patient's statement as a subjective complaint
in the chart.
C) Withhold the medication and notify the registered nurse (RN)
or prescribing provider immediately.
D) Reassure the patient that this is a common side effect of
antibiotics.
Correct Answer: C) Withhold the medication and notify the
registered nurse (RN) or prescribing provider immediately.
Rationale: The patient's statement suggests a potential life-
threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). The LPN/VN's
immediate priority is patient safety, which requires withholding
the suspected allergen and promptly notifying the supervising
RN or provider for further orders. Administering the drug (A)
could cause harm. Documentation (B) is important but not the
immediate action. Reassuring the patient (D) is inappropriate
and dismisses a critical cue.
Teaching Point: A patient report of a prior allergic reaction is a
critical cue to stop the medication process.
, 3. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
After administering a first dose of an opioid analgesic, the
LPN/VN makes a plan to reassess the patient's pain level and
respiratory rate in 30 minutes. Which step of the Clinical
Judgment Model does this plan represent?
A) Analyzing cues
B) Prioritizing hypotheses
C) Generating solutions
D) Evaluating outcomes
Correct Answer: C) Generating solutions
Rationale: Generating solutions involves planning appropriate
interventions to address the patient's needs. Planning specific
monitoring parameters (pain and respirations) for a high-risk
medication is a key nursing intervention. Analyzing cues (A)
involves linking the data to the patient's problems, prioritizing
hypotheses (B) involves establishing priorities of care, and
evaluating outcomes (D) occurs after the intervention is
implemented.
Teaching Point: Planning to monitor for both therapeutic and
adverse effects is a crucial nursing intervention.
4. Chapter 1: The LPN/VN’s Role and the Nursing Process -
Using the Clinical Judgment Model
An LPN/VN is collecting a medication history from a newly
admitted patient. What is the primary purpose of this nursing
action within the nursing process?
