PHARMACOLOGY MSN 571
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Answers.
Updated 2025/2026
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The
patient reports feeling jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does
not feel that the medication is always effective. Which action will the provider
take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication effectiveness? -
Ans✔✔-Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital
signs.
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone
(Oxycontin) refill. Which action should the prescriber take initially? - Ans✔✔-
Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient
history finding would be most concerning to the provider? - Ans✔✔-The
patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for
hospital discharge. Which action by the provider will best support the patient's
ability to effectively manage medication therapy? - Ans✔✔-Asking the patient
to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
,A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine
headaches is not working. Which action is the prescriber's priority when
addressing the patient's concern? - Ans✔✔-Ask the patient about the number
and frequency of tablets taken.
The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for
hepatotoxicity. Which action is most important when prescribing this
medication to an 80-year-old patient? - Ans✔✔-Obtaining baseline liver
function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most
important for the provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level
is maintained? - Ans✔✔-Order periodic laboratory testing.
Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both
advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)? -
Ans✔✔-More patients will have access to health care.
A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports
new onset of a pruritic, dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck.
Which action is most important for the provider to take to minimize this
patient's risk for injury? - Ans✔✔-Discontinue the ampicillin.
Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's
commitment to adherence to any type of medication therapy? - Ans✔✔-
Providing medication education that the patient can easily understand
, Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's
nonadherence with their medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the
therapy? - Ans✔✔-"I've been taking this medication for well over a week and I
lost only a half a pound."
How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve
positive outcomes for patients? - Ans✔✔-Pharmacists have additional
information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can suggest adequate
medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility
formulary.
Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of
effective medication education? - Ans✔✔-"This medication needs to be stored
in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1 with breakfast, 1 with lunch, and one
with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed until all the
tablets are gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any
itching, headache, or difficulty breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder
asks why blood tests are required on a regular basis. Which provider responses
demonstrate an understanding of why the patient requires a variety of
laboratory tests? - Ans✔✔-"We need to monitor how your thyroid is
functioning." "We need to monitor kidney function while you are on this drug.
This medication can cause you to lose sodium, so we need to measure sodium
levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of
developing muscle toxicity? - Ans✔✔-Substitute grapefruit juice with orange
juice
Exam Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Answers.
Updated 2025/2026
A metered-dose albuterol inhaler is prescribed for asthma management. The
patient reports feeling jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and does
not feel that the medication is always effective. Which action will the provider
take to best minimize patient risks and maximize medication effectiveness? -
Ans✔✔-Auscultate the patient's lung sounds and obtain other relevant vital
signs.
A patient diagnosed with chronic pain calls to request an oxycodone
(Oxycontin) refill. Which action should the prescriber take initially? - Ans✔✔-
Arrange to schedule an appointment with the patient.
A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient
history finding would be most concerning to the provider? - Ans✔✔-The
patient drinks two glasses of wine every night.
The provider prepares a patient with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes for
hospital discharge. Which action by the provider will best support the patient's
ability to effectively manage medication therapy? - Ans✔✔-Asking the patient
to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin
,A patient reports that a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine
headaches is not working. Which action is the prescriber's priority when
addressing the patient's concern? - Ans✔✔-Ask the patient about the number
and frequency of tablets taken.
The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for
hepatotoxicity. Which action is most important when prescribing this
medication to an 80-year-old patient? - Ans✔✔-Obtaining baseline liver
function studies
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most
important for the provider to take in order to determine if the therapeutic level
is maintained? - Ans✔✔-Order periodic laboratory testing.
Which factor best supports an increase for full prescriptive authority for both
advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs)? -
Ans✔✔-More patients will have access to health care.
A pediatric patient prescribed ampicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports
new onset of a pruritic, dull red, maculopapular rash on the chest and neck.
Which action is most important for the provider to take to minimize this
patient's risk for injury? - Ans✔✔-Discontinue the ampicillin.
Which prescriber action will have the greatest impact on the patient's
commitment to adherence to any type of medication therapy? - Ans✔✔-
Providing medication education that the patient can easily understand
, Which patient statement suggests to the provider that the patient's
nonadherence with their medication plan is related to dissatisfaction with the
therapy? - Ans✔✔-"I've been taking this medication for well over a week and I
lost only a half a pound."
How can the prescriber's regular collaboration with a pharmacist improve
positive outcomes for patients? - Ans✔✔-Pharmacists have additional
information on drug interactions. The pharmacist can suggest adequate
medication dosing. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility
formulary.
Which statements made by the prescriber demonstrate an understanding of
effective medication education? - Ans✔✔-"This medication needs to be stored
in the refrigerator. "Take 3 tablets daily: 1 with breakfast, 1 with lunch, and one
with dinner." "You need to take the medication as we discussed until all the
tablets are gone." "Call the office immediately if you begin experiencing any
itching, headache, or difficulty breathing."
The patient who has been prescribed lithium for a diagnosis of bipolar disorder
asks why blood tests are required on a regular basis. Which provider responses
demonstrate an understanding of why the patient requires a variety of
laboratory tests? - Ans✔✔-"We need to monitor how your thyroid is
functioning." "We need to monitor kidney function while you are on this drug.
This medication can cause you to lose sodium, so we need to measure sodium
levels."
When prescribing lovastatin, what will a provider advise to decrease the risk of
developing muscle toxicity? - Ans✔✔-Substitute grapefruit juice with orange
juice
