1|Page
, Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition
Chapter 01: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The LPN is collecting data for the initial assessment of a patient upon admission to a
Long-term care facility before giving the patient’s prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN
consider to be the highest priority?
a. Obtain any special equipment that will be needed to give the patient’s drug.
b. Monitor the patient for a response to the drug given.
c. Collect data about the patient and the patient’s health condition.
d. Review the nursing care plan to verify that it is accurate.
ANS: C
Collecting and documenting data about the patient and the patient’s health condition is a critical
step before any drugs are given. Information regarding the present illness, any signs and
symptoms, review of medical records, drug history, and vital signs are needed before drugs are
given. Deciding on special equipment that will be needed to give the patient’s drug is part of the
planning phase of the nursing process. Monitoring the patient for his response to given drug is
part of the evaluation stage of the nursing process. Reviewing the nursing care plan to verify that
it is being followed accurately is part of the implementation stage of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 2
2. The LPN is working with a patient in the planning stage of the nursing process related to
the patient’s prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN take during this stage?
a. Develop a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give drug.
b. Develop a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug’s actions.
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition 3
c. Determine that the patient is experiencing the expected response to his drug.
d. Determine how much the patient understands about his drug.
ANS: D
Determining how much the patient understands about his drug is part of the diagnosis phase of
2|Page
, the nursing process. Developing a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give drug and
developing a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug’s actions are part of the planning
phase of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 2
3. You are teaching a patient with depression about the potential adverse effects of a
prescribed drug. What part of the nursing process related to drug therapy are you engaging in at
this point of the teaching plan?
a. Assessment
b. Implementation
c. Evaluation
d. Diagnosis
ANS: C
In the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the LPN understands and teaches to the patient
the drug’s therapeutic effects, expected side effects, and potential adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
4. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
a. The patient states she has pain in her left arm.
b. The medical chart has a recorded blood pressure of 128/88.
c. The serum potassium level is 3.8 mmol/L.
d. The patient’s ECG shows normal sinus rhythm.
3|Page
, Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition 4
ANS: A
Reports from the patient or patient’s caregiver are considered subjective data. Symptoms such as
pain, nausea, or dizziness are examples of symptoms that cannot be “seen” and are data collected
from the patient, caregiver, or others. Laboratory values, ECG results, or vital sign data from a
medical chart are examples of objective data.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
5. Which statement provides an example of objective data?
a. The wife states the patient was confused last night.
b. Grimacing with movement is present during the examination.
c. The patient reports moderate alcohol consumption.
d. The patient states pain is severe.
ANS: B
Measurable data obtained during a physical exam such as grimacing with movement is an
example of objective data. Subjective data includes information presented by the patient or
Family that cannot be substantiated such as a wife’s report of a patient’s confusion, patient report
of degree of alcohol consumption, and a patient’s pain rating.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
6. The LPN/VN is assessing a patient before giving a drug for blood pressure management.
The nurse notes the blood pressure to be 90/50 mm Hg. What is the nurse’s best action?
a. Hold the drug and report the blood pressure to the RN.
b. Give the patient a full glass of water before giving the drug.
c. Come back in 30 minutes and recheck the blood pressure.
4|Page
, Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition
Chapter 01: Pharmacology and the Nursing Process in LPN Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The LPN is collecting data for the initial assessment of a patient upon admission to a
Long-term care facility before giving the patient’s prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN
consider to be the highest priority?
a. Obtain any special equipment that will be needed to give the patient’s drug.
b. Monitor the patient for a response to the drug given.
c. Collect data about the patient and the patient’s health condition.
d. Review the nursing care plan to verify that it is accurate.
ANS: C
Collecting and documenting data about the patient and the patient’s health condition is a critical
step before any drugs are given. Information regarding the present illness, any signs and
symptoms, review of medical records, drug history, and vital signs are needed before drugs are
given. Deciding on special equipment that will be needed to give the patient’s drug is part of the
planning phase of the nursing process. Monitoring the patient for his response to given drug is
part of the evaluation stage of the nursing process. Reviewing the nursing care plan to verify that
it is being followed accurately is part of the implementation stage of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 2
2. The LPN is working with a patient in the planning stage of the nursing process related to
the patient’s prescribed drugs. Which action should the LPN take during this stage?
a. Develop a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give drug.
b. Develop a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug’s actions.
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition 3
c. Determine that the patient is experiencing the expected response to his drug.
d. Determine how much the patient understands about his drug.
ANS: D
Determining how much the patient understands about his drug is part of the diagnosis phase of
2|Page
, the nursing process. Developing a nursing goal to plan the procedures needed to give drug and
developing a teaching plan for the patient regarding the drug’s actions are part of the planning
phase of the nursing process.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 2
3. You are teaching a patient with depression about the potential adverse effects of a
prescribed drug. What part of the nursing process related to drug therapy are you engaging in at
this point of the teaching plan?
a. Assessment
b. Implementation
c. Evaluation
d. Diagnosis
ANS: C
In the evaluation phase of the nursing process, the LPN understands and teaches to the patient
the drug’s therapeutic effects, expected side effects, and potential adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
4. Which of the following is an example of subjective data?
a. The patient states she has pain in her left arm.
b. The medical chart has a recorded blood pressure of 128/88.
c. The serum potassium level is 3.8 mmol/L.
d. The patient’s ECG shows normal sinus rhythm.
3|Page
, Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 11th Edition 4
ANS: A
Reports from the patient or patient’s caregiver are considered subjective data. Symptoms such as
pain, nausea, or dizziness are examples of symptoms that cannot be “seen” and are data collected
from the patient, caregiver, or others. Laboratory values, ECG results, or vital sign data from a
medical chart are examples of objective data.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 2
5. Which statement provides an example of objective data?
a. The wife states the patient was confused last night.
b. Grimacing with movement is present during the examination.
c. The patient reports moderate alcohol consumption.
d. The patient states pain is severe.
ANS: B
Measurable data obtained during a physical exam such as grimacing with movement is an
example of objective data. Subjective data includes information presented by the patient or
Family that cannot be substantiated such as a wife’s report of a patient’s confusion, patient report
of degree of alcohol consumption, and a patient’s pain rating.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 3
6. The LPN/VN is assessing a patient before giving a drug for blood pressure management.
The nurse notes the blood pressure to be 90/50 mm Hg. What is the nurse’s best action?
a. Hold the drug and report the blood pressure to the RN.
b. Give the patient a full glass of water before giving the drug.
c. Come back in 30 minutes and recheck the blood pressure.
4|Page
