Chapter 03: Drug Action Across the Life Span
Clayton/Willihnganz: Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 17th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. What time will the
... [Show More] trough blood level need to be drawn if the nurse administers the
intravenous medication dose at 9:00 AM?
a. 6:30 AM
b. 8:30 AM
c. 9:30 AM
d. 11:30 AM
ANS: B
Trough blood levels measure the lowest blood level of medicine and are obtained just before the
dose is administered. In this case, 6:30 AM is too early to obtain the blood level. The other two
times occur after the medication is administered.
CLAUSE
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 27 OBJ: 2
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety
2. What will the nurse expect the health care provider’s order to be when starting an older
adult patient on thyroid hormone replacement therapy?
a. Administering a loading dose of the drug
b. Directions on how to taper the drug
c. A dosage that is one third to one half of the regular dosage
d. A dosage that is double the regular dosage
ANS: C
To prevent toxicity, dosages for new medications in older adults should be one third to one half the
amount of a standard adult dosage. Loading doses of drugs could cause severe toxicity. Tapering
off is characteristic of discontinuation of medications and is not appropriate for this situation. Older
adults generally need a lower medication dosage than younger patients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 29 OBJ: 3
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety; Patient Education; Development
3. Which drugs cause birth defects?
a. Teratogens
b. Carcinogens
c. Metabolites
d. Placebos
ANS: A
Teratogens are drugs that cause birth defects. Carcinogens cause cancer. Metabolites are the end
product of metabolism. Placebos are drugs that have no pharmacologic activity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 30 OBJ: 6
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety; Patient Education; Development
4. Which life-threatening illness may occur as a result of aspirin (salicylate) administration
during viral illness to patients younger than 20 years of age?
a. Anaphylactic shock
b. Reye’s syndrome
c. Chickenpox
d. Influenza A
ANS: B
Children are susceptible to Reye’s syndrome if they ingest aspirin at the time of or shortly after a
viral infection of chickenpox or influenza. Anaphylactic shock is caused by a hypersensitivity
reaction. Chickenpox is the result of being infected with a virus. Influenza A is caused by a
pathogen.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 29 OBJ: 3
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety; Patient Education; Development
5. Which classification of medications commonly causes allergic reactions in children?
a. Antacids
b. Analgesics
c. Antibiotics
d. Anticonvulsants
ANS: C
Antibiotics, especially penicillins, commonly cause allergic reactions in children. Intravenous
antibiotics can cause rapid reactions; therefore, the pediatric patient’s response to a medication
should be assessed and monitored closely. Antacids rarely cause allergic reactions. Children are
not particularly allergic to analgesics or anticonvulsants.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 29 OBJ: 3
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity
NOT: CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety: Patient Education; Development
6. After giving instructions to an expectant mother about taking medications during
pregnancy, which patient statement indicates the need for further teaching?
a. “I will not take [Show Less]