Question 1
Type: MCSA
A student nurse asks what the difference between a therapeutic class and a pharmacologic class
is. What is the best response by
... [Show More] the nurse educator?
1. Therapeutic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body, whereas
pharmacologic classification is how a medication works clinically.
2. Therapeutic classification is how addictive a medication is, whereas pharmacologic
classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body.
3. There are no differences between therapeutic and pharmacologic classes.
4. Pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body,
whereas therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Therapeutic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body,
whereas pharmacologic classification is how a medication works clinically is incorrect because
pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body, while
therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Rationale 2: Therapeutic classification is how addictive a medication is, whereas
pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body is incorrect
because pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body, while
therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Rationale 3: There are no differences between therapeutic and pharmacologic classes is
incorrect because pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the
body and therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Rationale 4: Pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body,
whereas therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Global Rationale: Pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the
body, whereas therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically. Therapeutic
classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body, whereas pharmacologic
classification is how a medication works clinically is incorrect because pharmacologic
classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body, while therapeutic
classification is how a medication works clinically. Therapeutic classification is how addictive a
medication is, whereas pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in
the body is incorrect because pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an
effect in the body, while therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically. There
are no differences between therapeutic and pharmacologic classes is incorrect because
pharmacologic classification is how the medication produces an effect in the body and
therapeutic classification is how a medication works clinically.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Number: 15
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2-1 Discuss the prototype approach to drug classification and the basis for
which drugs are placed into therapeutic and pharmacologic classes.
Question 2
Type: MCSA
The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is labeled “used for minor skin irritations.”
Based on the label, how is this drug classified?
1. By its function
2. By its usefulness
3. By its pharmacologic use
4. By its therapeutic use
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Function is not a classification for medications.
Rationale 2: Usefulness is not a classification for medications.
Rationale 3: Pharmacological classification categorizes drugs by how they work
pharmacologically.
Rationale 4: When organized by therapeutic classification, a statement is made about what a
particular drug does clinically.
Global Rationale: When organized by therapeutic classification, a statement is made about what
a particular drug does clinically. Pharmacological classification categorizes drugs by how they
work pharmacologically. Function and usefulness are not classifications for medications.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Number: 15
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 2-1 Discuss the prototype approach to drug classification and the basis for
which drugs are placed into therapeutic and pharmacologic classes.
Question 3
Type: MCMA
Which drug names are examples of trade names? (Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be
given only if all correct choices and no incorrect choices are selected.
1. Calcium channel blocker
2. Benadryl
3. Loop diuretic
4. Acetaminophen
5. Motrin
Correct Answer: 2, 5
Rationale 1: Calcium channel blocker is a pharmacologic classification, not a trade name.
Rationale 2: Benadryl is the trade name for diphenhydramine.
Rationale 3: Loop diuretic is a pharmacologic classification, not a trade name.
Rationale 4: Acetaminophen is a generic name. A trade name for this medication is Tylenol.
Rationale 5: Motrin is a trade name for ibuprofen.
Global Rationale: Benadryl is the trade name for diphenhydramine. Motrin is a trade name for
ibuprofen. Calcium channel blocker is a pharmacologic classification, not a trade name. Loop
diuretic is a pharmacologic classification, not a trade name. Acetaminophen is a generic name. A
trade name for this medication is Tylenol.
Cognitive Level: Analyzing
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Number: 17
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Assessment
Learning Outcome: 2-2 Distinguish between a drug’s chemical name, generic name, and trade
name.
Question 4
Type: MCSA
A nurse is discussing generic and trade drugs with a client. The client wants to know why it takes
so long for trade drugs to become available in the generic form, which are generally less
expensive. What is the nurse’s best response?
1. It takes 17 years for all pharmaceutical companies to develop a generic version of the
drug.
2. It will take 17 years of clinical trials to approve the drug.
3. Sole ownership of a drug allows the pharmaceutical company to earn back the money
spent to develop the drug.
4. Animal testing must continue for 10 years, then 7 years of human clinical trials, for a
drug to be approved.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: The generic version of the drug is already developed but the copyright of the drug
is owned by the pharmaceutical company that developed it for 17 years.
Rationale 2: The length of time for a drug to be approved by the FDA varies.
Rationale 3: Sole ownership of a drug allows the pharmaceutical company to earn back the
money spent to develop the drug. For example, if it takes seven years for a drug to be approved,
competing companies will not be allowed to market a generic equivalent drug for another 10
years. The rationale for this is that the developing company must be allowed sufficient time to
recoup the millions of dollars spent in research and the time needed to develop the new drug.
After 17 years, competing companies may sell a generic equivalent drug, using a different name,
which the FDA must approve.
Rationale 4: A drug can be approved in a much shorter period of time, and animal testing does
not last 10 years.
Global Rationale: Sole ownership of a drug allows the pharmaceutical company to earn back
the money spent to develop the drug. For example, if it takes seven years for a drug to be
approved, competing companies will not be allowed to market a generic equivalent drug for
another 10 years. The rationale for this is that the developing company must be allowed
sufficient time to recoup the millions of dollars spent in research needed to develop the new
drug. After 17 years, competing companies may sell a generic equivalent drug, using a different
name, which the FDA must approve. The generic version of the drug is already developed but the
copyright of the drug is owned by the pharmaceutical company that developed it for 17 years.
The length of time for a drug to be approved by the FDA varies. A drug can be approved in a
much shorter period of time, and animal testing does not last 10 years.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Number: 17
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2-2 Distinguish between a drug’s chemical name, generic name, and trade
name.
Question 5
Type: MCSA
A client asks the nurse why the healthcare provider often refers to medications by the generic
name instead of by the brand name. What is the best response by the nurse?
1. The pharmacy will only accept a prescription written with the generic name.
2. The physician prefers to use a more technical-sounding name for medications.
3. There is only one generic name for each medication, but there are often many brand
names.
4. The client needs to ask the physician to explain why medications have so many different
names.
Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Either the generic or brand name is acceptable when writing prescriptions.
Rationale 2: There is only one generic name for each medication, and using this name can
prevent medication errors.
Rationale 3: There is only one generic name for each medication, but often many brand names.
Using the generic name can prevent medication errors due to similar-sounding brand names of
medications.
Rationale 4: There is only one generic name for each medication, and the nurse is able to
explain this to the client.
Global Rationale: There is only one generic name for each medication, but often many brand
names. Using the generic name can prevent medication errors due to similar-sounding brand
names of medications. Either the generic or brand name is acceptable when writing prescriptions.
There is only one generic name for each medication, and using this name can prevent medication
errors.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Numbers: 16–17
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2-3 Explain how trade name drugs are different from generic equivalent
drugs.
Question 6
Type: MCMA
Why are generic names preferred over chemical or trade names when prescribing a medication?
(Select all that apply.) Note: Credit will be given only if all correct choices and no incorrect
choices are selected.
1. Chemical names are often complicated and difficult to remember.
2. The generic name can consistently be matched to the active ingredients.
3. There might be multiple trade names for a drug.
4. The generic name is always a shortened version of the chemical name.
5. Chemical names often change.
Correct Answer: 1, 2, 3
Rationale 1: Generic names are preferred because chemical names are often complicated and
difficult to remember.
Rationale 2: Generic names are preferred because the generic name can consistently be matched
to the active ingredients.
Rationale 3: Generic names are preferred because there might be multiple trade names for a
drug.
Rationale 4: The generic name is not always a shortened version of the chemical name. For
example, the chemical name of diazepam is 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-
benzodiazepin-2-one.
Rationale 5: The chemical name of the drug will not change unless the composition of the drug
changes.
Global Rationale: Generic names are preferred because chemical names are often complicated
and difficult to remember. Generic names are also preferred because the generic name can
consistently be matched to the active ingredients. It is also correct that there might be multiple
trade names for a drug. The generic name is not always a shortened version of the chemical
name. For example, the chemical name of diazepam is 7-chloro-1, 3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl2H-1, 4-benzodiazepin-2-one. The chemical name of the drug will not change unless the
composition of the drug changes.
Cognitive Level: Applying
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Numbers: 16–17
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2-3 Explain how trade name drugs are different from generic equivalent
drugs.
Question 7
Type: MCSA
A nurse is talking to a client about their medications. The client tells the nurse that one of the
medications on the list is on a negative formulary list and asks what this means. What is the best
response by the nurse?
1. This means the medication can only be dispensed using the trade name medication.
2. This means the medication can only be dispensed using the generic medication.
3. This means the medication cannot be dispensed until the order is verified with the
physician a second time before dispensing the trade name medication.
4. This means the medication can be dispensed as either the generic or trade name
medication.
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: A negative formulary is a list of trade name drugs that pharmacists may not
dispense as generic drugs.
Rationale 2: A negative formulary is a list of trade name drugs that pharmacists may not
dispense as generic drugs.
Rationale 3: A negative formulary is a list of trade name drugs that pharmacists may not
dispense as generic drugs.
Rationale 4: A negative formulary is a list of trade name drugs that pharmacists may not
dispense as generic drugs.
Global Rationale: A negative formulary is a list of trade name drugs that pharmacists may not
dispense as generic drugs.
Cognitive Level: Understanding
Client Need: Physiological Integrity
Page Number: 19
Nursing/Integrated Concepts: Nursing Process: Implementation
Learning Outcome: 2-4 Discuss why drugs are sometimes placed on a restrictive list and
referred to as scheduled drugs or controlled substances. [Show Less]