Test Bank Pharmacology A Patient-Centered Nursing Process Approach, 11th Edition by Linda E. McCuistion
Contents
Chapter 01: The Nursing Process and
... [Show More] Patient-Centered Care ................................ ................ 2 Chapter 02: Drug Development and Ethical Considerations ................................ ................. 7 Chapter 03: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics ................................ ................... 13 Chapter 04: Pharmacogenetics ................................ ................................ ........ 24 Chapter 05: Complementary and Alternative Therapies ................................ ................... 27 Chapter 06: Pediatric Considerations ................................ ................................ .. 31 Chapter 07: Geriatric Considerations ................................ ................................ ... 36 Chapter 08: Drugs in Substance Use Disorder ................................ ........................... 41 Chapter 09: Safety and Quality ................................ ................................ ........ 45 Chapter 10: Drug Administration ................................ ................................ ...... 50 Chapter 11: Drug Calculations ................................ ................................ ........ 55 Chapter 12: Fluid Volume and Electrolytes ................................ .............................. 59 Chapter 13: Vitamin and Mineral Replacement ................................ .......................... 66 Chapter 14: Nutritional Support ................................ ................................ ...... 72 Chapter 15: Adrenergic Agonists and Antagonists ................................ ........................ 78 Chapter 16: Cholinergic Agonists and Antagonists ................................ ........................ 83 Chapter 17: Stimulants ................................ ................................ .............. 88 Chapter 18: Depressants ................................ ................................ ............. 92 Chapter 19: Antiseizure Drugs ................................ ................................ ........ 97 Chapter 20: Drugs for Parkinsonism and Alzheimer Disease ................................ .............. 103 Chapter 21: Drugs for Neuromuscular Disorders and Muscle Spasms ................................ ...... 108 Chapter 22: Antipsychotics and Anxiolytics ................................ ............................ 113 Chapter 23: Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers ................................ ...................... 119 Chapter 24: Antiinflammatories ................................ ................................ ...... 124 Chapter 25: Analgesics ................................ ................................ ............. 130 Chapter 26: Penicillins, Other Beta-Lactams, and Cephalosporins ................................ .......... 135 Chapter 27: Macrolides, Oxazolidinones, Lincosamides, Glycopeptides, Ketolides, and Lipopeptides ............. 139 Chapter 28: Tetracyclines, Glycylcyclines, Aminoglycosides, and Fluoroquinolones........................... 142 Chapter 29: Sulfonamides and Nitroimidazoles Antibiotics ................................ ............... 145 Chapter 30: Antituberculars, Antifungals, and Antivirals ................................ ................. 149 Chapter 31: Antimalarials, Anthelmintics, and Peptides ................................ .................. 156 Chapter 32: HIV- and AIDS-Related Drugs ................................ ............................. 158 Chapter 33: Transplant Drugs ................................ ................................ ....... 162 Chapter 34: Vaccines ................................ ................................ ............... 164 Chapter 35: Anticancer Drugs ................................ ................................ ....... 167 Chapter 36: Targeted Therapies to Treat Cancer ................................ ........................ 171 Chapter 37: Biologic Response Modifiers ................................ .............................. 175 Chapter 38: Upper Respiratory Disorders ................................ .............................. 179 Chapter 39: Lower Respiratory Disorders ................................ ............................. 184 1 | P a g eChapter 40: Cardiac Glycosides, Antianginals, and Antidysrhythmics ................................ ....... 190
Chapter 41: Diuretics ................................ ................................ ............... 198
Chapter 42: Antihypertensives ................................ ................................ ....... 202
Chapter 43: Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, and Thrombolytics ................................ ............. 209
Chapter 44: Antihyperlipidemics and Drugs to Improve Peripheral Blood Flow ............................. 217
Chapter 45: Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders ................................ ........................... 222
Chapter 46: Antiulcer Drugs ................................ ................................ ......... 229
Chapter 47: Eye and Ear Disorders ................................ ................................ ... 236
Chapter 48: Dermatologic Disorders ................................ ................................ .. 240
Chapter 49: Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, and Adrenal Disorders ................................ ........ 245
Chapter 50: Antidiabetics ................................ ................................ ........... 253
Chapter 51: Urinary Disorders ................................ ................................ ....... 260
Chapter 52: Pregnancy and Preterm Labor ................................ ............................ 265
Chapter 53: Labor, Delivery, and Postpartum ................................ .......................... 273
Chapter 54: Neonatal and Newborn ................................ ................................ .. 278
Chapter 55: Women’s Reproductive Health ................................ ............................ 281
Chapter 56: Men’s Health and Reproductive Disorders ................................ .................. 287
Chapter 57: Sexually Transmitted Infections ................................ ........................... 292
Chapter 58: Adult and Pediatric Emergency Drugs ................................ ...................... 295
Chapter 01: The Nursing Process and Patient-Centered Care
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. All of the following would be considered subjective data, EXCEPT:
a. Patient-reported health history
b. Patient-reported signs and symptoms of their illness
c. Financial barriers reported by the patient’s caregiver
d. Vital signs obtained from the medical record
ANS: D
Subjective data is based on what patients or family members communicate to the nurse. Patient-
reported health history, signs and symptoms, and caregiver reported financial barriers would
be considered subjective data. Vital signs obtained from the medical record would be considered
objective data.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
2. The nurse is using data collected to define a set of interventions to achieve the most desirable
outcomes. Which of the following steps is the nurse applying?
a. Recognizing cues (assessment)
b. Analyze cues & prioritize hypothesis (analysis)
c. Generate solutions (planning)
d. Take action (nursing interventions)
ANS: C
When generating solutions (planning), the nurse identifies expected outcomes and uses the
patient’s problem(s) to define a set of interventions to achieve the most desirable outcomes.
Recognizing cues (assessment) involves the gathering of cues (information) from the patient
2 | P a g eabout their health and lifestyle practices, which are important facts that aid the nurse in making
clinical care decisions. Prioritizing hypothesis is used to organize and rank the patient problem(s)
identified. Finally, taking action involves implementation of nursing interventions to accomplish
the expected outcomes.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
3. A 5-year-old child with type 1 diabetes mellitus has had repeated hospitalizations for episodes of
hyperglycemia. The parents tell the nurse that they can’t keep track of everything that has to be
done to care for their child. The nurse reviews medications, diet, and symptom management with
the parents and draws up a daily checklist for the family to use. These activities are completed in
which step of the nursing process?
a. Recognizing cues (assessment)
b. Analyze cues & prioritize hypothesis (analysis)
c. Generate solutions (planning)
d. Take action (nursing interventions)
ANS: D
Taking action through nursing interventions is where the nurse provides patient health teaching,
drug administration, patient care, and other interventions necessary to assist the patient in
accomplishing expected outcomes.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
4. The nurse is preparing to administer a medication and reviews the patient’s chart for
drug allergies, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The nurse’s actions
are reflective of which of the following?
a. Recognizing cues (assessment)
b. Analyze cues & prioritize hypothesis (analysis)
c. Take action (nursing interventions)
d. Generate solutions (planning)
ANS: A
Recognizing cues (assessment) involves gathering subjective and objective information about the
patient and the medication. Laboratory values from the patient’s chart would be considered
collection of objective data.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
5. Which of the following would be correctly categorized as objective data?
a. A list of herbal supplements regularly used provided by the patient.
b. Lab values associated with the drugs the patient is taking.
c. The ages and relationship of all household members to the patient.
d. Usual dietary patterns and food intake.
ANS: B
Objective data are measured and detected by another person and would include lab values. The
other examples are subjective data.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
3 | P a g e6. The nurse reviews a patient’s database and learns that the patient lives alone, is forgetful, and
does not have an established routine. The patient will be sent home with three new
medications to be taken at different times of the day. The nurse develops a daily medication
chart and enlists a family member to put the patient’s pills in a pill organizer. This is an
example of which element of the nursing process?
a. Recognizing cues (assessment)
b. Analyze cues & prioritize hypothesis (analysis)
c. Take action (nursing interventions)
d. Generate solutions (planning)
ANS: C
Taking action (nursing interventions) involves education and patient care in order to assist the
patient to accomplish the goals of treatment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention MSC: NCLEX: Management of
Client Care
7. A patient who is hospitalized for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) wants to go
home. The nurse and the patient discuss the patient’s situation and decide that the patient may
go home when able to perform self-care without dyspnea and hypoxia. This is an example of
which phase of the nursing process?
a. Recognizing cues (assessment)
b. Analyze cues & prioritize hypothesis (analysis)
c. Take action (nursing interventions)
d. Generate solutions (planning)
ANS: D
Generating solutions (planning) involves defining a set of interventions to achieve the most
desirable outcomes, which, for this patient, means being able to perform self-care activities
without dyspnea and hypoxia.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP:
Nursing
Process:
8. A patient will be sent home with a metered-dose inhaler, and the nurse is providing teaching.
Which is a correctly written expected outcome for this process?
a. The nurse will demonstrate the correct use of a metered-dose inhaler to the patient.
b. The nurse will teach the patient how to administer medication with a metered-
dose inhaler.
c. The patient will know how to self-administer the medication using the metered-
dose inhaler.
d. The patient will independently administer the medication using the metered-dose
inhaler at the end of the session.
ANS: D
Expected outcomes must be patient-centered and clearly state the outcome with a
reasonable deadline and should identify components for evaluation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP:
Nursing
Process:
9. The nurse is generating solutions (planning) for a patient who has chronic lung disease and
hypoxia. The patient has been admitted for increased oxygen needs above a baseline of 2 L/min.
The nurse generates an expected outcomes stating, “The patient will have oxygen saturations of
>95% on room air at the time of discharge from the hospital.” What is wrong with this goal?
a. It cannot be evaluated.
b. It is not measurable.
4 | P a g ec. It is not patient-centered.
d. It is not realistic.
ANS: D
The expected outcome is not realistic because the patient is not usually on room air and should
not be expected to attain that expected outcome by discharge from this hospitalization.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
10. The nurse is developing a teaching plan for an elderly patient who will begin taking an
antihypertensive drug that causes dizziness and orthostatic hypotension. Which hypothesis
(problem) documented by the nurse is appropriate for this patient?
a. Deficient knowledge related to drug side effects.
b. Ineffective health maintenance related to age.
c. Readiness for enhanced knowledge related to medication side effects.
d. Risk for injury related to side effects of the medication.
ANS: D
This patient has an increased risk for injury because of drug side effects, so this is an appropriate
hypothesis (problem) to direct the type of care and follow-up the patient will receive.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX: Management of
Client Care
11. An older patient must learn to administer a medication using a device that requires manual
dexterity. The patient becomes frustrated and expresses lack of self-confidence in performing
this task. Which action will the nurse perform next?
a. Ask the patient to keep trying until the skill is learned.
b. Provide written instructions with illustrations showing each step of the skill.
c. Schedule multiple sessions and practice each step separately.
d. Teach the procedure to family members who can administer the medication for the
patient.
ANS: C
Nurses should be sensitive to patient’s level of frustration when teaching skills. In this case,
breaking the steps down into individual parts will help with this patient’s frustration level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
12. A school-age child will begin taking a medication to be administered at 5 mL three times daily.
The child’s parent tells the nurse that, with a previous use of the drug, the child repeatedly forgot
to bring the medication home from school, resulting in missed evening doses. What will the
nurse recommend?
a. Encourage the child to be more responsible and that it is important to take
the medication as prescribed.
b. Putting a note on the child’s locker to encourage the child to take responsibility for
medication administration.
c. Asking the provider if 7.5 mL may be taken in the morning and 7.5 mL may be
taken in the evening so that the correct amount is given daily.
d. Taking the noon dose to school every day and giving it to the school nurse to
administer.
ANS: C
For busy families with school-age children, it may be necessary to adjust the medication
schedule to one that fits their schedule. The nurse should ask the provider if a revised schedule is
5 | P a g epossible. In this case, the most effective revised schedule would involve not taking the
medication while at school. Putting a note on the locker is not likely to be effective. It is not
correct to adjust the dose.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention | Nursing Process:
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
13. A high-school student regularly forgets to use a twice-daily inhaled corticosteroid to prevent
asthma flares and is repeatedly admitted to the hospital. The child’s parent tells the nurse that
the child has been told that forgetting to take the medication causes frequent hospitalizations.
The nurse will
a. encourage the child to take responsibility for taking the medication.
b. reinforce the need to take prescribed medications to avoid hospitalizations.
c. suggest putting the inhaler with the child’s toothbrush to use before brushing teeth.
d. suggest that the child’s parents administer the medication to increase compliance.
ANS: C
It is important to empower patients to take responsibility for managing medications. Putting the
medication with the toothbrush can help this child remember to use it. Telling the child to take
medications and reminding the child that failure to do so results in hospitalization is not working.
Asking the child’s parents to administer the medication does not empower the adolescent to take
responsibility.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning | Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
14. An adolescent patient who has acne is given a regimen of topical medications and an oral
antibiotic that generally clears up lesions to fewer than 10 within 6 to 8 weeks. At a 2-month
follow-up, the patient continues to have more than 25 lesions. The child’s parent affirms that the
child is using the medications as prescribed. Which statement below is correct for this patient to
evaluate the outcome?
a. “Goal of fewer than 10 lesions in 6 to 8 weeks is not met.”
b. “Goal that the medication will be effective is not met.”
c. “Goal that the patient will take medications as prescribed is not met.”
d. “Goal that the patient understands the medication regimen is not met.”
ANS: A
All indications are that this patient is taking the medications and they are not effective. The first
statement is correct because it identifies a measurable desired outcome and a specific time frame.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process:
Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
15. Which of the following would not be considered an important element of health teaching in drug
therapy?
a. Assess the patients’ health literacy skills.
b. Assess all of the drugs on the patients’ profile for possible drug interactions.
c. Avoid discussing potential side effects and adverse reactions with the patient to
avoid nonadherence.
d. Determine if the patient needs laboratory monitoring.
ANS: C
Potential side effects and adverse reactions should always be discussed with the patient so they
know what to report to their health care team should they occur. All other factors considerations
listed are important elements of health teaching.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
6 | P a g eTOP: Nursing Process: Assessment | Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
Chapter 02: Drug Development and Ethical Considerations
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is obtaining consent from a subject newly recruited for a clinical drug trial that will
last for 6 months. All subjects will be given gift certificates for participating. One subject says,
“Well, I guess if the drug doesn’t work, I’ll just have to put up with the symptoms for 6 months.”
What will the nurse tell the subject?
a. “Participation for the duration of the study is required.”
b. “Participation may end at any time without penalty.”
c. “Withdrawal from the study may end at any time, but the gift certificate will not be
given.”
d. “You can request placement in the treatment group.”
ANS: B
All participants have the right to autonomy, which is the right to self-determination. Patients
have the right to refuse to participate or to withdraw from a study at any time without penalty.
Patients generally are not allowed to choose participation in either the treatment or the control
group.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
2. The nurse is assisting with a clinical drug trial in which the side effects of two effective drugs are
being compared. A patient who would benefit from either drug has elected to withdraw from the
study, and the nurse assists with the paperwork to facilitate this. This is an example of
a. autonomy.
b. beneficence.
c. justice.
d. veracity.
ANS: A
All participants have the right to autonomy, which is the right to self-determination. Patients
have the right to refuse to participate or to withdraw from a study at any time without
penalty even if the health care provider disagrees with that choice.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
3. During a clinical drug trial for a new medication, researchers note a previously unknown serious
adverse effect occurring in more than 50% of subjects. The study is discontinued. Which ethical
principle is being exercised?
a. Beneficence
b. Justice
c. Respect for persons
d. Veracity
ANS: A
Beneficence is the duty to protect subjects from harm. Once a serious adverse effect is noted and it
is determined that the benefits do not outweigh the risks of the study, researchers have an
ethical obligation to stop the study.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
7 | P a g e
TOP: Nursing Process:4. In a 5-year clinical trial investigating a new cancer treatment, researchers note overwhelming
improvement in almost all of the subjects in the treatment group during the second year of
the trial. It is decided to stop the trial early and report the findings due to the overwhelmingly
beneficial effects. This decision was made based on which ethical principle?
a. Beneficence
b. Justice
c. Respect for persons
d. Veracity
ANS: B
The principle of justice requires that all people be treated fairly. Because the findings were
overwhelmingly positive, an ethical decision was made to stop the study early and report
findings so that additional people could gain benefit from the treatment.
5. The nurse is enrolling subjects for a double-blind experimental study. One patient asks the nurse
to explain the role of the experimental group. The nurse will explain that subjects in the
experimental group in this type of study
a. are selected for participation in that group.
b. have unique baseline characteristics.
c. receive a placebo.
d. receive the experimental treatment being evaluated.
ANS: D
In a double-blind experimental study, subjects in the experimental group receive the treatment or
drug under study. They are randomly assigned and not selected. They should have similar
baseline characteristics to those in the control group. They do not receive a placebo.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention: Patient
Teaching MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
6. The nurse is obtaining signatures on consent forms for participation in a clinical drug trial. One
patient says, “I’m not sure I want to do this, but I need the cash.” The nurse will take which
action?
a. Ask the patient to clarify concerns.
b. Reinforce that cash is given to all subjects equally.
c. Report this statement to the lead investigator.
d. Review the elements of the study and obtain consent.
ANS: C
If a nurse suspects that a patient is being coerced to participate in the study, the nurse should
report this to the principal investigator. When a patient verbalizes participation based on a
financial reward, there is a potential element of coercion.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention MSC: NCLEX: Management of
Client Care
7. Which of the following best describes preclinical in vivo testing?
a. A comparison of experimental and control data in animals.
b. A study conducted in a test tube in a laboratory.
c. A study that determines the effects of the experimental product in human
participants.
d. A study to assess the seriousness of the disease to be treated.
ANS: A
Preclinical in vivo testing is performed in animals or other non-human living organisms. In vitro
studies occur in test tubes. Safe therapeutic dose studies are part of clinical research. Prior to
8 | P a g eclinical trials, an assessment is made of the disease and its seriousness.
8. Drugs approved to the market in the 1980s may not be proven effective in a large portion of the
population. The nurse understands that this is because these drugs
a. did not pass through the appropriate phases of clinical trials.
b. did not require human subject protections and are invalid.
c. were not always tested in women, minorities, or children.
d. were tested on healthy subjects only.
ANS: C
Drug research was historically performed primarily in Caucasian males, causing uncertainty as to
the validity of the research results in the broader population. The NIH Revitalization Act passed
by Congress in 1993 helped establish guidelines to include women and minorities in clinical
research.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
9. The nurse is assisting with data collection in a study of drug effects in a small group of healthy
subjects. The nurse assists with blood and urine collection to determine serum drug levels and
the presence of metabolites in urine. Which phase of drug development does this best represent?
a. Phase I
b. Phase II
c. Phase III
d. Phase IV
ANS: A
Phase I drug trials are performed to assess safety and to identify the pharmacokinetics, such as
metabolism and elimination, of drugs in healthy subjects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
10. The nurse is enrolling subjects for a clinical drug trial in which subjects will be randomly
assigned to either a treatment or a placebo group. The pills in both groups will be in identical
packaging with identical appearance. The group that receives the intervention is the
a. control group.
b. experimental group.
c. dependent group.
d. independent group.
ANS: B
The experimental group in a drug trial is the group that receives the drug being tested. The
control group may receive no drug, a different drug, a placebo, or the same drug with a different
dose, route, or frequency of administration. Dependent and independent are not terms to describe
groups in a study; they denote the variables.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
11. Respect for persons is a core ethical principle of human subjects research. Which of the
following best describes this principle?
a. Duty to protect research subjects from harm.
b. Fair selection of research subjects.
c. Right to self-determination.
d. Patients are independent and capable of making decisions in their own best
interests.
ANS: D
Respect for persons is based on the notion that patients should be treated as independent
persons capable of making decisions in their own best interests.
9 | P a g eDIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
12. A clinical drug trial focused on determining the pharmacokinetics and safety of a drug in healthy
individuals is concluding. The nurse will assist with enrollment of participants into the next
phase of the study which will likely include which of the following subjects?
a. Healthy subjects
b. Healthy and subjects with the disease the drug is being studied to treat
c. Subjects with the disease the drug is being studied to treat
d. Subjects with other diseases
ANS: C
After Phase I studies demonstrating drug safety and pharmacokinetics have been completed, the
drug is tested on subjects who have the disease the drug is being investigated to treat.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
13. Before marketing a new drug that has been approved for use based on clinical effectiveness and
safety, the manufacturer wishes to study the potential new uses for the drug. This is an example
of which phase of study?
a. Phase I
b. Phase II
c. Phase III
d. Phase IV
ANS: D
Phase IV studies are performed, in part, to examine potential new indications for approved drugs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
14. Which statement about the safety and efficacy of medications in children is accurate?
a. Children cannot give consent, so clinical drug trials are not performed on children.
b. Children can only be subjects in quasi-experimental clinical studies.
c. Data from adult clinical drug trials should be extrapolated to children.
d. Federal law requires that drugs indicated for use in children be tested on children.
ANS: D
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Modernization Act of 1997 requires that drugs
intended for use in children be tested on children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
TOP: Nursing Process:
15. The nurse is preparing to administer a schedule II injectable drug and is drawing up half of the
contents of a single-use vial. Which nursing action is correct?
a. Ask another nurse to observe and cosign wasting the remaining drug from the vial.
b. Keep the remaining amount in the patient’s drawer to give at the next dose.
c. Record the amount unused in the patient’s medication record.
d. Dispose of the vial with the remaining drug into a locked collection box.
ANS: A
Schedule II drugs are controlled substances, and all must be accounted for. When wasting a
portion of a drug, another nurse should observe and cosign that a drug was wasted.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
10 | P a g e(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
16. A patient is prescribed a medication and asks the nurse if the drug is available in a generic form.
The nurse understands that a generic drug name is
a. a registered trademark.
b. always capitalized.
c. related to the drug’s chemical structure.
d. nonproprietary.
ANS: D
The generic name is the official, nonproprietary name for a drug. The brand name is the
trademark name and is always capitalized. The chemical name describes the chemical structure
of the drug.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
17. A patient receives a prescription on which the provider has noted that a generic medication may
be given. The patient asks the nurse what this means. What will the nurse tell the patient about
generic drugs?
a. They contain the same inert ingredients as brand-name drugs.
b. They have chemical structures that are different from proprietary drugs.
c. They tend to be less expensive than brand-name drugs.
d. They undergo extensive testing before they are marketed.
ANS: C
Generic drugs are approved by the FDA if they are proved to be bioequivalent to the brand-name
drug. They tend to be less expensive because manufacturers of these drugs do not have to do the
extensive testing required of brand-name drugs before marketing. They are not identical to
brand-name drugs and often have different inert ingredients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention: Patient
Teaching MSC: NCLEX: Management of Client Care
18. The nurse reviews information about a drug and notes the initials “United States Pharmacopeia
(USP)” after the drug’s official name. The nurse understands that this designation indicates the
drug
a. is a controlled substance.
b. is approved by the FDA.
c. is available in generic form.
d. meets USP quality and safety standards.
ANS: D
The “USP” designation is given to drugs that have met high standards for therapeutic use, patient
safety, quality, purity, strength, packaging safety, and dosage form by the United States
Pharmacopoeia National Formulary. The FDA classifies controlled substances with Roman
numerals from I to V. The USP designation does not indicate FDA approval. The USP designation
does not indicate generic availability.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
19. The nurse is preparing to give a medication to a child. The medication is approved for use in
children. The child’s parent asks whether the drug is safe for children. How will the nurse
respond to the parent?
a. “Drugs approved for use in children are tested on adults and safe doses for children
11 | P a g eare based on weights compared to adult weights.”
b. “Drugs approved for use in children are deemed safe for children over time when
repeated use proves effectiveness and safety.”
c. “Drugs approved for use in children are tested for both efficacy and safety in
children in order to be marketed for pediatric use.”
d. “Drugs approved for use in children are tested on children in post-marketing
studies and on a limited basis.”
ANS: C
The Pediatric Research Equity Act requires drug manufacturers to test drugs on children.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
20. Which law(s) govern drug administration by nurses?
a. Drug Regulation and Reform Act.
b. FDA Amendments Act.
c. Nurse Practice Acts.
d. The Controlled Substances Act.
ANS: C
Each state’s Nurse Practice Act identifies how nurses administer medications. The other acts
govern how drugs are marketed and tested.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
21. A patient is taking methadone as part of a heroin withdrawal program. The nurse
understands that, in this instance, methadone is classified as which drug schedule?
a. C-I
b. C-II
c. C-III
d. C-V
ANS: B
Methadone is a category II drug, with a high potential for drug abuse.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
22. The nurse is preparing to administer a combination drug containing acetaminophen and codeine.
The nurse knows that this drug is classified as which drug schedule?
a. C-II
b. C-III
c. C-IV
d. C-V
ANS: B
Codeine is normally a category II drug, except when it is part of a combination product such as
with acetaminophen, making it a category III drug.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. Which of the following are responsibilities of the FDA? (Select all that apply.)
12 | P a g ea. To ensure a drug has accurate labeling
b. To ensure a drug is affordable
c. To ensure a drug is effective
d. To ensure a drug is free from adverse reactions
e. To ensure a drug is tested for harmful effects
ANS: A, C, E
The FDA ensures that drugs are labeled correctly, that they are tested and proven effective for
the conditions they are marketed to treat, and that they are tested for harmful effects. The FDA
does not ensure affordability or freedom from adverse reactions, although these must be noted in
drug information materials.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process:
N/A MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
Chapter 03: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug will go through a disintegration process after it is administered?
a. Intramuscular (IM) cephalosporins
b. Intravenous (IV) vasopressors
c. Oral analgesics
d. Subcutaneous insulin
ANS: C
When drugs are administered parenterally, there is no disintegration process, which occurs when
a drug administered orally is broken down into smaller particles, eventually dissolving and
becoming available for the body to absorb.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. The nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication and wants to ensure a rapid drug
action. Which form of the medication will the nurse prefer to administer?
a. Capsule
b. Enteric-coated pill
c. Liquid suspension
d. Tablet
ANS: C
Liquid drugs are already in solution, which is the form necessary for absorption in the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The other forms must disintegrate into small particles and then
dissolve before being absorbed.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. The nurse is teaching a patient who will be discharged home with a prescription for an enteric-
coated tablet. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a. “I may crush the tablet and put it in applesauce to improve absorption.”
b. “I should consume acidic foods to enhance absorption of this medication.”
c. “I should expect a delay in onset of the drug’s effects after taking the tablet.”
d. “I should take this medication with high-fat foods to improve its action.”
ANS: C
13 | P a g eEnteric-coated tablets resist disintegration in the acidic environment of the stomach and
disintegrate when they reach the small intestine. There is usually some delay in onset of actions
after taking these medications. Enteric-coated tablets should not be crushed or chewed, which
would alter the time and location of absorption. Acidic foods will not enhance the absorption of
the medication. The patient should not eat high-fat food before ingesting an enteric-coated tablet
because high-fat foods decrease the absorption rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying
(Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. A patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus asks why insulin must be given
by subcutaneous injection instead of by mouth. The nurse will explain that this is because
a. absorption is diminished by the first-pass effects in the liver.
b. absorption is faster when insulin is given subcutaneously.
c. digestive enzymes in the GI tract break down the drug and prevent absorption.
d. the oral form is less predictable with more adverse effects.
ANS: C
Insulin, growth hormones, and other protein-based drugs are destroyed in the GI tract by
digestive enzymes and must be given parenterally. Because insulin is destroyed by digestive
enzymes, it must be given parenterally and would not make it to the liver for metabolism with a
first-pass effect.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding (Comprehension)
TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention: Patient
Teaching
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. The nurse is preparing to administer an oral medication that is water soluble. The
nurse understands that this drug
a. must be taken on an empty stomach.
b. requires active transport for absorption.
c. should be taken with fatty foods.
d. will readily diffuse into the GI tract.
ANS: B
Water-soluble drugs require a carrier enzyme or protein to pass through the GI membrane for
absorption.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. The nurse is preparing an injectable drug and wants to administer it via the route that will
allow for the most rapid absorption possible. How will the nurse give this medication (if
possible)?
a. IM into the deltoid muscle
b. IM into the gluteal muscle
c. SQ into abdominal tissue
d. SQ into the upper arm
ANS: A
Drugs given IM are absorbed faster in muscles that have the highest blood flow, such as the
deltoid, rather than those with fewer blood vessels, such as the gluteals. Subcutaneous absorption
is slower when compared to IM drug administration.
14 | P a g eDIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process:
Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7. The nurse is reviewing medication information with a nursing student prior to administering an
oral drug and notes that the drug has extensive first-pass effects. Which statement by the
student indicates an understanding of the first-pass effect?
a. “The first-pass effect means the drug has 100% bioavailability.”
b. “The first-pass effect means the drug is absorbed from the GI tract into the portal
vein where it is transported to the liver and metabolized.”
c. “The first-pass effect means the drug was given by injection and immediately
metabolized.”
d. “The first-pass effect means the drug may be unchanged as it passes through the
liver.”
ANS: B
Drugs that undergo first-pass metabolism are absorbed into the portal vein from the intestinal
lumen and go through the liver, where they are metabolized to an inactive or a more active form.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing
Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
8. The nurse prepares to change a patient’s medication from an IV to an oral form and notes that
the oral form is ordered in a higher dose. The nurse understands that this is due to differences in
a. bioavailability.
b. pinocytosis.
c. protein binding.
d. tachyphylaxis.
ANS: A
Oral drugs may have less bioavailability because a lower percentage of the drug reaches the
systemic circulation. Pinocytosis refers to the process by which cells carry a solute across a
membrane. Protein binding can occur with both routes. Tachyphylaxis describes a rapid decrease
in response to drugs that occurs when tolerance develops quickly.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understanding
(Comprehension) TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
9. The nurse is preparing to administer a drug and learns that it is 90% protein bound. The
patient’s serum albumin level is low. The nurse will observe the patient for
a. decreased drug absorption.
b. decreased drug interactions.
c. decreased drug toxicity.
d. increased drug effects.
ANS: D
Drugs that are highly protein-bound bind with albumin and other proteins, leaving less free drug
in circulation. If a patient has a low albumin, less drug is bound, and there is more free drug to
cause drug effects. There would be a potential for increased interactions with other drugs and
increased toxicity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process:
Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
10. The nurse is administering two drugs to a patient and learns that both drugs are highly
protein- bound. The nurse may expect
a. decreased bioavailability of both drugs.
b. decreased drug effects.
c. decreased drug interactions.
15 | P a g ed. increased risk of adverse effects.
ANS: D
Two drugs that are highly protein-bound may compete for protein-binding sites, leaving more
free drug in the circulation and an increased risk of adverse effects as well as increased drug
effects, and an increased risk for drug interactions.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process:
Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
11. A patient has been taking a drug that is 75% protein bound. The provider adds a new medication
that is 90% protein bound. The nurse will expect a potential
a. decreased drug effects of the first drug.
b. decreased therapeutic range of the first drug.
c. increased drug effects of the first drug.
d. increased therapeutic range of the first drug.
ANS: C
Adding another highly protein bound drug will potentially displace the first drug from protein
binding sites and release more free drug, increasing the drug’s effects. This does not alter the
therapeutic range, which is the therapeutic serum level required for drug effectiveness before
toxicity develops.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention | Nursing Process: Evaluation
12. The nurse gives a highly metabolized medication to a patient with a history of liver disease. The
nurse will monitor this patient for
a. decreased drug effects.
b. increased drug effects.
c. decreased therapeutic range.
d. increased therapeutic range.
ANS: B
Liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatitis alter drug metabolism due to the liver having a
lower capacity to metabolize medications. When the drug metabolism rate is decreased, excess
drug accumulation can occur and lead to toxicity.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment | Nursing Process: Nursing Intervention
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral
Therapies
13. The nurse gives 800 mg of a drug that has a half-life of 8 hours. How much drug will be left in
the body in 24 hours if no additional drug is given?
a. None
b. 50 mg
c. 100 mg
d. 200 mg
ANS: C
Eight hours after the drug is given, there will be 400 mg left. Eight hours after that (16 hours),
there will be 200 mg left. At 24 hours, there will be 100 mg left.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application)
TOP: Nursing Process:
Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
14. If a drug has a half-life of 12 hours and is given twice daily starting at 0800 on a Monday, when
will a steady state be achieved?
a. 0800 on Tuesday
16 | P a g eb. 0800 on Wednesday c. 0800 on Thursday d. 0800 on Friday
ANS: B Steady-state levels occur after approximately 4 half-lives if the dose administered remains the same. Wednesday at 0800 is 4 half-lives from the original dose (12 hours × 4 = 48 hours).
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
15. The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is ordered to be given twice daily. The nurse reviews the medication information and learns that the drug has a half-life of 24 hours. What will the nurse do next? a. Administer the medication as ordered. b. Contact the provider to discuss daily dosing. c. Discuss every-other-day dosing with the provider. d. Hold the medication.
ANS: B A drug with a longer half-life should be given at longer intervals to avoid drug accumulation.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
16. The nurse is caring for a patient who has ingested a large dose of aspirin several hours prior. It is determined that the patient has overdosed on aspirin. The provider orders sodium bicarbonate to be given. The nurse understands that this drug is given for which purpose? a. To counter the toxic effects of the aspirin b. To decrease the half-life of the aspirin c. To increase the excretion of the aspirin d. To neutralize the acid of the aspirin
ANS: C Aspirin is a weak acid and is more readily excreted in alkaline urine. Sodium bicarbonate alkalizes the urine. It does not act as an antidote to aspirin, decrease the half-life, or neutralize its pH.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying (Application) TOP: Nursing Process: Planning MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
17. The nurse is preparing to administer a drug that is eliminated through the kidneys. The nurse reviews the patient’s chart and notes that the patient has increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and a low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The nurse will perform which action? [Show Less]