Pharmacology and the nursing process
8th edition
Pharmacology and the nursing process
8th edition
Chapter 01: The Nursing Process and Drug
... [Show More] Therapy
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The nurse is writing a nursing diagnosis for a plan of care for a patient who has been newly diagnosed with
type 2 diabetes. Which statement reflects the correct format for a nursing diagnosis?
a. Anxiety
b. Anxiety related to new drug therapy
c. Anxiety related to anxious feelings about drug therapy, as evidenced by statements such as “I’m upset about having to test
my blood sugars.”
d. Anxiety related to new drug therapy, as evidenced by statements such as “I’m upset about having to test my blood sugars.”
ANS: D
Formulation of nursing diagnoses is usually a three-step process. “Anxiety” is missing the “related to” and “as
evidenced by” portions of defining characteristics. “Anxiety related to new drug therapy” is missing the “as
evidenced by” portion of defining characteristics. The statement beginning “Anxiety related to anxious
feelings” is incorrect because the “related to” section is simply a restatement of the problem “anxiety,” not a
separate factor related to the response.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 9
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Nursing Diagnosis
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
2. The patient is to receive oral guaifenesin (Mucinex) twice a day. Today, the nurse was busy and gave the
medication 2 hours after the scheduled dose was due. What type of problem does this represent?
a. “Right time” problem
b. “Right dose” problem
c. “Right route” problem
d. “Right medication” problem
ANS: A
“Right time” is correct because the medication was given more than 30 minutes after the scheduled dose was
due. “Dose” is incorrect because the dose is not related to the time the medication administration is scheduled.
“Route” is incorrect because the route is not affected. “Medication” is incorrect because the medication
ordered will not change.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 13
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
3. The nurse has been monitoring the patient’s progress on a new drug regimen since the first dose and
documenting the patient’s therapeutic response to the medication. Which phase of the nursing process do these
actions illustrate?
a. Nursing diagnosis
b. Planning
c. Implementation
d. Evaluation
ANS: D
Monitoring the patient’s progress, including the patient’s response to the medication, is part of the evaluation
phase. Planning, implementation, and nursing diagnosis are not illustrated by this example.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 15
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
4. The nurse is assigned to a patient who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Which statement
best illustrates an outcome criterion for this patient?
a. The patient will follow instructions.
b. The patient will not experience complications.
c. The patient will adhere to the new insulin treatment regimen.
d. The patient will demonstrate correct blood glucose testing technique.
ANS: D
“Demonstrating correct blood glucose testing technique” is a specific and measurable outcome criterion.
“Following instructions” and “not experiencing complications” are not specific criteria. “Adhering to new
regimen” would be difficult to measure.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 11
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
5. Which activity best reflects the implementation phase of the nursing process for the patient who is newly
diagnosed with hypertension?
a. Providing education on keeping a journal of blood pressure readings
b. Setting goals and outcome criteria with the patient’s input
c. Recording a drug history regarding over-the-counter medications used at home
d. Formulating nursing diagnoses regarding deficient knowledge related to the new treatment regimen
ANS: A
Education is an intervention that occurs during the implementation phase. Setting goals and outcomes reflects
the planning phase. Recording a drug history reflects the assessment phase. Formulating nursing diagnoses
reflects analysis of data as part of planning.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 11
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
6. The medication order reads, “Give ondansetron (Zofran) 4 mg, 30 minutes before beginning chemotherapy
to prevent nausea.” The nurse notes that the route is missing from the order. What is the nurse’s best action?
a. Give the medication intravenously because the patient might vomit.
b. Give the medication orally because the tablets are available in 4-mg doses.
c. Contact the prescriber to clarify the route of the medication ordered.
d. Hold the medication until the prescriber returns to make rounds.
ANS: C
A complete medication order includes the route of administration. If a medication order does not include the
route, the nurse must ask the prescriber to clarify it. The intravenous and oral routes are not interchangeable.
Holding the medication until the prescriber returns would mean that the patient would not receive a needed
medication.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 14
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
7. When the nurse considers the timing of a drug dose, which factor is appropriate to consider when deciding
when to give a drug?
a. The patient’s ability to swallow
b. The patient’s height
c. The patient’s last meal
d. The patient’s allergies
ANS: C
The nurse must consider specific pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic drug properties that may be affected by
the timing of the last meal. The patient’s ability to swallow, height, and allergies are not factors to consider
regarding the timing of the drug’s administration.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 13
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
8. The nurse is performing an assessment of a newly admitted patient. Which is an example of subjective data?
a. Blood pressure 158/96 mm Hg
b. Weight 255 pounds
c. The patient reports that he uses the herbal product ginkgo.
d. The patient’s laboratory work includes a complete blood count and urinalysis.
ANS: C
Subjective data include information shared through the spoken word by any reliable source, such as the patient.
Objective data may be defined as any information gathered through the senses or that which is seen, heard, felt,
or smelled. A patient’s blood pressure, weight, and laboratory tests are all examples of objective data.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 7
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Management of Care
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. When giving medications, the nurse will follow the rights of medication administration, which include what
rights? (Select all that apply.)
a. Right drug
b. Right route
c. Right dose
d. Right diagnosis
e. Right time
f. Right patient
g. Right documentation
ANS: A, B, C, E, F, G
The Six Rights of medication administration must always include the right drug, right dose, right time, right
route, right patient, and right documentation. The right diagnosis is incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Remembering (Knowledge) REF: p. 11
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment: Safety and Infection Control
OTHER
1. Place the phases of the nursing process in the correct order, with 1 as the first phase and 5 as the last phase.
1. Planning
2. Evaluation
3. Assessment
4. Implementation
5. Nursing Diagnoses
ANS:
3, 5, 1, 4, 2
Chapter 02: Pharmacologic Principles
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The patient is receiving two different drugs. At current dosages and dosage forms, both drugs are absorbed
into the circulation in identical amounts. Thus, because they have the same absorption rates, they are
a. bioequivalent.
b. synergistic.
c. prodrugs.
d. in a steady state.
ANS: A
Two drugs absorbed into the circulation in the same amount (in specific dosage forms) have the same
bioavailability; thus, they are bioequivalent. A drug’s steady state is the physiologic state in which the amount
of drug removed via elimination is equal to the amount of drug absorbed from each dose. The term synergistic
refers to two drugs, given together, with a resulting effect that is greater than the sum of the effects of each
drug given alone. A prodrug is an inactive drug dosage form that is converted to an active metabolite by
various biochemical reactions once it is inside the body.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 22
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
2. When given an intravenous medication, the patient says to the nurse, “I usually take pills. Why does this
medication have to be given in the arm?” What is the nurse’s best answer?
a. “The medication will cause fewer adverse effects when given intravenously.”
b. “The intravenous medication will have delayed absorption into the body’s tissues.”
c. “The action of the medication will begin sooner when given intravenously.”
d. “There is a lower chance of allergic reactions when drugs are given intravenously.”
ANS: C
An intravenous (IV) injection provides the fastest route of absorption. The IV route does not affect the number
of adverse effects, nor does it cause delayed tissue absorption (it results in faster absorption). The IV route
does not affect the number of allergic reactions.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 23
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
3. The nurse is administering parenteral drugs. Which statement is true regarding parenteral drugs?
a. Parenteral drugs bypass the first-pass effect.
b. Absorption of parenteral drugs is affected by reduced blood flow to the stomach.
c. Absorption of parenteral drugs is faster when the stomach is empty.
d. Parenteral drugs exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
ANS: A
Drugs given by the parenteral route bypass the first-pass effect. Reduced blood flow to the stomach and the
presence of food in the stomach apply to enteral drugs (taken orally), not to parenteral drugs. Parenteral drugs
must be absorbed into cells and tissues from the circulation before they can exert their effects; they do not
exert their effects while circulating in the bloodstream.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 23
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: General
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
4. When monitoring the patient receiving an intravenous infusion to reduce blood pressure, the nurse notes that
the patient’s blood pressure is extremely low, and the patient is lethargic and difficult to awaken. This would
be classified as which type of adverse drug reaction?
a. An adverse effect
b. An allergic reaction
c. An idiosyncratic reaction
d. A pharmacologic reaction
ANS: D
A pharmacologic reaction is an extension of a drug’s normal effects in the body. In this case, the
antihypertensive drug lowered the patient’s blood pressure levels too much. The other options do not describe
a pharmacologic reaction. An adverse effect is a predictable, well-known adverse drug reaction that results in
minor or no changes in patient management. An allergic reaction (also known as a hypersensitivity reaction)
involves the patient’s immune system. An idiosyncratic reaction is unexpected and is defined as a genetically
determined abnormal response to normal dosages of a drug.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 34
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: General
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
5. When reviewing pharmacology terms for a group of newly graduated nurses, the nurse explains that a drug’s
half-life is the time it takes for
a. the drug to cause half of its therapeutic response.
b. one half of the original amount of a drug to reach the target cells.
c. one half of the original amount of a drug to be removed from the body.
d. one half of the original amount of a drug to be absorbed into the circulation.
ANS: C
A drug’s half-life is the time it takes for one half of the original amount of a drug to be removed from the
body. It is a measure of the rate at which drugs are removed from the body. The other options are incorrect
definitions of half-life.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 29
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: General
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
6. When administering drugs, the nurse remembers that the duration of action of a drug is defined as the time
a. it takes for a drug to elicit a therapeutic response.
b. needed to remove a drug from circulation.
c. it takes for a drug to achieve its maximum therapeutic response.
d. period when a drug’s concentration is sufficient to cause a therapeutic response.
ANS: D
Duration of action is the time during which drug concentration is sufficient to elicit a therapeutic response. The
other options do not define duration of action. A drug’s onset of action is the time it takes for the drug to elicit
a therapeutic response. A drug’s peak effect is the time it takes for the drug to reach its maximum therapeutic
response. Elimination is the length of time it takes to remove a drug from circulation.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 29
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: General
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
7. When reviewing the mechanism of action of a specific drug, the nurse reads that the drug works by selective
enzyme interaction. This process occurs when the drug
a. alters cell membrane permeability.
b. enhances its effectiveness within the cell walls of the target tissue.
c. is attracted to a receptor on the cell wall, preventing an enzyme from binding to that receptor.
d. binds to an enzyme molecule and inhibits or enhances the enzyme’s action with the normal target cell.
ANS: D
With selective enzyme interaction, the drug attracts the enzymes to bind with the drug instead of allowing the
enzymes to bind with their normal target cells. As a result, the target cells are protected from the action of the
enzymes. This results in a drug effect. The actions described in the other options do not occur with selective
enzyme interactions.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 30
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: General
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
8. When administering a new medication to a patient, the nurse reads that it is highly protein bound. Assuming
that the patient’s albumin levels are normal, the nurse would expect which result, as compared to a medication
that is not highly protein bound?
a. Renal excretion will be faster.
b. The drug will be metabolized quickly.
c. The duration of action of the medication will be shorter.
d. The duration of action of the medication will be longer.
ANS: D
Drugs that are bound to plasma proteins are characterized by longer duration of action. Protein binding does
not make renal excretion faster, does not speed up drug metabolism, and does not cause the duration of action
to be shorter.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application) REF: p. 26
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
9. The patient is experiencing chest pain and needs to take a sublingual form of nitroglycerin. Where does the
nurse instruct the patient to place the tablet?
a. Under the tongue
b. On top of the tongue
c. At the back of the throat
d. In the space between the cheek and the gum
ANS: A
Drugs administered via the sublingual route are placed under the tongue. Drugs administered via the buccal
route are placed in the space between the cheek and the gum; oral drugs are swallowed. The other options are
incorrect.
DIF: COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension) REF: p. 23
TOP: NURSING PROCESS: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
10. The nurse is administering medications to the patient who is in liver failure resulting from end-stage
cirrhosis. The nurse is aware that patients with liver failure would most likely have problems with which
pharmacokinetic phase?
a. Absorption
b. Distribution
c. Metabolism
d. Excretion [Show Less]