Pharmacology for Nurses and Nclex RN Exams Practice Questions

01. A client has been taking an anti-hypertensive for approximately 2 months. A home care nurse monitoring  the effects of therapy determines that drug tolerance has developed if which of the
following are noted in the client?
a) decrease in weight
b) output greater than intake
c) decrease in blood pressure
d) gradual rise in blood pressure

02. A nurse is preparing to administering diazepam (Valium) by the
intravenous (IV) route to a client who is having a seizure. The nurse plans to:
a) administer the prescribed dose over at least 60 minutes
b) dilute the prescribed dose in 50 ml of 5% dextrose in water
c) administer the prescribed by IV push directly into the vein
d) mix the prescribed dose into the existing IV of 5% dextrose in normal saline

03. A client with schizophrenia tells the nurse, "I stopped taking my chlorpromazine (Thorazine) because of the way it made me feel." Which side effect is the nurse likely to note during further
assessment of the client's complaint?
a) drowsiness
b) nervousness
c) hard tremors
d) increased urination

04. A nurse is caring for a client diagnosed with a skin infection who is receiving tobramycin sulfate (Nebcin) intravenously every 8 hours. Which of the following would indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing an adverse reaction related to the medication?
a) a total bilirubin of 0.5 mg/dL
b) a sedimentation rate of 15 mm/hr
c) a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 30 mg/dL
d) a white blood cell count (WBC) of 6000 cells/mm3

05. A nurse is caring for a client who had an allogenic liver transplant and is receiving tacrolimus (Prograf) daily. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing an
adverse reaction to the medication?
a) photophobia
b) hypotension
c) profuse sweating
d) decrease in urine output

06. A client with myasthenia gravis is admitted to the hospital, and the nursing history reveals that the client is taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon). The nurse assesses the client for side effects of the medication and asks the client about the presence of:
a) mouth ulcers
b) muscle cramps
c) feelings of depression
d) unexplained weight gain

07. A nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a diagnosis of chronic angina pectoris who is receiving sotalol (Betapace) 80 mg orally daily. Which assessment finding indicates that the client is experiencing a side effect of the medication?
a) dry mouth
b) palpitations
c) diaphoresis
d) difficulty swallowing

08. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving cyclosporine (Gengraf). Which of the following indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction to the medication?
a) acne
b) sweating
c) joint pain
d) hyperkalemia

09. A client with myasthenia gravis is admitted to the hospital, and the nursing history reveals that the client is taking pyridostigmine (Mestinon). The nurse assesses the client for side effects of the medication and asks the client about the presence of:
a) mouth ulcers
b) muscle cramps
c) feelings of depression
d) unexplained weight gain

10. A nurse is caring for a client who had an allogenic liver transplant and is receiving tacrolimus (Prograf) daily. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the client is experiencing an adverse reaction to the medication?
a) photophobia
b) hypotension
c) profuse sweating
d) decrease in urine output

11. A nurse is preparing to administer beractant (survanta) to a premature infant who has respiratory distress syndrome. The nurse plans to administer the medication by which of the following
routes?
a) intradermal
b) intratracheal
c) subcutaneous
d) intramuscular

12. A client is brought to the emergency room stating that he has accidentally been taking two times his prescribed dose of warfarin (Coumadin) for the past week. After noting that the client has no
evidence of obvious bleeding, the nurse plans to do which of the following next?
a) prepares to administer the antidote
b) draws a sample for type crossmatch and transfuse the client
c) draws a sample for an activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT)
d) draws a sample for prothrombin (PT) and international normalized ration (INR) level

13. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving oxytocin (Pitocin) to induce labor. The nurse discontinuous the oxytocin infusion if which of the following is noted on assessment of the client?
a) fatigue
b) drowsiness
c) uterine hyperstimulation
d) early decelerations of the fetal heart rate.

14. Which of the following indicates effectiveness of levodopa in a
client with Parkinson's disease?
a) relief of tremors and rigidity
b) improved emotional state
c) improve of memory
d) return of sensation

15. Which of the following drugs more likely will be prescribed for a client with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome?
a) tapazole
b) propylthiouracil
c) omeprazole
d) hydrochlorothiazide

16. The nurse is caring for a 10-year old client newly diagnosed with tonic-clonic seizure disorder. What instructions do you give the mother about phenytoin?
a) monitor the child for skin rash
b) maintain adequate amounts of fluids
c) the child will be frequently having blood works done
d) maintain good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing
e) report to the physician any problems with walking, coordination, slurred speech, and nausea

17. The client is prescribed with Lisinopril (Zestril) for  treatment of hypertension. She asks you about the possible side effects of the medication. Which of the following are possible side
effects of the drug? Select all that apply
a) dizziness
b) headache
c) constipation
d) hyperglycemia
e) hypotension
f) impotence

18. Which of the following assessment indicates the need for Dilantin (phenytoin) administration after dialysis?
a) headache, nausea, vomiting
b) hypertension, headache, restlessness
c) nausea, vomiting, restlessness
d) dizziness, headache, restlessness

19. The client has history of allergy to sulfonamides and penicillin. Which of the following drugs may safely be given to the client?
a) ampicillin
b) cloxacillin
c) ciprofloxacin
d) co-trimoxazole

20. What assessment parameter will the nurse check prior to giving potassium supplement per slow IV infusion drip?
a) blood pressure
b) complete blood count
c) liver enzymes
d) urine output

21. When a patient is taking an antianxiety drug, such as Alprazolam (Xanax), the nurse should instruct the patient to:
a) avoid alcoholic beverages
b) increase potassium intake
c) discontinue use of drugs like tylenol
d) check for signs of edema

22. When the nurse begins to give the patient a prescribed medication, the patient says, "You are poisoning me with the pills you are giving me." Which of these responses by the nurse is most
appropriate?
a) tell me why you think I am doing that to you
b) this isn't the first dose I've given you
c) I'll get a fresh package of pills so you can see me open the sealed package
d) are the other nurses giving you these pills?

23. The client is on heparin therapy. Which of the following health teaching is essential?
a) use a safety razor to shave
b) use a soft sponge toothbrush
c) take ecotrin for pain
d) use compression support stockings

 Answer and Rational