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LPN exams pharmacology practice questions, set 6

LPN exams · pharmacology

LPN exams pharmacology practice questions set 6

You choose the safer drug action, the vital sign to check, and the teaching that belongs at the bedside. Five of the 15 questions include the correct answer and rationale. The other ten keep answers in the study hub. Continue with the LPN exams exam guide or more LPN exams practice questions.

Five pharmacology questions with answers

Cover the key. Write the first action. Then open the rationale and name why the other choices fail.

Question 1

A 60-year-old female with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin. Atorvastatin works primarily by:

  1. A. Inhibiting the reabsorption of cholesterol in the intestines
  2. B. Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver
  3. C. Increasing HDL cholesterol levels
  4. D. Increasing the excretion of cholesterol in the bile
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver

The correct answer is B: Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. Atorvastatin is a statin drug that works by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is involved in the production of cholesterol in the liver. By inhibiting this enzyme, atorvastatin reduces the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver, leading to lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. A: Inhibiting the reabsorption of cholesterol in the intestines - This is incorrect because atorvastatin primarily works in the liver, not in the intestines. C: Increasing HDL cholesterol levels - Atorvastatin is more effective at lowering LDL cholesterol levels rather than increasing HDL cholesterol levels. D: Increasing the excretion of cholesterol in the bile - Atorvastatin does not directly increase the excretion of cholesterol in the bile, it primarily acts in the liver to reduce cholesterol production.

Question 2

A 55-year-old female with type 2 diabetes is prescribed canagliflozin. Canagliflozin works by:

  1. A. Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys
  2. B. Stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin
  3. C. Increasing the release of glucagon from the pancreas
  4. D. Improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys

The correct answer is A: Inhibiting the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys. Canagliflozin is a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor that works by blocking the reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys, leading to increased urinary glucose excretion and lowering blood glucose levels. This mechanism of action is unique to SGLT2 inhibitors and helps improve glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Choice B is incorrect because canagliflozin does not stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. Choice C is incorrect as canagliflozin does not increase the release of glucagon from the pancreas. Choice D is incorrect because canagliflozin does not directly improve insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. The key mechanism of action of canagliflozin lies in its specific inhibition of glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, making choice A the correct answer.

Question 3

The nurse educator on the unit receives a list of high- alert drugs. Which strategy is recommended to decrease the risk of errors? (Select all that apply.)

  1. A. Store drugs on a shelf for quick retrieval.
  2. B. Limit access to high-alert drugs.
  3. C. Use special labels for high-alert drugs.
  4. D. Provide increased training to staff.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Limit access to high-alert drugs.

The correct answer is B: Limit access to high-alert drugs. This strategy is recommended to decrease the risk of errors because it restricts the availability of high-risk medications to only authorized personnel, reducing the likelihood of medication errors. By limiting access, only trained and qualified staff members will handle these drugs, minimizing the potential for mistakes. Explanation for other choices: A: Storing drugs on a shelf for quick retrieval may increase the risk of errors as it allows easier access to high-alert drugs, potentially leading to misuse or incorrect administration. C: Using special labels for high-alert drugs can be helpful but may not be as effective as limiting access in preventing errors. D: Providing increased training to staff is beneficial, but alone may not be sufficient to reduce errors if access to high-alert drugs is not restricted.

Question 4

A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is prescribed ipratropium. Ipratropium works by:

  1. A. Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors
  2. B. Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the lungs
  3. C. Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways
  4. D. Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways

The correct answer is C: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways. Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking muscarinic receptors, leading to bronchodilation in patients with COPD. This mechanism of action reduces bronchoconstriction and improves airflow. A: Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors is incorrect because ipratropium does not act on beta-2 adrenergic receptors. B: Inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine in the lungs is incorrect as ipratropium does not affect the breakdown of acetylcholine. D: Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells is incorrect because ipratropium does not target histamine release. In summary, the correct answer is C because ipratropium's mechanism of action involves blocking muscarinic receptors to achieve bronchodilation in COPD patients

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who has been receiving a drug by the intramuscular route but will receive the drug orally after discharge. How does the nurse explain the increased dosage prescribed for the oral dose?

  1. A. Passive diffusion
  2. B. Active transport
  3. C. Glomerular filtration
  4. D. First-pass effect
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: D — First-pass effect

The first-pass effect involves drugs that are absorbed from the small intestine directly into the portal venous system, which delivers the drug molecules to the liver. After reaching the liver, enzymes break the drug into metabolites, which may become active or may be deactivated and readily excreted from the body. A large percentage of the oral dose is usually destroyed and never reaches tissues. Oral dosages account for the phenomenon to ensure an appropriate amount of the drug in the body to produce a therapeutic action. Passive diffusion is the major process through which drugs are absorbed into the body. Active transport is a process that uses energy to actively move a molecule across a cell membrane and is often involved in drug excretion in the kidney. Glomerular filtration is the passage of water and water-soluble components from the plasma into the renal tubule.

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Question 6

The client is taking interferon alfa-2a (Roferon-A) and ribavirin (Virazole) combination therapy for hepatitis C and reports overwhelming feelings of depression. Which action should the nurse implement first?

  1. A. Recommend mental health counseling.
  2. B. Review the medication actions and interactions.
  3. C. Assess the client's daily activity level.
  4. D. Provide information about a support group.
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Question 7

The nurse is reviewing the use of antitussive drugs. Antitussive drugs would be most appropriate for which patient?

  1. A. A patient who has pneumonia with a productive cough
  2. B. A patient who has a tracheostomy and thick mucus secretions
  3. C. A patient who has had a productive cough for 2 weeks
  4. D. A patient who has developed bronchitis 2 days after abdominal surgery
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Question 8

Which drug is the most effective for lowering low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol?

  1. A. Atorvastatin
  2. B. Gemfibrozil
  3. C. Ezetimibe
  4. D. Cholestyramine
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Question 9

The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma. Thirty minutes after administration, the nurse finds the patient agitated and stating that 'everyone is out to get me.' Which term is used for this unusual reaction?

  1. A. Desired action
  2. B. Adverse effect
  3. C. Idiosyncratic reaction
  4. D. Allergic reaction
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Question 10

The nurse is reviewing a patient’s list of drugs. The nurse understands that the older adult’s slower absorption of oral drugs is primarily because of which phenomenon?

  1. A. Decreased cardiac output
  2. B. Increased gastric emptying time
  3. C. Decreased gastric blood flow
  4. D. Increased gastric acid secretion
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Question 11

Which of the following agents is a respiratory analeptic?

  1. A. Piracetam
  2. B. Sydnocarb
  3. C. Bemegride
  4. D. Pantocrin
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Question 12

A 65-year-old female with chronic asthma is prescribed montelukast. Montelukast works by:

  1. A. Blocking leukotriene receptors in the lungs
  2. B. Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors
  3. C. Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells
  4. D. Increasing acetylcholine release in the lungs
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Question 13

All of the following are naturally occurring opium alkaloids EXCEPT:

  1. A. Morphine
  2. B. Codeine
  3. C. Meperidine
  4. D. Papaverine
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Question 14

All of the following are naturally occurring opium alkaloids EXCEPT:

  1. A. Morphine
  2. B. Codeine
  3. C. Meperidine
  4. D. Papaverine
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Question 15

Which patient population benefits the most from diuretic therapy?

  1. A. Those with orthostatic hypertension
  2. B. Diabetics
  3. C. Those with stable angina
  4. D. African American
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About these LPN exams pharmacology questions

LPN exams pharmacology practice questions, set 6 for nursing students in the United States. Fifteen items. Five include answers and rationales in American English.

No. Nursier is independent practice. Register through the official path named on the LPN exams exam guide.

The first five questions already include the rationale. Start full practice to unlock the remaining keys, missed-question review, and the rest of the bank.

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