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RN exams pharmacology practice questions

RN exams · pharmacology

RN exams pharmacology practice questions

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 RN exams exam guide or more RN 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

Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask a patient with depression who is experiencing nausea, palpitations, and “a terrible headache and chest pain” after physical examination reveals elevated blood pressure and temperature, dilated pupils, flushed head and face, and diaphoresis?

  1. A. “When did you last take your phenelzine (Nardil)?”
  2. B. “Did you take your amitriptyline (Elavil) on schedule?”
  3. C. “What natural foods have you had in the last 24 hours?”
  4. D. “Have you had any alcohol to drink within the last 24 hours?”
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — “When did you last take your phenelzine (Nardil)?”

This question requires analytical decision making to identify hypertensive crises and data for the evaluation process. Knowing when the last dose of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) was taken helps determine immediate treatment. Although the ingestion of alcohol is pertinent to determining what tyramine-containing foods the patient may have had, it is not as crucial as knowing when the last dose of MAOI was consumed. Although natural foods may produce similar bioactivity and other antidepressants should not be taken along with an MAOI, these answers do not reflect medication assessment and evaluation. The patient is experiencing the clinical manifestation of hypertensive crisis. The classic symptoms of this condition are severe occipital headache, dilated pupils, hypertension, and palpitations or arrhythmias. This syndrome can be caused when the patient who is taking an MAOI ingests food containing tyramine, an amino acid released from foods that undergo hydrolysis (e.g., fermentation, aging, pickling, smoking, spoilage). This inhibits the monoamine oxidase and allows tyramine to reach the adrenergic nerve endings and cause the release of excess norepinephrine, which causes hypertensive crisis. To confirm the physical syndrome, first determine whether the patient is taking an MAOI. Knowing when the last dose was ingested provides a window for the duration of hypertension and therapeutic nursing interventions.

Question 2

Which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask a patient with depression who is experiencing nausea, palpitations, and “a terrible headache and chest pain” after physical examination reveals elevated blood pressure and temperature, dilated pupils, flushed head and face, and diaphoresis?

  1. A. “When did you last take your phenelzine (Nardil)?”
  2. B. “Did you take your amitriptyline (Elavil) on schedule?”
  3. C. “What natural foods have you had in the last 24 hours?”
  4. D. “Have you had any alcohol to drink within the last 24 hours?”
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — “When did you last take your phenelzine (Nardil)?”

This question requires analytical decision making to identify hypertensive crises and data for the evaluation process. Knowing when the last dose of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) was taken helps determine immediate treatment. Although the ingestion of alcohol is pertinent to determining what tyramine-containing foods the patient may have had, it is not as crucial as knowing when the last dose of MAOI was consumed. Although natural foods may produce similar bioactivity and other antidepressants should not be taken along with an MAOI, these answers do not reflect medication assessment and evaluation. The patient is experiencing the clinical manifestation of hypertensive crisis. The classic symptoms of this condition are severe occipital headache, dilated pupils, hypertension, and palpitations or arrhythmias. This syndrome can be caused when the patient who is taking an MAOI ingests food containing tyramine, an amino acid released from foods that undergo hydrolysis (e.g., fermentation, aging, pickling, smoking, spoilage). This inhibits the monoamine oxidase and allows tyramine to reach the adrenergic nerve endings and cause the release of excess norepinephrine, which causes hypertensive crisis. To confirm the physical syndrome, first determine whether the patient is taking an MAOI. Knowing when the last dose was ingested provides a window for the duration of hypertension and therapeutic nursing interventions.

Question 3

Which assessment should the nurse prioritize for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?

  1. A. Assess the client's blood glucose levels
  2. B. Assess the client's mental status
  3. C. Assess the client's blood pressure
  4. D. Assess the client's potassium levels
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Assess the client's blood glucose levels

When a client receives total parenteral nutrition (TPN), monitoring blood glucose levels is critical due to the high glucose content in TPN solutions, which can lead to hyperglycemia. This condition arises because TPN delivers concentrated nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, and the body may struggle to regulate sugar levels effectively without proper insulin response. Potassium levels, while important in overall electrolyte balance, are less immediately impacted by TPN compared to glucose, as potassium imbalances typically develop over time rather than acutely from TPN initiation. Mental status assessments are valuable for neurological conditions but lack direct relevance to TPN's metabolic effects. Similarly, blood pressure monitoring is essential for cardiovascular health but isn't the primary concern with TPN, as it doesn't directly influence hypertension or hypotension in the same way glucose dysregulation does. The focus on glucose stems from its rapid impact on the client's metabolic state, making it the priority assessment to prevent complications like hyperglycemia, which can escalate to severe outcomes if unaddressed. Regular monitoring ensures timely intervention, aligning with TPN's nutritional goals.

Question 4

Which assessment should the nurse prioritize for a client receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN)?

  1. A. Assess the client's blood glucose levels
  2. B. Assess the client's mental status
  3. C. Assess the client's blood pressure
  4. D. Assess the client's potassium levels
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — Assess the client's blood glucose levels

When a client receives total parenteral nutrition (TPN), monitoring blood glucose levels is critical due to the high glucose content in TPN solutions, which can lead to hyperglycemia. This condition arises because TPN delivers concentrated nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system, and the body may struggle to regulate sugar levels effectively without proper insulin response. Potassium levels, while important in overall electrolyte balance, are less immediately impacted by TPN compared to glucose, as potassium imbalances typically develop over time rather than acutely from TPN initiation. Mental status assessments are valuable for neurological conditions but lack direct relevance to TPN's metabolic effects. Similarly, blood pressure monitoring is essential for cardiovascular health but isn't the primary concern with TPN, as it doesn't directly influence hypertension or hypotension in the same way glucose dysregulation does. The focus on glucose stems from its rapid impact on the client's metabolic state, making it the priority assessment to prevent complications like hyperglycemia, which can escalate to severe outcomes if unaddressed. Regular monitoring ensures timely intervention, aligning with TPN's nutritional goals.

Question 5

A charge nurse is evaluating a new nurse’s plan of care. Which finding will cause the charge nurse to follow up? Assigning a documented nursing diagnosis of Risk for infection for a patient on

  1. A. intravenous (IV) antibiotics
  2. B. Completing an interview and physical examination before adding a nursing diagnosis
  3. C. Developing nursing diagnoses before completing the database
  4. D. Including cultural and religious preferences in the database
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Developing nursing diagnoses before completing the database

The correct answer is C: Developing nursing diagnoses before completing the database. This is incorrect because developing nursing diagnoses should be based on a comprehensive assessment and analysis of the patient's data. By developing nursing diagnoses before completing the database, the new nurse may overlook important information that could impact the accuracy of the diagnosis and subsequent care plan. Choice A (intravenous antibiotics) is incorrect because assigning a nursing diagnosis of Risk for infection for a patient on IV antibiotics is a common and appropriate practice given the increased risk of infection associated with invasive procedures. Choice B (Completing an interview and physical examination before adding a nursing diagnosis) is incorrect because nursing diagnoses should be developed based on the data collected during the assessment process, which includes the interview and physical examination. It is not necessary to complete the entire assessment before assigning a nursing diagnosis. Choice D (Including cultural and religious preferences in the database) is incorrect because while it is important to consider cultural and religious preferences in care planning, this does not directly relate to the

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Question 6

A patient who has been taking an antidepressant for 2 months shares with the nurse, “Since my depression is over, I’ve stopped the Prozac and I won’t need to see you any longer.” Which response by a nurse would be most therapeutic?

  1. A. “Do you recall that we discussed the need for you to take the medication for up to 1 year before trying to taper off the drug? It is not uncommon for some patients to require antidepressant medication over their lifetime.”
  2. B. “It is not recommended that you stop the antidepressants abruptly. I strongly suggest that you continue seeing me regularly to ensure that any change in your condition will be treated immediately.”
  3. C. “You should not discontinue your medication without consulting your psychiatrist. You will very likely experience withdrawal symptoms and become more depressed than you were before.”
  4. D. “Although it isn’t wise to stop the medication as you have, you seem to be handling things very well. Call me if you have any questions and follow-up with your psychiatrist in a year.”
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Question 7

A patient who has been taking an antidepressant for 2 months shares with the nurse, “Since my depression is over, I’ve stopped the Prozac and I won’t need to see you any longer.” Which response by a nurse would be most therapeutic?

  1. A. “Do you recall that we discussed the need for you to take the medication for up to 1 year before trying to taper off the drug? It is not uncommon for some patients to require antidepressant medication over their lifetime.”
  2. B. “It is not recommended that you stop the antidepressants abruptly. I strongly suggest that you continue seeing me regularly to ensure that any change in your condition will be treated immediately.”
  3. C. “You should not discontinue your medication without consulting your psychiatrist. You will very likely experience withdrawal symptoms and become more depressed than you were before.”
  4. D. “Although it isn’t wise to stop the medication as you have, you seem to be handling things very well. Call me if you have any questions and follow-up with your psychiatrist in a year.”
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Question 8

Deficiencies in cyanocobalamin (B12) can result in

  1. A. pellagra
  2. B. pernicious anemia
  3. C. rickets
  4. D. scurvy
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Question 9

Deficiencies in cyanocobalamin (B12) can result in

  1. A. pellagra
  2. B. pernicious anemia
  3. C. rickets
  4. D. scurvy
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Question 10

The nurse is aware that efficient absorption of calcium is assisted by

  1. A. intrinsic factor
  2. B. coenzymes
  3. C. phosphorus
  4. D. vitamin D
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Question 11

The nurse is aware that efficient absorption of calcium is assisted by

  1. A. intrinsic factor
  2. B. coenzymes
  3. C. phosphorus
  4. D. vitamin D
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Question 12

A client is to receive enteral nutrition. Which information should the nurse provide to the client and family?

  1. A. Nutrition can be given either intermittently or continuously
  2. B. Your nutrition will be administered through your veins
  3. C. Enteral feedings are chosen when you cannot swallow enough to maintain nutrition
  4. D. Most enteral feeding consists of thinned pureed food
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Question 13

A patient will be starting on fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) therapy and taking 20 mg PO every morning. Which nursing intervention would be most therapeutic for the nurse to teach the patient?

  1. A. “Make sure that you take your pulse before getting out of bed in the morning.”
  2. B. “Try taking your medication with breakfast if you begin experiencing nausea.”
  3. C. “You may need to reduce your fluids at night because of nocturnal urination.”
  4. D. “Remember to avoid red wine, nuts, and any cheese except cottage and cream.”
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Question 14

A patient will be starting on fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) therapy and taking 20 mg PO every morning. Which nursing intervention would be most therapeutic for the nurse to teach the patient?

  1. A. “Make sure that you take your pulse before getting out of bed in the morning.”
  2. B. “Try taking your medication with breakfast if you begin experiencing nausea.”
  3. C. “You may need to reduce your fluids at night because of nocturnal urination.”
  4. D. “Remember to avoid red wine, nuts, and any cheese except cottage and cream.”
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Question 15

The following antibacterial drugs inhibit folic acid biosynthesis:

  1. A. Amoxicillin
  2. B. Aztreonam
  3. C. Levofloxacin
  4. D. Trimethoprim
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About these RN exams pharmacology questions

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

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