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RN exams pharmacology practice questions, set 6

RN exams · pharmacology

RN 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 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

When evaluating a patient’s use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI), the nurse notes that the patient is unable to coordinate the activation of the inhaler with her breathing. What intervention is most appropriate at this time?

  1. A. Notify the doctor that the patient is unable to use the MDI.
  2. B. Obtain an order for a peak flow meter.
  3. C. Obtain an order for a spacer device.
  4. D. Ask the prescriber if the medication can be given orally.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Obtain an order for a spacer device.

The correct answer is C: Obtain an order for a spacer device. This intervention is most appropriate as a spacer device can help improve the delivery of medication from the MDI, even if the patient is unable to coordinate inhalation with activation. The spacer device acts as an intermediary between the inhaler and the patient, allowing the medication to be inhaled more effectively. This ensures that the patient receives the full dose of the medication. Incorrect answers: A: Notifying the doctor that the patient is unable to use the MDI does not directly address the issue of coordination and does not provide a solution. B: Obtaining an order for a peak flow meter is not the most appropriate intervention in this scenario, as it does not address the patient's inability to coordinate the use of the MDI. D: Asking the prescriber if the medication can be given orally is not necessary if the patient can still benefit from using the MDI with the help of a spacer device.

Question 2

Which medication would the nurse expect to administer when observing that a patient is fidgety, demonstrates motor restlessness, and jiggles both legs when asked to sit down?

  1. A. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  2. B. Molindone (Moban)
  3. C. Biperiden (Akineton)
  4. D. Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Biperiden (Akineton)

By blocking dopamine, antipsychotic medications produce extrapyramidal side effects. Akathisia is internal or external restless fidgeting or pacing. Patients with akathisia demonstrate motoric restlessness and complain of feeling their muscles quiver. When this condition has advanced, the patient will say that he or she is not able to sit still or lie down quietly. The nurse will want to observe whether the patient’s legs are shaking. If the patient’s feet are not shaking, the nurse will observe that his or her arms will start to shake. The therapeutic treatment is the administration of anticholinergic agents, such as benztropine (Cogentin), trihexyphenidyl (Artane), or procyclidine (Kemadrin). Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an antihistamine, also may be administered. The other three medication selections are antipsychotic agents: Zyprexa, an atypical antipsychotic; Moban, an antipsychotic (dihydroindolone); and Mellaril (phenothiazine), a typical antipsychotic.

Question 3

A client tells the nurse, “I took my sleeping pill yesterday evening, but it didn’t seem to work for me like it usually does.” The nurse should consider which variable that can affect drug absorption? Select all that apply.

  1. A. GI function
  2. B. Blood flow to the site of administration
  3. C. The presence of other drugs
  4. D. Route of administration
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: A — GI function

The correct answer is A: GI function. The absorption of drugs can be affected by the gastrointestinal (GI) function, including factors like gastric emptying time, pH of the stomach, and presence of food or other substances in the digestive tract. These factors can impact how quickly and effectively a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream. In this case, if the client's GI function is altered, it could explain why the sleeping pill did not work as expected. Summary of other choices: B: Blood flow to the site of administration - While blood flow can affect the distribution of a drug in the body, it does not directly impact drug absorption. C: The presence of other drugs - While interactions between drugs can affect drug efficacy, this primarily affects metabolism and excretion, not absorption. D: Route of administration - The route of administration affects how a drug is delivered to the body, but it does not directly impact drug absorption in this scenario.

Question 4

Which of the ff. statements would the nurse understand is true when assessing normal auditory acuity using the Rinne test?

  1. A. The patient perceives sound equally in both ears.
  2. B. Air conduction is heard longer than bone conduction in both ears.
  3. C. Bone conduction is heard longer than air conduction in both ears.
  4. D. The patient’s left ear will perceive the sound better than the right ear.
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: B — Air conduction is heard longer than bone conduction in both ears.

The correct answer is B because in a normal Rinne test, air conduction is heard longer than bone conduction in both ears. This is due to the fact that air conduction involves the transmission of sound waves through the external auditory canal, middle ear, and inner ear, which is more efficient than bone conduction where the sound waves are transmitted directly to the inner ear through the bones of the skull. Therefore, when the tuning fork is placed on the mastoid bone (bone conduction) and then moved next to the ear (air conduction), the sound should be heard longer through air conduction. Choice A is incorrect because normal auditory acuity does not necessarily mean equal perception in both ears. Choice C is incorrect as bone conduction should be heard shorter than air conduction in a normal Rinne test. Choice D is incorrect as the test does not determine which ear perceives sound better, but rather the difference in duration between air and bone conduction.

Question 5

Which medication would the nurse expect to administer when observing that a patient is fidgety, demonstrates motor restlessness, and jiggles both legs when asked to sit down?

  1. A. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  2. B. Molindone (Moban)
  3. C. Biperiden (Akineton)
  4. D. Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Show answer and rationale

Correct answer: C — Biperiden (Akineton)

By blocking dopamine, antipsychotic medications produce extrapyramidal side effects. Akathisia is internal or external restless fidgeting or pacing. Patients with akathisia demonstrate motoric restlessness and complain of feeling their muscles quiver. When this condition has advanced, the patient will say that he or she is not able to sit still or lie down quietly. The nurse will want to observe whether the patient’s legs are shaking. If the patient’s feet are not shaking, the nurse will observe that his or her arms will start to shake. The therapeutic treatment is the administration of anticholinergic agents, such as benztropine (Cogentin), trihexyphenidyl (Artane), or procyclidine (Kemadrin). Diphenhydramine (Benadryl), an antihistamine, also may be administered. The other three medication selections are antipsychotic agents: Zyprexa, an atypical antipsychotic; Moban, an antipsychotic (dihydroindolone); and Mellaril (phenothiazine), a typical antipsychotic.

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Ten more RN exams pharmacology questions

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Question 6

What will a psychiatric nurse specialist include in medication teaching for a patient who will be starting an MAOI medication after ending treatment with sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)?

  1. A. “Here is some information concerning the foods you must avoid when you are taking your new medication. In 2 weeks, after your last dose of Zoloft, we will meet and I will give you a prescription for your MAOI and answer any questions you may have.”
  2. B. “After you have been off Zoloft for 1 week, come see me. I will order the new medication for you. This list includes all the foods you will not be able to eat while taking your new medicine. We’ll review your diet and medication when we meet, and we will get a blood sample as well.”
  3. C. “After 4 weeks off Zoloft, come see me. The prescription for your new medication will be ready along with a list of foods you will need to avoid once you start taking the medication. I’ll order some blood work at that time as well.”
  4. D. “After 2 days off Zoloft, come in to see me before going to work. I’ll give you a prescription for the new medication, and we can review the foods you will need to avoid while taking the new medication.”
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 7

A client tells the nurse, “I took my sleeping pill yesterday evening, but it didn’t seem to work for me like it usually does.” The nurse should consider which variable that can affect drug absorption? Select all that apply.

  1. A. GI function
  2. B. Blood flow to the site of administration
  3. C. The presence of other drugs
  4. D. Route of administration
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 8

A 60-year-old male with hyperlipidemia is prescribed fenofibrate. Fenofibrate works by:

  1. A. Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver
  2. B. Activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha)
  3. C. Blocking calcium channels in the blood vessels
  4. D. Increasing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 9

Intravenous atropine at low doses is commonly used by oral surgeons during surgical procedures to remove impacted wisdom teeth. The rationale behind the use of this agent in this situation likely involves which of the following beneficial effects?

  1. A. Antispasmodic for gastrointestinal tract relaxation
  2. B. Drying effect on the oral mucous membranes
  3. C. Induction of tachycardia to increase cardiac output
  4. D. Pupillary dilation to produce unresponsiveness to darkness
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Question 10

Drugs are metabolized mainly by the liver via Phase I or Phase II reactions. The purpose of both of these types of reactions is to:

  1. A. Inactivate prodrugs before they can be activated by target tissues
  2. B. Change the drugs so they can cross plasma membranes
  3. C. Change drug molecules to a form that an excretory organ can excrete
  4. D. Make these drugs more ionized and polar to facilitate excretion
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Question 11

Drugs are metabolized mainly by the liver via Phase I or Phase II reactions. The purpose of both of these types of reactions is to:

  1. A. Inactivate prodrugs before they can be activated by target tissues
  2. B. Change the drugs so they can cross plasma membranes
  3. C. Change drug molecules to a form that an excretory organ can excrete
  4. D. Make these drugs more ionized and polar to facilitate excretion
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Question 12

Mang Simon, a hypertensive male client was prescribed with an exercise program. Which intervention would help Mang Simon in maintaining this program?

  1. A. writing down the exercise program
  2. B. thoroughly explaining the program to his wife, Aling Nena
  3. C. Motivating him positively that he can do it
  4. D. Doing it according to his needs and abilities
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Question 13

What will a psychiatric nurse specialist include in medication teaching for a patient who will be starting an MAOI medication after ending treatment with sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft)?

  1. A. “Here is some information concerning the foods you must avoid when you are taking your new medication. In 2 weeks, after your last dose of Zoloft, we will meet and I will give you a prescription for your MAOI and answer any questions you may have.”
  2. B. “After you have been off Zoloft for 1 week, come see me. I will order the new medication for you. This list includes all the foods you will not be able to eat while taking your new medicine. We’ll review your diet and medication when we meet, and we will get a blood sample as well.”
  3. C. “After 4 weeks off Zoloft, come see me. The prescription for your new medication will be ready along with a list of foods you will need to avoid once you start taking the medication. I’ll order some blood work at that time as well.”
  4. D. “After 2 days off Zoloft, come in to see me before going to work. I’ll give you a prescription for the new medication, and we can review the foods you will need to avoid while taking the new medication.”
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 14

A 60-year-old male with hyperlipidemia is prescribed fenofibrate. Fenofibrate works by:

  1. A. Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver
  2. B. Activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-alpha)
  3. C. Blocking calcium channels in the blood vessels
  4. D. Increasing the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

Question 15

A 40-year-old man was given a drug that binds to a subunit of the GABA A receptor. When used at a high dose, the drug can open Cl- channels independent of GABA. What drug was the man given?

  1. A. Diazepam
  2. B. Ethanol
  3. C. Phenobarbital
  4. D. Baclofen
Answer and rationale unlock in the Nursier study hub. Unlock answers

About these RN exams pharmacology questions

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

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