NCLEX Pharmacology Questions

A busy, harried-looking physician comes onto the floor and writes out four orders in less than one minute. He leaves, shoving over a stack of the nurse’s charting on the way out the door. Which of the following four orders should the nurse question?

The nurse gives discharge teaching to a patient going home on Doxycycline. Which of the following patient statements, if made by the patient to the nurse, requires further teaching?

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A primipara is in the transition phase of labor on the maternity unit. On the fetal heart monitor, the nurse observes a contraction begin. Shortly after a delay, the fetal heart rate dips. It only recovers after the contraction has already been ended for a period of 30 seconds. Please place the following actions in order from first to last.

The nurse notes that a physician new to the hospital’s computer system has input three out of four orders INCORRECTLY for a patient. Which of the following medications is CORRECT for a patient with the following criteria: Diabetes Insipidus, Dehydration, Hypertension.

A patient with type I diabetes asks the nurse why he can’t take the new diabetic drug that he sees on the commercials. Which of the following is the best explanation for the nurse to give the patient?

A graduate nurse prepares a patient to undergo a liver biopsy. The graduate nurse administers what pre-op medication?

A patient who is taking Lasix knows that he should increase intake of what food?

A patient with tuberculosis asks why he must take two drugs for his one disease. The nurse explains that:

A patient has the following medication orders: Pantaprozole 40mg PO qAM, Metoprolol 50mg PO bid, Lorazepam 0.5mg PO now, Albuterol 1 puff PRN. The patient’s medical history includes high cholesterol and asthma. Which of the orders should the nurse question?

The physician has ordered an I.V. of 5% dextose in Lactated Ringers solution at 125mL/hr. The I.V. tubing available delivers 10 drops per mL. At how many drops per minute will the Lactated Ringers infuse?

A physician on the medical/surgical unit orders Mellaril (thioridazine hydrochloride) 75mg PO once daily for one of the nurse’s patients. The pharmacy sends up liquid Mellaril with a concentration of 30mg/mL. How much Mellaril, in mL, will the nurse give for ONE dose?

The nurse works in a NICU (neonatal intensive care unit). The doctor orders Digoxin 6mcg/kg/day IV in two divided doses to be given to one of the nurse’s patients. The patient weighs 7 pounds. Calculate the amount, in mcg, the nurse will give per dose.

The nurse works on a medical/surgical unit and cares for a patient receiving Lanoxin (Digoxin) and Furosemide (Lasix). The nurse knows that which of the following, if reported by the patient, must be assessed IMMEDIATELY?

A patient taking Fluoxetine Hcl (Prozac) asks the nurse when the medication will start to work. The patient started this medication two weeks ago. The nurse’s response is CORRECT if she states:

A patient is started on a daily amount of Phenytoin (Dilantin) 200mg PO in two divided doses. What instruction, if given by the nurse to the patient, is INCORRECT?

A patient is ordered to receive omeprazole (Prilosec) 40mg PO daily. The pharmacy dispenses Prilosec 20mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer to this patient for a single dose?

A nurse is caring for a patient with 2nd degree burns all over her body. The nurse knows that which of the following measures is appropriate when the patient is prescribed application of silver sulfadiazine cream?

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A patient takes Nardil for depression and is confused by the dietary restrictions and allowances that are required with the medication. Which food on the list below is NOT permitted when taking Nardil?

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A patient on the psychiatric unit has been taking Haldol for three days as ordered by the physician. During the nurse’s shift, she enters the patient’s room to find the patient in a prolonged muscle spasm, with his eyes looking upward, and a fever of 103.5 degrees. Which of the following actions, if performed by the nurse, would be considered CORRECT?

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A patient on several medications is being cared for on a medical/surgical unit by the nurse. Which of the following laboratory values, if reported to the nurse, would require follow-up?

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The nurse on an oncology unit is administering Cisplatin to a patient. The nurse knows that which of the following symptoms, if reported by the patient, is expected with this type of medication?

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The nurse cares for a patient on the medical/surgical unit. The patient rings the call bell and exclaims, “My urine has been orange today! What medication is doing this to me?” Which of the following medications, if noted in the patient’s chart, would explain this side effect?

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A patient has been taking a heavy aspirin regimen for the past two months. Which side effects, if noted by the patient, are directly related to overdose of aspirin?

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A patient has been prescribed the medication spironolactone (aldasterone). When preparing the patient for discharge, the nurse should include which of the following instructions?

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A patient is sent home on prescribed Nitroglycerin, to be taken as needed for angina. Which of the following instructions, if stated by the patient to the nurse, would require further teaching?

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A 9-year-old weighs 55 pounds and is to receive cefuroxime sodium 750 mg IV every 6 hours. The recommended dose of cefuroxime sodium for children older than 1 month is 50-133 mg/kg every 24 hours. Is the ordered dose within the recommended limits? (YES or NO) __________

The physician prescribes alprazolam (Xanax) 0.25 mg p.o. TID for a client with anxiety and physical symptoms related to work pressures. The nurse should assess the client for the most common adverse effect of this drug, which is?

A 40 year-old client who is receiving a MAOI is going home on a weekend pass. Considering the drug, the nurse plans to instruct the client to avoid?

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A client with myasthenia gravis is instructed to take anticholinesterase medications on time to eat meals 45-60 minutes later. The client asks the nurse why the timing of the medication is so important. What is the nurse’s best response?

The nurse is reviewing the client’s medications and she noticed a prescription of Versed. Which medication is important to have available for clients who have received Versed?

Which of the following statements is true regarding the responsibility of the Licensed Practical Nurse when it comes to IV therapy? The LPN may:

A client receiving Zyprexa (olanzapine) will most likely have another prescription of which medications?

The nurse is administering an unpleasant-tasting liquid medication to a 2-year-old child. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

The nurse reads from the doctor’s order “Give 0.1 mL of PPD”, then prepares to administer the medication. Which technique shown below is the most correct way to give a PPD?

The nurse correctly administers the PPD to a client when she: