Question 1

The nurse is caring for a patient who is NPO after midnight for a cardiac catheterization scheduled for 1 p.m. The patient normally receives Glucophage (metformin) 1,000 mg po BID, and the morning dose is due at 8:30 a.m. The patient's blood glucose result was 115. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

A)  Hold the medication. 
B)  Give the medication with a glass of juice. 
C)  Give the medication with a sip of water. 
D)  Call the physician for direction.

Question 2

An individual with a history of angina takes sublingual nitroglycerine to relieve chest pain ranked 6/10. Five min later, the chest pain is 4/10. What action should the nurse take next?

Accepted Answer

A)  Have a family member call 911. 
B)  Tell the individual to take a warm shower. 
C)  Instruct the individual to take another sublingual nitroglycerine tablet. 
D)  Monitor the individual for an additional 10 min before taking any action.

Question 3

An individual with chronic schizophrenia who recently started taking Zyprexa (olanzapine) is smacking his lips, puffing his cheeks, and chewing. Which of the following statements by the nurse is best?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Don't worry, this is commonly seen with advancing schizophrenia; you may need a higher dose of medication." 
B)  "These are symptoms seen in withdrawal from the medication; have you stopped taking your medication for some reason?" 
C)  "These movements are a side effect of the medication; you should stop taking it." 
D)  "We see this a lot, it will go away after you've been on the medication for a month or so."

Question 4

A nurse is counseling the parent of a 3-year-old child with chronic ear infections and fluid in the ears. The physician recommends Silfedrine Children's (pseudoephedrine) as a decongestant. Which of the following statements indicate that teaching has been effective? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  "The decongestant will help clear the fluid from his ears." 
B)  "I should give this medication at bedtime to help him sleep." 
C)  "I should call the doctor if I notice he is having any difficulty breathing." 
D)  "This medication will kill the bacteria causing the infection in his ears." 
E)  "Too much of this medication can alter his heart rate, so I need to keep it out of his reach."
F) "I should limit his fluid intake to help reduce the congestion in his ears."

Question 5

While caring for a patient who uses oral birth control pills and is taking PO (procaine penicillin
G., which of the following instructions should the nurse include in the client teaching?

Accepted Answer

A) "You should stop taking your birth control pills for at least 3 months since you have to take this medication." 
B)  "You will need to use a barrier method of birth control through this therapy and until your next menstrual cycle." 
C)  "The doctor will want to give you a hormone patch in addition to the birth control pills for the next 30 days." 
D)  "There is no need to alter your method of birth control while you are taking this medication."

Question 6

A nurse caring for a patient with non-Hodgkin lymphoma prepares to provide Leukine (sargramostim). Which of the following will indicate successful response to the medication?

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient's white blood cell count increases. 
B)  Patient's platelet count increases. 
C)  Patient denies nausea or vomiting with chemotherapy. 
D)  Patient's hair does not fall out after chemotherapy.

Question 7

The nurse is providing care for a patient in hospice who has been converted to a continuous infusion of morphine for pain control via the use of a patient-controlled analgesia pump. The nurse recognizes that break-through pain should be handled in which of the following ways?

Accepted Answer

A)  No break-through pain is expected since the patient is on a continuous infusion of narcotic. 
B)  Additional intravenous bolus doses can be given by the nurse every 15-30 min 
C)  Additional predetermined bolus doses can be programmed to be available at patient request every 90 min. 
D)  Oral morphine can be given in liquid form every 2 hr.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for a patient who takes Betapace (sotalol) 80 mg po BID. Prior to administering the dose, which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

A)  Assess respiratory rate and depth. 
B)  Determine apical pulse rate and rhythm. 
C)  Identify recent food intake. 
D)  Check color and presence of pulses in lower extremities.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for a woman with metastatic breast cancer who was recently admitted with hypercalcemia. Which of the following medications does the nurse anticipate would be included in the treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

A)  Zometa (zoledronic acid) 
B)  Oscal (calcium carbonate) 
C)  Sandostatin (octreotide) 
D)  Emend (aprepitant)

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a patient receiving Aredia (pamidronate) for the treatment of Paget's disease. Which of the following symptoms would be most concerning to the nurse?

Accepted Answer

A)  Anorexia 
B)  Bone pain 
C)  Constipation 
D)  Muscle twitching

Question 11

A nurse working on the postpartum floor is checking orders and notes the following, "Methergine (methylergonovine) 200 mcg po q 6 hr for 48 hr." Which of the following nursing interventions should be added to the patient's plan of care?

Accepted Answer

A)  Assess respiratory rate and rhythm q 2 hr. 
B)  Monitor for signs of uterine atony or change in menstrual bleeding. 
C)  Instruct patient to wear a tight-fitting bra and avoid facing the water during shower. 
D)  Collect urine for protein dipstick every 4 hr.

Question 12

A student nurse caring for a client with a history of anxiety disorder would expect which of the following medications to be included in the patient's treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

A)  Atarax (hydroxyzine) 
B)  Bonine (meclizine) 
C)  Ativan (lorazepam) 
D)  Adalat CC (nifedipine)

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a patient with a known history of narcotic abuse. The patient is started on methadone 30 mg po daily during detoxification. Which of the following assessments would indicate the patient's dose may need to be decreased?

Accepted Answer

A)  Chills 
B)  Irritability 
C)  Respirations = 8 per min 
D)  Diaphoresis

Question 14

Which of the following would indicate to the nurse that treatment was effective in a patient being treated with propylthiouracil?

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient reports sleeping 12 hr a day. 
B)  Fine tremors noted in both hands. 
C)  Patient gains 2 pounds in 4 days. 
D)  Pulse is 110 bpm.

Question 15

Which of the following would cause the nurse to intervene for a patient taking Protonix (pantoprazole)?

Accepted Answer

A)  The client takes the medication an hour before breakfast. 
B)  The client orders eggs and bacon for breakfast. 
C)  The client drinks a glass of orange juice when taking the medication. 
D)  The client chews the medication before swallowing.

Question 16

Which of the following lab values should be followed periodically for a patient taking Paxil (paroxetine)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Complete blood count 
B)  Electrolytes 
C)  Thyroxine 
D)  Creatinine

Question 17

While preparing to discharge a patient who has started taking Lopressor (metoprolol) during their hospitalization, the nurse recognizes further teaching is necessary by which of the following statements:

Accepted Answer

A)  "I should take my pulse every day before taking this medication." 
B)  "I need to stay on a low-salt diet to help control my blood pressure." 
C)  "I'll have to have my blood drawn frequently to monitor for toxic levels of this medication." 
D)  "I should contact the physician immediately if I notice any wheezing, difficulty breathing, or dizziness."

Question 18

While in the recovery room, the nurse cares for a post-anesthesia patient who reports severe nausea. The nurse would most likely request an order for which of the following medications?

Accepted Answer

A)  Eldepryl (selegiline) 
B)  Transderm-Scop (scopolamine) 
C)  Januvia (sitagliptin) 
D)  Cialis (tadalafil)

Question 19

While caring for a client who reports taking Prilosec (omeprazole), the nurse recognizes the need for further teaching if the client also reports taking which of the following? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Tylenol for occasional headaches 
B)  Ibuprofen daily for arthritis 
C)  Baby aspirin daily to prevent heart pain 
D)  Maalox occasionally to reduce heartburn 
E)  Flaxseed supplement to increase omega-3 intake
F) Multi-vitamin with iron to promote health

Question 20

A student nurse caring for a patient who is taking Creon (pancrelipase) would include which of the following statements when reviewing medications with the instructor?

Accepted Answer

A)  "This reduces inflammation of the pancreas seen with pancreatitis." 
B)  "This increases absorption of fats since the pancreas is not excreting normal enzymes." 
C)  "This is used to bind with proteins and reduce protein excretion in the urine." 
D)  "This helps relieve abdominal pain caused by liver damage in patients with a history of alcohol abuse."

Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses Test 2