Pharmacology Study Questions

Chapter 31: Vaccines

1. The father of a 4-month-old infant calls in to the clinic reporting that his child is having a reaction to
immunizations. What is the most important piece of information the nurse should elicit?

a. The time the immunization was received

b. Whether the father has given the infant any acetaminophen

c. The signs and symptoms the infant is experiencing

d. The sites used to administer the immunizations

2. The nurse is preparing to administer varicella vaccine to a young woman. Which of the following
findings has the greatest implication for this young woman’s care?

a. The patient tells the nurse she is “deathly afraid of needles.”

b. The medical record indicates that the patient is allergic to eggs.

c. The medical history indicates that the patient had leukemia as a young child.

d. The patient appears to be pregnant.

3. A 38-year-old migrant farm worker is seen in the clinic with a cut to his arm from an old metal drum.
The patient has sutures placed, and a tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine is given. What
is the nurse’s most important action after the vaccine has been administered?

a. The nurse provides the patient with a vaccine information statement about the tetanus,
diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine in the patient’s primary language.

b. The nurse determines the exact date of the patient’s last tetanus booster.

c. The nurse documents that the patient did not experience any side effects immediately after
immunization.

d. The nurse provides the patient with a record of the immunization administered at the visit.

4. The nurse is preparing to administer routine, recommended immunizations to an

a. The type of vaccine to be administered to the child

b. The child presents with a temperature of 99.8°F.

c. The child’s vaccine report shows immunizations were received on time.

d. The child did not experience adverse reactions to prior immunizations.

5. A 14-year-old girl requests a vaccination for human papillomavirus. After the nurse administers the
first dose, which of the following is important to include in the patient’s teaching?
 a. Human papillomavirus prevents all sexually transmitted diseases.

b. Pap smears are no longer needed after the human papillomavirus vaccination.

c. The patient needs to notify the health care provider about pain at the injection site.

d. The date the patient needs to return to the clinic for the next human papillomavirus dose.

6. Which of the following patients would be eligible to receive the influenza vaccine?

a. The patient who is taking care of her son with human immunodeficiency virus

b. The patient who is pregnant

c. The patient with an egg allergy

d. The child who is 18 months old

7. With the help of an interpreter, the nurse has just immunized a 35- year-old woman with the tetanus,
diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine and the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella. It is
essential that the nurse proceed with which action(s)? (Select all that apply.)

a. Provide a vaccine information statement in the patient’s preferred language for each vaccine
received.

b. Document in the patient’s record the date; site and route of administration; vaccine type,
manufacturer, lot number, and expiration date; and the name, business address, and title of the
person administering the vaccine.

c. Administer a dose of ibuprofen to prevent postimmunization fever.

d. Instruct the patient to call about any injection site soreness.

8. It would be of greatest priority to notify the health care provider if a live vaccine was prescribed for a
person in which situation?

a. Child whose parent is receiving chemotherapy

b. A child with an active viral infection

c. A patient undergoing chemotherapy

d. An HIV-positive patient with no active infections

Answers: 1. c; 2. d; 3. a; 4. a; 5. d; 6. d; 7. a, b; 8. c.

Chapter 35: Upper Respiratory Disorders

1. A patient tells the nurse that he has started to take an over-thecounter antihistamine,
diphenhydramine. In teaching about side effects, what is most important for the nurse to tell the
patient?

a. To avoid insomnia, do not to take this drug at bedtime.

c. Nightmares and nervousness are more likely in an adult.

d. Medication may cause excessive secretions.

2 A patient complains of a sore throat and has been told it is due to beta-hemolytic streptococcal
infection. The nurse anticipates that the patient has which acute condition?

a. Rhinitis

b. Sinusitis

c. Pharyngitis

d. Rhinorrhea

3. A patient is prescribed a decongestant nasal spray that contains oxymetazoline. What will the nurse
teach the patient?

a. Take this drug at bedtime because it may cause drowsiness.

b. Directly spray the medication away from the nasal septum and gently sniff.

c. This drug may be used in maintenance treatment for asthma.

d. Limit use of the drug to 5 to 7 days to prevent rebound nasal congestion.

4. A patient has been prescribed guaifenesin. The nurse understands that the purpose of the drug is to
accomplish what?

a. Treat allergic rhinitis and prevent motion sickness

b. Loosen bronchial secretions so coughing can eliminate them

c. Compete with histamine for receptor sites, thus preventing a histamine response

d. Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors, thus producing vascular constriction of capillaries in

5. Beclomethasone has been prescribed for a patient with allergic rhinitis. What should the nurse teach
the patient regarding this medication?

a. This may be used for an acute attack

b. An oral form is available if the patient prefers to use it.

c. Avoid large amounts of caffeine intake because an increased heart rate may occur.

d. With continuous use, dryness of the nasal mucosa/lining may occur.

6. The nurse is teaching a patient about diphenhydramine. Which instructions should the nurse include
in the patient’s teaching plan? (Select all that apply.)

a. Take medication on an empty stomach to facilitate absorption.

c. Notify a health care provider if confusion or hypotension occurs.

d. Use sugarless candy, gum, or ice chips for temporary relief of dry mouth.

e. Avoid handling dangerous equipment or performing dangerous activities until stabilized on

Answers: 1. b; 2. c; 3. d; 4. b; 5. d; 6. b, c, d, e.

Chapter 36: Lower Respiratory Disorders

1. Fluticasone propionate and salmeterol combination inhalation is ordered for a patient with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease. What does the nurse know about this medication? (Select all that apply.)

a. It can be used to treat an acute attack.

b. It is delivered as a dry-powder inhaler.

c. It contains a beta1 agonist and cromolyn.

d. It is taken as one puff two times a day.

e. It promotes bronchodilation.

2. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has an acute bronchospasm. The nurse
anticipates that the health care provider will prescribe which medication?

a. Zafirlukast

b. Epinephrine

c. Dexamethasone

d. Beclomethasone

3. A patient is prescribed aminophylline-theophylline. For what adverse effect should the nurse monitor
the patient?

a. Drowsiness

b. Hypoglycemia

c. Increased heart rate

d. Decreased white blood cell count

4. A patient is receiving intravenous aminophylline. The nurse checks the patient’s laboratory values and
sees the serum theophylline level is 32 mcg/mL. What action should the nurse take?

a. Assess the patient’s breath sounds for improvement.

c. Notify the health care provider of the level.

d. Have the laboratory collect another sample to verify the results.

5. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is taking the leukotriene antagonist
montelukast. The nurse is aware that this medication is given for which purpose?

a. Maintenance treatment of asthma

b. Treatment of acute asthmatic attack

c. Reversing bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

d. Treatment of inflammation in chronic bronchitis

Answers: 1. b, d, e; 2. b; 3. c; 4. c; 5. a.

Chapter 17: Stimulants

1. When a 12-year-old child is prescribed methylphenidate, which is most important for the nurse to
monitor?

a. Temperature

b. Respirations

c. Intake and output

d. Height and weight

2. Several children are admitted for diagnosis with possible attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Which is most important for the nurse to observe?

a. A girl who is lethargic

b. A girl who lacks impulsivity

c. A boy with smooth coordination

d. A boy with an inability to complete tasks

3. The nurse monitoring a patient for methylphenidate withdrawal should observe the patient for which
condition?

a. Tremors

b. Insomnia

c. Weakness

d. Tachycardia
4. The nurse is teaching a patient to self-administer medications. The nurse knows that which drug is
used to treat narcolepsy?

a. Modafinil

b. Atomoxetine

c. Lisdexamfetamine

d. Phendimetrazine

5. A newborn patient is in respiratory distress. The nurse anticipates preparation for which medication
to be given?

a. Modafinil

b. Armodafinil

c. Theophylline

d. Amphetamine

Answers: 1. d; 2. d; 3. c; 4. a; 5. c.

Chapter 19: Antiseizure Drugs

1. The nurse witnesses a patient’s seizure involving generalized contraction of the body followed by
jerkiness of the arms and legs. The nurse reports this as which type of seizure?

a. Myoclonic

b. Absence

c. Tonic-clonic

d. Psychomotor

2. Phenytoin has been prescribed for a patient with seizures. The nurse should include which
appropriate nursing intervention in the plan of care?

a. Report an abnormal phenytoin level of 18 mcg/mL.

b. Monitor complete blood count levels for early detection of blood dyscrasias.

c. Encourage the patient to brush teeth vigorously to prevent plaque buildup.

d. Teach the patient to stop the drug immediately when passing pinkish-red or reddish-brown
urine.

3. When administering phenytoin, the nurse realizes more teaching is needed if the patient makes which
statement?

a. “I must shake the oral suspension very well before pouring it in the dose cup.”
 b. “I cannot drink alcoholic beverages when taking phenytoin.”

c. “I should take phenytoin 1 hour before meals.”

d. “I will need to get periodic dental checkups.”

4. A patient is having absence seizures. Which of the following does the nurse expect to be prescribed
for this type of seizure? (Select all that apply.)

a. Phenytoin

b. Phenobarbital

c. Valproic acid

d. Clonazepam

e. Ethosuximide

5. A patient is admitted to the emergency department with status epilepticus. Which drug should the
nurse most likely prepare to administer to this patient? (Select all that apply.)

a. Diazepam

b. Midazolam

c. Gabapentin

d. Levetiracetam

e. Topiramate

6. The nurse should monitor the patient receiving phenytoin for which adverse effect?

a. Psychosis

b. Nosebleeds

c. Hypertension

d. Gum erosion

7. A nurse administering valproic acid to a patient checks the laboratory values and finds a serum range
for valproic acid of 150 mcg/mL. What should the nurse do?

a. Increase the daily dose to get the patient’s level into the therapeutic range.

b. Hold the morning dose but give the other scheduled dosages for the day.

c. Ask the patient if he or she is having any adverse effects from the medication.

d. Hold the medication and notify the health care provider.

Answers: 1. c; 2. b; 3. c; 4. c, d, e; 5. a, b; 6. b; 7. d.