2020 NCLEX-RN TEST PREP:

2020 NCLEX-RN TEST PREP:

PHARMACOLOGY (STUDY MODE

PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH: ANSWERS &

EXPLANATIONS

1.A drug form in which medication particles are instilled into a liquid and

combined through agitation of the solution is called:

• Suspension
• Elixir
• Syrup
• Tincture

ANSWER A: A suspension is a type of medicine that combines medication

particles with a liquid solution. When not administered, medication particles within the suspension may settle to the bottom, requiring the nurse to shake the solution to mix. Suspensions are typically given as oral solutions.

2.Following a dose of medication, a client develops inflamed mucous membranes and nasal discharge. What type of minor reaction is this client experiencing?

• Urticaria
• Pruritis
• Hives
• Rhinitis

ANSWER D: Rhinitis may occur as a mild reaction following some types of

medication administration. Rhinitis involves itchy or inflamed mucous membranes, particularly around the eyes, nose and mouth. The client may

also develop swelling of the nasal passages or clear discharge.

3.Mr. Y is receiving medication through a catheter that has been placed into the subarachnoid space of his spinal column. What route of medication administration is this called?

• Intrapleural
• Intraosseous
• Intrathecal
• Intraperitoneal

ANSWER C: Medications administered through the intrathecal route are

given through a catheter that has been placed into the subarachnoid space of the spinal column. These medications are given into cerebrospinal fluid, often for pain control. Placement of an intrathecal catheter is typically done by a trained physician or advanced-practice nurse.

4.A client is having difficulties swallowing a large tablet of medication. Which of the following interventions from the nurse may best assist this client?

• Help the client to lie down while taking the medication
• Obtain an order to give the medication intravenously instead
• Dissolve the tablet in a glass of pineapple juice
• Assist the client to drink a full glass of water when taking the tablet

ANSWER D: When a client has trouble swallowing a large tablet, the nurse

can assist him by helping him to sit in an upright position and to drink a full glass of water while taking the medication. If the client still has difficulty, the

nurse may ask the physician if the medication can be crushed and mixed with a soft food, such as applesauce.

5.A nurse is attempting to find the ventrogluteal muscle to administer an intramuscular medication. In which method does the nurse find this site?

• The nurse places her palm on the client's hip at the level of the greater

trochanter, pointing the thumb toward the client's groin and administering the injection between the first and second fingers

• The nurse measures two finger-widths below the acromion process and

administers the injection at this point

• The nurse estimates the upper and outer quadrant of the buttock and gives

the injection 3 inches below the iliac crest

• The nurse grasps the muscle of the upper thigh and administers the

injection 6 inches above the knee

ANSWER A: The ventrogluteal muscle is a location for an intramuscular

injection that can be found by placing a palm on the client's hip. The index finger should point toward the anterior iliac spine, while the thumb should point toward the client's groin. The nurse administers the injection between the first and second fingers in this position.

6.A nurse is administering total parenteral nutrition for a client. The solution contains 12% dextrose and 5% amino acids. Which of the following sites is most appropriate to administer this solution?

• Left radial arterial line
• Right subclavian catheter

• Left peripheral intravenous catheter
• Both a and c

ANSWER B: When administering total parenteral nutrition solutions, a

mixture that contains greater than 10% dextrose should be given through a central line to reduce the incidence of blood clot formation. A subclavian line is a type of central line that is large enough to receive this type of fluid.

7.Mr. S is complaining of pain following a surgical procedure. The nurse checks his orders and finds that he has an order for meperidine 25 mg prn q 4 hrs for shivering. What is the next action of the nurse?

• Give 25mg of the medication and use it for pain
• Contact the pharmacy to clarify the purpose of the medication
• Check the medication record for other prn pain medications
• Administer 12.5 mg of the medication and document that the client was

shivering

ANSWER C: When administering medications on a prn basis, the nurse

must give the medication according to its indications and in the time allotted.If a medication is ordered for symptoms other than what the client is having, the nurse should check for other, more appropriate medications to manage the symptoms or follow the facility policy for administering the prn drug.

8.Which of the following medications is an example of an adjuvant drug?

• Ibuprofen
• Fentanyl