NCLEX-PN
Pharmacology on NCLEX Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A 68-year-old man has been diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease. He is started on Cogentin 0.5 mg PO daily. Which nursing action is most essential at this time?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cogentin, an anticholinergic, causes dry mouth; encouraging cold beverages and hard candies helps manage this side effect.
Question 2 of 5
A 48-year-old man is in the emergency room. He has crushing substernal pain and is diaphoretic, apprehensive, and ashen gray in color. The cardiac monitor shows runs of premature ventricular contractions. Which drug is most likely to be given to this client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lidocaine is used to treat ventricular arrhythmias, such as premature ventricular contractions, in acute coronary syndrome.
Question 3 of 5
Which observation, if reported by a client, is most suggestive of an adverse reaction to gentamicin?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Gentamicin is ototoxic. Ringing in the ears suggests possible damage to the eighth cranial nerve, the auditory nerve. A WBC of 8000 is normal.
Question 4 of 5
The client is diagnosed with essential hypertension and is receiving a calcium channel blocker. Which assessment data would warrant the nurse holding the client's medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Dizziness on standing suggests orthostatic hypotension, a calcium channel blocker side effect, warranting holding the dose to prevent falls. Fever, cough, or BP are less critical.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is monitoring a client receiving a thrombolytic agent, alteplase (Activase tissue plasminogen activator), for treatment of a myocardial infarction. What outcome indicates the client is receiving adequate therapy within the first hours of treatment?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Return of ST segment to baseline on ECG. Improved perfusion should result from this medication, along with the reduction of ST segment elevation.