NCLEX Pharmacology Cheat Sheet

Extract:

Question 1 of 5

The nurse is caring for a client with schizophrenia who has been treated with quetiapine (Seroquel) for 1 month. Today the client is increasingly agitated and complains of muscle stiffness. Which of these findings should be reported to the health care provider?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Elevated temperature and sweating. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare disorder that can occur as a side effect of antipsychotic medications. It is characterized by muscular rigidity, tachycardia, hyperthermia, sweating, altered consciousness, autonomic dysfunction, and increase in CPK. This is a life-threatening complication.

Question 2 of 5

A 68-year-old client was admitted with congestive heart failure, has been digitalized, and is now taking a maintenance dose of digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The client is to be discharged soon. Which assessment is of most immediate concern to the nurse?

A. The client's apical pulse is 66. B. The client says that he is nauseous and has no appetite. C. The client says that he will take his pill every morning. D. The client has lost 8 lb since his admission one week ago.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Nausea and anorexia are signs of digoxin toxicity, requiring immediate attention to prevent serious complications.

Question 3 of 5

A young woman delivered a 7-lb, 8-oz baby boy spontaneously. Ergotrate 0.4 mg q6h for five days is ordered. A half-hour after the nurse administers the first dose, she complains of abdominal cramping. The nurse's best response is based on which understanding?

A. Cramping indicates a serious adverse reaction. B. Cramping can be reduced by abdominal breathing. C. The medication is having the desired effect. D. The dosage needs to be reduced.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Ergotrate causes uterine contractions, leading to cramping, which is the intended effect to prevent postpartum hemorrhage.

Question 4 of 5

The client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) is receiving Lioresal (baclofen), a muscle relaxant. Which information should the nurse teach the client/family?

A. The importance of tapering off medication when discontinuing medication. B. Baclofen may cause diarrhea, so the client should take antidiarrheal medication. C. The client should not be allowed to drive alone while taking this medication. D. The need for follow-up visits to obtain a monthly white blood cell count.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Baclofen requires tapering to prevent withdrawal symptoms, like seizures, per FDA warnings. Diarrhea, driving, or WBC counts are not primary concerns.

Question 5 of 5

Keflex 250 mg PO q6h is ordered for an adult. The nurse notes that the client's history indicates that she has an allergy to penicillin. What is the most appropriate initial action for the nurse?

A. Notify the physician B. Observe the client carefully after giving the medication C. Administer the Keflex IV instead of PO D. Ask the client to describe the reaction that she had to penicillin

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: There is often a cross-allergy between penicillin and cephalosporins like Keflex. The nurse should first determine the type of reaction to assess if Keflex is safe.

NCLEX Pharmacology Cheat Sheet | Nurselytic

Nurselytic

NCLEX-PN

NCLEX-PN