NCLEX-PN
NCLEX Pharmacology Questions Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse practicing in a long term care facility recognizes that elderly clients are at greater risk for drug toxicity than younger adults because of which of the following physiological changes of advancing age?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Elders have less body water and more fat. Because elderly persons have decreased lean body tissue/water in which to distribute medications, more drug remains in the circulatory system with potential for drug toxicity. Increased body fat results in greater amounts of fat-soluble drugs being absorbed, leaving less in circulation, thus increasing the duration of action of the drug.
Question 2 of 5
A client has been receiving dexamethasone (Decadron) for control of cerebral edema. Which of the following assessments would indicate that the treatment is effective?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Decadron is a corticosteroid that acts on the cell membrane to decrease inflammatory responses as well as stabilize the blood-brain barrier. Once Decadron reaches a therapeutic level, there should be a decrease in symptomatology with improvement in motor skills.
Question 3 of 5
The provider has ordered transdermal nitroglycerin patches for a client. Which of these instructions should be included when teaching a client about how to use the patches?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Apply the patch to any non-hairy area of the body. The patch application sites should be rotated.
Question 4 of 5
An adult client is receiving lithium 600 mg PO tid for the treatment of bipolar disorder. The client should be taught that it is important to have adequate amounts of which substance?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Adequate sodium intake is crucial with lithium to prevent toxicity, as low sodium levels increase lithium retention.
Question 5 of 5
A client is receiving erythromycin 500 mg IV every 6 hours to treat a pneumonia. Which of the following is the most common side effect of the medication?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting. Nausea is a common side-effect of erythromycin in both oral and intravenous forms.