NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam

NURS 6521: Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam

Question 1

A nurse educator responsible for staff education on an oncology unit is conducting an in-service on targeted therapies. What potential benefit of targeted therapies should the nurse emphasize in this education session?
– Targeted therapies offer the potential for therapeutic benefits similar to traditional chemotherapy while minimizing the risk of adverse effects.
– Targeted therapies have the capacity to provide prophylactic protection against neoplasia in individuals at high risk.
– Targeted therapies are notably more cost-effective compared to traditional chemotherapeutic drugs.
– Targeted therapies hold the potential to selectively damage cancerous cells while sparing normal body cells to a greater extent.

Question 2

Alprostadil (Caverject), a medication used for treating erectile dysfunction, has been prescribed to a 42-year-old patient. When providing education to the patient and his spouse, the nurse should inform the spouse about which of the following potential adverse effects?
– Decreased blood pressure
– Vaginal burning
– Increased heart rate
– Reduced desire for sexual activity

Question 3

A 12-year-old boy is being discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment. The boy will need to take two medications at home for an extended period. The nurse responsible for the discharge should provide medication education, specifically to:
– The mother, explaining why the boy needs to take the medications.
– Both the boy and his mother, covering all aspects of the prescribed medications.
– The boy, reassuring him about the importance of taking the medications as directed.
– The mother, emphasizing the necessity of ensuring the boy takes the medications, even if he is reluctant.

Question 4

A 30-year-old African-American woman has tested positive for a certain condition and has been prescribed a medication. The nurse will plan the patient’s care to include close monitoring of the drug therapy because:
– The process of drug absorption may be influenced.
– The therapeutic effects of the drug are unpredictable.
– The patient is at a higher risk of elevated serum levels of the drug.
– The process of drug metabolism may be altered.

Question 6

A 16-year-old boy has been prescribed cromolyn sodium nasal spray to treat a nasal allergy. To maximize the therapeutic effects of the drug, which of the following instructions should the nurse provide to the patient?
– Take the medication as prescribed.
– Avoid missing doses.
– Take the medication consistently.
– Use the medication properly.

Question 7

Laboratory testing has confirmed that a patient has chloroquine-resistant malaria, and the patient’s physician has prescribed quinine along with an adjunctive drug. The nurse should question the physician’s order if the patient has a history of:
– Osteoporosis or
– Chronic illness.

Question 8

A nurse is explaining to a pregnant 21-year-old college student why she cannot continue taking ibuprofen (Advil) for her headaches. The nurse uses a visual aid to illustrate drug molecules crossing the placental membrane and entering the fetal circulation. The nurse explains that this phenomenon occurs primarily because:
– There is a 40% increase in blood volume during pregnancy.
– The mother’s heart rate is 10 to 15 beats per minute faster during pregnancy.
– Drugs compete with pregnancy hormones for albumin-binding sites.
– Hemodilution of plasma albumin occurs.

Question 9

A 66-year-old man has made an appointment with his primary care provider to discuss his recent health concerns and has requested a prescription for a medication he saw advertised on television. What characteristic of this patient would most likely contraindicate the use of this medication?
– The patient takes allopurinol for the treatment of gout.
– The patient has a family history of osteoporosis and has undergone bone density testing.
– The patient has unstable angina and uses a nitroglycerin patch.
– The patient often takes ginseng when he has a common cold.

Question 10

A man has a demonstrated history of androgen deficiency, which has led to difficulties in maintaining an erection. Which of the following medications would be most suitable for addressing this patient’s erectile dysfunction (ED)?
– Exogenous testosterone

Question 11

A 39-year-old woman is receiving doxorubicin for cancer treatment. After each treatment, the patient experiences acute nausea and vomiting, along with a slightly increased heart rate. The nurse will advise her to:
– Practice relaxation techniques after the treatments.
– Schedule cardiac function tests.
– Take the medication only at bedtime.
– Engage in light exercise after receiving the drug.

Question 12

A nurse has administered filgrastim to a diverse group of patients in recent months. Which of the following patients should the nurse observe for extremely elevated white blood cell counts following administration of the drug?
– A 19-year-old
– A 25-year-old female with
– A 39-year-old female with
– A 47-year-old male with a=

Question 13

A patient is taking flavoxate hydrochloride (Urispas) to manage an overactive bladder. During a follow-up clinic visit, the nurse will inquire about which of the following?
– Dental hygiene practices
– Headaches

Question 17

A female patient is taking filgrastim (Neupogen) to reduce the incidence of infection. The nurse observes a small increase in the neutrophil count 2 days after starting therapy. The nurse’s evaluation of the increase is that:
– The therapeutic effect of the drug is slow to manifest, and it is likely to result in adverse effects.
– The drug is not effective.
– The therapeutic effect of the drug is fully evident.
– The increase in the neutrophil count is insignificant.

Question 18

A 2-year-old child has been diagnosed with a minor ailment and will be administered medications at home for 2 weeks. The child resides with his mother, grandmother, and four other children aged between 14 months and 7 years. The home health nurse is tasked with assessing the home environment to determine if it is suitable for the child to take his medication at home. Which of the following factors will have the most significant impact on the nurse’s assessment?
– The mother and grandmother’s understanding of the drugs
– The cleanliness of the house
– The health status of
– The location

Question 19

A nurse who works on a pediatric unit of a hospital is aware that the potential for harm due to drug errors is greater in infants and children compared to adults. This heightened risk is primarily attributed to:
– The inability of infants and children to describe symptoms of adverse drug reactions.
– The increased ratio of body surface area to body volume in infants and children.
– The elevated heart rate and rapid drug distribution in infants and children.
– The immature liver and kidney function in infants and children.

Question 19

A nurse who works on a pediatric unit of a hospital is aware that the potential for harm due to drug errors is greater in infants and children compared to adults. This heightened risk is primarily attributed to:
– The inability of infants and children to describe symptoms of adverse drug reactions.
– The increased ratio of body surface area to body volume in infants and children.
– The elevated heart rate and rapid drug distribution in infants and children.
– The immature liver and kidney function in infants and children.

Question 20

A nurse is caring for a 46-year-old female patient who is receiving paclitaxel for ovarian cancer. Two or three days after each infusion of the drug, the nurse must closely monitor for which of the following?
– Neurotoxicity

Question 21

A 15-year-old boy who has been taking dextroamphetamine for ADHD treatment reports experiencing a depressed mood and feelings of hopelessness. He discloses to the school nurse that he has started taking his stepfather’s antidepressant to improve his mood. After contacting the boy’s stepfather, the nurse learns that the drug in question is phenelzine (Nardil), a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The nurse should recognize that this combination of drugs poses a serious risk of what health problem?
– Nephrotoxicity

Question 22

A 7-year-old child has been prescribed tetracycline for a bacterial infection. The nurse will inform the parents that this drug could cause:
– Orange-tinged urine.
– Staining of permanent teeth.
– Sleep disturbances.
– Deep muscle pain.

Question 23

Mr. Laird is a 49-year-old electrician who sustained severe burns on his trunk, arms, and hands in a workplace accident two weeks ago. Part of his treatment plan includes the application of silver sulfadiazine. The nurse’s instructions regarding the application of this medication should include:
– Applying a layer of silver sulfadiazine that is thick enough to render the wound bed invisible.
– Cleaning the wound thoroughly.
– Applying a thin layer of the drug to the wound.
– Performing a comprehensive assessment of the wound.

Question 24

A patient has been prescribed daptomycin for a complicated skin infection. The nurse will advise the patient to report immediately:
– Nausea and
– Muscle pain or tingling

Question 25

An immunocompromised 7-year-old child was recently discharged home with a prescription for home antibiotic therapy. The child has now been brought to the emergency department by his parents with signs and symptoms of line sepsis. Upon questioning, the nurse will assess for which of the following factors?
– Caregiver
– Ineffective Family Therapeutic Regimen Management
– Delayed
– Knowledge

Question 26

A patient’s current course of cancer treatment involves the administration of a conjugated monoclonal antibody. What characteristic of the drug should the nurse explain to the patient?
– The drug is derived from .
– The targeted therapy is combined with .
– The targeted therapy is a combination of a monoclonal antibody, a kinase inhibitor, and an inorganic cytotoxin.
– The drug is capable of adapting its pharmacokinetics to the etiology of the patient’s cancer.

Question 27

A female patient has been prescribed estrogen therapy. The nurse will advise the patient that a common side effect of this therapy is:
– Migraine headaches
– Breakthrough bleeding
– Dizziness
– Changes in libido

Question 28

A nurse works at a weight management clinic. To which of the following overweight patients could the nurse safely administer dextroamphetamine?
– A 38-year-old Caucasian woman with
– A 60-year-old African-American man who
– A 48-year-old Caucasian man who has
– A 28-year-old African-American woman with

Question 29

A patient with a diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia has consulted her oncologist, who has recommended treatment with the kinase inhibitor imatinib. What route of administration should the nurse explain to the patient?
– Daily intramuscular injections throughout the
– Peripheral IV administration three times a day
– Weekly IV infusions over 6 to 8 hours through a
– Oral administration of imatinib in a

Question 37

A nurse is instructing a 19-year-old female patient on the use of fluconazole for candida vaginitis. A key point to emphasize to the patient is to:
– Take an antiemetic or antidiarrheal if adverse effects occur.
– Use an alternative form of birth control if taking an oral contraceptive.
– Take an aspirin for relief of.
– Take the drug with .

Question 38

A nurse is assigned to a patient who is at 32 weeks’ gestation and is receiving medication for 24 hours to control preterm labor. Which of the following nursing actions will the nurse take to decrease the risk of hypotension and promote circulation to the fetus?
– Instruct the patient to lie on her back during the infusion.
– Instruct the patient to notify the nurse if she experiences palpitations.
– Instruct the patient to limit the amount of her fluid intake during the therapy.
– Instruct the patient to lie on her left side during the infusion.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Essay

Question 39

A nurse is caring for a patient with cancer who has been prescribed dronabinol (Marinol) to help reduce nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. The nurse will inform the patient that this medication contains:
– Methamphetamine.

Question 40

A 36-year-old woman with a history of dysmenorrhea has initiated treatment with progesterone, which she will be receiving via the intramuscular route. The nurse, while participating in the patient’s care, should monitor for which of the following?
– Incontinence, Functional, related to neurosensory and musculoskeletal changes
– Confusion, Chronic, related to CNS changes resulting from adverse drug effects

Question 41

A 9-year-old boy has been brought to his primary care provider by his mother with signs and symptoms of hookworm infection and will be sent home with a prescription for medication. When providing patient and family education, the nurse should teach the mother about which of the following measures to avoid reinfection following treatment?
– The importance of maintaining strict hygiene for the boy and other family members
– The need for the boy to provide serial stool samples for 6 months following treatment
– The need to supplement the anthelminthic
– The need to use prescription skin cleansers during

Question 42

A patient has been admitted to the critical care unit of the hospital with bacterial septicemia that has not responded to initial antibiotic treatment. The patient’s most recent blood cultures reveal the presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the patient’s blood.

The nurse should anticipate the initiation of antibiotic therapy with:
– Doripenem (Doribax)

Question 43

A nurse is working in a women’s hospital where she is caring for a new mother who is experiencing postpartum urinary retention. Bethanechol (Urecholine) has been ordered. The nurse will monitor for which of the following side effects?
– Hypertension
– Decreased salivation

Question 44

A patient is pregnant and is at 7 weeks’ gestation. She has type 1 diabetes and has been taking insulin since she was 13 years old. She asks the nurse if the insulin will be harmful to her baby. The best response to the patient by the nurse would be:
– “I will inform your physician that you are concerned about taking insulin during your pregnancy.”
– “You will need to discontinue insulin therapy during your pregnancy, but you will receive alternative treatment.”
– “You will need to continue taking insulin because it is necessary for managing your diabetes during pregnancy.”
– “Insulin is usually the preferred drug for controlling blood glucose levels during pregnancy because it does not cross the placenta.”

Question 58

A female patient is prescribed oprelvekin therapy to treat thrombocytopenia. Which of the following should the nurse continuously monitor to determine the efficacy and duration of the treatment?
– Red and white blood cell count
– Cardiac arrhythmias

Question 59

Which of the following is critical for helping prevent the development of resistant strains of microbes?
– Limiting the exposure of
– Keeping the
– Maintaining the optimal duration of antimicrobial agent
– Maintaining the maximum safe frequency of antimicrobial drug ingestion

Question 60

A 30-year-old woman in the first trimester of pregnancy presents with a 4-day history of a reddened, itchy left eye that is worsening. The clinician suspects a bacterial etiology rather than viral. How will the patient’s pregnancy affect the potential use of ciprofloxacin?
– Ciprofloxacin is safe to use in pregnancy, and the patient may use the same dose and route as a nonpregnant patient.
– The use of ciprofloxacin is contraindicated in pregnancy.
– It is safe for the patient to use topical ciprofloxacin, but the oral route is potentially teratogenic.
– The patient will require a lower dose and longer course of ciprofloxacin.

Question 68

A 56-year-old woman is about to begin treatment for her medical condition. What patient teaching should the nurse provide to this woman?
– “It’s essential to check your heart rate before taking your Detrol each day and avoid taking it if your heart rate is below 60 beats/minute.”
– “You’ll likely need to stop taking your ” – “You may notice a small amount of blood in your urine during the first few days, but this is normal and not a concern.”
– “You may experience dry mouth or a headache from this medication, but it does not indicate a problem.”

Question 69

A nurse is instructing a colleague on how drugs achieve their therapeutic effect. Which of the following should be included in the nurse’s teaching?
– The first drugs used to treat infections date back to the 17th century.
– Selective toxicity determines the appropriate drug dosage needed.
– Penicillin interferes with the growth and development of bacterial cell walls.
– Tetracycline interferes with the synthesis of bacterial cell walls.

Question 70

A nurse is explaining to the parents of a 6-year-old child suffering from . Which of the following will the nurse include in an explanation?
– A child has an , which increases drug absorption, causing an increase in adverse effects.
– A child’s , resulting in an increase in topical absorption, which can cause more adverse effects.
– A child’s , causing less of the drug to be absorbed from subcutaneous skin, therefore producing more adverse effects.
– A child’s , creating greater permeability, resulting in an increase in absorption of topical agents, which may lead to more adverse effects.

Question 71

A patient is being discharged from the hospital and will be taking medication at home. The nurse will instruct the patient that she will be taking a medication:
– That will be provided in pill form and may cause lightheadedness.
– That will be administered as a weekly intramuscular injection in an outpatient setting.
– That may be prescribed as a patch and may cause dry mouth.
– That can be inhaled and may cause occasional heart palpitations.

Question 72

A nurse is aware that the concept of is foundational to . Which of the following statements most accurately describes ?
– A drug harms microbes without harming human cells.
– A drug’s effect on microorganisms is proportionate to dose.
– Most microbes can be collected from a host and cultured on an alternative medium.
– A drug can be isolated and produced in a controlled manner in a laboratory setting.

Question 98

A nurse is caring for a patient who is at 28 weeks’ gestation and is receiving medication to control preterm labor. Which of the following assessment parameters should the nurse prioritize?
– Maternal body temperature
– Fetal heart rate (FHR)
– Correct fetal position
– Fetal blood pressure

Question 99

An oncology nurse is aware of the risks of injury associated with the preparation, transportation, and administration of chemotherapeutic agents. To reduce these risks of injury, the nurse should take which of the following actions?
– Dispose of intravenous lines used for chemotherapy administration in a covered trash can in the patient’s room.
– Use an IV system for administration that includes needles to reduce the risk of accidental spills.
– Prime the IV tubing with an approved IV solution rather than with the drug itself.
– Encourage patients who have been receiving chemotherapy to use a bedside commode rather than a toilet.

Question 100

A nurse is discussing with a 58-year-old male patient the causes of erectile dysfunction in men over 50 years of age. Which of the following will the nurse inform the patient is the primary physical cause of erectile dysfunction in men in this age group?
– Atherosclerosis of the penile artery