NURS 6521 Midterm Exam (Complete Solution 100 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS) FOR OCTOMBER 2023
Question 1.
A nurse is caring for a postsurgical patient who has small tortuous veins and had a difficult IV
insertion. The patient is now receiving IV medications on a regular basis. What is the best nursing
intervention to minimize the adverse effects of this drug therapy?
A) Monitor the patient's bleeding time
B) Check the patient's blood glucose levels
C) Record baseline vital signs
D) Monitor the IV site for redness, swelling, or pain
Question 2.
A patient is in the clinic after 6 weeks of taking riluzole (Rilutek) for a recent diagnosis of
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The nurse will prioritize assessment for which of the following?
A) Weight gain
B) Constipation
C) Increased energy
D) Dizziness
Question 3.
Which of the following patients demonstrates the clearest indication for treatment with
prednisone?
A) A 66-year-old woman whose history of smoking has culminated in a diagnosis of emphysema
B) A 70-year-old man whose rheumatoid arthritis has not responded to OTC pain relievers
C) A 12-year-old boy whose long-standing fatigue and malaise have been attributed to leukemia
D) A 50-year-old woman who is being treated for hypertension with a diuretic and an ACE
inhibitor
Question 4.
A nurse has been administering a drug to a patient intramuscularly (IM). The physician
discontinued the IM dose and wrote an order for the drug to be given orally. The nurse notices that
the oral dosage is considerably higher than the parenteral dose and understands that this due to A)
passive diffusion.
B) active transport.
C) glomerular filtration.
D) first-pass effect.
Question 5.
A cardiac care nurse is monitoring a patient who is receiving lidocaine (Xylocaine) per IV
infusion pump for an acute ventricular arrhythmia associated with an acute MI. Which of the
following patient manifestations would cause the nurse to notify the physician immediately?
A) Confusion
B) Headache
C) Nausea
D) Leg cramps
Question 6.
A nurse is caring for a patient who is admitted into the cardiac care unit with acute,
decompensated heart failure. Nesiritide (Natrecor) has been ordered. When preparing for
administration of the drug, the nurse will
A) add the reconstituted vial of medication to a 1,000 mL IV bag.
B) shake the vial vigorously to mix the medication for reconstitution.
C) administer the initial IV bolus over approximately 60 seconds.
D) use the reconstituted solution within a 36-hour period.
Question 7.
A patient has been prescribed lithium therapy. Which of the following signs and symptoms will
the nurse tell the patient to report immediately?
A) Increased urination
B) Muscle twitching
C) Hair loss
D) Increased thirst
Question 8.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has just been diagnosed with Parkinson disease. The patient
does not understand how the medication ordered, carbidopa-levodopa, is going to help her
condition. Which of the following is the correct response by the nurse?
A) "Carbidopa-levodopa will delay the loss of muscle strength and limb function for several
months."
B) "This drug will change the immune processes in your body to help decrease the tissue
damage."
C) "Carbidopa-levodopa increases the activity of dopamine in your body, which will
decrease your symptoms."
D) "Your drug therapy will reduce excessive reflex activity causing your muscle spasms and will
allow for muscle relaxation."
Question 9.
A patient is taking flavoxate hydrochloride (Urispas) to help control an overactive bladder. On a
follow-up visit to the clinic, the nurse will question the patient about which of the following?
A) Chronic diarrhea
B) Dental hygiene practices
C) Headaches
D) Diet
Question 10.
A nurse notes new drug orders for a patient who is already getting several medications. Which of
the following is the most important con- sideration when preparing to administer the new drugs?
A) How the patient will feel about new medications added to her drug therapy
B) Possible drug-drug interactions that might occur
C) Any special nursing considerations that the nurse must be aware of
D) If generic preparations of the drugs can be used
Question 11.
A nurse is discussing with a patient the efficacy of a drug that his physician has suggested, and he
begin taking. Efficacy of a drug means which of the following?
A) The amount of the drug that must be given to produce a particular response
B) How well a drug produces its desired effect
C) A drug's strength of attraction for a receptor site
D) A drug's ability to stimulate its receptor
Question 12.
A nurse is conducting a medication resolution of a new resident of a care facility and notes that the
woman has been taking neostigmine. The nurse should recognize that the woman may have a
history of what health problem?
A) Alzheimer disease
B) Parkinson disease
C) Myasthenia gravis
D) Multiple sclerosis
Question 13.
A 77-year-old man's chronic heart failure is being treated with a regimen of quinapril (Accupril)
and furosemide (Lasix). Which of the following assessment findings would suggest that the loop
diuretic is contributing to a therapeutic effect?
A) The man's glomerular filtration rate and creatinine levels are within reference ranges.
B) The man's heart rate is between 60 and 70 beats per minute with a regular rhythm.
C) The man's potassium and sodium levels remain with reference ranges.
D) The man's chest sounds are clear and his ankle edema is lessened.
Question 14.
A nurse explains to a patient that nitroglycerin patches should be ap- plied in the morning and
removed in the evening. This medication schedule reduces the potential for
A) adverse effects.
B) nitrate dependence.
C) nitrate tolerance.
D) toxic effects.
