PHARMACOLOGY CAPSTONE EXAM
QUESTIONS & CO RR EC T AN SW ER S
WITH RATIONALES
1. A nurse is caring for a client who reports using the herbal medication garlic along with
prescribed warfarin. The nurse should identify that which of the following is a potential adverse
effect of taking both of these products concurrently?
•
Altered renal perfusion
•
Elevated blood pressure
•
Increased ecchymosis- The nurse should identify that ecchymosis occurs when there is
bleeding under the skin. Additionally, the nurse should recognize that, garlic has
antiplatelets effects that can result in bleeding. When taken concurrently with an
anticoagulant, such as warfarin, there is an increased risk for bleeding.
2. A nurse is providing teaching t a client who is starting to take aspirin. The nurse should
instruct the client to monitor for which of the following findings as an adverse effect of this
medication?
•
Black, tarry stools- A client who takes aspirin can have an increased risk for bleeding
because aspirin suppresses platelet aggregation. The nurse should instruct the client to
monitor for and report indications of bleeding, such as bruising, petechiae, and blood in
stools or urine.
•
Nystagmus
•
Dry mouth
3. A nurse is caring for a client who has an infection and is starting to take gentamicin. Which of
the following client laboratory tests should the nurse monitor to detect an adverse effect of the
medication?
•
B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)
•
Creatinine - The nurse should monitor creatinine, BUN and urine output for a client who
is receiving gentamicin, and aminoglycoside antibiotic. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside
that has both nephrotoxic and ototoxic adverse effects.
•
Amylase level
4. A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus and is starting intranasal
desmopressin. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that medication is
effective?
•
The client has clear mucus
•
The client’s 24 hr urine output is 1.256 mL - Desmopressin is effective for the treatment
of diabetes insipidus, a disorder of the posterior pituitary gland in which large amount
of dilute urine are produced due to a deficiency in vasopressin. The action of
desmopressin causes reabsorption of water and a decrease in urine volume. A urine
output of 1.256 mL over 24 hr is within the expected reference range and indicates the
medication is effective.
5. A nurse is assessing a client who has a prescription for haloperidol 0.5 mg PO three times
daily. The medication administration record shows that the client received 5 mg per dose on the
previous day. Which of the following manifestations is the nurse’s priority to assess?
•
Muscle stiffness - The nurse should recognize tha the greatest risk to the client is
developing neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and adverse reaction to haloperidol that is
potentially fatal if not treated promptly. Manifestations of neuroleptic malignant
