Sample NCLEX Questions
1. Your patient calls the clinic today because he is taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) to treat his high cholesterol and is having pain in both of his legs. You instruct him to:
a. Stop taking the drug and make an appointment to be seen next week
b. Continue taking the drug and make an appointment to be seen next week.
c. Stop taking the drug and come to the clinic to be seen today.
d. Walk for at least 30 minutes and call if symptoms continue.
Answer C
Rationale: Muscle aches, soreness, and weakness may be early signs of myopathy such as rhabdomyolysis associated with the HMG-CoA reducatase class of antilipemic agents. This patient will need an immediate evaluation to rule out myopathy. Additional doses may exacerbate the problem. Exercise will not reverse myopathy and delays diagnosis.
2. Which of the following adverse effects is associated with levothyroxine (Synthroid) therapy?
a. Tachycardia
b. Bradycardia
c. Hypotension
d. Constipation
Answer A
Rationale: Levothyroxine, especially in higher doses, can induce hyperthyroid-like symptoms including tachycardia. An agent that increases the basal metabolic rate would not be expected to induce a slow heart rate. Hypotension would be a side effect of bradycardia. Constipation is a symptom of hypothyroid disease.
3. Which of the following adverse effects is specific to the biguanide diabetic drug metformin (Glucophage) therapy?
a. Hypoglycaemia
b. GI distress
c. Lactic acidosis
d. Somulence
Answer C
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is the most dangerous adverse effect of metformin administration with death resulting in approximately 50 percent of individuals who develop lactic acidosis while on this drug. Metformin does not induce insulin production; thus, administration does not result in hypoglycemic events. Some nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may develop but is usually not severe. NVD is not specific for metformin. Metformin does not induce sleepiness.
4. The most serious adverse effect of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) overdose is:
a. Seizures
b. Hyperpyrexia
c. Metabolic acidosis
d. Cardiac arrhythmias
Answer B
Rationale: Excessive ingestion of TCAs result in life-threatening wide QRS complex tachycardia. TCA overdose can induce seizures, but they are typically not life-threatening. TCAs do not cause an elevation in body temperature. TCAs do not cause metabolic acidosis.
5. Which of the following solutions is routinely used to flush an IV device before and after the administration of blood to a patient?
a. 0.9 percent sodium chloride
b. 2.5 percent dextrose in water solution
c. Sterile water
d. Peparin sodium
Answer A
Rationale: 0.9 percent sodium chloride is normal saline. This solution has the same osmolarity as blood. Its use prevents red cell lysis. The solutions given in options 2 and 3 are hypotonic solutions and can cause red cell lysis. The solution in option 4 may anticoagulate the patient and result in bleeding.
NCLEX Questions for Pharmacologies Therapies 1/5
NCLEX Questions for Pharmacologies Therapies 3/5
No Responses to “NCLEX Questions for Pharmacologies Therapies 2/5”