Test Bank for Basic Pharmacology for

Nurses 17th Edition by Bruce Clayton

and Michelle Willihngan

Chapter 02: Basic Principles of Drug Action and Drug

Interactions

Clayton/Willihnganz: Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 17th Edition

MULTIPLE CHOICE

1.The nurse assesses hives in a patient started on a new medication. What is

the nurse s priority ‟ action?

a.Notify physician of allergic reaction.

b.Notify physician of idiosyncratic reaction.

c.Notify physician of potential teratogenicity.

d.Notify physician of potential tolerance.

ANS: A

An allergic reaction is indicative of hypersensitivity and manifests with hives

and/or urticaria, which are easily identified. An idiosyncratic reaction occurs when

something unusual or abnormal happens when a drug is first administered. A

teratogenic reaction refers to the occurrence of birth defects related to

 1 / 3

administration of the drug. Tolerance refers to the body s requirement for ‟

increasing dosages to achieve the same effects that a lower dose once did.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: Page 17 OBJ: 4

TOP:Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

NOT:CONCEPT(S): Clinical Judgment; Safety

2.The nurse administers an initial dose of a steroid to a patient with asthma.

Thirty minutes after administration, the nurse finds the patient agitated and stating

that “everyone is out to get me.” What is the term for this unusual reaction?

a.Desired action

b.Adverse effect

c.Idiosyncratic reaction

d.Allergic reaction

ANS: C

Idiosyncratic reactions are unusual, abnormal reactions that occur when a drug is

first administered. Patients typically exhibit an overresponsiveness to a medication

related to diminished metabolism. These reactions are believed to be related to

genetic enzyme deficiencies. Desired actions are expected responses to a

medication. Adverse effects are reactions that occur in another system of the body;

they are usually predictable. Allergic reactions appear after repeated medication

dosages.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Knowledge REF: Page 18 OBJ: 4

TOP:Nursing Process Step: Evaluation

MSC:NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

NOT: CONCEPT(S): Patient Education; Clinical Judgment; Caregiving; Safety;

Sensory Perception

3.Which is the best description of when drug interactions occur?

a.On administration of toxic dosages of a drug

 2 / 3

b.On an increase in the pharmacodynamics of bound drugs

c.On the alteration of the effect of one drug by another drug

d.On increase of drug excretion

ANS: C

Drug interactions may be characterized by an increase or decrease in the

effectiveness of one or both of the drugs. Toxicity of one drug may or may not

affect the metabolism of another one. Drug interactions may result from either

increased or decreased pharmacodynamics. Drug interactions may result from

either increased or decreased excretion.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 18 OBJ: 5

TOP:Nursing Process Step: Assessment

MSC:NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrity

NOT:CONCEPT(S): Safety; Patient Education; Clinical Judgment

4.What occurs when two drugs compete for the same receptor site, resulting

in increased activity of the first drug?

a.Desired action

b.Synergistic effect

c.Carcinogenicity

d.Displacement

ANS: D

The displacement of the first drug from receptor sites by a second drug increases

the amount of the first drug because more unbound drug is available. An expected

response of a drug is the desired action. A synergistic effect is the effect of two

drugs being greater than the effect of each chemical individually or the sum of the

individual effects. Carcinogenicity is the ability of a drug to cause cells to mutate

and become cancerous.

DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: Page 19 OBJ: 6

TOP:Nursing Process Step: Implementation

Powered by QWIVY(www.qwivy.org)

 3 / 3