Part 1 

Question 1

A nurse works in a private hospital and needs to administer some narcotic drugs to one of her patients. Which of the following should the nurse consider when administering narcotics to patients in a hospital setting?                      

A) Narcotics are banned in private settings and cannot be used.
B) Narcotics can be used in the hospital after obtaining written approval from the Joint Commission for Accreditation of Hospitals and Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
C) Narcotics to be used in the hospital are dispensed only with a written prescription.
D) Narcotics can be used in the hospital according to patient preferences.

Question 2

A patient has been receiving regular doses of an agonist for 2 weeks. Which of the following should the nurse anticipate?        

A) The drug will decrease in effectiveness
B) The drug will increase in effectiveness
C) There will be a steady state with no anticipated changes
D) The drug will cause excessive therapeutic effects even when administered in small doses.

Question 3

A nurse is creating a plan of care for a 68-year-old woman with a recent diagnosis of unstable angina and new prescription for nitroglycerin. Which of the following nursing diagnoses should the nurse prioritize in the planning of this patient’s care?    

A) Incontinence, Functional, related to adverse effects of drug therapy
B) Risk for Fluid Volume Deficit related to adverse effects of drug therapy
C) Confusion, Acute, related to adverse effects of drug therapy
D) Acute Pain, Headache, related to adverse effects of drug therapy

Question 4

A nurse is caring for a patient who abuses marijuana. The treatment for marijuana abuse consists mainly of  

A) nonpharmacologic interventions combined with an exercise program.
B) drug therapy with bromocriptine (Parlodel).
C) aggressive respiratory assistance
D) no nursing action unless the patient experiences a “bad trip.”

Question 5

A nurse is caring for a patient who is in severe pain and is receiving an opioid analgesic. Which of the following would be the nurse’s priority assessments? 

A) Respiratory rate, seizure activity, and electrolytes
B) Pain intensity, respiratory rate, and level of consciousness
C) Liver function studies, pain intensity, and blood glucose level
D) Respiratory rate, pain intensity, and mental status