Pharmacology & Medication Administration Flashcards

A patient is prescribed morphine 4 mg IV PRN for pain. Which assessment finding should cause the LPN to withhold the dose and notify the provider?

Answer: Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min

Respiratory depression is a serious opioid side effect; a respiratory rate of 10 or below warrants withholding the dose and notifying the provider.

Which medication class is MOST associated with causing hypokalemia as an adverse effect?

Answer: Loop diuretics

Loop diuretics such as furosemide cause significant urinary potassium wasting, leading to hypokalemia.

The 'Six Rights' of medication administration include all of the following EXCEPT:

Answer: Right diagnosis

The Six Rights are: right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation — 'right diagnosis' is not one of them.

A patient is taking lisinopril and develops a persistent dry cough. The LPN should recognize this as which type of reaction?

Answer: Common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors

A persistent dry cough is a well-known adverse effect of ACE inhibitors caused by bradykinin accumulation.

Which action should the LPN take FIRST after a needlestick injury during medication administration?

Answer: Wash the site thoroughly with soap and water

Immediate washing with soap and water is the first priority to reduce risk of infection following a needlestick injury.

A patient on isoniazid (INH) for tuberculosis should be supplemented with which vitamin to prevent a common drug-induced deficiency?

Answer: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)

INH interferes with pyridoxine (B6) metabolism, causing peripheral neuropathy; B6 supplementation is routinely given to prevent this.

When administering medications through an enteral (NG) tube, the LPN should take which action regarding extended-release tablets?

Answer: Do not crush; contact the provider for an alternative form

Extended-release tablets must never be crushed because doing so destroys the release mechanism and can cause toxicity from rapid drug release.