Clinical Nurse Specialist Clinical Nurse Specialist Pharmacology & Medication Management

Question 1

A CNS is reviewing a patient's medication list and notes a new prescription for warfarin alongside daily aspirin. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Increased bleeding risk due to additive antiplatelet effects

Answer

Reduced anticoagulant effect

Answer

Decreased aspirin absorption

Answer

Warfarin-induced hepatotoxicity

Question 2

When counseling a patient starting metformin for type 2 diabetes, which side effect should the CNS emphasize as most common?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal upset

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Weight gain

Answer

Pancreatitis

Question 3

A patient on lisinopril develops a dry, persistent cough. What is the CNS's best recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Switch to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)

Answer

Add an antitussive medication

Answer

Discontinue all antihypertensives

Answer

Increase fluid intake to suppress cough

Question 4

Which monitoring parameter is most critical when a CNS initiates vancomycin therapy in a hospitalized patient?

Accepted Answer

Renal function and vancomycin trough levels

Answer

Liver function tests

Answer

Serum potassium

Answer

Complete blood count

Question 5

A CNS reviews an order for morphine 4 mg IV q4h PRN for a postoperative patient. The patient has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. What is the priority action?

Accepted Answer

Hold the dose, notify the provider, and prepare naloxone

Answer

Administer the dose as ordered

Answer

Hold the dose and reassess in 30 minutes

Answer

Reduce the dose by half and administer

Question 6

Which drug-drug interaction is most clinically significant when a CNS manages a patient taking both simvastatin and clarithromycin?

Accepted Answer

Elevated simvastatin levels causing rhabdomyolysis risk

Answer

Decreased antibiotic efficacy

Answer

Reduced statin absorption

Answer

Prolonged QT interval only