LPN: Pharmacological Therapies Flashcards
7 cards from real LPN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 LPN: Pharmacological Therapies flashcards as text
A patient prescribed digoxin has a heart rate of 52 bpm before the morning dose. What is the priority action?
Answer: Hold the dose and notify the provider
Digoxin should be held and the provider notified when the apical pulse is below 60 bpm in adults, as bradycardia is a sign of toxicity.
Which assessment finding is most concerning in a patient receiving long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Answer: Blood glucose of 145 mg/dL
Corticosteroids cause hyperglycemia by stimulating gluconeogenesis and impairing insulin sensitivity, requiring close glucose monitoring.
An LPN is preparing to administer insulin. Which type of insulin is the ONLY type that can be given intravenously?
Answer: Regular insulin
Regular insulin is the only insulin formulation approved for intravenous administration; all others are given subcutaneously.
A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension and develops a persistent dry cough. What is the nurse's best response?
Answer: Document the finding and report it to the provider
A persistent dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and should be reported so an alternative medication class can be considered.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to a patient starting atorvastatin (Lipitor)?
Answer: 'Report muscle pain or weakness to your provider promptly.'
Muscle pain or weakness (myopathy) can be an early sign of rhabdomyolysis, a serious and potentially fatal side effect of statin therapy.
A patient with a penicillin allergy is ordered cefazolin. What should the LPN do?
Answer: Hold the medication and notify the provider of the allergy
Cephalosporins and penicillins share a similar beta-lactam ring structure, and cross-reactivity can occur, requiring provider notification.
Which electrolyte imbalance should the LPN monitor for in a patient receiving amphotericin B?
Answer: Hypokalemia
Amphotericin B is nephrotoxic and commonly causes hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia through renal potassium wasting.