LPN Pharmacology & Medication Administration 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg PO BID. Which condition is an absolute contraindication to this medication?
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Renal impairment with GFR < 30 mL/min (Correct answer)
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
Correct answer: Renal impairment with GFR < 30 mL/min
Metformin is contraindicated in significant renal impairment (GFR < 30 mL/min) due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
Question 2: Which measurement is most important to assess BEFORE administering digoxin to a patient?
- Blood pressure
- Respiratory rate
- Apical pulse for one full minute (Correct answer)
- Temperature
Correct answer: Apical pulse for one full minute
The apical pulse must be assessed for a full minute before digoxin administration; hold and notify the provider if it is below 60 bpm.
Question 3: A patient taking warfarin reports eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables. The LPN should anticipate which laboratory change?
- Decreased INR (Correct answer)
- Increased INR
- Decreased platelet count
- Increased aPTT
Correct answer: Decreased INR
Vitamin K found in leafy greens antagonizes warfarin, decreasing its anticoagulant effect and lowering the INR.
Question 4: Which route of medication administration provides the fastest systemic onset of action?
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
- Oral
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing immediate systemic effect.
Question 5: A patient receives 25 mg diphenhydramine IV. Which side effect should the LPN most anticipate?
- Hypertension
- Sedation and dry mouth (Correct answer)
- Bradycardia
- Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: Sedation and dry mouth
Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine with strong anticholinergic and CNS-depressant properties, commonly causing sedation and dry mouth.
Question 6: When preparing to administer a subcutaneous heparin injection, the LPN should inject at which angle?
- 15 degrees
- 30 degrees
- 45 to 90 degrees (Correct answer)
- 90 degrees only
Correct answer: 45 to 90 degrees
Subcutaneous injections are administered at a 45- to 90-degree angle depending on the amount of subcutaneous tissue present.
Question 7: A patient is prescribed potassium chloride 40 mEq IV. The LPN understands that this medication must be:
- Given as an IV push over 2 minutes
- Diluted and administered by slow IV infusion (Correct answer)
- Mixed with normal saline only at room temperature
- Given undiluted via a central line
Correct answer: Diluted and administered by slow IV infusion
IV potassium chloride must always be diluted and infused slowly to prevent cardiac arrest from hyperkalemia.
LPN Pharmacology & Medication Administration 2
A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg PO BID.
Which condition is an absolute contraindication to this medication?