MACE Pharmacology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident is prescribed warfarin. Which food should the nursing assistant advise the resident to keep consistent in their diet?
- Leafy green vegetables (Correct answer)
- Citrus fruits
- Dairy products
- Red meat
Correct answer: Leafy green vegetables
Leafy greens are high in vitamin K, which counteracts warfarin, so intake must remain consistent to maintain stable anticoagulation.
Question 2: Which route of medication administration bypasses the digestive system entirely?
- Oral
- Sublingual
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
- Rectal
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous (IV) administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, completely bypassing the GI tract.
Question 3: A resident refuses their scheduled medication. What is the FIRST action the nursing assistant should take?
- Crush the medication and hide it in food
- Document the refusal and notify the nurse (Correct answer)
- Convince the resident to take it anyway
- Withhold the medication without reporting
Correct answer: Document the refusal and notify the nurse
Residents have the right to refuse medications; the CNA must document the refusal and promptly notify the nurse.
Question 4: Which term describes an unexpected, harmful reaction to a medication that is not related to the drug's known side effects?
- Therapeutic effect
- Idiosyncratic reaction (Correct answer)
- Cumulative effect
- Synergistic effect
Correct answer: Idiosyncratic reaction
An idiosyncratic reaction is an abnormal, unpredictable response to a drug that differs from the expected pharmacological effect.
Question 5: When a medication is described as having a 'narrow therapeutic index,' this means:
- It works for a wide range of conditions
- There is a small difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose (Correct answer)
- It can be safely combined with many other drugs
- It is absorbed slowly over many hours
Correct answer: There is a small difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose
A narrow therapeutic index means the effective dose and the toxic dose are very close, requiring careful monitoring.
Question 6: A resident is taking a diuretic medication. Which observation is MOST important to report to the nurse?
- Increased thirst
- Muscle cramps and weakness (Correct answer)
- Mild headache
- Slight decrease in appetite
Correct answer: Muscle cramps and weakness
Muscle cramps and weakness can indicate electrolyte imbalance, particularly hypokalemia, which is a serious side effect of many diuretics.
Question 7: The five rights of medication administration include the right resident, right drug, right dose, right route, and right:
- Room
- Time (Correct answer)
- Nurse
- Color
Correct answer: Time
The fifth right is the right time, ensuring medications are given at the correct scheduled interval for therapeutic effectiveness.
MACE Pharmacology 2
A resident is prescribed warfarin.
Which food should the nursing assistant advise the resident to keep consistent in their diet?