Registered Nurse: Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies Flashcards
7 cards from real RN practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Registered Nurse: Pharmacological & Parenteral Therapies flashcards as text
A patient receiving IV morphine shows a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. The priority action is:
Answer: Administer naloxone (Narcan) as ordered
Respiratory depression from opioid overdose requires immediate reversal with naloxone.
Which assessment finding is an early sign of digoxin toxicity?
Answer: Bradycardia and visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
Classic early signs of digoxin toxicity include bradycardia, nausea, and yellow-green visual halos.
A patient with a penicillin allergy is prescribed cephalexin. The nurse should:
Answer: Hold the medication and notify the prescriber about the allergy history
There is a potential cross-reactivity between penicillins and cephalosporins; the prescriber must be notified to reassess.
Which route of medication administration has the fastest onset of action?
Answer: Intravenous
Intravenous administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest onset.
A nurse is caring for a patient on heparin infusion. The aPTT result is 3 times the control. The nurse should:
Answer: Hold the infusion and notify the provider
An aPTT three times the control indicates excessive anticoagulation; the infusion should be held and the provider notified.
Before administering an intramuscular injection into the ventrogluteal site, the nurse should:
Answer: Locate the site using landmarks (iliac crest and greater trochanter)
The ventrogluteal site is identified by placing the palm on the greater trochanter and fingers toward the iliac crest.
A patient is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin) for seizure control. Which finding requires immediate intervention?
Answer: Nystagmus, ataxia, and confusion
Nystagmus, ataxia, and confusion indicate phenytoin toxicity and require immediate provider notification.