Sample Questions and Answers
Which of the following is the most effective method for a nurse to ensure patient understanding of medication instructions?
a) Providing written instructions only
b) Asking the patient to repeat back instructions
c) Assuming understanding if the patient nods
d) Encouraging the patient to watch a video
Answer: b) Asking the patient to repeat back instructions
When educating a patient about taking medications on an empty stomach, the nurse should explain this means:
a) Taking the medication immediately after a meal
b) Taking the medication with a small snack
c) Taking the medication 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
d) Taking the medication only in the morning
Answer: c) Taking the medication 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal
A patient asks why they should avoid grapefruit juice with certain medications. The nurse explains:
a) It can cause stomach upset
b) It enhances the medication’s effectiveness
c) It can interfere with the metabolism of the drug
d) It causes dehydration
Answer: c) It can interfere with the metabolism of the drug
A nurse is teaching a patient about a newly prescribed medication. What is the best way to individualize the education?
a) Use technical medical terms
b) Assess the patient’s literacy level and learning preferences
c) Provide the same handout to all patients
d) Focus only on potential side effects
Answer: b) Assess the patient’s literacy level and learning preferences
When educating a patient about a sublingual medication, the nurse should instruct the patient to:
a) Swallow the tablet whole
b) Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing
c) Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
d) Place the tablet between the gum and cheek
Answer: c) Place the tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve
Why is it important to teach patients the exact time to take a time-sensitive medication?
a) To avoid side effects
b) To prevent developing a tolerance
c) To maintain consistent blood levels of the drug
d) To reduce the risk of addiction
Answer: c) To maintain consistent blood levels of the drug
A patient taking a diuretic is educated to monitor for:
a) Increased appetite
b) Weight gain
c) Signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
d) Decreased urination
Answer: c) Signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
The primary goal of patient education for a new medication is to:
a) Reduce healthcare costs
b) Ensure the patient adheres to the treatment regimen
c) Meet legal requirements for informed consent
d) Provide general knowledge about medications
Answer: b) Ensure the patient adheres to the treatment regimen
A nurse teaches a patient about a medication with a high potential for abuse. What should the nurse emphasize?
a) Stopping the medication abruptly when feeling better
b) Keeping the medication in a secure place
c) Sharing the medication with family members if needed
d) Taking double doses if a dose is missed
Answer: b) Keeping the medication in a secure place
When instructing a patient about insulin administration, the nurse emphasizes rotating injection sites primarily to:
a) Prevent pain during injections
b) Ensure proper absorption of insulin
c) Reduce the risk of infection
d) Increase insulin effectiveness
Answer: b) Ensure proper absorption of insulin
A nurse explains that the purpose of enteric-coated tablets is to:
a) Ensure faster absorption in the stomach
b) Protect the drug from being destroyed by stomach acid
c) Reduce the risk of allergic reactions
d) Allow the tablet to dissolve in water
Answer: b) Protect the drug from being destroyed by stomach acid
What should the nurse teach a patient about using a metered-dose inhaler?
a) Shake the inhaler before use
b) Exhale into the inhaler before inhaling
c) Hold the breath for 1 second after inhaling the medication
d) Use the inhaler only during emergencies
Answer: a) Shake the inhaler before use
A patient is prescribed an antibiotic. The nurse emphasizes the importance of:
a) Stopping the medication as soon as symptoms resolve
b) Completing the full course of the antibiotic
c) Taking the antibiotic only if symptoms worsen
d) Sharing leftover doses with family members
Answer: b) Completing the full course of the antibiotic
Which of the following teaching methods is best for educating older adults about medications?
a) Using large print handouts and speaking clearly
b) Rushing through instructions to save time
c) Avoiding repetition to prevent boredom
d) Providing instructions once and expecting recall
Answer: a) Using large print handouts and speaking clearly
A nurse explains to a patient that taking medication as prescribed is known as:
a) Adherence
b) Compliance
c) Tolerance
d) Dependency
Answer: a) Adherence
A patient asks why they must avoid alcohol while taking a specific medication. The nurse explains:
a) Alcohol decreases the effectiveness of all medications
b) Alcohol can interact with the medication, causing harmful side effects
c) Alcohol helps the body eliminate the drug faster
d) Alcohol causes drowsiness in all patients
Answer: b) Alcohol can interact with the medication, causing harmful side effects
When educating a patient about a transdermal patch, the nurse should emphasize:
a) Applying the patch to the same site daily
b) Cutting the patch in half for a lower dose
c) Avoiding heat exposure to the patch
d) Applying the patch only during the daytime
Answer: c) Avoiding heat exposure to the patch
A patient is prescribed a medication that causes drowsiness. The nurse should advise the patient to:
a) Take the medication before operating heavy machinery
b) Avoid driving or operating machinery until they know how the medication affects them
c) Consume caffeine immediately after taking the medication
d) Take the medication only when they feel fully alert
Answer: b) Avoid driving or operating machinery until they know how the medication affects them
Which of the following statements indicates that a patient understands the nurse’s instructions about antibiotic therapy?
a) “I’ll stop taking the antibiotics as soon as I feel better.”
b) “I’ll take the antibiotics with milk to reduce stomach upset.”
c) “I’ll take all the antibiotics, even if I feel better.”
d) “I’ll save the leftover antibiotics for future infections.”
Answer: c) “I’ll take all the antibiotics, even if I feel better.”
A nurse is teaching a patient about using an eyedrop medication. What is the correct technique?
a) Apply drops directly to the pupil
b) Tilt the head back and apply drops to the lower conjunctival sac
c) Blink immediately after applying the drops
d) Apply drops to the corner of the eye near the nose
Answer: b) Tilt the head back and apply drops to the lower conjunctival sac
A nurse instructs a patient to avoid crushing or chewing an extended-release tablet because:
a) It can reduce the medication’s effectiveness
b) It can cause the tablet to taste bitter
c) It can release too much medication at once
d) It may cause stomach irritation
Answer: c) It can release too much medication at once
Which of the following is the best method to evaluate a patient’s understanding of medication side effects?
a) Ask the patient to list potential side effects
b) Provide a pamphlet with detailed side effect information
c) Observe the patient administering the medication
d) Rely on the patient to ask questions if they’re confused
Answer: a) Ask the patient to list potential side effects
A patient with limited health literacy needs instructions for a new medication. The best approach is to:
a) Provide a detailed written explanation
b) Use simple language and visual aids
c) Refer the patient to a pharmacist for education
d) Avoid discussing the medication’s side effects
Answer: b) Use simple language and visual aids
When educating a patient about medication storage, the nurse should emphasize:
a) Storing all medications in the bathroom for convenience
b) Keeping medications in their original containers
c) Storing medications where children can easily access them
d) Disposing of expired medications in the trash without precautions
Answer: b) Keeping medications in their original containers
A patient is prescribed a medication to be taken “PRN.” The nurse explains that this means:
a) Take the medication with meals
b) Take the medication as needed
c) Take the medication twice daily
d) Take the medication before bedtime
Answer: b) Take the medication as needed
A nurse teaches a patient to use a spacer with an inhaler because it:
a) Increases the absorption of the medication in the mouth
b) Reduces the risk of oral thrush and ensures better delivery to the lungs
c) Allows the medication to dissolve in saliva
d) Provides a stronger dose of the medication
Answer: b) Reduces the risk of oral thrush and ensures better delivery to the lungs
A patient is learning to self-administer insulin. What is the most important information to include?
a) Use the same syringe multiple times to save money
b) Store the insulin in the freezer
c) Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage
d) Always mix short-acting and long-acting insulin
Answer: c) Rotate injection sites to prevent tissue damage
A nurse is educating a patient about potential drug interactions. Which of the following should the patient avoid unless directed by a healthcare provider?
a) Herbal supplements
b) Over-the-counter pain relievers
c) Alcohol
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
A patient asks why they should avoid taking iron supplements with milk. The nurse explains:
a) Milk neutralizes the iron supplement
b) Milk enhances the absorption of iron
c) Calcium in milk can interfere with iron absorption
d) Milk causes constipation when taken with iron
Answer: c) Calcium in milk can interfere with iron absorption
A nurse educates a patient on reporting allergic reactions to medications. Which of the following is a sign of a severe allergic reaction?
a) Mild rash
b) Nausea
c) Difficulty breathing and swelling of the face
d) Drowsiness
Answer: c) Difficulty breathing and swelling of the face
A patient asks why a medication should be taken with a full glass of water. The nurse explains:
a) It prevents dehydration
b) It helps the medication dissolve and improves absorption
c) It neutralizes stomach acid
d) It reduces the risk of drowsiness
Answer: b) It helps the medication dissolve and improves absorption
When teaching a patient about a medication that requires frequent blood level monitoring, the nurse explains this is necessary to:
a) Prevent infections
b) Avoid toxic levels of the drug
c) Increase the speed of recovery
d) Reduce the frequency of dosing
Answer: b) Avoid toxic levels of the drug
A nurse explains to a patient that over-the-counter medications can be dangerous because:
a) They are not FDA-approved
b) They are often expired before purchase
c) They can interact with prescription medications
d) They are less effective than prescribed drugs
Answer: c) They can interact with prescription medications
A patient is prescribed a medication to be taken at bedtime. The nurse emphasizes this timing because:
a) The medication works better when the patient is lying down
b) Side effects include drowsiness
c) The patient can eat before taking the medication
d) It minimizes the risk of overdose
Answer: b) Side effects include drowsiness
The nurse teaches a patient to avoid abruptly stopping certain medications because:
a) It can lead to withdrawal symptoms or adverse effects
b) It may cause the medication to lose effectiveness
c) It reduces the risk of developing tolerance
d) It ensures insurance coverage for future refills
Answer: a) It can lead to withdrawal symptoms or adverse effects
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