Chapter 1: Prescriptive Authority

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. An APRN works in a urology clinic under the supervision of a physician who does not restrict

the types of medications the APRN is allowed to prescribe. State law does not require the

APRN to practice under physician supervision. How would the APRN’s prescriptive authority

be described?

a. Full authority

b. Independent

c. Without limitation

d. Limited authority

ANS: B

The APRN has independent prescriptive authority because the regulating body does not require

that the APRN work under physician supervision. Full prescriptive authority gives the provider

the right to prescribe independently and without limitation. Limited authority places restrictions

on the types of drugs that can be prescribed.DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 1TOP:

Nursing Process: I MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic

and Parenteral Therapies

2. Which factors increase the need for APRNs to have full prescriptive authority?

a. More patients will have access to health care.

b. Enrollment in medical schools is predicted to decrease.

c. Physician’s assistants are being utilized less often.

d. APRN education is more complex than education for physicians.

ANS: A

Implementation of the Affordable Care Act has increased the number of individuals with health

care coverage, and thus the number who have access to health care services. The increase in the

number of patients createsthe need for more providers with prescriptive authority. APRNs can fill

this practice gap.DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 2TOP: Nursing Process:

Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and

Parenteral Therapies

3. Which factors could be attributed to limited prescriptive authority for APRNs?

Select all that apply.

a. Inaccessibility of patient care

b. Higher health care costs

c. Higher quality medical treatment

d. Improved collaborative care

e. Enhanced health literacy

ANS: A , B

Limiting prescriptive authority for APRNs can create barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible

patient care. It may also lead to poor collaboration among providers and higher health care costs.

It would not directly impact patient’s health literacy.DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF:

p. 2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic

Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

4. Which aspects support the APRN’s provision for full prescriptive authority?

Select all that apply.

a. Clinical education includes prescription of medications and disease processes.

b. Federal regulations support the provision of full authority for APRNs.

c. National examinations provide validation of the APRN’s ability to provide safecare.

d. Licensure ensures compliance with health care and safety standards.

e. Limiting provision can decrease health care affordability.

ANS: A , C , D

APRNs are educated to practice and prescribe independently without supervision. National

examinations validate the ability to provide safe and competent care. Licensure ensures

compliance with standards to promote public health and safety. Limited prescriptive authority

creates numerous barriers to quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.DIF: Cognitive Level:

ComprehensionREF: pp. 1-2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs

Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

5. Which aspects support the APRN’s provision for full prescriptive authority?

Select all that apply.

a. Clinical education includes prescription of medications and disease processes.

b. Federal regulations support the provision of full authority for APRNs.

c. National examinations provide validation of the APRN’s ability to provide safecare.

d. Licensure ensures compliance with health care and safety standards.

ANS: A , C , D

APRNs are educated to practice and prescribe independently without supervision. National

examinations validate the ability to provide safe and competent care. Licensure ensures

compliance with standards to promote public health and safety. Limited prescriptive authority

creates numerous barriersto quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.DIF: Cognitive Level:

ComprehensionREF: pp. 1-2TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client

Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

6. A family nurse practitioner practicing in Maine is hired at a practice across state lines in

Virginia. Which aspect of practice may change for the APRN?

a. The APRN will have less prescriptive authority in the new position.

b. The APRN will have more prescriptive authority in the new position.

c. The APRN will have equal prescriptive authority in the newposition.

d. The APRN’s authority will depend on federalregulations.

ANS: A

Virginia allows limited prescriptive authority, while Maine gives full authority to certified nurse

practitioners. The federal government does not regulate prescriptive authority.DIF: Cognitive

Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 3TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client

Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

Rosenthal: Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Providers,

2nd Ed.

Chapter 2: Rational Drug Selection and Prescription Writing

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

7. How can collaboration with a pharmacist improve positive outcomes for patients?

Select all that apply.

a. Pharmacists can suggest foods that will help with the patient’s condition.

b. Pharmacists have additional information on drug interactions.

c. The pharmacist can suggest adequate medication dosing.

d. Pharmacists have firsthand knowledge of the facility formulary.

e. Pharmacy can alter prescriptions when necessary to prevent patient harm.

ANS: B , C , D

Providers should collaborate with pharmacists because theywill likely have additional information

on formulary, drug interactions, and suggestions for adequate medication dosing. Dietitians can

make foods recommendations to treat the patient’s condition. The pharmacist can contact the

prescriber about questionable prescriptions, but cannot alter the prescription without notification

of and approval by the provider.DIF: Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: p. 9TOP: Nursing

Process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of

Risk Potential

8. A patient presents with deliriumtremens requiring Ativan administration. The provider ofcare

is not in the facility. Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

a. Obtain a telephone order.

b. Contact the on-call hospitalist.

c. Obtain an order from the charge nurse.

d. Wait for a written Ativan order.

ANS: A

In an emergency situation, such as deliriumtremens with seizure activity, it is acceptable to provide

a telephone order. Contacting the on-call hospitalist or waiting for a written order would take more

time than available for a patient with high seizure risk. Writing an order is outside the scope of

practice for the charge nurse.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 7TOP: Nursing Process:

Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk

Potential

9. A patient with chronic pain calls the provider’s office to request a refill on theiroxycontin.

Which action is most appropriate?

a. Fax an order to the pharmacy.

b. Schedule an appointment with the patient.

c. Verify the patient’s adherence to drug regimen.

d. Determine the patient’s current medication dosage.

ANS: B

Schedule II medications are not eligible for refills, and prescriptions must be handwritten. It is

important to verify the patient’s adherence to the drug regimen and determine the current dosage

of medication; however, this can be accomplished by scheduling an appointment and evaluating

the patient in person.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 8TOP: Nursing Process:

Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk

Potential

10. A patient prescribed amoxicillin for streptococcal pharyngitis reports new onset of a flat, itchy

red rash on the chest and neck. Which action is most important?

a. Provide a different prescription.

b. Discontinue the medication.

c. Prescribe an antihistamine cream.

d. Assess for respiratory compromise.

ANS: B

The priority action is to discontinue the medication to prevent worsening of the patient’s

symptoms. A different prescription would be provided, topical antihistamine may be administered,

and the patient would be assessed for respiratory involvement, but these actions would not be

performed first.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 6TOP: Nursing Process:

Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk

Potential

11. A patient taking three medications for hypertension is diagnosed with COPD. Which action

should be taken prior to prescribing medications to treat COPD?

a. Obtain baseline laboratory values.

b. Obtain a complete medication history.

c. Assess liver enzyme levels.

d. Determine if patient has insurance coverage.

ANS: B

Prior to adding medications to the treatment regimen, it is essential to assess for any potential drugdrug interactions through a complete medical history. Baseline laboratory values are not necessary

for COPD treatment. Liver enzyme levels may give insight into the possibility of altered

metabolism but would not be the first action. The presence of insurance coverage would affect the

patient’s access to treatment but may not affect the type of medication prescribed.DIF: Cognitive

Level: ApplicationREF: p. 6TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs

Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

12. A patient with diabetes reports losing their job and an inability to purchase required

medications. Which action is most appropriate?

a. Provide a 7-day sample pack.

b. Decrease the daily dose by half.

c. Contact a different pharmacy.

d. Prescribe a different medication.

ANS: C

Providing a 7-day sample will address the patient’s immediate need, but will not help with the

patient’s long-term need for medication. Decreasing the daily dose will diminish the effectiveness

of the medication. Selecting a different pharmacy could decrease the cost of the medication, as

costs vary based on the location and the pharmacy dispensing the medication. Prescribing a

different medication would be the last option.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 5TOP:

Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity:

Reduction of Risk Potential

13. Apatient recently prescribed hydrocodone callsto report theyare unable to fillthe prescription.

Which factors could contribute to the inability to fill the prescription?

Select all that apply.

a. DEA number missing from prescription

b. Prescription sent via electronic messenger

c. Dose higher than typically prescribed

d. Prescriber license number not included

e. Patient name and date of birth were handwritten

ANS: A , B , D

In order to fill a hydrocodone prescription, the prescriber name, license number, DEA number, and

contact information must be included. Schedule II medications, such as narcotics, must be

prescribed using written prescriptions. Though the pharmacist may question the high dosing, that

would not prevent filling the prescription. The patient’s name and date of birth must be included

on the prescription, but there are no regulations that the name cannot be handwritten.DIF:

Cognitive Level: ComprehensionREF: pp. 6-8TOP: Nursing Process: Diagnosis MSC: NCLEX

Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

Rosenthal: Lehne's Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Providers,

2nd Ed.

Chapter 3: Promoting Positive Outcomes of Drug Therapy

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

14. Apatient reportsthat a medication prescribed for recurrent migraine headaches is not working.

Which action should be taken first?

a. Ask the patient about the number and frequency of tablets taken.

b. Assess the patient’s headache pain on a scale from 1 to 10.

c. Report the patient’s complaint to the prescriber.

d. Suggest biofeedback as an adjunct to drug therapy.

ANS: A

When evaluating the effectiveness of a drug, it is important to determine whether the patient is

using the drug as ordered. Asking the patient to tell the nurse how many tablets are taken and how

often helps the nurse determine compliance. Assessing current pain does not yield information

about how wellthe medication is working unless the patient is currently taking it. The nurse should

gather as much information about compliance, symptoms, and drug effectiveness as possible

before contacting the prescriber. Biofeedback may be an effective adjunct to treatment, but it

should not be recommended without complete information about drug effectiveness.DIF:

Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: pp. 15-16TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX

Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and Parenteral Therapies

15. A patient is prescribed metronidazole for bacterial vaginosis. Which patient historyfinding

would be most concerning?

a. Recent yeast infection

b. Family history of cervicalcancer

c. Drinks two glasses of wine every night

d. Patient is currently unemployed

ANS: C

Patientstaking metronidazole should be educated not to drink alcohol to prevent adverse reactions.

It would be concerning that the patient drinks wine daily. History of a yeast infection may indicate

increased risk for recurrence with administration of an antimicrobial. A family history of cervical

cancer is not related to administration of metronidazole. Unemployment can indicate lack of

insurance coverage, which may limit the patient’s ability to purchase medications, but is not the

most concerning patient finding.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 12TOP: Nursing

Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction

of Risk Potential

16. A patient is using a metered-dose inhaler containing albuterolfor asthma. The medication label

instructs the patient to administer “two puffs every 4 hours as needed for coughing or

wheezing.” The patient reports feeling jittery sometimes when taking the medication, and she

doesn’t feel that the medication is always effective. Which action is most appropriate?

a. Asking the patient to demonstrate use of the inhaler

b. Assessing the patient’s exposure to tobacco smoke

c. Auscultating lung sounds and obtaining vitalsigns

d. Suggesting that the patient use one puff to reduce side effects

ANS: C

Asking the patient to demonstrate inhaler use helps to evaluate the patient’s ability to administer

the medication properly and is part ofthe nurse’s evaluation, but is not a priority intervention based

on the patient’s current report. Assessing tobacco smoke exposure helps the nurse determine

whether nondrug therapies, such as smoke avoidance, can be used as an adjunct to drug therapy,

but does not relate to the patient’s current problem. Performing a physical assessment helps the

nurse evaluate the patient’s response to the medication and identify the presence of other side

effects.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 13TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC:

NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Pharmacologic and ParenteralTherapies

17. A patient newly diagnosed with diabetes is to be discharged from the hospital. Which action

should be taken first during medication education?

a. Asking the patient to demonstrate how to measure and administer insulin

b. Discussing methods of storing insulin and discarding syringes

c. Giving information about how diet and exercise affect insulin requirements

d. Teaching the patient about the long-term consequences of poor diabetes control

ANS: A

Because insulin must be given correctly to controlsymptoms and because an overdose can be fatal,

it is most important for the patient to know how to administer it. Asking for a demonstration of

technique is the best way to determine whether the patient has understood the teaching. When a

patient isreceiving a lot of new information, the information presented first isthe most likely to be

remembered. The other teaching points are important as well, but they are not as critical and can

be taught later.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 11TOP: Nursing Process: Planning

MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

18. The drug manual states that older adult patients are at increased risk for hepatic side effects.

Which action is most important when prescribing this medication to an 80-year-old patient?

a. Obtain pretreatment laboratory work.

b. Ensure that the drug is given in the correct dose at the correct time to minimize the risk of

adverse effects.

c. Discontinue the order; the drug is contraindicated for this patient.

d. Give the medication intravenously so that the drug does not pass through the liver.

ANS: A

The drug manual indicates that this drug should be given with caution to elderly patients. Getting

information about liver function before giving the drug establishes baseline data that can be

compared with post-treatment data to determine whether the drug is affecting the liver. Giving the

correct dose at the correct interval helps to minimize risk, but without baseline information, the

effects cannot be determined. The drug is not contraindicated.DIF: Cognitive Level: AnalysisREF:

p. 12TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic

Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

19. A patient recently diagnosed with HIV is prescribed several medications to treat the condition.

Which factors could impact the patient’s adherence to the treatment regimen?

Select all that apply.

a. The patient is uninsured

b. The patient works three part-time jobs

c. The medication regimen includes six different pills

d. Patient has an eighth-grade reading comprehension level

e. Medication regimen requires medication be taken at regular 4-hour intervals.

ANS: A , B , C , E

Lack of insurance coverage can inhibit the patient from purchasing the medications, limiting his

access to treatment. Having three part-time jobs indicates that the patient has a busy schedule,

which contributesto forgetfulness and poor adherence. The more complex the medication regimen,

the more difficult it is to maintain patient adherence. Although a patient with an eighth-grade

reading comprehension level may have difficulty understanding professional medical language,

medication teaching can be adjusted to meet the patient’s learning needs.DIF: Cognitive Level:

ComprehensionREF: pp. 13-14TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs

Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

20. A patient diagnosed with bipolar disorder is prescribed daily lithium. Which action is most

important to determine if the therapeutic level is maintained?

a. Obtain preadministration blood work.

b. Administer medication at regular intervals.

c. Ensure periodic laboratory testing is completed.

d. Assess the patient for adverse effects.

ANS: C

Therapeutic serum levels are determined through periodic laboratory testing. Preadministration

blood work may be necessary to determine the patient’s physical condition but will not determine

therapeutic levels. Scheduling medication administration at regular intervals will help to ensure

medication is absorbed and metabolized predictably, but will not determine therapeutic blood

levels. Assessing the patient for physical signs of adverse effects does not determine if a

therapeutic level has been obtained.DIF: Cognitive Level: ApplicationREF: p. 12TOP: Nursing

Process: Evaluation MSC: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiologic Integrity: Reduction of