NCLEX-PN · Physiological Integrity

Pharmacological Therapies Review

Review status: Draft. This NCLEX-PN content has not been reviewed by a licensed nursing professional. LPN/VN scope of practice varies by state, setting and facility policy; always follow your program, your state's nurse practice act and your facility's policies.

Safe medication administration, dosage and IV flow calculations, adverse effects and monitoring response.

2026 NCLEX-PN test plan:: 10–16% of the exam
Practice questions:: 28 original

Practice Pharmacological Therapies questions

What this category covers

Pharmacological Therapies covers giving medications safely and monitoring how clients respond. It includes the rights of medication administration, dosage calculations and IV flow rates, recognizing adverse effects and interactions, medication reconciliation, controlled substance procedures, the different routes of administration, and reinforcing medication teaching. Which medications and IV tasks an LPN/VN may perform varies by state and facility policy.

Key concepts

Safe administration

Check the order, the client's identity and the medication at each step. Stop and clarify with the RN, pharmacist or provider when anything is unclear.

Calculations

Dosage and IV flow-rate calculations use the values in the order and on the label. Units must match before you calculate, and you follow the rounding the problem or policy states.

Monitoring response

Check for the expected effect and for adverse effects, such as sedation and slow breathing with opioids. Hold and report according to the order's parameters and policy.

Controlled substances

Counts, waste and discrepancies follow facility policy, usually with a licensed witness. Report discrepancies right away.

Topics to review

Rights of medication administration
Dosage calculations
IV flow-rate calculations and monitoring
Adverse effects and interactions
Evaluating medication response
Medication reconciliation
Controlled substance procedures
Oral, enteral, injection and topical routes
Reinforcing medication teaching

Related case studies

Related Dosage Calcs tools

Sources

Educational Use & Safety

Educational exam preparation only. Questions and case studies use fictional clients and teach general nursing concepts. They are not medical advice and do not determine care for an actual patient. Always follow current clinical guidance, provider orders, and your program's and facility's policies.