NURS 3100 Exam 1 Practice

How can a nurse identify the generic names of drugs in a drug handbook?

1. They are listed in parentheses along with the trade name

2. They begin with a lowercase letter

3. The chemical name is listed in parentheses before the generic name

4. There are both letters and numbers in the name

The correct answer is: They begin with a lowercase letter

Nurses use a drug handbook as a quick reference for drug information. The generic names of drugs are important because they represent the active ingredient of a medication. Option A is incorrect because the trade name (brand name) is usually listed first before the generic name in parentheses. Option C is incorrect because the chemical name is usually longer and more complex than the generic name. Option D is incorrect because there is no specific rule regarding the combination of letters and numbers in a generic name. Therefore, the best way for a nurse to identify the generic name of a drug in a drug handbook is by looking for a name that begins with a lowercase letter, as this is a common characteristic of generic names.