College Exams & Notes

Master your nursing exams with comprehensive practice questions and detailed explanations

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QUESTION #1
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
The nurse should caution a patient taking Calcitriol about concurrent use with which class of medications due to potential interactions?
A ACE inhibitors
B Thiazide diuretics
C Beta-blockers
D Antibiotics

Explanations

A
ACE inhibitors may increase potassium but do not significantly interact with calcitriol.
B
Thiazide diuretics reduce calcium excretion and, when combined with calcitriol, can cause dangerous hypercalcemia.
C
There is no major interaction between beta-blockers and calcitriol.
D
Routine antibiotics do not interact significantly with calcitriol.
Calcitriol + Thiazides = “Calcium climbs”—always monitor for hypercalcemia when these drugs are used together.
QUESTION #2
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
The nurse is assessing a patient with Graves’ disease who is taking Propylthiouracil (PTU). Which finding would indicate a potential development of hypothyroidism?
A Tachycardia
B Weight loss
C Fatigue
D Diarrhea

Explanations

A
Tachycardia is a symptom of hyperthyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
B
Weight loss also reflects hyperthyroidism or overtreated hypothyroidism, not hypothyroidism.
C
Fatigue is a classic sign of hypothyroidism and may indicate that PTU is suppressing thyroid function too much.
D
Diarrhea occurs with hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism causes constipation instead.
PTU can swing patients from “hyper” to “hypo”—watch for slowing symptoms like fatigue, cold intolerance, and constipation.
QUESTION #3
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
Which statement by a patient taking semaglutide indicates understanding of common side effects?
A “This medication will make me urinate more.”
B “I might experience nausea and constipation.”
C “I will need regular injections every day.”
D “It works by lowering my blood pressure.”

Explanations

A
Increased urination is associated with SGLT2 inhibitors, not GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide.
B
GI symptoms such as nausea, constipation, vomiting, and decreased appetite are the most common side effects of semaglutide.
C
Semaglutide is usually administered once weekly, not daily.
D
Semaglutide works by enhancing glucose-dependent insulin release and slowing gastric emptying, not by lowering blood pressure.
GLP-1 agonists = “GI issues first”—nausea, early satiety, and constipation are very common when therapy begins.
QUESTION #4
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
A 55-year-old woman taking empagliflozin for type II diabetes calls the clinic complaining of burning with urination, fever, and lower abdominal pain. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A Reassure the patient that this is a common side effect.
B Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake.
C Instruct the patient to stop empagliflozin immediately.
D Notify the provider and assess for urinary tract infection (UTI).

Explanations

A
These symptoms indicate infection, not a routine effect of empagliflozin.
B
Increasing fluids alone does not address a potentially serious urinary tract or kidney infection.
C
The nurse should not discontinue medication without evaluating for infection and notifying the provider.
D
SGLT2 inhibitors like empagliflozin increase the risk of UTIs, pyelonephritis, and urosepsis, making prompt provider notification and assessment essential.
SGLT2 inhibitors = “Sugar in the urine,” which increases infection risk—always prioritize signs of UTI or fever.
QUESTION #5
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
A patient receiving Regular insulin at 8:00 AM is scheduled for a diagnostic procedure at 10:00 AM, requiring fasting. What is the nurse’s best action?
A Administer the full dose of insulin as prescribed.
B Hold the morning dose of insulin to prevent hypoglycemia.
C Administer a half-dose of Regular insulin per provider orders.
D Give lispro insulin instead of regular to maintain blood sugar levels.

Explanations

A
Giving a full dose while the patient is NPO places them at high risk for dangerous hypoglycemia.
B
Regular insulin peaks during the time the patient will be fasting for the procedure, so the safest action is to hold the dose unless the provider gives alternate instructions.
C
A dose change requires explicit provider instruction, and the nurse cannot assume this is safe.
D
Changing insulin types without a provider order is unsafe and lispro also risks hypoglycemia while fasting.
When patients are NPO, hold rapid-acting or short-acting insulin unless the provider gives a specific modified dose.
QUESTION #6
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
A client has a history of atrial fibrillation and is taking an oral anticoagulant. The client has been newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism and placed on levothyroxine. What assessment should the nurse prioritize?
A monitoring the client’s electrolyte levels
B monitoring the client for increased bruising
C assessing for signs and symptoms of infection
D assessing the client’s level of consciousness

Explanations

A
Levothyroxine does not significantly affect electrolytes.
B
Levothyroxine enhances the effect of anticoagulants, increasing the risk of bleeding, so bruising must be closely monitored.
C
Infection risk is not directly increased by levothyroxine therapy.
D
Levothyroxine does not typically cause acute neurologic changes.
Levothyroxine “boosts” warfarin—always monitor for bleeding (bruising, nosebleeds, dark stools) when a client takes both.
QUESTION #7
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
A client has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and started on synthetic levothyroxine for thyroid replacement therapy. Which effect is the most important to report to the health care provider?
A increased temperature and metabolic rate
B insomnia and loss of weight
C increased energy level and reduction of edema
D palpitations and chest pain on exertion

Explanations

A
These reflect expected therapeutic effects of levothyroxine as metabolism normalizes.
B
These symptoms can occur with excessive dosing but are not as immediately dangerous as cardiac symptoms.
C
These changes indicate improving hypothyroidism and are desirable responses.
D
Levothyroxine increases myocardial oxygen demand, and chest pain or palpitations may indicate dangerous overreplacement or cardiac ischemia, requiring urgent evaluation.
Levothyroxine “speeds up” the heart—any chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath must be reported immediately.
QUESTION #8
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
Insulin glargine is prescribed for a hospitalized patient who has diabetes. When will the nurse expect to administer this drug
A Approximately 15 to 30 minutes before each meal
B In the morning and at 4:00 PM
C Once daily at bedtime
D After meals and at bedtime

Explanations

A
This timing is for rapid-acting insulins like lispro or aspart, not glargine.
B
Glargine is long-acting and should not be given twice daily in routine care.
C
Glargine provides steady 24-hour basal control and is typically administered once daily, often at bedtime.
D
Post-meal dosing is for short-acting or rapid-acting insulins, not long-acting glargine.
Glargine = “Long and Level”—one dose daily keeps blood glucose stable with no peak.
QUESTION #9
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
A patient has been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome and is started on the biguanide metformin (Glucophage). The nurse knows that the purpose of the metformin, in this situation, is which of these?
A To increase the pancreatic secretion of insulin
B To increase blood glucose levels
C To decrease the pancreatic secretion of glycogen
D To decrease insulin resistance

Explanations

A
Metformin does not stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin.
B
Metformin lowers blood glucose, making this statement the opposite of its intended effect.
C
The pancreas does not secrete glycogen; the liver stores glycogen and metformin reduces hepatic glucose production.
D
Metformin improves peripheral insulin sensitivity, which is a key therapeutic goal in metabolic syndrome.
“Metformin = Makes cells more sensitive”—it improves insulin response and lowers liver glucose production.
QUESTION #10
Pharmacology Exam 3 Pharmacology
The nurse is providing patient education to a patient who will begin taking fludrocortisone as adjunctive therapy to prednisone. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A “I should move from sitting to standing slowly.”
B “I should report any swelling of my hands and feet.”
C “I should report weight loss to my provider.”
D “I should report excessive urine output.”

Explanations

A
Fludrocortisone causes sodium and water retention, not orthostatic hypotension.
B
Fludrocortisone can cause fluid retention and edema, which must be reported due to the risk of hypertension and heart failure.
C
Weight gain is expected with fluid retention; weight loss is not associated with fludrocortisone toxicity.
D
Fludrocortisone decreases urine output by increasing sodium and water reabsorption, so this would not be expected.
Fludrocortisone acts like aldosterone—think “salt and water stay,” so teach patients to watch for edema and weight gain.