NUR 252 Nursing Pharmacology Exam Actual Exam
2026/2027 | Clinical Application | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacology Foundations & Safety (10 Questions)
Q1: A nurse is preparing to give digoxin 0.25 mg PO. Which assessment is essential
before administration?
A. Blood urea nitrogen
B. Apical pulse for 1 full minute
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing Process – Assessment: Digoxin slows AV conduction; bradycardia
(<60 bpm) is a hold criterion.
Technique: Auscultate apical pulse 60 seconds to detect irregularities.
Hold Parameters: HR <60 or new irregular rhythm → notify provider.
Patient Education: Teach patient to check pulse at home if prescribed chronic digoxin.
Q2: A medication order reads “amoxicillin 500 mg PO q8h × 10 days.” The nurse notes
the patient has a documented penicillin allergy. The nurse’s first action is to:
A. Give the dose and monitor for rash
B. Contact the prescriber to clarify and request alternative
,C. Administer diphenhydramine prophylactically
D. Document allergy and hold one dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication Safety – Right Medication: Penicillin allergy is an absolute
contraindication; amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative.
Nursing Action: Stop, clarify, obtain new order—never administer.
Documentation: Update allergy band and electronic profile.
Legal Principle: Administering after known allergy constitutes negligence.
Q3: A patient is prescribed a transdermal patch changed weekly. To promote
therapeutic effect, the nurse should:
A. Apply over hairy area for better adhesion
B. Rotate sites, avoid scarred areas, press firmly for 10 seconds
C. Reapply to same site for consistency
D. Cut patch in half if dose too high
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics – Transdermal Route: Site rotation prevents skin irritation
and maintains absorption; scarred areas have poor vascularity.
Technique: Clean, dry, hairless skin; firm pressure ensures contact.
Never cut patches (D)—destroys controlled-release matrix.
Q4: A nurse prepares insulin using an insulin syringe marked in units. The order is 18
units regular insulin subcutaneous. The nurse draws up 0.18 mL. This is:
, A. Correct
B. Incorrect – 18 units = 0.18 mL only if concentration 100 units/mL; syringe should be
read in units, not mL
C. Safe because math is correct
D. Acceptable if double-checked
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dosage Calculation Safety: Insulin syringes are unit-specific; drawing into mL
syringe risks 10-fold overdose.
Best Practice: Use insulin syringe or insulin pen; verify concentration (U-100 vs U-500).
Never use tuberculin syringe for routine insulin.
Q5: A patient receives high-alert medication heparin IV. The nurse verifies:
A. Two licensed nurses independently check concentration, rate, patient identity
B. Single nurse check is sufficient if experienced
C. Pharmacy label is adequate verification
D. Check only on first dose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Joint Commission High-Alert Medications: Require independent
double-check for concentration, infusion rate, pump settings, patient ID every shift or
rate change.
Purpose: Prevents lethal bleeding from dosing errors.
2026/2027 | Clinical Application | Questions with Verified
Answers | 100% Correct | Pass Guaranteed
SECTION 1: Pharmacology Foundations & Safety (10 Questions)
Q1: A nurse is preparing to give digoxin 0.25 mg PO. Which assessment is essential
before administration?
A. Blood urea nitrogen
B. Apical pulse for 1 full minute
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nursing Process – Assessment: Digoxin slows AV conduction; bradycardia
(<60 bpm) is a hold criterion.
Technique: Auscultate apical pulse 60 seconds to detect irregularities.
Hold Parameters: HR <60 or new irregular rhythm → notify provider.
Patient Education: Teach patient to check pulse at home if prescribed chronic digoxin.
Q2: A medication order reads “amoxicillin 500 mg PO q8h × 10 days.” The nurse notes
the patient has a documented penicillin allergy. The nurse’s first action is to:
A. Give the dose and monitor for rash
B. Contact the prescriber to clarify and request alternative
,C. Administer diphenhydramine prophylactically
D. Document allergy and hold one dose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication Safety – Right Medication: Penicillin allergy is an absolute
contraindication; amoxicillin is a penicillin derivative.
Nursing Action: Stop, clarify, obtain new order—never administer.
Documentation: Update allergy band and electronic profile.
Legal Principle: Administering after known allergy constitutes negligence.
Q3: A patient is prescribed a transdermal patch changed weekly. To promote
therapeutic effect, the nurse should:
A. Apply over hairy area for better adhesion
B. Rotate sites, avoid scarred areas, press firmly for 10 seconds
C. Reapply to same site for consistency
D. Cut patch in half if dose too high
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics – Transdermal Route: Site rotation prevents skin irritation
and maintains absorption; scarred areas have poor vascularity.
Technique: Clean, dry, hairless skin; firm pressure ensures contact.
Never cut patches (D)—destroys controlled-release matrix.
Q4: A nurse prepares insulin using an insulin syringe marked in units. The order is 18
units regular insulin subcutaneous. The nurse draws up 0.18 mL. This is:
, A. Correct
B. Incorrect – 18 units = 0.18 mL only if concentration 100 units/mL; syringe should be
read in units, not mL
C. Safe because math is correct
D. Acceptable if double-checked
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dosage Calculation Safety: Insulin syringes are unit-specific; drawing into mL
syringe risks 10-fold overdose.
Best Practice: Use insulin syringe or insulin pen; verify concentration (U-100 vs U-500).
Never use tuberculin syringe for routine insulin.
Q5: A patient receives high-alert medication heparin IV. The nurse verifies:
A. Two licensed nurses independently check concentration, rate, patient identity
B. Single nurse check is sufficient if experienced
C. Pharmacy label is adequate verification
D. Check only on first dose
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Joint Commission High-Alert Medications: Require independent
double-check for concentration, infusion rate, pump settings, patient ID every shift or
rate change.
Purpose: Prevents lethal bleeding from dosing errors.
