2026 latest update
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 Rasmussen with
questions and answers 2026 already graded A+
drugs that produce a response - ANSWERagonist
drugs that prevent or block a response - ANSWERantagonist
What is the therapuetic window? - ANSWERlevel of the drug between minimal effective concentration
in the plasma for obtaining desired drug response and the minimal toxic concentration
What is half life? - ANSWERThe time it takes for one half of the drug concentration to be eliminated
from the body is
If a drug has a long half life, how often should it be taken? - ANSWERonce per day
What is a patient on two highly protein bound drugs at risk for? - ANSWERaccumulation and toxicity
What is tolerance? - ANSWERa decreased responsiveness over the course of therapy, which may lead to
the need to increase dosages to attain the same effect
What makes drugs fit into the same "Class" - ANSWER-related by chemical structure
-work in the same way
-used for the same purpose
,2026 latest update
Before administering beta blockers, you should check what two vital signs? - ANSWERHeart rate
Blood pressure
Who would you not give a beta blocker to? Why? - ANSWERAsthmatic; bronchospasm
What kind of drug is metoclopramide (Reglan) - ANSWERcholinergic
Cholinergics do what to the body? (SLUD) - ANSWERSalivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Anticholinergics do what to the body - ANSWERCan't see, Can't spit, Can't pee, Can't shit
Symptoms of cholinergic crisis - ANSWERFlushing, Sweating, Nausea, Abdominal cramps
What drug would you give to treat cholinergic crisis? - ANSWERatropine
Anticholinergics are contraindicated in which clients? - ANSWER-coronary artery disease (Increase heart
rate)
-GI obstruction (constipates)
-supraventricular tachycardia (increased heart rate)
CNS stimulants are contraindicated in which clients? - ANSWER-coronary artery disease (cause
vasoconstriction=heart attack)
-Hypertension (additive hypertension=stroke)
Most common side effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) - ANSWER-irritability
-insomnia
,2026 latest update
-weight loss
-decreased appetite
Signs of hemorrhagic stroke - ANSWER-increased B/P
-increased heart rate
-increased respiratory rate
-unresponsive to deep pain
Benzodiazepines increase the activity of which neurotransmitter - ANSWERGABA
Reversal agent of benzodiazepines - ANSWERFlumazenil
zolpidem (Ambien) side effects - ANSWER-sedative/hypnotic (nonbenzodiazepine)
-suicidal ideation
-dependence
-abnormal behavior
What is the drug of choice for treating status epilepticus - ANSWERdiazepam
phenytoin (Dilantin) side effects - ANSWERGINGIVAL HYPERPLASIA
-treat seizures
-cause high blood sugar
-cause birth defects
-decrease effectiveness of anticoagulants
When a client is on phenytoin (Dilantin) what are some nursing interventions - ANSWER-monitor for
narrow therapeutic index (frequent blood test)
-take as prescribed
-oral care
, 2026 latest update
-teach pt to use barrier contraceptives along with oral
What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin (Dilantin) - ANSWER10-20 ug/mL
What does valproic acid (Depakote) treat? - ANSWERseizures, mania associated with bipolar, migraines
Side effects of valproic acid (Depakote) - ANSWERCan cause hepatotoxicity
What is valproic acid (Depakote)'s therapeutic range - ANSWER50-125 ug/mL
Patient education valproic acid (Depakote) - ANSWERMust have liver enzymes and blood levels checked
regularly
Benzodiazepines can lead to what? - ANSWER-tolerance
-dependence
-withdrawl
What should you do if valproic acid (Depakote) levels are high? - ANSWER-hold medication
-check liver function (blood test)
-discuss with physician
-neuro assessment
-check vitals
What is the reversal agent for barbiturates? - ANSWERactivated charcoal
phenobarbital - ANSWERincreases GABA
reduces seizure risk
Risks include sedation and tolerance
Should be discontinued gradually
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 Rasmussen with
questions and answers 2026 already graded A+
drugs that produce a response - ANSWERagonist
drugs that prevent or block a response - ANSWERantagonist
What is the therapuetic window? - ANSWERlevel of the drug between minimal effective concentration
in the plasma for obtaining desired drug response and the minimal toxic concentration
What is half life? - ANSWERThe time it takes for one half of the drug concentration to be eliminated
from the body is
If a drug has a long half life, how often should it be taken? - ANSWERonce per day
What is a patient on two highly protein bound drugs at risk for? - ANSWERaccumulation and toxicity
What is tolerance? - ANSWERa decreased responsiveness over the course of therapy, which may lead to
the need to increase dosages to attain the same effect
What makes drugs fit into the same "Class" - ANSWER-related by chemical structure
-work in the same way
-used for the same purpose
,2026 latest update
Before administering beta blockers, you should check what two vital signs? - ANSWERHeart rate
Blood pressure
Who would you not give a beta blocker to? Why? - ANSWERAsthmatic; bronchospasm
What kind of drug is metoclopramide (Reglan) - ANSWERcholinergic
Cholinergics do what to the body? (SLUD) - ANSWERSalivation
Lacrimation
Urination
Defecation
Anticholinergics do what to the body - ANSWERCan't see, Can't spit, Can't pee, Can't shit
Symptoms of cholinergic crisis - ANSWERFlushing, Sweating, Nausea, Abdominal cramps
What drug would you give to treat cholinergic crisis? - ANSWERatropine
Anticholinergics are contraindicated in which clients? - ANSWER-coronary artery disease (Increase heart
rate)
-GI obstruction (constipates)
-supraventricular tachycardia (increased heart rate)
CNS stimulants are contraindicated in which clients? - ANSWER-coronary artery disease (cause
vasoconstriction=heart attack)
-Hypertension (additive hypertension=stroke)
Most common side effects of methylphenidate (Ritalin) - ANSWER-irritability
-insomnia
,2026 latest update
-weight loss
-decreased appetite
Signs of hemorrhagic stroke - ANSWER-increased B/P
-increased heart rate
-increased respiratory rate
-unresponsive to deep pain
Benzodiazepines increase the activity of which neurotransmitter - ANSWERGABA
Reversal agent of benzodiazepines - ANSWERFlumazenil
zolpidem (Ambien) side effects - ANSWER-sedative/hypnotic (nonbenzodiazepine)
-suicidal ideation
-dependence
-abnormal behavior
What is the drug of choice for treating status epilepticus - ANSWERdiazepam
phenytoin (Dilantin) side effects - ANSWERGINGIVAL HYPERPLASIA
-treat seizures
-cause high blood sugar
-cause birth defects
-decrease effectiveness of anticoagulants
When a client is on phenytoin (Dilantin) what are some nursing interventions - ANSWER-monitor for
narrow therapeutic index (frequent blood test)
-take as prescribed
-oral care
, 2026 latest update
-teach pt to use barrier contraceptives along with oral
What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin (Dilantin) - ANSWER10-20 ug/mL
What does valproic acid (Depakote) treat? - ANSWERseizures, mania associated with bipolar, migraines
Side effects of valproic acid (Depakote) - ANSWERCan cause hepatotoxicity
What is valproic acid (Depakote)'s therapeutic range - ANSWER50-125 ug/mL
Patient education valproic acid (Depakote) - ANSWERMust have liver enzymes and blood levels checked
regularly
Benzodiazepines can lead to what? - ANSWER-tolerance
-dependence
-withdrawl
What should you do if valproic acid (Depakote) levels are high? - ANSWER-hold medication
-check liver function (blood test)
-discuss with physician
-neuro assessment
-check vitals
What is the reversal agent for barbiturates? - ANSWERactivated charcoal
phenobarbital - ANSWERincreases GABA
reduces seizure risk
Risks include sedation and tolerance
Should be discontinued gradually
