NU 578 Unit 3 Exam ( Update): University of
South Alabama – Practice Questions with Bold Answers &
Explanations | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
Introduction
This exam is designed for students enrolled in NU 578: Advanced Pharmacology at
the University of South Alabama. The Unit 3 exam covers key concepts in:
Neurologic Pharmacology (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraines)
Psychiatric Pharmacology (SSRIs, SNRIs, antidepressants)
Pain Management (opioid analgesics, adjuvant therapies)
Antiarrhythmics and cardiac pharmacology
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders
Each question includes the correct answer in bold and an italicized rationale to reinforce
learning.
Section 1: Neurologic Pharmacology (Questions 1-30)
1. A 65-year-old male with a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) presents with
mild tremor and bradykinesia. Which of the following is the most appropriate first-line
pharmacologic treatment?
A. Levodopa-carbidopa
B. Pramipexole
C. Selegiline
D. Benztropine
Rationale: For early Parkinson's disease with mild symptoms, MAO-B inhibitors
(selegiline, rasagiline) or dopamine agonists are often used first-line to delay the
need for levodopa and its associated motor complications. Levodopa is typically
reserved for when symptoms impair function .
2. A 72-year-old male with Parkinson's disease has been taking levodopa-carbidopa
for five years. He now reports that his medication "wears off" before his next dose is
, due, causing a return of tremor and stiffness. This phenomenon is known as:
A. Dyskinesia
B. Freezing
C. Wearing-off phenomenon
D. On-off phenomenon
Rationale: The "wearing-off" phenomenon (end-of-dose akinesia) is a common motor
complication of long-term levodopa therapy, characterized by the return of
parkinsonian symptoms as the drug's effect diminishes before the next scheduled
dose .
3. A patient on levodopa-carbidopa develops involuntary, choreiform movements of
the face and extremities. The NP recognizes this as:
A. A sign of disease progression
B. A drug interaction
C. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia
D. A psychiatric side effect
*Rationale: Levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID) are abnormal, involuntary, choreiform
movements that occur in up to 50-80% of patients after 5-10 years of levodopa therapy.
They are a common dose-related motor complication .*
4. A 70-year-old female with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa-levodopa
25/100 mg three times daily. What is the role of carbidopa in this combination?
A. It acts as a dopamine agonist to enhance the effect of levodopa
B. It inhibits peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, reducing peripheral side effects
and increasing central availability
C. It blocks dopamine reuptake in the central nervous system
D. It prevents the metabolism of levodopa by COMT
Rationale: Carbidopa is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. It prevents the
conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery, which reduces peripheral side
effects (nausea, hypotension) and increases the amount of levodopa available to
cross the blood-brain barrier .
5. A patient with Alzheimer's disease is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A. Blocking NMDA receptors
B. Increasing acetylcholine levels through cholinesterase inhibition
C. Reducing dopamine breakdown
D. Enhancing GABA activity
Rationale: Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that increases acetylcholine
levels in the brain. It provides modest, temporary symptomatic improvement in
cognitive function .
South Alabama – Practice Questions with Bold Answers &
Explanations | INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD
Introduction
This exam is designed for students enrolled in NU 578: Advanced Pharmacology at
the University of South Alabama. The Unit 3 exam covers key concepts in:
Neurologic Pharmacology (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraines)
Psychiatric Pharmacology (SSRIs, SNRIs, antidepressants)
Pain Management (opioid analgesics, adjuvant therapies)
Antiarrhythmics and cardiac pharmacology
Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders
Each question includes the correct answer in bold and an italicized rationale to reinforce
learning.
Section 1: Neurologic Pharmacology (Questions 1-30)
1. A 65-year-old male with a new diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) presents with
mild tremor and bradykinesia. Which of the following is the most appropriate first-line
pharmacologic treatment?
A. Levodopa-carbidopa
B. Pramipexole
C. Selegiline
D. Benztropine
Rationale: For early Parkinson's disease with mild symptoms, MAO-B inhibitors
(selegiline, rasagiline) or dopamine agonists are often used first-line to delay the
need for levodopa and its associated motor complications. Levodopa is typically
reserved for when symptoms impair function .
2. A 72-year-old male with Parkinson's disease has been taking levodopa-carbidopa
for five years. He now reports that his medication "wears off" before his next dose is
, due, causing a return of tremor and stiffness. This phenomenon is known as:
A. Dyskinesia
B. Freezing
C. Wearing-off phenomenon
D. On-off phenomenon
Rationale: The "wearing-off" phenomenon (end-of-dose akinesia) is a common motor
complication of long-term levodopa therapy, characterized by the return of
parkinsonian symptoms as the drug's effect diminishes before the next scheduled
dose .
3. A patient on levodopa-carbidopa develops involuntary, choreiform movements of
the face and extremities. The NP recognizes this as:
A. A sign of disease progression
B. A drug interaction
C. Levodopa-induced dyskinesia
D. A psychiatric side effect
*Rationale: Levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID) are abnormal, involuntary, choreiform
movements that occur in up to 50-80% of patients after 5-10 years of levodopa therapy.
They are a common dose-related motor complication .*
4. A 70-year-old female with Parkinson's disease is prescribed carbidopa-levodopa
25/100 mg three times daily. What is the role of carbidopa in this combination?
A. It acts as a dopamine agonist to enhance the effect of levodopa
B. It inhibits peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, reducing peripheral side effects
and increasing central availability
C. It blocks dopamine reuptake in the central nervous system
D. It prevents the metabolism of levodopa by COMT
Rationale: Carbidopa is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. It prevents the
conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the periphery, which reduces peripheral side
effects (nausea, hypotension) and increases the amount of levodopa available to
cross the blood-brain barrier .
5. A patient with Alzheimer's disease is prescribed donepezil (Aricept). The nurse
understands that this medication works by:
A. Blocking NMDA receptors
B. Increasing acetylcholine levels through cholinesterase inhibition
C. Reducing dopamine breakdown
D. Enhancing GABA activity
Rationale: Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that increases acetylcholine
levels in the brain. It provides modest, temporary symptomatic improvement in
cognitive function .
