NR 293 Pharmacology Week 8 Practice Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro (Humalog). The nurse should instruct the
patient to eat a meal within how many minutes of administration?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 2 hours
D. 15 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of about 15
minutes. Patients must eat shortly after injection to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. When teaching a patient about mixing NPH and regular insulin, which step is
correct?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin first.
B. Shake the NPH bottle vigorously.
C. Draw up the regular insulin first.
D. Administer them in two separate sites.
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular insulin (clear) should be drawn into the syringe before NPH insulin
(cloudy) to prevent contaminating the regular insulin vial with NPH.
,3. A patient taking metformin (Glucophage) is scheduled for a CT scan with
intravenous contrast. What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the metformin as scheduled.
B. Instruct the patient to hold metformin for 48 hours after the scan.
C. Increase the dose of metformin before the procedure.
D. Provide a high-protein snack immediately after the scan.
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be discontinued 48 hours before and after procedures
involving iodine-based contrast media to prevent renal failure and lactic acidosis.
4. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to see in a patient
experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Increased thirst and urination
B. Fruity-smelling breath
C. Flushed, dry skin
D. Cold, clammy skin and shakiness
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing sweating
(diaphoresis), shakiness, and cool, clammy skin.
5. A patient has a new prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid). When is the
best time to take this medication?
A. Immediately before bed
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. In the morning on an empty stomach
D. Mid-afternoon with a snack
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least 30 to 60 minutes
before breakfast.
, 6. The nurse is monitoring a patient taking propylthiouracil (PTU). Which
laboratory value is most important to monitor due to potential adverse effects?
A. Serum potassium
B. White blood cell count
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis, a serious condition characterized by a severe
drop in the white blood cell count.
7. What is the primary goal of administering desmopressin (DDAVP) to a patient
with diabetes insipidus?
A. Decrease urine output
B. Increase blood glucose levels
C. Promote weight loss
D. Lower blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of ADH that helps the kidneys reabsorb water,
thereby decreasing the excessive urine output seen in diabetes insipidus.
8. A patient is prescribed prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. The
nurse should monitor for which side effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like prednisone cause an increase in blood glucose levels
(hyperglycemia) due to gluconeogenesis.
College
1. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro (Humalog). The nurse should instruct the
patient to eat a meal within how many minutes of administration?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 5 minutes
C. 2 hours
D. 15 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of about 15
minutes. Patients must eat shortly after injection to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. When teaching a patient about mixing NPH and regular insulin, which step is
correct?
A. Draw up the NPH insulin first.
B. Shake the NPH bottle vigorously.
C. Draw up the regular insulin first.
D. Administer them in two separate sites.
Answer: C
Rationale: Regular insulin (clear) should be drawn into the syringe before NPH insulin
(cloudy) to prevent contaminating the regular insulin vial with NPH.
,3. A patient taking metformin (Glucophage) is scheduled for a CT scan with
intravenous contrast. What action should the nurse take?
A. Administer the metformin as scheduled.
B. Instruct the patient to hold metformin for 48 hours after the scan.
C. Increase the dose of metformin before the procedure.
D. Provide a high-protein snack immediately after the scan.
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be discontinued 48 hours before and after procedures
involving iodine-based contrast media to prevent renal failure and lactic acidosis.
4. Which clinical manifestation would the nurse expect to see in a patient
experiencing hypoglycemia?
A. Increased thirst and urination
B. Fruity-smelling breath
C. Flushed, dry skin
D. Cold, clammy skin and shakiness
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypoglycemia triggers the sympathetic nervous system, causing sweating
(diaphoresis), shakiness, and cool, clammy skin.
5. A patient has a new prescription for levothyroxine (Synthroid). When is the
best time to take this medication?
A. Immediately before bed
B. With the largest meal of the day
C. In the morning on an empty stomach
D. Mid-afternoon with a snack
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least 30 to 60 minutes
before breakfast.
, 6. The nurse is monitoring a patient taking propylthiouracil (PTU). Which
laboratory value is most important to monitor due to potential adverse effects?
A. Serum potassium
B. White blood cell count
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis, a serious condition characterized by a severe
drop in the white blood cell count.
7. What is the primary goal of administering desmopressin (DDAVP) to a patient
with diabetes insipidus?
A. Decrease urine output
B. Increase blood glucose levels
C. Promote weight loss
D. Lower blood pressure
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of ADH that helps the kidneys reabsorb water,
thereby decreasing the excessive urine output seen in diabetes insipidus.
8. A patient is prescribed prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. The
nurse should monitor for which side effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like prednisone cause an increase in blood glucose levels
(hyperglycemia) due to gluconeogenesis.
