D441 Pharmacology Week 5 Practice Questions 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Vancomycin for a MRSA infection. To prevent ‘Red
Man Syndrome’, how should the nurse administer the medication?
A. Infuse the dose over at least 60 minutes.
B. Administer as a rapid IV bolus.
C. Give the medication only by intramuscular injection.
D. Dilute the medication in 10 mL of normal saline.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vancomycin should be infused slowly (over at least 60 minutes) to prevent Red
Man Syndrome, which is a rate-dependent infusion reaction characterized by flushing and
hypotension.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient receiving an
aminoglycoside like Gentamicin?
A. Serum Creatinine
B. Prothrombin Time (PT)
C. Serum Potassium
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum creatinine and BUN is
essential to detect early signs of kidney damage.
,3. A patient allergic to Penicillin is at risk for a cross-sensitivity reaction to which
class of antibiotics?
A. Tetracyclines
B. Cephalosporins
C. Macrolides
D. Aminoglycosides
Answer: B
Rationale: Because of their similar chemical structures (beta-lactam ring), patients allergic
to penicillin may also be allergic to cephalosporins.
4. Which education should the nurse provide to a patient prescribed
Tetracycline?
A. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen.
B. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
C. Expect your urine to turn bright orange.
D. Double the dose if you miss one.
Answer: A
Rationale: Tetracyclines cause photosensitivity. Patients should also avoid dairy as it
inhibits absorption, but photosensitivity is a major safety concern.
5. A patient on Ciprofloxacin reports pain and swelling in the back of the ankle.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply a warm compress to the area.
B. Instruct the patient to stop the drug and notify the provider.
C. Encourage the patient to walk to increase circulation.
D. Administer an NSAID for pain relief.
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones like Ciprofloxacin carry a boxed warning for tendon rupture,
most commonly the Achilles tendon.
, 6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Sulfonamides?
A. Inhibition of folic acid synthesis.
B. Disruption of bacterial protein synthesis.
C. Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
D. Alteration of DNA replication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Sulfonamides are bacteriostatic and work by inhibiting the synthesis of folic
acid, which is essential for bacterial growth.
7. A patient is prescribed Rifampin for tuberculosis. What side effect should the
nurse warn the patient about?
A. Peripheral neuropathy.
B. Hearing loss.
C. Orange-red discoloration of body fluids.
D. Severe muscle aches.
Answer: C
Rationale: Rifampin causes a harmless orange-red discoloration of urine, sweat, tears, and
saliva.
8. To prevent peripheral neuropathy in a patient taking Isoniazid (INH), which
supplement is usually prescribed?
A. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
B. Vitamin B12
C. Folic Acid
D. Vitamin C
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is given with INH to prevent the development of
peripheral neuropathy.
1. A patient is prescribed Vancomycin for a MRSA infection. To prevent ‘Red
Man Syndrome’, how should the nurse administer the medication?
A. Infuse the dose over at least 60 minutes.
B. Administer as a rapid IV bolus.
C. Give the medication only by intramuscular injection.
D. Dilute the medication in 10 mL of normal saline.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vancomycin should be infused slowly (over at least 60 minutes) to prevent Red
Man Syndrome, which is a rate-dependent infusion reaction characterized by flushing and
hypotension.
2. Which lab value is most important to monitor in a patient receiving an
aminoglycoside like Gentamicin?
A. Serum Creatinine
B. Prothrombin Time (PT)
C. Serum Potassium
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: A
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum creatinine and BUN is
essential to detect early signs of kidney damage.
,3. A patient allergic to Penicillin is at risk for a cross-sensitivity reaction to which
class of antibiotics?
A. Tetracyclines
B. Cephalosporins
C. Macrolides
D. Aminoglycosides
Answer: B
Rationale: Because of their similar chemical structures (beta-lactam ring), patients allergic
to penicillin may also be allergic to cephalosporins.
4. Which education should the nurse provide to a patient prescribed
Tetracycline?
A. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen.
B. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
C. Expect your urine to turn bright orange.
D. Double the dose if you miss one.
Answer: A
Rationale: Tetracyclines cause photosensitivity. Patients should also avoid dairy as it
inhibits absorption, but photosensitivity is a major safety concern.
5. A patient on Ciprofloxacin reports pain and swelling in the back of the ankle.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Apply a warm compress to the area.
B. Instruct the patient to stop the drug and notify the provider.
C. Encourage the patient to walk to increase circulation.
D. Administer an NSAID for pain relief.
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones like Ciprofloxacin carry a boxed warning for tendon rupture,
most commonly the Achilles tendon.
, 6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Sulfonamides?
A. Inhibition of folic acid synthesis.
B. Disruption of bacterial protein synthesis.
C. Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis.
D. Alteration of DNA replication.
Answer: A
Rationale: Sulfonamides are bacteriostatic and work by inhibiting the synthesis of folic
acid, which is essential for bacterial growth.
7. A patient is prescribed Rifampin for tuberculosis. What side effect should the
nurse warn the patient about?
A. Peripheral neuropathy.
B. Hearing loss.
C. Orange-red discoloration of body fluids.
D. Severe muscle aches.
Answer: C
Rationale: Rifampin causes a harmless orange-red discoloration of urine, sweat, tears, and
saliva.
8. To prevent peripheral neuropathy in a patient taking Isoniazid (INH), which
supplement is usually prescribed?
A. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
B. Vitamin B12
C. Folic Acid
D. Vitamin C
Answer: A
Rationale: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is given with INH to prevent the development of
peripheral neuropathy.
