Are you a Nurse Practitioner (NP) student facing the cumulative NURS 5334 Final Exam? This all-in-one pharmacology study guide compresses an entire semester of advanced drug therapy into high-yield, exam-style questions with 100% verified answers. Designed for last-minute review or deep content mastery, this resource covers every major drug class, mechanism of action (MOA), adverse effects, and clinical pearls you need to pass with confidence.
What’s Inside – Complete Final Exam Blueprint:
Pain Management & Substance Use Disorders:
Naltrexone vs. Buprenorphine for opioid maintenance (antagonist vs. partial agonist)
Hydrocodone side effects (constipation, respiratory depression) and dangerous combinations (benzodiazepines + CNS depressants)
Sumatriptan MOA (5HT agonist → vasoconstriction), Feverfew for migraine prophylaxis (bleeding risk with warfarin/aspirin)
Endocrine & Diabetes Medications (High Yield):
Metformin MOA (↓ hepatic glucose production, ↑ insulin sensitivity) – GI upset & lactic acidosis
Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide, glimepiride) – stimulate insulin release, cause weight gain
Meglitinides (repaglinide) – rapid short-term insulin secretion
SGLT-2 inhibitors (canagliflozin) – ↑ urinary glucose excretion (UTI risk)
GLP-1 agonists (liraglutide, semaglutide) – weight loss, slow digestion
DPP-4 inhibitors (sitagliptin) – ↑ incretins, ↓ glucagon
Levothyroxine starting doses: 50 mcg (51yo), 25 mcg (68yo), 12-25 mcg (CAD patients)
Propylthiouracil (PTU) for hyperthyroidism in pregnancy
Respiratory Pharmacology (Asthma, COPD, Allergies):
Initial asthma treatment: low-dose ICS + LABA (e.g., budesonide-formoterol)
COPD Groups: A (bronchodilator), B & E (LABA + LAMA)
Inhaled corticosteroids side effects: oropharyngeal candidiasis, dysphonia, osteoporosis
ASA/NSAIDs contraindicated in asthma (bronchospasm)
Beta-2 agonists (albuterol) – ↑ pulse rate, tremor
Anticholinergics for COPD: ipratropium (blocks muscarinic), tiotropium (long-acting)
Neurology & Psychiatric Medications:
Haloperidol & chlorpromazine – dopamine D2 antagonists → extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, tardive dyskinesia, akathisia)
Atypical antipsychotics (‑pine, ‑idone, ‑zole) – serotonin + dopamine blockade; clozapine risks (agranulocytosis, weight gain, dyslipidemia)
Valbenazine for tardive dyskinesia
Levodopa/carbidopa – avoid high-protein meals; pyridoxine (vitamin B6) reduces levodopa effect
Phenytoin adverse effects: nystagmus, ataxia, gingival hyperplasia (oral care education)
Serotonin syndrome symptoms (2-72 hrs after treatment): confusion, myoclonus, hyperreflexia, sweating → stop drug
ADHD non-stimulants: atomoxetine, viloxazine, clonidine, guanfacine, bupropion
Erenumab – first monoclonal antibody for migraine prevention
Women’s Health & Vaccines:
Safe HTN meds in pregnancy: methyldopa, labetalol, nifedipine
Folic acid: 400-800 mcg daily (childbearing age), 400-600 mcg/day (pregnant), 1-2 mg/day (deficiency)
Tdap vaccine: 27-36 weeks gestation (every pregnancy)
Gardasil 9: protects against HPV 6,11,16,18,31,33,45,52,58 – cervical, vaginal, vulvar cancers, genital warts
Shingrix (recombinant, age 50+, 2 doses 6 months apart) vs. live vaccines contraindicated in immunocompromised
Varicella/MMR/Proquad: breakthrough chickenpox still possible
Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology:
Methotrexate – first-line for moderate-severe RA; hydroxychloroquine for mild RA (regular eye exams for retinal toxicity)
Gout management: low-purine diet, 3L fluids, allopurinol (first-line), NSAIDs/glucocorticoids for flares
Bisphosphonates (‑dronate): alendronate for osteoporosis in men; adverse effects: atypical femur fractures, osteonecrosis of jaw, esophageal ulcers, AFib
Denosumab (RANKL inhibitor) – decreases osteoclast maturation
Osteoarthritis supplement: glucosamine/chondroitin (caution with shellfish allergy)
GI & Genitourinary:
GERD step therapy: lifestyle + antacid → H2 blocker (famotidine) → PPI (omeprazole)
Long-term PPI risks: iron, B12, calcium deficiency
Bethanechol (muscarinic agonist) – for urinary retention/post-op ileus; contraindicated in asthma & hyperthyroidism
Atropine (muscarinic antagonist) – ↑ HR, ↓ secretions, dilates pupils; side effects: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): finasteride (reduces prostate size), alpha-1 antagonists (terazosin, tamsulosin – causes orthostatic hypotension, ejaculation failure)
Latanoprost (↑ aqueous humor outflow) – brown iris pigmentation
Hematology & Vitamins:
Vitamin B12 deficiency: neurologic damage, numbness/tingling, impaired WBC production
CoQ10: treats statin-induced muscle injury, HF; antagonizes warfarin (structurally similar to vitamin K)
Iron dosing: ferrous sulfate 15 mg/kg/day or 325 mg BID-TID; increase fluid intake to prevent constipation
Vitamin A toxicity in pregnancy – teratogenic (liver injury, bone disorders)
Drug Interactions & Special Populations:
Sildenafil + nitrates → severe hypotension (absolute contraindication)
Metronidazole + alcohol → disulfiram reaction
Feverfew + anticoagulants/antiplatelets → bleeding risk
Ginkgo biloba + warfarin → increased bleeding
Statin + muscle pain → check creatine kinase (CK)
Cardioselective beta blockers (metoprolol, atenolol, etc.) – safer in diabetes/COPD; non-selective may cause hypoglycemia
Why This Guide is Your Final Exam Pass:
Verified A+ Answers: Every question includes the correct, faculty-reviewed answer.
Exam-Ready Format: Direct Q&A mirrors the style of NURS 5334 final exams.
Complete Coverage: From adrenergic receptors (α1, α2, β1, β2, M1-M3) to teratogenic drugs, vaccines, and antidotes.
Memorable Mnemonics & Endings: Learn drug class suffixes (-dronate, -pine, -idone) and key contraindications.
Ideal for FNP, AGNP, and graduate nursing students preparing for advanced pharmacology finals, certification exams (ANCC, AANP), or clinical rotations.
Content preview
PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW FOR NURS 5334 FINAL
EXAM/EXAM QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE ANSWERS 100%
Naltrexone for maintenance after opioid abuse - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that blocks the euphoric and sedative
effects of opioids.
Side effects of Hydrocodone - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Constipation,
Respiratory depression, Addiction
Drugs combined with Hydrocodone - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Aspirin,
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen
Benzodiazepines and CNS depressants with acetaminophen-hydrocodone
- CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- False, this could lead to respiratory depression
Buprenorphine for maintenance after opioid abuse - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Partial opioid agonist that activated opioid receptors but produces less
degree of euphoria and physical dependence compared to a full agonist
MOA of Sumatriptan - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Selective agonist for
serotonin 5HT receptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves
of the trigeminal system, causes VASOCONSTRICTION and reduces
neurogenic inflammation
Feverfew use - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Migraine Prophylaxis
,Drugs that cannot be combined with Feverfew - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Antiplatlets, Anticoagulants, Increased risk of bleeding in patients taking
antiplatelets (Aspirin) and anticoagulants (Warfarin)
Folic acid for Folic Acid Deficiency - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Give 1-
2mg/day PO for a deficiency
Folic acid for women of childbearing age - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- 400-
800 mcg daily
Folic acid for pregnant women - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- 400-600
mcg/day
Tacrolimus and Pimecrolimus cream use - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
Safe drug classes in later pregnancy - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Beta
blockers
Safe medications for pregnant women - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Methyldopa and Labetalol are the traditional agents of choice for pregnant
women
Methyldopa and Labetalol use in pregnancy - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
These drugs have limited effects on uteroplacental and fetal
hemodynamics and do not adversely affect the fetus or neonate
, Anticholinergics for drooling in Parkinson's - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
True
Medication for COPD with eosinophils 312 - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔-
Salmeterol + aclidinium + Budesonide
COPD Group A - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Bronchodilator
COPD Group B - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- LABA + LAMA
COPD Group E - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- LABA + LAMA
Body fat percentage effect on lipid soluble drugs - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- The higher the body fat percentage the more the plasma levels of lipid
soluble drugs will be reduced
Lean mass decrease effect on water soluble drugs - CORRECT ANSWER
✔✔- Increased
Malnourished elderly patients and protein binding drugs - CORRECT
ANSWER ✔✔- Increase
Proquad Vaccine education - CORRECT ANSWER ✔✔- Deposited getting
the vaccine there is still a chance your child could get breakthrough
chickenpox