HERZING UNIVERSITY NSG 124
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ Side Effects of Opioids.
Answer: Drowsiness, respiratory depression, constipation, and nausea.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Opioids.
Answer: Respiratory depression (most concerning), liver toxicity (with
certain opioids and acetaminophen).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Opioids.
Answer: Monitor pain level, respiratory rate, level of consciousness
(LOC) using a sedation scale, and bowel function before and after
administration. Have naloxone (opioid antagonist) available.
⩥ Teaching for Opioids.
Answer: Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants, report constipation,
and do not operate heavy machinery.
⩥ Critical Finding for Opioids.
Answer: Respiratory rate less than 12 breaths/min is a critical finding
and requires immediate intervention.
,⩥ NSAIDs.
Answer: Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenase
(COX) enzymes in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and CNS.
⩥ Side Effects of NSAIDs.
Answer: GI upset, bleeding, and renal toxicity.
⩥ Adverse Effects of NSAIDs.
Answer: GI bleeding, renal failure, and cardiovascular events.
⩥ Nursing Actions for NSAIDs.
Answer: Administer with food, monitor for GI bleeding (black stools),
assess renal function (BUN, creatinine).
⩥ Teaching for NSAIDs.
Answer: Report signs of bleeding, take with food, and avoid alcohol.
⩥ Acetaminophen.
Answer: Primarily acts in the CNS to reduce pain and fever.
⩥ Side Effects of Acetaminophen.
, Answer: Generally well-tolerated but can cause liver toxicity with
overdose or chronic high doses.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Acetaminophen.
Answer: Hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Acetaminophen.
Answer: Monitor liver function tests (LFTs).
⩥ Teaching for Acetaminophen.
Answer: Do not exceed the maximum daily dose (typically 4000
mg/day), avoid alcohol.
⩥ Migraine Medications.
Answer: Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan) are selective serotonin receptor
agonists that cause vasoconstriction of cranial blood vessels.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Triptans.
Answer: Vasoconstriction (chest pain, hypertension).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Triptans.
Answer: Assess for cardiac history (contraindicated in patients with a
history of heart disease). Monitor blood pressure.
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 FINAL PAPER
2026 COMPLETE SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ Side Effects of Opioids.
Answer: Drowsiness, respiratory depression, constipation, and nausea.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Opioids.
Answer: Respiratory depression (most concerning), liver toxicity (with
certain opioids and acetaminophen).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Opioids.
Answer: Monitor pain level, respiratory rate, level of consciousness
(LOC) using a sedation scale, and bowel function before and after
administration. Have naloxone (opioid antagonist) available.
⩥ Teaching for Opioids.
Answer: Avoid alcohol and other CNS depressants, report constipation,
and do not operate heavy machinery.
⩥ Critical Finding for Opioids.
Answer: Respiratory rate less than 12 breaths/min is a critical finding
and requires immediate intervention.
,⩥ NSAIDs.
Answer: Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenase
(COX) enzymes in the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and CNS.
⩥ Side Effects of NSAIDs.
Answer: GI upset, bleeding, and renal toxicity.
⩥ Adverse Effects of NSAIDs.
Answer: GI bleeding, renal failure, and cardiovascular events.
⩥ Nursing Actions for NSAIDs.
Answer: Administer with food, monitor for GI bleeding (black stools),
assess renal function (BUN, creatinine).
⩥ Teaching for NSAIDs.
Answer: Report signs of bleeding, take with food, and avoid alcohol.
⩥ Acetaminophen.
Answer: Primarily acts in the CNS to reduce pain and fever.
⩥ Side Effects of Acetaminophen.
, Answer: Generally well-tolerated but can cause liver toxicity with
overdose or chronic high doses.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Acetaminophen.
Answer: Hepatotoxicity (liver damage).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Acetaminophen.
Answer: Monitor liver function tests (LFTs).
⩥ Teaching for Acetaminophen.
Answer: Do not exceed the maximum daily dose (typically 4000
mg/day), avoid alcohol.
⩥ Migraine Medications.
Answer: Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan) are selective serotonin receptor
agonists that cause vasoconstriction of cranial blood vessels.
⩥ Adverse Effects of Triptans.
Answer: Vasoconstriction (chest pain, hypertension).
⩥ Nursing Actions for Triptans.
Answer: Assess for cardiac history (contraindicated in patients with a
history of heart disease). Monitor blood pressure.
