2026/2027
NURS 251 Module 9 Pharmacology
Exam Preparation and
Comprehensive Review Study Guide
2026/2027 Geneva College Edition
for Test Bank Mastery
Question 1
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine. The nurse
understands that this medication belongs to which pharmacological class?
A. Antidepressants
B. Phenothiazine antipsychotics
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Beta blockers
Correct Answer: B. Phenothiazine antipsychotics
Rationale:
Chlorpromazine is a first-generation antipsychotic classified as a phenothiazine. It is
primarily used in the management of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia by
blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Antidepressants are used for mood
disorders, benzodiazepines are used for anxiety and sedation, and beta blockers affect
cardiovascular function, making them inappropriate options for psychosis treatment.
Question 2
An alpha-1 adrenergic blocker such as tamsulosin is most likely to cause which
adverse effect?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale:
Alpha-1 blockers cause vasodilation by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, which can
lead to orthostatic hypotension. Hypertension is incorrect because the drug lowers
blood pressure, not raises it. Hyperglycemia and bradycardia are not primary effects
of alpha-1 blockade.
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Question 3
Which medication acts on the hypothalamus to reduce fever?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Morphine
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Acetaminophen
Rationale:
Acetaminophen reduces fever by acting on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center.
Ibuprofen works mainly through peripheral COX inhibition, morphine is an opioid
analgesic, and atropine is an anticholinergic agent.
Question 4
Which medications are commonly used in the management of benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)?
A. Beta blockers and diuretics
B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
C. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets
D. Antihistamines and corticosteroids
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Rationale:
Alpha-1 blockers such as tamsulosin relax smooth muscle in the prostate, improving
urine flow, while 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride reduce prostate size.
Other drug classes listed are unrelated to prostate function.
Question 5
Benzodiazepines and antihistamines primarily act to reduce:
A. Pain
B. Anxiety and sedation
C. Blood pressure
D. Blood glucose
Correct Answer: B. Anxiety and sedation
Rationale:
Both benzodiazepines and first-generation antihistamines depress the central nervous
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system, leading to reduced anxiety and sedation. They do not directly affect glucose
or blood pressure control.
Question 6
A patient exhibits hypotension, bronchoconstriction, bloody diarrhea, and
cardiovascular collapse. This presentation is most consistent with:
A. Cholinergic crisis
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Stroke
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A. Cholinergic crisis
Rationale:
Cholinergic crisis results from excessive acetylcholine activity, leading to severe
parasympathetic overstimulation including bronchoconstriction and hypotension. The
other options do not produce this pattern of systemic parasympathetic overload.
Question 7
Which medication class should be avoided in patients with asthma or COPD?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Non-selective beta blockers
C. Diuretics
D. Antacids
Correct Answer: B. Non-selective beta blockers
Rationale:
Non-selective beta blockers block beta-2 receptors in the lungs, causing
bronchoconstriction and worsening respiratory disease. Other options do not directly
cause bronchospasm.
Question 8
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are classified as:
A. Antidepressants used for pain
B. Antihistamines used for anxiety
C. Antipsychotics used for seizures
D. Beta agonists used for asthma
Correct Answer: B. Antihistamines used for anxiety
NURS 251 Module 9 Pharmacology
Exam Preparation and
Comprehensive Review Study Guide
2026/2027 Geneva College Edition
for Test Bank Mastery
Question 1
A patient diagnosed with schizophrenia is prescribed chlorpromazine. The nurse
understands that this medication belongs to which pharmacological class?
A. Antidepressants
B. Phenothiazine antipsychotics
C. Benzodiazepines
D. Beta blockers
Correct Answer: B. Phenothiazine antipsychotics
Rationale:
Chlorpromazine is a first-generation antipsychotic classified as a phenothiazine. It is
primarily used in the management of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia by
blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Antidepressants are used for mood
disorders, benzodiazepines are used for anxiety and sedation, and beta blockers affect
cardiovascular function, making them inappropriate options for psychosis treatment.
Question 2
An alpha-1 adrenergic blocker such as tamsulosin is most likely to cause which
adverse effect?
A. Hypertension
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale:
Alpha-1 blockers cause vasodilation by relaxing vascular smooth muscle, which can
lead to orthostatic hypotension. Hypertension is incorrect because the drug lowers
blood pressure, not raises it. Hyperglycemia and bradycardia are not primary effects
of alpha-1 blockade.
,2026/2027
Question 3
Which medication acts on the hypothalamus to reduce fever?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Acetaminophen
C. Morphine
D. Atropine
Correct Answer: B. Acetaminophen
Rationale:
Acetaminophen reduces fever by acting on the hypothalamic heat-regulating center.
Ibuprofen works mainly through peripheral COX inhibition, morphine is an opioid
analgesic, and atropine is an anticholinergic agent.
Question 4
Which medications are commonly used in the management of benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)?
A. Beta blockers and diuretics
B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
C. Anticoagulants and antiplatelets
D. Antihistamines and corticosteroids
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Rationale:
Alpha-1 blockers such as tamsulosin relax smooth muscle in the prostate, improving
urine flow, while 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride reduce prostate size.
Other drug classes listed are unrelated to prostate function.
Question 5
Benzodiazepines and antihistamines primarily act to reduce:
A. Pain
B. Anxiety and sedation
C. Blood pressure
D. Blood glucose
Correct Answer: B. Anxiety and sedation
Rationale:
Both benzodiazepines and first-generation antihistamines depress the central nervous
, 2026/2027
system, leading to reduced anxiety and sedation. They do not directly affect glucose
or blood pressure control.
Question 6
A patient exhibits hypotension, bronchoconstriction, bloody diarrhea, and
cardiovascular collapse. This presentation is most consistent with:
A. Cholinergic crisis
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Stroke
D. Hyperthyroidism
Correct Answer: A. Cholinergic crisis
Rationale:
Cholinergic crisis results from excessive acetylcholine activity, leading to severe
parasympathetic overstimulation including bronchoconstriction and hypotension. The
other options do not produce this pattern of systemic parasympathetic overload.
Question 7
Which medication class should be avoided in patients with asthma or COPD?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Non-selective beta blockers
C. Diuretics
D. Antacids
Correct Answer: B. Non-selective beta blockers
Rationale:
Non-selective beta blockers block beta-2 receptors in the lungs, causing
bronchoconstriction and worsening respiratory disease. Other options do not directly
cause bronchospasm.
Question 8
Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) are classified as:
A. Antidepressants used for pain
B. Antihistamines used for anxiety
C. Antipsychotics used for seizures
D. Beta agonists used for asthma
Correct Answer: B. Antihistamines used for anxiety
