2026/2027
Geneva College NURS 251
Pharmacology Module 9 Exam Study
Guide and Comprehensive Test
Bank Review 2026/2027 Version
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who has been prescribed
chlorpromazine. The nurse understands that chlorpromazine belongs to which drug
classification and is primarily used to treat which condition?
A. Antidepressant; major depressive disorder
B. Phenothiazine antipsychotic; psychosis
C. Benzodiazepine; anxiety disorders
D. Anticonvulsant; seizure disorders
Correct Answer: B. Phenothiazine antipsychotic; psychosis
Rationale: Chlorpromazine is a phenothiazine antipsychotic medication primarily
used in the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It works by
blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, thereby reducing hallucinations, delusions,
and agitation. Option A is incorrect because antidepressants are used for depressive
disorders rather than psychosis. Option C is incorrect because benzodiazepines
primarily treat anxiety and seizure disorders. Option D is incorrect because
anticonvulsants are designed to control seizures rather than psychotic symptoms.
Question 2:
A patient receiving an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker for hypertension reports dizziness
when standing. Which adverse effect should the nurse suspect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Alpha-1 blockers relax vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and
lowering blood pressure. Because these medications can excessively lower blood
pressure, patients commonly experience orthostatic hypotension, especially when
changing positions quickly. Bradycardia is not the hallmark adverse effect.
,2026/2027
Hypertension is the condition being treated, not an expected adverse effect.
Hyperglycemia is unrelated to alpha-1 blocker therapy.
Question 3:
Which medication acts on the hypothalamus to reduce fever and relieve mild pain?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Morphine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: C. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen reduces fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic heat-
regulating center and also provides analgesic effects. Unlike NSAIDs, it has minimal
anti-inflammatory action. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that works primarily through
prostaglandin inhibition. Morphine is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe
pain. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used mainly for inflammation and immune
suppression.
Question 4:
A male patient diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed
medication therapy. Which medications are commonly used to reduce BPH symptoms?
A. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
C. Anticholinergics and nitrates
D. ACE inhibitors and diuretics
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Rationale: Alpha-1 blockers such as tamsulosin relax smooth muscle in the prostate
and bladder neck, improving urine flow. Five-alpha reductase inhibitors such as
finasteride reduce prostate enlargement over time. Beta blockers and calcium channel
blockers primarily treat cardiovascular conditions. Anticholinergics may worsen
urinary retention. ACE inhibitors and diuretics are antihypertensives and are not
standard BPH treatments.
Question 5:
The nurse recognizes that both benzodiazepines and antihistamines may be prescribed
for the management of which condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Anxiety
,2026/2027
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Seizures only
Correct Answer: B. Anxiety
Rationale: Benzodiazepines and certain antihistamines such as hydroxyzine possess
anxiolytic properties and are commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Hydroxyzine is often used as a non-benzodiazepine alternative for anxiety
management. Hypertension and hyperthyroidism are unrelated. Although
benzodiazepines may be used for seizures, antihistamines are not standard seizure
treatments.
Question 6:
A patient develops excessive salivation, bronchoconstriction, hypotension, and bloody
diarrhea after receiving cholinergic medication. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Cholinergic crisis
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Serotonin syndrome
Correct Answer: B. Cholinergic crisis
Rationale: A cholinergic crisis occurs when excessive acetylcholine stimulation
overwhelms the parasympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include severe
hypotension, bronchoconstriction, excessive secretions, diarrhea, shock, and possible
cardiac arrest. Hypertensive crisis is characterized by severe hypertension, not
hypotension. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome involves fever and muscle rigidity.
Serotonin syndrome involves hyperreflexia and agitation rather than cholinergic
symptoms.
Question 7:
The nurse should question an order for a non-selective beta blocker in a patient with
which medical condition?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Asthma
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B. Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta blockers block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors.
Blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause bronchoconstriction, making these
medications dangerous for patients with asthma or COPD. Diabetes requires caution
, 2026/2027
but is not an absolute contraindication. Osteoarthritis and hyperlipidemia are not
directly affected by beta blockers.
Question 8:
Hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine belong to which drug class and are often
prescribed for what purpose?
A. Antipsychotics; psychosis
B. Antihistamines; anxiety relief
C. Beta blockers; hypertension
D. Diuretics; edema
Correct Answer: B. Antihistamines; anxiety relief
Rationale: Hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine are antihistamines with sedative
properties that may be used to reduce anxiety. Their central nervous system
depressant effects can promote calmness and relaxation. They are not antipsychotics,
beta blockers, or diuretics.
Question 9:
Which substances are classified as catecholamines?
A. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen
B. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine
C. Serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine
D. Cortisol, aldosterone, insulin
Correct Answer: B. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine
Rationale: Catecholamines are neurotransmitters and hormones involved in the
sympathetic nervous system response. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are
classic catecholamines responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and stress
responses. The other options list unrelated substances.
Question 10:
Where are beta-1 adrenergic receptors primarily located?
A. Lungs
B. Kidneys
C. Heart
D. Liver
Correct Answer: C. Heart
Geneva College NURS 251
Pharmacology Module 9 Exam Study
Guide and Comprehensive Test
Bank Review 2026/2027 Version
Question 1:
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia who has been prescribed
chlorpromazine. The nurse understands that chlorpromazine belongs to which drug
classification and is primarily used to treat which condition?
A. Antidepressant; major depressive disorder
B. Phenothiazine antipsychotic; psychosis
C. Benzodiazepine; anxiety disorders
D. Anticonvulsant; seizure disorders
Correct Answer: B. Phenothiazine antipsychotic; psychosis
Rationale: Chlorpromazine is a phenothiazine antipsychotic medication primarily
used in the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It works by
blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, thereby reducing hallucinations, delusions,
and agitation. Option A is incorrect because antidepressants are used for depressive
disorders rather than psychosis. Option C is incorrect because benzodiazepines
primarily treat anxiety and seizure disorders. Option D is incorrect because
anticonvulsants are designed to control seizures rather than psychotic symptoms.
Question 2:
A patient receiving an alpha-1 adrenergic blocker for hypertension reports dizziness
when standing. Which adverse effect should the nurse suspect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypertension
C. Orthostatic hypotension
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: C. Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Alpha-1 blockers relax vascular smooth muscle, causing vasodilation and
lowering blood pressure. Because these medications can excessively lower blood
pressure, patients commonly experience orthostatic hypotension, especially when
changing positions quickly. Bradycardia is not the hallmark adverse effect.
,2026/2027
Hypertension is the condition being treated, not an expected adverse effect.
Hyperglycemia is unrelated to alpha-1 blocker therapy.
Question 3:
Which medication acts on the hypothalamus to reduce fever and relieve mild pain?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Morphine
C. Acetaminophen
D. Prednisone
Correct Answer: C. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen reduces fever by acting directly on the hypothalamic heat-
regulating center and also provides analgesic effects. Unlike NSAIDs, it has minimal
anti-inflammatory action. Ibuprofen is an NSAID that works primarily through
prostaglandin inhibition. Morphine is an opioid analgesic used for moderate to severe
pain. Prednisone is a corticosteroid used mainly for inflammation and immune
suppression.
Question 4:
A male patient diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed
medication therapy. Which medications are commonly used to reduce BPH symptoms?
A. Beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
C. Anticholinergics and nitrates
D. ACE inhibitors and diuretics
Correct Answer: B. Alpha-1 blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors
Rationale: Alpha-1 blockers such as tamsulosin relax smooth muscle in the prostate
and bladder neck, improving urine flow. Five-alpha reductase inhibitors such as
finasteride reduce prostate enlargement over time. Beta blockers and calcium channel
blockers primarily treat cardiovascular conditions. Anticholinergics may worsen
urinary retention. ACE inhibitors and diuretics are antihypertensives and are not
standard BPH treatments.
Question 5:
The nurse recognizes that both benzodiazepines and antihistamines may be prescribed
for the management of which condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Anxiety
,2026/2027
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Seizures only
Correct Answer: B. Anxiety
Rationale: Benzodiazepines and certain antihistamines such as hydroxyzine possess
anxiolytic properties and are commonly prescribed to reduce anxiety symptoms.
Hydroxyzine is often used as a non-benzodiazepine alternative for anxiety
management. Hypertension and hyperthyroidism are unrelated. Although
benzodiazepines may be used for seizures, antihistamines are not standard seizure
treatments.
Question 6:
A patient develops excessive salivation, bronchoconstriction, hypotension, and bloody
diarrhea after receiving cholinergic medication. Which complication should the nurse
suspect?
A. Hypertensive crisis
B. Cholinergic crisis
C. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
D. Serotonin syndrome
Correct Answer: B. Cholinergic crisis
Rationale: A cholinergic crisis occurs when excessive acetylcholine stimulation
overwhelms the parasympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include severe
hypotension, bronchoconstriction, excessive secretions, diarrhea, shock, and possible
cardiac arrest. Hypertensive crisis is characterized by severe hypertension, not
hypotension. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome involves fever and muscle rigidity.
Serotonin syndrome involves hyperreflexia and agitation rather than cholinergic
symptoms.
Question 7:
The nurse should question an order for a non-selective beta blocker in a patient with
which medical condition?
A. Diabetes mellitus
B. Asthma
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B. Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta blockers block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors.
Blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause bronchoconstriction, making these
medications dangerous for patients with asthma or COPD. Diabetes requires caution
, 2026/2027
but is not an absolute contraindication. Osteoarthritis and hyperlipidemia are not
directly affected by beta blockers.
Question 8:
Hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine belong to which drug class and are often
prescribed for what purpose?
A. Antipsychotics; psychosis
B. Antihistamines; anxiety relief
C. Beta blockers; hypertension
D. Diuretics; edema
Correct Answer: B. Antihistamines; anxiety relief
Rationale: Hydroxyzine and diphenhydramine are antihistamines with sedative
properties that may be used to reduce anxiety. Their central nervous system
depressant effects can promote calmness and relaxation. They are not antipsychotics,
beta blockers, or diuretics.
Question 9:
Which substances are classified as catecholamines?
A. Acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen
B. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine
C. Serotonin, histamine, acetylcholine
D. Cortisol, aldosterone, insulin
Correct Answer: B. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine
Rationale: Catecholamines are neurotransmitters and hormones involved in the
sympathetic nervous system response. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine are
classic catecholamines responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, and stress
responses. The other options list unrelated substances.
Question 10:
Where are beta-1 adrenergic receptors primarily located?
A. Lungs
B. Kidneys
C. Heart
D. Liver
Correct Answer: C. Heart
