1
UTA Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam | Latest
Update | Comprehensive Practice Questions & Answers
| Nursing Study Guide & Exam Preparation PDF
1. A 72-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been on prednisone 20mg daily for 18 months.
Which assessment finding would most concern you regarding long-term glucocorticoid therapy?
A. Weight loss and increased appetite
B. Decreased blood glucose levels
C. Bone density reduction in the lumbar spine
D. Improved wound healing
Correct Answer: C. Bone density reduction in the lumbar spine
*Rationale: Long-term glucocorticoid use significantly accelerates bone loss through increased osteoclast
activity and decreased calcium absorption, making osteoporosis a major concern requiring bisphosphonate
prophylaxis and regular DEXA scanning.
2. A male patient with erectile dysfunction requests sildenafil. Which medication in his current regimen
represents a potentially fatal drug interaction?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metformin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: C. Nitroglycerin
*Rationale: Concurrent use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors with nitrates causes severe hypotension
through synergistic vasodilation, with risks of myocardial infarction and stroke requiring absolute
contraindication and 24-hour washout period.
,2
3. A 65-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia has been prescribed tamsulosin. What additional
therapeutic benefit might this medication provide?
A. Reduction in systemic blood pressure
B. Improvement in pulmonary hypertension
C. Decreased serum cholesterol levels
D. Prevention of urinary tract infections
Correct Answer: B. Improvement in pulmonary hypertension
*Rationale: Tamsulosin, while primarily an alpha-1 blocker for BPH, also demonstrates pulmonary
vasodilation properties and is used off-label for pulmonary hypertension through relaxation of smooth
muscle in pulmonary vasculature.
4. A patient receiving testosterone replacement therapy develops peripheral edema and elevated liver
enzymes. Which additional adverse effect should you monitor for in this patient?
A. Decreased hematocrit
B. Elevated high-density lipoprotein
C. Increased low-density lipoprotein
D. Decreased prostate-specific antigen
Correct Answer: C. Increased low-density lipoprotein
*Rationale: Testosterone therapy adversely affects lipid profiles by decreasing HDL while increasing LDL,
contributing to cardiovascular risk, along with potential hepatotoxicity and fluid retention requiring regular
monitoring.
5. A child presents with bowed legs and wrist widening consistent with rickets. Which combination therapy
would be most appropriate?
A. Calcium alone with sun exposure
B. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
C. Doxycycline with vitamin C
D. Phosphorus and magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
,3
*Rationale: Rickets results from vitamin D deficiency impairing calcium absorption and bone
mineralization, requiring aggressive vitamin D replacement with calcium supplementation to restore normal
bone development and prevent skeletal deformities.
6. A 48-year-old chronic alcoholic presents with confusion, ataxia, and nystagmus. Which vitamin
deficiency is most likely responsible for these neurological findings?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Folic acid
C. Thiamine
D. Vitamin C
Correct Answer: C. Thiamine
*Rationale: Chronic alcohol consumption depletes thiamine stores leading to Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome, characterized by confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia, requiring immediate thiamine
replacement to prevent permanent neurological damage.
7. A patient with alcoholic cirrhosis exhibits macrocytic anemia. Which additional vitamin deficiency
should you suspect in this patient?
A. Thiamine deficiency
B. Riboflavin deficiency
C. Folic acid deficiency
D. Pyridoxine deficiency
Correct Answer: C. Folic acid deficiency
*Rationale: Alcoholics commonly develop folic acid deficiency from poor dietary intake and impaired
absorption, presenting as macrocytic megaloblastic anemia that may coexist with thiamine deficiency
requiring comprehensive vitamin replacement.
8. A patient with osteoarthritis asks about taking glucosamine supplements. Which important safety
concern should you discuss with this patient?
A. Increased risk of liver toxicity
, 4
B. Enhanced bleeding risk
C. Development of hypertension
D. Decreased renal function
Correct Answer: B. Enhanced bleeding risk
*Rationale: Glucosamine may increase bleeding risk through platelet inhibition, requiring caution in
patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders, and should be discontinued before surgical
procedures.
9. A patient with peripheral arterial disease reports improved walking distance after starting Ginkgo biloba.
Which medication interaction requires close monitoring in this patient?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Warfarin and aspirin
C. Beta-blockers
D. Diuretics
Correct Answer: B. Warfarin and aspirin
*Rationale: Ginkgo biloba has antiplatelet effects and may increase bleeding risk when combined with
warfarin or aspirin, requiring careful INR monitoring and patient education about signs of bleeding.
10. A pregnant patient with gestational hypertension requires antihypertensive therapy. Which medication
is considered safest for blood pressure control during pregnancy?
A. Lisinopril
B. Valsartan
C. Methyldopa
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Correct Answer: C. Methyldopa
*Rationale: Methyldopa has the longest safety record in pregnancy with established fetal safety, making it
the preferred antihypertensive agent for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia management.
UTA Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam | Latest
Update | Comprehensive Practice Questions & Answers
| Nursing Study Guide & Exam Preparation PDF
1. A 72-year-old patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been on prednisone 20mg daily for 18 months.
Which assessment finding would most concern you regarding long-term glucocorticoid therapy?
A. Weight loss and increased appetite
B. Decreased blood glucose levels
C. Bone density reduction in the lumbar spine
D. Improved wound healing
Correct Answer: C. Bone density reduction in the lumbar spine
*Rationale: Long-term glucocorticoid use significantly accelerates bone loss through increased osteoclast
activity and decreased calcium absorption, making osteoporosis a major concern requiring bisphosphonate
prophylaxis and regular DEXA scanning.
2. A male patient with erectile dysfunction requests sildenafil. Which medication in his current regimen
represents a potentially fatal drug interaction?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metformin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: C. Nitroglycerin
*Rationale: Concurrent use of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors with nitrates causes severe hypotension
through synergistic vasodilation, with risks of myocardial infarction and stroke requiring absolute
contraindication and 24-hour washout period.
,2
3. A 65-year-old man with benign prostatic hyperplasia has been prescribed tamsulosin. What additional
therapeutic benefit might this medication provide?
A. Reduction in systemic blood pressure
B. Improvement in pulmonary hypertension
C. Decreased serum cholesterol levels
D. Prevention of urinary tract infections
Correct Answer: B. Improvement in pulmonary hypertension
*Rationale: Tamsulosin, while primarily an alpha-1 blocker for BPH, also demonstrates pulmonary
vasodilation properties and is used off-label for pulmonary hypertension through relaxation of smooth
muscle in pulmonary vasculature.
4. A patient receiving testosterone replacement therapy develops peripheral edema and elevated liver
enzymes. Which additional adverse effect should you monitor for in this patient?
A. Decreased hematocrit
B. Elevated high-density lipoprotein
C. Increased low-density lipoprotein
D. Decreased prostate-specific antigen
Correct Answer: C. Increased low-density lipoprotein
*Rationale: Testosterone therapy adversely affects lipid profiles by decreasing HDL while increasing LDL,
contributing to cardiovascular risk, along with potential hepatotoxicity and fluid retention requiring regular
monitoring.
5. A child presents with bowed legs and wrist widening consistent with rickets. Which combination therapy
would be most appropriate?
A. Calcium alone with sun exposure
B. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
C. Doxycycline with vitamin C
D. Phosphorus and magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Vitamin D and calcium supplementation
,3
*Rationale: Rickets results from vitamin D deficiency impairing calcium absorption and bone
mineralization, requiring aggressive vitamin D replacement with calcium supplementation to restore normal
bone development and prevent skeletal deformities.
6. A 48-year-old chronic alcoholic presents with confusion, ataxia, and nystagmus. Which vitamin
deficiency is most likely responsible for these neurological findings?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Folic acid
C. Thiamine
D. Vitamin C
Correct Answer: C. Thiamine
*Rationale: Chronic alcohol consumption depletes thiamine stores leading to Wernicke-Korsakoff
syndrome, characterized by confusion, ataxia, and ophthalmoplegia, requiring immediate thiamine
replacement to prevent permanent neurological damage.
7. A patient with alcoholic cirrhosis exhibits macrocytic anemia. Which additional vitamin deficiency
should you suspect in this patient?
A. Thiamine deficiency
B. Riboflavin deficiency
C. Folic acid deficiency
D. Pyridoxine deficiency
Correct Answer: C. Folic acid deficiency
*Rationale: Alcoholics commonly develop folic acid deficiency from poor dietary intake and impaired
absorption, presenting as macrocytic megaloblastic anemia that may coexist with thiamine deficiency
requiring comprehensive vitamin replacement.
8. A patient with osteoarthritis asks about taking glucosamine supplements. Which important safety
concern should you discuss with this patient?
A. Increased risk of liver toxicity
, 4
B. Enhanced bleeding risk
C. Development of hypertension
D. Decreased renal function
Correct Answer: B. Enhanced bleeding risk
*Rationale: Glucosamine may increase bleeding risk through platelet inhibition, requiring caution in
patients on anticoagulants or with bleeding disorders, and should be discontinued before surgical
procedures.
9. A patient with peripheral arterial disease reports improved walking distance after starting Ginkgo biloba.
Which medication interaction requires close monitoring in this patient?
A. Calcium channel blockers
B. Warfarin and aspirin
C. Beta-blockers
D. Diuretics
Correct Answer: B. Warfarin and aspirin
*Rationale: Ginkgo biloba has antiplatelet effects and may increase bleeding risk when combined with
warfarin or aspirin, requiring careful INR monitoring and patient education about signs of bleeding.
10. A pregnant patient with gestational hypertension requires antihypertensive therapy. Which medication
is considered safest for blood pressure control during pregnancy?
A. Lisinopril
B. Valsartan
C. Methyldopa
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Correct Answer: C. Methyldopa
*Rationale: Methyldopa has the longest safety record in pregnancy with established fetal safety, making it
the preferred antihypertensive agent for gestational hypertension and preeclampsia management.
