BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1 Study
Guide | Complete Verified Exam Questions with
Answers and Rationales | (New 2026/2027
Update) | Graded A+ || Nightingale College
Question 1
What hormone stimulates the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from
both male and female glands?
A. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
B. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
C. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D. Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH)
Answer: C
Rationale: GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary release of LH
and FSH.
Question 2
A nurse is providing patient education to a patient as part of her work in a fertility clinic.
The nurse explains possible reasons for infertility. When explaining how the ovaries are
involved in conception, what will the nurse stress?
A. Ova quickly degenerate and most are absorbed in the body before the age of 12.
B. The ovaries at birth contain all of the ova that a woman will have.
C. Ova aggregate, causing millions to be contained in a storage site called a follicle.
D. Follicles produce only estrogen; the uterus produces progesterone.
Answer: B
Rationale: All ova a woman will ever have are present at birth. Ova do not increase or
decrease from birth.
Question 3
The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy with her clinical group.
What hormone, produced during pregnancy, would the instructor tell the students helps
to maintain the pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A. High levels of estrogen only
B. High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C. Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D. High levels of estrogen and progesterone
Answer: D
Rationale: High levels of both estrogen and progesterone are needed for maintenance
pg. 1
,of pregnancy.
Question 4
The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about the female
reproductive system. A student is trying to understand the role of progesterone in the
body. What nonreproductive effect does progesterone have on the body?
A. Decreased body temperature
B. Decreased appetite
C. Anti-insulin
D. Increased uterine motility
Answer: C
Rationale: Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate higher blood glucose for
the developing embryo.
Question 5
What hormone causes ovulation to occur?
A. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: B
Rationale: A massive release of LH from the anterior pituitary causes ovulation.
Question 6
A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe menstrual cramps. The girl
is concerned about the pain and worried that "something is wrong." The nurse explains
to the patient that she has cramping during her menstrual period because of what?
A. An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which cause uterine
contractions
B. Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of the lining of the
uterus
C. Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off
vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D. An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the lining of the uterus
to slough away
Answer: C
Rationale: Prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions causing menstrual cramps.
Question 7
What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific adrenergic agonist
effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm during anesthesia?
pg. 2
,A. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
B. Ephedrine (generic)
C. Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
D. Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
Answer: C
Rationale: Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent
bronchospasm during anesthesia.
Question 8
The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients. Which patient should be
advised by the nurse that over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations contain
phenylephrine and should be avoided?
A. A 47-year-old woman with hypertension
B. A 52-year-old man with adult onset diabetes
C. A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection
D. A 62-year-old man with gout
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenylephrine is a potent vasoconstrictor. Patients with hypertension
should avoid it.
Question 9
The nurse is writing a plan of care for a patient receiving an alpha-specific adrenergic
agonist. What should this plan of care include?
A. Monitoring the patient for diarrhea
B. Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate every 2 to 4 hours
C. Assessing skin turgor for dehydration
D. Assessing for fatigue and lethargy
Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-specific adrenergic agonists cause hypertension and increased heart
rate.
Question 10
A nurse receives an order for clonidine (Catapres) for a 25-year-old pregnant woman.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Weigh the patient to obtain correct dose/kg/day.
B. Have a second nurse check the dose before administering the drug.
C. Consult with the physician about the order.
D. Make sure the patient is wearing a fetal monitor.
Answer: C
Rationale: Consult with physician to ensure awareness of pregnancy. Use should be
reserved for situations where benefit outweighs risk.
pg. 3
, Question 11
The nursing students are studying sympathomimetic drugs. How do these drugs act on
the body?
A. Stimulate beta receptors and block alpha-receptors
B. Stimulate alpha-receptors and block beta-receptors
C. Block adrenergic receptors
D. Stimulate both alpha and beta-receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Sympathomimetic drugs stimulate both alpha and beta-receptors.
Question 12
How does ephedrine act on the body?
A. Stimulates the release of norepinephrine
B. Acts indirectly on beta-adrenergic receptor sites
C. Stimulates the release of dopamine
D. Acts indirectly on alpha-adrenergic receptor sites
Answer: A
Rationale: Ephedrine stimulates the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings.
Question 13
In what age group are adrenergic agonists contraindicated?
A. Older adults
B. Adolescents
C. Children
D. No age group
Answer: D
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists are used in patients of all ages.
Question 14
A patient in shock is receiving an infusion of dopamine when it is discovered that an
extravasation has occurred. What drug should be on standby for this occurrence?
A. Phenylephrine
B. Propranolol
C. Phenylalanine
D. Phentolamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Phentolamine is used to treat extravasation of dopamine.
Question 15
The pharmacology instructor is discussing adrenergic agonists with the nursing class.
pg. 4
Guide | Complete Verified Exam Questions with
Answers and Rationales | (New 2026/2027
Update) | Graded A+ || Nightingale College
Question 1
What hormone stimulates the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from
both male and female glands?
A. Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
B. Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
C. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D. Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH)
Answer: C
Rationale: GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulates anterior pituitary release of LH
and FSH.
Question 2
A nurse is providing patient education to a patient as part of her work in a fertility clinic.
The nurse explains possible reasons for infertility. When explaining how the ovaries are
involved in conception, what will the nurse stress?
A. Ova quickly degenerate and most are absorbed in the body before the age of 12.
B. The ovaries at birth contain all of the ova that a woman will have.
C. Ova aggregate, causing millions to be contained in a storage site called a follicle.
D. Follicles produce only estrogen; the uterus produces progesterone.
Answer: B
Rationale: All ova a woman will ever have are present at birth. Ova do not increase or
decrease from birth.
Question 3
The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy with her clinical group.
What hormone, produced during pregnancy, would the instructor tell the students helps
to maintain the pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A. High levels of estrogen only
B. High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C. Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D. High levels of estrogen and progesterone
Answer: D
Rationale: High levels of both estrogen and progesterone are needed for maintenance
pg. 1
,of pregnancy.
Question 4
The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about the female
reproductive system. A student is trying to understand the role of progesterone in the
body. What nonreproductive effect does progesterone have on the body?
A. Decreased body temperature
B. Decreased appetite
C. Anti-insulin
D. Increased uterine motility
Answer: C
Rationale: Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate higher blood glucose for
the developing embryo.
Question 5
What hormone causes ovulation to occur?
A. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
B. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C. Prolactin
D. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
Answer: B
Rationale: A massive release of LH from the anterior pituitary causes ovulation.
Question 6
A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe menstrual cramps. The girl
is concerned about the pain and worried that "something is wrong." The nurse explains
to the patient that she has cramping during her menstrual period because of what?
A. An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which cause uterine
contractions
B. Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of the lining of the
uterus
C. Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off
vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D. An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the lining of the uterus
to slough away
Answer: C
Rationale: Prostaglandins stimulate uterine contractions causing menstrual cramps.
Question 7
What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific adrenergic agonist
effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm during anesthesia?
pg. 2
,A. Dobutamine (Dobutrex)
B. Ephedrine (generic)
C. Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
D. Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
Answer: C
Rationale: Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent
bronchospasm during anesthesia.
Question 8
The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients. Which patient should be
advised by the nurse that over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations contain
phenylephrine and should be avoided?
A. A 47-year-old woman with hypertension
B. A 52-year-old man with adult onset diabetes
C. A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection
D. A 62-year-old man with gout
Answer: A
Rationale: Phenylephrine is a potent vasoconstrictor. Patients with hypertension
should avoid it.
Question 9
The nurse is writing a plan of care for a patient receiving an alpha-specific adrenergic
agonist. What should this plan of care include?
A. Monitoring the patient for diarrhea
B. Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate every 2 to 4 hours
C. Assessing skin turgor for dehydration
D. Assessing for fatigue and lethargy
Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-specific adrenergic agonists cause hypertension and increased heart
rate.
Question 10
A nurse receives an order for clonidine (Catapres) for a 25-year-old pregnant woman.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Weigh the patient to obtain correct dose/kg/day.
B. Have a second nurse check the dose before administering the drug.
C. Consult with the physician about the order.
D. Make sure the patient is wearing a fetal monitor.
Answer: C
Rationale: Consult with physician to ensure awareness of pregnancy. Use should be
reserved for situations where benefit outweighs risk.
pg. 3
, Question 11
The nursing students are studying sympathomimetic drugs. How do these drugs act on
the body?
A. Stimulate beta receptors and block alpha-receptors
B. Stimulate alpha-receptors and block beta-receptors
C. Block adrenergic receptors
D. Stimulate both alpha and beta-receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Sympathomimetic drugs stimulate both alpha and beta-receptors.
Question 12
How does ephedrine act on the body?
A. Stimulates the release of norepinephrine
B. Acts indirectly on beta-adrenergic receptor sites
C. Stimulates the release of dopamine
D. Acts indirectly on alpha-adrenergic receptor sites
Answer: A
Rationale: Ephedrine stimulates the release of norepinephrine from nerve endings.
Question 13
In what age group are adrenergic agonists contraindicated?
A. Older adults
B. Adolescents
C. Children
D. No age group
Answer: D
Rationale: Adrenergic agonists are used in patients of all ages.
Question 14
A patient in shock is receiving an infusion of dopamine when it is discovered that an
extravasation has occurred. What drug should be on standby for this occurrence?
A. Phenylephrine
B. Propranolol
C. Phenylalanine
D. Phentolamine
Answer: D
Rationale: Phentolamine is used to treat extravasation of dopamine.
Question 15
The pharmacology instructor is discussing adrenergic agonists with the nursing class.
pg. 4
