NURS 251 x x
Pharmacology Module 2 COMPLETE + x x x x x
x Problem set on the last pages 2025 verified
x x x x x x x
solution Portage Learning
x xx x
THIS EXAM INCLUDES: x x
• Complete NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 2 review
xx x x x x x x x
• Practice questions with verified solutions
xx x x x x x
• Complete problem set from the last pages
xx x x x x x x x
• Nursing interventions and patient education
xx x x x x x
• Exam-style multiple-choice questions
xx x x x
• Comprehensive module review
xx x x x
• Updated 2026 study material
xx x x x x
• Instant digital download
xx x x
, NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 2 COMPLETE + x x x x x x x
Problem set on the last pages 2025 verified solution
x x x x x x x x x x
Portage Learning x x
Module 2 x
2.1 : Introduction
x
Nonprescription medications, perhaps more commonly known as over-the-counter (OTC) x x x x x x x x
medications, are medications that are available without a prescription and are available in most cases
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
without restriction. There are a few medications that do not require a prescription but are kept behind
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
the pharmacy counter and ID is required for purchase. An example of this would be any medication
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine when combines with other easily
x x x x x x x x x x
obtainable items can be used to make crystal meth. In recent years, many medications that once
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
required a prescription are now available OTC. Common examples of this would be the allergy
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
medication loratadine (Claritin) or the acid blocker esomeprazole (Nexium).
x x x x x x x x x
It is important to note the degree of oversight varies between OTC medications and other options like
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xdietary and herbal supplements. Starting in 1972, the FDA started an OTC drug review with the goal of
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xensuring these medications are both safe and effective. In general, there are commonly accepted
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xcriteria that would make a medication appropriate for OTC status. Table 2.1 below lists this criterion.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The second goal was to establish appropriate labeling standards. During this initial review, many
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x drugs were either found to be ineffective or in some cases even unsafe. The medications determined to
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x be unsafe were removed from the market. Over time, most drugs that were deemed ineffective have
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x also disappeared from the shelves.
x x x x
Table 2.1 Criteria for Over-the-Counter Status
x x x x x
Indications for use x x Consumer must be able to: x x x x
· Diagnose the condition x x
· Monitor effectiveness x
Benefits of correct use are greater than the risks
x x x x x x x x
Safety Profile x Drugs Must have: x x
· Favorable adverse events profile x x x
· Limited interactions with other drugs x x x x
· Low potential for abuse x x x
· High Therapeutic Index x x
Practicality for OTC Use x x x Drugs must be: x x
· Easy to use x x
· Easy to monitor x x
It is important to keep in mind that OTC medications are not without their risks, especially for patients
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xthat may have other comorbidities (other chronic diseases). Many of the medications available over
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xthe counter may cause harm in patients with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xdisease, and glaucoma. It is important to educate patients that have comorbidities to ask a health care
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xprofessional prior to taking OTC medications, especially if they intend to take the medication
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
, continuously.
In most cases, OTC medications are simply treating symptoms and are not getting to the cause of the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xproblem. In some cases, the use of OTC medication can prevent someone from seeking the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xnecessary treatment needed for the underlying cause of their symptoms. In other cases, such as the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xcommon cold, the symptoms will resolve on their own. The OTC medications do not shorten the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xlength of the cold; they only help ease the patient’s discomfort. For this reason, depending on the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xpatient’s comorbidities, it may be appropriate to recommend against a certain OTC treatment.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
Pharmacology Module 2 COMPLETE + x x x x x
x Problem set on the last pages 2025 verified
x x x x x x x
solution Portage Learning
x xx x
THIS EXAM INCLUDES: x x
• Complete NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 2 review
xx x x x x x x x
• Practice questions with verified solutions
xx x x x x x
• Complete problem set from the last pages
xx x x x x x x x
• Nursing interventions and patient education
xx x x x x x
• Exam-style multiple-choice questions
xx x x x
• Comprehensive module review
xx x x x
• Updated 2026 study material
xx x x x x
• Instant digital download
xx x x
, NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 2 COMPLETE + x x x x x x x
Problem set on the last pages 2025 verified solution
x x x x x x x x x x
Portage Learning x x
Module 2 x
2.1 : Introduction
x
Nonprescription medications, perhaps more commonly known as over-the-counter (OTC) x x x x x x x x
medications, are medications that are available without a prescription and are available in most cases
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
without restriction. There are a few medications that do not require a prescription but are kept behind
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
the pharmacy counter and ID is required for purchase. An example of this would be any medication
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
containing the decongestant pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine when combines with other easily
x x x x x x x x x x
obtainable items can be used to make crystal meth. In recent years, many medications that once
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
required a prescription are now available OTC. Common examples of this would be the allergy
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
medication loratadine (Claritin) or the acid blocker esomeprazole (Nexium).
x x x x x x x x x
It is important to note the degree of oversight varies between OTC medications and other options like
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xdietary and herbal supplements. Starting in 1972, the FDA started an OTC drug review with the goal of
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xensuring these medications are both safe and effective. In general, there are commonly accepted
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xcriteria that would make a medication appropriate for OTC status. Table 2.1 below lists this criterion.
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
The second goal was to establish appropriate labeling standards. During this initial review, many
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x drugs were either found to be ineffective or in some cases even unsafe. The medications determined to
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x be unsafe were removed from the market. Over time, most drugs that were deemed ineffective have
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
x also disappeared from the shelves.
x x x x
Table 2.1 Criteria for Over-the-Counter Status
x x x x x
Indications for use x x Consumer must be able to: x x x x
· Diagnose the condition x x
· Monitor effectiveness x
Benefits of correct use are greater than the risks
x x x x x x x x
Safety Profile x Drugs Must have: x x
· Favorable adverse events profile x x x
· Limited interactions with other drugs x x x x
· Low potential for abuse x x x
· High Therapeutic Index x x
Practicality for OTC Use x x x Drugs must be: x x
· Easy to use x x
· Easy to monitor x x
It is important to keep in mind that OTC medications are not without their risks, especially for patients
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xthat may have other comorbidities (other chronic diseases). Many of the medications available over
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xthe counter may cause harm in patients with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xdisease, and glaucoma. It is important to educate patients that have comorbidities to ask a health care
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xprofessional prior to taking OTC medications, especially if they intend to take the medication
x x x x x x x x x x x x x
, continuously.
In most cases, OTC medications are simply treating symptoms and are not getting to the cause of the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xproblem. In some cases, the use of OTC medication can prevent someone from seeking the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xnecessary treatment needed for the underlying cause of their symptoms. In other cases, such as the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xcommon cold, the symptoms will resolve on their own. The OTC medications do not shorten the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xlength of the cold; they only help ease the patient’s discomfort. For this reason, depending on the
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
xpatient’s comorbidities, it may be appropriate to recommend against a certain OTC treatment.
x x x x x x x x x x x x
