Galen College NU 150 Exam 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Pharmacology Q&A
| Pharmacology
1. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication on an empty stomach if it upsets my
stomach."
B) "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
C) "I may experience dark-colored urine while taking this medication."
D) "It may take several weeks for this medication to become effective."
Correct Answer: "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
Rationale: High-protein meals can compete with levodopa for absorption
across the blood-brain barrier, reducing its effectiveness. Patients should be
taught to take levodopa/carbidopa on an empty stomach or with a low-
protein snack to maximize absorption. The other statements reflect accurate
understanding of the medication.
2. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia. What is
the nurse's priority teaching?
A) "Stop taking the medication immediately."
B) "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental
checkups."
C) "Switch to a liquid form of the medication."
D) "Apply a topical steroid to the gums."
Correct Answer: "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and
dental checkups."
,Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia is a common side effect of phenytoin that can
be managed with good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and proper
flossing. Stopping the medication abruptly could precipitate seizures. The
patient should not stop the medication without consulting the provider.
3. What instruction should the nurse provide to a patient taking alendronate
for osteoporosis?
A) "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
B) "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
C) "Lie down immediately after taking the medication."
D) "Take the medication at bedtime with a snack."
Correct Answer: "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the
medication."
Rationale: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulcers if the
tablet remains in the esophagus. Patients should remain upright for at least
30 minutes after taking the medication to allow it to pass into the stomach. It
should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates
the patient may be experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Mild thirst and dry mouth
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Weight gain and sedation
D) Increased urination and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Tremors, confusion, and nausea
,Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors, nausea, vomiting,
confusion, and unsteady gait. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6-
1.2 mEq/L); levels above 1.5 mEq/L indicate toxicity requiring immediate
intervention. Mild thirst and increased urination are expected side effects,
not signs of toxicity.
5. Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about
sildenafil?
A) "I should take this medication 30-60 minutes before sexual activity."
B) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
C) "I should not take this medication with nitrates."
D) "I may experience a headache or flushing after taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted
infections."
Rationale: Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor used for erectile
dysfunction; it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted
infections. Patients should be educated about safe sex practices separately.
The other statements reflect accurate understanding of sildenafil use and
side effects.
6. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side effects.
What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You may feel drowsy, so avoid driving until you know how it affects you."
B) "There are no significant side effects with this medication."
C) "This medication will cause weight gain."
D) "You should take this medication with grapefruit juice."
Correct Answer: "You may feel drowsy, so avoid driving until you know how it
affects you."
, Rationale: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause sedation,
drowsiness, and impaired coordination. Patients should avoid driving or
operating machinery until they know how the medication affects them. The
other options are incorrect or unsafe.
7. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking
amitriptyline?
A) Diarrhea
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that can cause
orthostatic hypotension, sedation, dry mouth, constipation, and weight gain.
Patients should be taught to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to
prevent dizziness and falls.
8. What is the most important teaching point for a patient starting
aripiprazole?
A) "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older antipsychotics."
B) "You will need to have weekly blood draws."
C) "You should take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D) "This medication is not effective for bipolar disorder."
Correct Answer: "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older
antipsychotics."
| Pharmacology
1. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication on an empty stomach if it upsets my
stomach."
B) "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
C) "I may experience dark-colored urine while taking this medication."
D) "It may take several weeks for this medication to become effective."
Correct Answer: "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
Rationale: High-protein meals can compete with levodopa for absorption
across the blood-brain barrier, reducing its effectiveness. Patients should be
taught to take levodopa/carbidopa on an empty stomach or with a low-
protein snack to maximize absorption. The other statements reflect accurate
understanding of the medication.
2. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia. What is
the nurse's priority teaching?
A) "Stop taking the medication immediately."
B) "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental
checkups."
C) "Switch to a liquid form of the medication."
D) "Apply a topical steroid to the gums."
Correct Answer: "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and
dental checkups."
,Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia is a common side effect of phenytoin that can
be managed with good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and proper
flossing. Stopping the medication abruptly could precipitate seizures. The
patient should not stop the medication without consulting the provider.
3. What instruction should the nurse provide to a patient taking alendronate
for osteoporosis?
A) "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
B) "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
C) "Lie down immediately after taking the medication."
D) "Take the medication at bedtime with a snack."
Correct Answer: "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the
medication."
Rationale: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulcers if the
tablet remains in the esophagus. Patients should remain upright for at least
30 minutes after taking the medication to allow it to pass into the stomach. It
should be taken on an empty stomach with a full glass of water.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates
the patient may be experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Mild thirst and dry mouth
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Weight gain and sedation
D) Increased urination and polydipsia
Correct Answer: Tremors, confusion, and nausea
,Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors, nausea, vomiting,
confusion, and unsteady gait. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index (0.6-
1.2 mEq/L); levels above 1.5 mEq/L indicate toxicity requiring immediate
intervention. Mild thirst and increased urination are expected side effects,
not signs of toxicity.
5. Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about
sildenafil?
A) "I should take this medication 30-60 minutes before sexual activity."
B) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
C) "I should not take this medication with nitrates."
D) "I may experience a headache or flushing after taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted
infections."
Rationale: Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor used for erectile
dysfunction; it does not provide protection against sexually transmitted
infections. Patients should be educated about safe sex practices separately.
The other statements reflect accurate understanding of sildenafil use and
side effects.
6. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side effects.
What is the nurse's best response?
A) "You may feel drowsy, so avoid driving until you know how it affects you."
B) "There are no significant side effects with this medication."
C) "This medication will cause weight gain."
D) "You should take this medication with grapefruit juice."
Correct Answer: "You may feel drowsy, so avoid driving until you know how it
affects you."
, Rationale: Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that can cause sedation,
drowsiness, and impaired coordination. Patients should avoid driving or
operating machinery until they know how the medication affects them. The
other options are incorrect or unsafe.
7. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking
amitriptyline?
A) Diarrhea
B) Orthostatic hypotension
C) Weight loss
D) Hypertension
Correct Answer: Orthostatic hypotension
Rationale: Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) that can cause
orthostatic hypotension, sedation, dry mouth, constipation, and weight gain.
Patients should be taught to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions to
prevent dizziness and falls.
8. What is the most important teaching point for a patient starting
aripiprazole?
A) "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older antipsychotics."
B) "You will need to have weekly blood draws."
C) "You should take this medication with a high-fat meal."
D) "This medication is not effective for bipolar disorder."
Correct Answer: "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older
antipsychotics."
