NU NUR 320 Module 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Pharmacology for Nursing
Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. The nurse
understands that the primary mechanism of action for this drug class
involves:
A) Blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking aldosterone receptors in the kidneys
C) Directly dilating peripheral blood vessels
D) Decreasing sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system
Correct Answer: Blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the
conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This
reduces systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. Angiotensin II
receptor blockers (ARBs) block the receptor, not the conversion.
2. A patient on long-term corticosteroid therapy is being discharged. Which
of the following instructions is most important for the nurse to include?
A) "Take the medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
B) "Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while on this medication."
C) "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly; the dose must be tapered."
D) "Take the entire daily dose at bedtime to reduce side effects."
Correct Answer: "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly; the dose must
be tapered."
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use suppresses the hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Abrupt cessation can lead to adrenal crisis due
,to the body's inability to produce cortisol. Tapering the dose allows the
adrenal glands to recover function.
3. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The nurse should instruct the patient that the full therapeutic
effect may not be seen for:
A) 1-2 days
B) 1-2 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 8-12 weeks
Correct Answer: 4-6 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs typically take 4 to 6 weeks to reach their full therapeutic
effect. Patients must be educated to continue taking the medication as
prescribed and to report any worsening of symptoms or suicidal ideation.
4. A patient is prescribed a medication that is a weak base. The nurse
understands that this drug will be best absorbed in which part of the
gastrointestinal tract?
A) The stomach (acidic environment)
B) The small intestine (alkaline environment)
C) The colon (neutral environment)
D) The esophagus (neutral environment)
Correct Answer: The small intestine (alkaline environment)
Rationale: Weak bases are better absorbed in alkaline environments (the
small intestine) because they are non-ionized and more lipid-soluble. Weak
acids are better absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach.
,5. A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication for the treatment of
overactive bladder. The nurse should monitor the patient for which adverse
effect?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary frequency
C) Dry mouth
D) Excessive sweating
Correct Answer: Dry mouth
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications block the parasympathetic nervous
system, which leads to decreased secretions. Common adverse effects
include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should
educate the patient that this medication primarily works by:
A) Increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas
B) Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
C) Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine
D) Increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing
hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis) and improving insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues. It is not a secretagogue.
, 7. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. The nurse
should anticipate a need to prescribe which medication to manage a
common side effect?
A) An antiemetic
B) A laxative or stool softener
C) An antidiarrheal
D) An antihistamine
Correct Answer: A laxative or stool softener
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation by decreasing
gastrointestinal motility and increasing smooth muscle tone. Prophylactic use
of laxatives or stool softeners is often necessary.
8. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. The nurse should be
most concerned about this medication if the patient has a history of:
A) Hypertension
B) Angina
C) Asthma
D) Migraine headaches
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block both beta-1 (cardiac) and beta-2
(pulmonary) receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors can cause
bronchospasm, making these drugs contraindicated in patients with asthma
or COPD.
9. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. The nurse
understands that the primary mechanism of action for this drug class
involves:
A) Blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Blocking aldosterone receptors in the kidneys
C) Directly dilating peripheral blood vessels
D) Decreasing sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system
Correct Answer: Blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the
conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This
reduces systemic vascular resistance and blood pressure. Angiotensin II
receptor blockers (ARBs) block the receptor, not the conversion.
2. A patient on long-term corticosteroid therapy is being discharged. Which
of the following instructions is most important for the nurse to include?
A) "Take the medication with food to prevent stomach upset."
B) "Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while on this medication."
C) "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly; the dose must be tapered."
D) "Take the entire daily dose at bedtime to reduce side effects."
Correct Answer: "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly; the dose must
be tapered."
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use suppresses the hypothalamic-
pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Abrupt cessation can lead to adrenal crisis due
,to the body's inability to produce cortisol. Tapering the dose allows the
adrenal glands to recover function.
3. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. The nurse should instruct the patient that the full therapeutic
effect may not be seen for:
A) 1-2 days
B) 1-2 weeks
C) 4-6 weeks
D) 8-12 weeks
Correct Answer: 4-6 weeks
Rationale: SSRIs typically take 4 to 6 weeks to reach their full therapeutic
effect. Patients must be educated to continue taking the medication as
prescribed and to report any worsening of symptoms or suicidal ideation.
4. A patient is prescribed a medication that is a weak base. The nurse
understands that this drug will be best absorbed in which part of the
gastrointestinal tract?
A) The stomach (acidic environment)
B) The small intestine (alkaline environment)
C) The colon (neutral environment)
D) The esophagus (neutral environment)
Correct Answer: The small intestine (alkaline environment)
Rationale: Weak bases are better absorbed in alkaline environments (the
small intestine) because they are non-ionized and more lipid-soluble. Weak
acids are better absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach.
,5. A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication for the treatment of
overactive bladder. The nurse should monitor the patient for which adverse
effect?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary frequency
C) Dry mouth
D) Excessive sweating
Correct Answer: Dry mouth
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications block the parasympathetic nervous
system, which leads to decreased secretions. Common adverse effects
include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should
educate the patient that this medication primarily works by:
A) Increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas
B) Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
C) Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine
D) Increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing
hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis) and improving insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues. It is not a secretagogue.
, 7. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. The nurse
should anticipate a need to prescribe which medication to manage a
common side effect?
A) An antiemetic
B) A laxative or stool softener
C) An antidiarrheal
D) An antihistamine
Correct Answer: A laxative or stool softener
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation by decreasing
gastrointestinal motility and increasing smooth muscle tone. Prophylactic use
of laxatives or stool softeners is often necessary.
8. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. The nurse should be
most concerned about this medication if the patient has a history of:
A) Hypertension
B) Angina
C) Asthma
D) Migraine headaches
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block both beta-1 (cardiac) and beta-2
(pulmonary) receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors can cause
bronchospasm, making these drugs contraindicated in patients with asthma
or COPD.
9. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
