NU 150 EXAM 2 /NU 150 PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM 2 PRACTICE EXAM WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED ANSWERS| CURRENTLY TESTING
VERSION | ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/2027
A patient with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma and hypertension requires
medication for nasal congestion. Which class of upper respiratory drugs should be used
with extreme caution?
A. Expectorants like guaifenesin
B. Second-generation antihistamines like loratadine
C. Antitussives like benzonatate
D. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine
D. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine
Rationale: Decongnestants cause vasocontriction, blood vessels to constrict,
which can increase pressure in the body. This makes it dangerous for patients who
already have high pressure in their eyes (GLAUCOMA) or high pressure in their body
(HYPERTENSION)
What is the primary pharmacological difference between first-generation
antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) and second-generation antihistamines (e.g.,
loratadine)?
A. First-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, causing less
sedation.
B. First-generation agents are less sedating because they do not cross the blood-brain
barrier.
C. Second-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, resulting in less
sedation.
D. Second-generation agents bind nonselectively to central and peripheral H1
receptors.
1|Page
,C. Second-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, resulting in less
sedation.
A patient taking an MAOI for depression presents with a common cold. The nurse
should warn the patient to avoid which class of over-the-counter medication to
prevent a potential hypertensive crisis?
A. Antihistamines
B. Mucolytics
C. Decongestants
D. Expectorants
C. Decongestants
Rationale: MAOIs and Decongestants causes a dangerous synergistic effect
causing severe headache, hypertension, & a potentially hypertensive crisis.
Why must inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone be contraindicated for a patient
experiencing status asthmaticus?
A. They can cause a paradoxical bronchospasm.
B. They suppress the immune system too quickly during an acute attack.
C. They are prophylactic medications and do not provide immediate bronchodilation.
D. They can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure.
C. They are prophylactic medications and do not provide immediate bronchodilation.
A patient is prescribed both an expectorant (guaifenesin) for a productive cough and an
antitussive (codeine). What is the potential conflict in this combination therapy?
A. Both medications can cause severe hypertension when taken together.
B. The expectorant will inactivate the antitussive, rendering it ineffective.
C. The antitussive suppresses the cough reflex needed to clear the mucus loosened by
the expectorant.
D. This combination is standard and recommended for all types of coughs.
C. The antitussive suppresses the cough reflex needed to clear the mucus loosened by
the expectorant.
Rationale: You can't cough up the secretions because of the antitussive, the
2|Page
,secretions just end up staying down anyways so there's no point in taking the
expectorant. The two drugs together work against each other.
A key nursing intervention for a patient using an inhaled corticosteroid is to teach them
to rinse their mouth after each use. This is primarily to prevent which adverse effect?
A. Dry mouth and disturbed coordination
B. Hoarseness and throat irritation
C. Systemic absorption of the steroid
D. Oral fungal infection (candidiasis)
D. Oral fungal infection (candidiasis)
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids suppress the local immune response in the
mouth and throat, allowing for the overgrowth of fungi like Candida, which can be
prevented by rinsing away residual medication.
Acetylcysteine is classified as a mucolytic. How does its mechanism of action differ
from an expectorant like guaifenesin?
A. Acetylcysteine directly breaks down the chemical structure of mucus, while
guaifenesin increases the volume of respiratory fluid.
B. Guaifenesin is used for acetaminophen overdose, while acetylcysteine is for
productive coughs.
C. Acetylcysteine increases the production of respiratory secretions, while guaifenesin
suppresses the cough reflex.
D. Both medications work by the same mechanism but acetylcysteine is stronger.
A. Acetylcysteine directly breaks down the chemical structure of mucus, while
guaifenesin increases the volume of respiratory fluid.
Rationale: Mucolytics act directly on the mucus to decrease its viscosity, whereas
expectorants work by increasing secretions, which helps to thin the mucus.
3|Page
, A patient taking isoniazid (INH) for tuberculosis should be instructed to avoid taking
which other common medication concurrently, as it can interfere with absorption?
A. Beta blockers
B. Antacids
C. Acetaminophen
D. Second-generation antihistamines
B. Antacids
Rationale: Antacids should be avoided with isoniazid, as they can decrease its
absorption from the GI traCT
Which of the following conditions is treated with long-acting bronchodilators like
ipratropium for prevention, rather than with short-acting bronchodilators like albuterol
for acute relief?
A. Anaphylactic shock
B. An acute asthma attack
C. Prophylactic prevention of bronchospasm in COPD
D. Exercise-induced bronchospasm
C. Prophylactic prevention of bronchospasm in COPD
Rationale: Long-acting bronchodilators are used on a regular schedule to prevent
bronchospasms and maintain open airways in chronic conditions like COPD, as
mentioned under the use of ipratropium.
Intranasal steroids exert their anti-inflammatory effect in allergic rhinitis through which
primary mechanism?
A. By stimulating Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the nasal passages.
B. By acting as a competitive antagonist at H1 receptor sites.
C. By inhibiting various inflammatory cells and reducing mediators like histamine.
D. By decreasing the viscosity of nasal secretions directly.
C. By inhibiting various inflammatory cells and reducing mediators like histamine.
How do bronchodilators work?
A. By stimulating Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the nasal passages.
4|Page
EXAM 2 PRACTICE EXAM WITH ACTUAL
CORRECT QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
DETAILED ANSWERS| CURRENTLY TESTING
VERSION | ALREADY GRADED
A+|NEWEST|EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS 2026/2027
A patient with a history of narrow-angle glaucoma and hypertension requires
medication for nasal congestion. Which class of upper respiratory drugs should be used
with extreme caution?
A. Expectorants like guaifenesin
B. Second-generation antihistamines like loratadine
C. Antitussives like benzonatate
D. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine
D. Decongestants like pseudoephedrine
Rationale: Decongnestants cause vasocontriction, blood vessels to constrict,
which can increase pressure in the body. This makes it dangerous for patients who
already have high pressure in their eyes (GLAUCOMA) or high pressure in their body
(HYPERTENSION)
What is the primary pharmacological difference between first-generation
antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine) and second-generation antihistamines (e.g.,
loratadine)?
A. First-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, causing less
sedation.
B. First-generation agents are less sedating because they do not cross the blood-brain
barrier.
C. Second-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, resulting in less
sedation.
D. Second-generation agents bind nonselectively to central and peripheral H1
receptors.
1|Page
,C. Second-generation agents are selective for peripheral H1 receptors, resulting in less
sedation.
A patient taking an MAOI for depression presents with a common cold. The nurse
should warn the patient to avoid which class of over-the-counter medication to
prevent a potential hypertensive crisis?
A. Antihistamines
B. Mucolytics
C. Decongestants
D. Expectorants
C. Decongestants
Rationale: MAOIs and Decongestants causes a dangerous synergistic effect
causing severe headache, hypertension, & a potentially hypertensive crisis.
Why must inhaled corticosteroids like beclomethasone be contraindicated for a patient
experiencing status asthmaticus?
A. They can cause a paradoxical bronchospasm.
B. They suppress the immune system too quickly during an acute attack.
C. They are prophylactic medications and do not provide immediate bronchodilation.
D. They can significantly increase heart rate and blood pressure.
C. They are prophylactic medications and do not provide immediate bronchodilation.
A patient is prescribed both an expectorant (guaifenesin) for a productive cough and an
antitussive (codeine). What is the potential conflict in this combination therapy?
A. Both medications can cause severe hypertension when taken together.
B. The expectorant will inactivate the antitussive, rendering it ineffective.
C. The antitussive suppresses the cough reflex needed to clear the mucus loosened by
the expectorant.
D. This combination is standard and recommended for all types of coughs.
C. The antitussive suppresses the cough reflex needed to clear the mucus loosened by
the expectorant.
Rationale: You can't cough up the secretions because of the antitussive, the
2|Page
,secretions just end up staying down anyways so there's no point in taking the
expectorant. The two drugs together work against each other.
A key nursing intervention for a patient using an inhaled corticosteroid is to teach them
to rinse their mouth after each use. This is primarily to prevent which adverse effect?
A. Dry mouth and disturbed coordination
B. Hoarseness and throat irritation
C. Systemic absorption of the steroid
D. Oral fungal infection (candidiasis)
D. Oral fungal infection (candidiasis)
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids suppress the local immune response in the
mouth and throat, allowing for the overgrowth of fungi like Candida, which can be
prevented by rinsing away residual medication.
Acetylcysteine is classified as a mucolytic. How does its mechanism of action differ
from an expectorant like guaifenesin?
A. Acetylcysteine directly breaks down the chemical structure of mucus, while
guaifenesin increases the volume of respiratory fluid.
B. Guaifenesin is used for acetaminophen overdose, while acetylcysteine is for
productive coughs.
C. Acetylcysteine increases the production of respiratory secretions, while guaifenesin
suppresses the cough reflex.
D. Both medications work by the same mechanism but acetylcysteine is stronger.
A. Acetylcysteine directly breaks down the chemical structure of mucus, while
guaifenesin increases the volume of respiratory fluid.
Rationale: Mucolytics act directly on the mucus to decrease its viscosity, whereas
expectorants work by increasing secretions, which helps to thin the mucus.
3|Page
, A patient taking isoniazid (INH) for tuberculosis should be instructed to avoid taking
which other common medication concurrently, as it can interfere with absorption?
A. Beta blockers
B. Antacids
C. Acetaminophen
D. Second-generation antihistamines
B. Antacids
Rationale: Antacids should be avoided with isoniazid, as they can decrease its
absorption from the GI traCT
Which of the following conditions is treated with long-acting bronchodilators like
ipratropium for prevention, rather than with short-acting bronchodilators like albuterol
for acute relief?
A. Anaphylactic shock
B. An acute asthma attack
C. Prophylactic prevention of bronchospasm in COPD
D. Exercise-induced bronchospasm
C. Prophylactic prevention of bronchospasm in COPD
Rationale: Long-acting bronchodilators are used on a regular schedule to prevent
bronchospasms and maintain open airways in chronic conditions like COPD, as
mentioned under the use of ipratropium.
Intranasal steroids exert their anti-inflammatory effect in allergic rhinitis through which
primary mechanism?
A. By stimulating Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the nasal passages.
B. By acting as a competitive antagonist at H1 receptor sites.
C. By inhibiting various inflammatory cells and reducing mediators like histamine.
D. By decreasing the viscosity of nasal secretions directly.
C. By inhibiting various inflammatory cells and reducing mediators like histamine.
How do bronchodilators work?
A. By stimulating Beta 2-adrenergic receptors in the nasal passages.
4|Page
