NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Practice Exam
NURS 251
Endocrine, Neuro & Cardiac Pharm
100 Questions with Complete Solutions and Rationales
Updated 2026 Study Guide
Module 10 Core Topics:
1. Diabetes Medications & Insulins
2. Thyroid & Other Endocrine Agents
3. Antiepileptics & Psychotropics
4. Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology
5. Respiratory & GI Pharmacology
6. Anti-infectives & Immunomodulators
Prepared for Nursing Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
,NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Contents
1 Endocrine Pharmacology – Diabetes Medications 3
2 Endocrine Pharmacology – Thyroid & Others 8
3 Neurological & Psychiatric Pharmacology 13
4 Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology 18
5 Respiratory, GI, & Anti-infective Pharmacology 23
6 Anti-inflammatory & Immunomodulators 28
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
,NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Section 1: Endocrine Pharmacology – Diabetes
Medications (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should monitor the patient for
which potentially life-threatening adverse effect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Lactic acidosis
C) Weight gain
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer
B
Rationale
Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially fatal complication. Risk
factors include renal impairment, hepatic disease, and conditions that predispose to hypoxia. Metformin is
the only biguanide available in the U.S. and works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing
insulin sensitivity.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus). Which statement by the patient indicates
understanding of this medication?
A) "I will take this insulin before meals."
B) "This insulin peaks in about 2 hours."
C) "I should not mix this insulin with other insulins in the same syringe."
D) "This insulin should be given three times daily."
Answer
C
Rationale
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe. It is
administered once daily and provides a steady basal level of insulin with no pronounced peak. Mixing
glargine with other insulins can alter its absorption and effectiveness.
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
, NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Question 3
A patient with diabetes is prescribed a sulfonylurea. Which mechanism of action best describes
this drug class?
A) Decreases glucose production in the liver
B) Stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells
C) Slows carbohydrate absorption in the intestines
D) Increases peripheral glucose uptake
Answer
B
Rationale
Sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide) stimulate insulin release from pancreatic beta cells by blocking ATP-
sensitive potassium channels. This mechanism requires functioning beta cells and is effective in patients
with type 2 diabetes who still have some insulin production.
Question 4
A patient is taking pioglitazone (Actos) for type 2 diabetes. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Weight loss
C) Fluid retention and heart failure
D) Hepatotoxicity
Answer
C
Rationale
Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that improves insulin sensitivity. It can cause fluid retention, which may
lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients with heart failure or at risk for heart failure should be monitored
closely. Weight gain, not weight loss, is also common.
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Practice Exam
NURS 251
Endocrine, Neuro & Cardiac Pharm
100 Questions with Complete Solutions and Rationales
Updated 2026 Study Guide
Module 10 Core Topics:
1. Diabetes Medications & Insulins
2. Thyroid & Other Endocrine Agents
3. Antiepileptics & Psychotropics
4. Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology
5. Respiratory & GI Pharmacology
6. Anti-infectives & Immunomodulators
Prepared for Nursing Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
,NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Contents
1 Endocrine Pharmacology – Diabetes Medications 3
2 Endocrine Pharmacology – Thyroid & Others 8
3 Neurological & Psychiatric Pharmacology 13
4 Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacology 18
5 Respiratory, GI, & Anti-infective Pharmacology 23
6 Anti-inflammatory & Immunomodulators 28
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
,NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Section 1: Endocrine Pharmacology – Diabetes
Medications (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should monitor the patient for
which potentially life-threatening adverse effect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Lactic acidosis
C) Weight gain
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer
B
Rationale
Metformin carries a black box warning for lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially fatal complication. Risk
factors include renal impairment, hepatic disease, and conditions that predispose to hypoxia. Metformin is
the only biguanide available in the U.S. and works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing
insulin sensitivity.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed insulin glargine (Lantus). Which statement by the patient indicates
understanding of this medication?
A) "I will take this insulin before meals."
B) "This insulin peaks in about 2 hours."
C) "I should not mix this insulin with other insulins in the same syringe."
D) "This insulin should be given three times daily."
Answer
C
Rationale
Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin that should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe. It is
administered once daily and provides a steady basal level of insulin with no pronounced peak. Mixing
glargine with other insulins can alter its absorption and effectiveness.
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
, NURS 251 Pharmacology – Module 10 Exam
Question 3
A patient with diabetes is prescribed a sulfonylurea. Which mechanism of action best describes
this drug class?
A) Decreases glucose production in the liver
B) Stimulates insulin release from pancreatic beta cells
C) Slows carbohydrate absorption in the intestines
D) Increases peripheral glucose uptake
Answer
B
Rationale
Sulfonylureas (e.g., glipizide, glyburide) stimulate insulin release from pancreatic beta cells by blocking ATP-
sensitive potassium channels. This mechanism requires functioning beta cells and is effective in patients
with type 2 diabetes who still have some insulin production.
Question 4
A patient is taking pioglitazone (Actos) for type 2 diabetes. The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effect?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Weight loss
C) Fluid retention and heart failure
D) Hepatotoxicity
Answer
C
Rationale
Pioglitazone is a thiazolidinedione that improves insulin sensitivity. It can cause fluid retention, which may
lead to or exacerbate heart failure. Patients with heart failure or at risk for heart failure should be monitored
closely. Weight gain, not weight loss, is also common.
NURS 251 Pharmacology | 2026 Edition
