N352 EXAM 3 MEDICATIONS | COMPREHENSIVE NURSING
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2026/2027
Finasteride MOA - ANS ✔✔Finasteride competitively inhibits type II 5
-
alpha reductase, resulting in inhibition
of the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone and markedly suppresses
serum dihydrotestosterone levels
FOR BPH
Tamsulosin MOA - ANS ✔✔Blocks alpha1A
-
adrenoreceptors in the prostate leading to relaxation
Of smooth muscle in the bladder neck and prostate
causing an improvement of urine flow and
decreased symptoms of BPH
FOR BPH
Finasteride Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Orthostatic hypotension
Ejaculation disorder, breast tenderness,
sexual disorder, impotence
Prostate Cancer
May negatively impact fetal development
Finasteride Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔Check ordered labs and report any
abnormalities (establish a new PSA baseline at
6 months after treatment initiation)
Instruct pregnant women to avoid contact with
crushed or broken tablets
Tamsulosin Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Orthostatic hypotension
CNS: headache, dizziness, somnolence
Urinary urgency
Tamsulosin Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔Assess blood pressure and monitor for hypotension,
dizziness, somnolence, and impotence at beginning
of therapy and on a regular basis
Mesalamine MOA and USE - ANS ✔✔Decreases local chemical mediators of the inflammatory process,
particularly leukotrienes
FOR IBD
Mesalamine Side Effects - ANS ✔✔GI discomfort
, Headache
Nephrotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity
Joint/Muscle Pain
Sulfasalazine MOA and Use - ANS ✔✔A combination of sulfapyridine (antibacterial) and 5-aminosalicylic
acid (anti-inflammatory). Activated by colonic bacteria.
Decreases local chemical mediators of the inflammatory process, particularly leukotrienes
FOR IBD and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sulfasalazine Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Gastric distress
Pruritis
Blood dyscrasias
Hepatic necrosis
Sulfasalazine Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔CBC with diff and LFTs
Prior to initiation and
every other week for first
3 months
Budesonide MOA and Use - ANS ✔✔High topical
anti-inflammatory activity. Depresses inflammation
caused by endogenous chemical mediators
FOR IBD
Budesonide SE - ANS ✔✔Few compared to
conventional glucocorticoids
Adrenal suppression
Immunosuppression
Budesonide Route - ANS ✔✔PO, PR
Oral forms:
controlled release
Foam and liquid enema
prep
Avoid grapefruit juice
with PO
Prednisone MOA and USE - ANS ✔✔Depresses inflammation caused by endogenous chemical mediators
FOR IBD
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2026/2027
Finasteride MOA - ANS ✔✔Finasteride competitively inhibits type II 5
-
alpha reductase, resulting in inhibition
of the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone and markedly suppresses
serum dihydrotestosterone levels
FOR BPH
Tamsulosin MOA - ANS ✔✔Blocks alpha1A
-
adrenoreceptors in the prostate leading to relaxation
Of smooth muscle in the bladder neck and prostate
causing an improvement of urine flow and
decreased symptoms of BPH
FOR BPH
Finasteride Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Orthostatic hypotension
Ejaculation disorder, breast tenderness,
sexual disorder, impotence
Prostate Cancer
May negatively impact fetal development
Finasteride Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔Check ordered labs and report any
abnormalities (establish a new PSA baseline at
6 months after treatment initiation)
Instruct pregnant women to avoid contact with
crushed or broken tablets
Tamsulosin Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Orthostatic hypotension
CNS: headache, dizziness, somnolence
Urinary urgency
Tamsulosin Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔Assess blood pressure and monitor for hypotension,
dizziness, somnolence, and impotence at beginning
of therapy and on a regular basis
Mesalamine MOA and USE - ANS ✔✔Decreases local chemical mediators of the inflammatory process,
particularly leukotrienes
FOR IBD
Mesalamine Side Effects - ANS ✔✔GI discomfort
, Headache
Nephrotoxicity
Hepatotoxicity
Joint/Muscle Pain
Sulfasalazine MOA and Use - ANS ✔✔A combination of sulfapyridine (antibacterial) and 5-aminosalicylic
acid (anti-inflammatory). Activated by colonic bacteria.
Decreases local chemical mediators of the inflammatory process, particularly leukotrienes
FOR IBD and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Sulfasalazine Side Effects - ANS ✔✔Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Gastric distress
Pruritis
Blood dyscrasias
Hepatic necrosis
Sulfasalazine Nursing Considerations - ANS ✔✔CBC with diff and LFTs
Prior to initiation and
every other week for first
3 months
Budesonide MOA and Use - ANS ✔✔High topical
anti-inflammatory activity. Depresses inflammation
caused by endogenous chemical mediators
FOR IBD
Budesonide SE - ANS ✔✔Few compared to
conventional glucocorticoids
Adrenal suppression
Immunosuppression
Budesonide Route - ANS ✔✔PO, PR
Oral forms:
controlled release
Foam and liquid enema
prep
Avoid grapefruit juice
with PO
Prednisone MOA and USE - ANS ✔✔Depresses inflammation caused by endogenous chemical mediators
FOR IBD
