NSG 124
FINAL EXAM
(Pharmacology)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN) style)
Herzing University
What you Will Get:
• 80+ verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Question 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed bethanechol
for postoperative urinary retention. Which finding best indicates that the
medication is producing the desired therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased urinary output
B. Increased ability to empty the bladder
C. Increased bladder distention
D. Decreased bowel motility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates muscarinic receptors, increasing
detrusor muscle contraction and promoting bladder emptying. An increased ability to
urinate indicates a therapeutic response.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Bethanechol promotes urination rather than decreasing urine elimination.
Option C: Increasing bladder distention would indicate worsening urinary retention.
Option D: Bethanechol may increase gastrointestinal motility rather than decrease it.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for atropine.
Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. Excessive salivation
B. Diarrhea
C. Dry mouth
D. Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Atropine is an anticholinergic medication. Common anticholinergic adverse effects
include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and tachycardia.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Atropine decreases salivary secretions.
Option B: Anticholinergic drugs usually decrease GI motility and may cause constipation.
Option D: Atropine can cause urinary retention rather than increased urinary frequency.
,Question 3. A client with myasthenia gravis is prescribed a reversible
cholinesterase inhibitor. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Pyridostigmine
B. Benztropine
C. Atropine
D. Propranolol
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Pyridostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at the
neuromuscular junction and improving skeletal muscle strength in clients with
myasthenia gravis.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used primarily for Parkinsonism and
extrapyramidal symptoms.
Option C: Atropine blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Option D: Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker.
Question 4. A client develops wheezing, hypotension, facial swelling, and
urticaria shortly after being stung by a bee. Which medication should the nurse
administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Prednisone
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Intramuscular epinephrine is the first-line medication for anaphylaxis. It produces
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased cardiac output.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Diphenhydramine may be used as an adjunct but does not replace
epinephrine.
Option C: Corticosteroids have a delayed onset and are not first-line emergency therapy.
Option D: Albuterol may improve bronchospasm but does not treat systemic
hypotension and airway edema.
, Question 5. A client with hypertension is receiving propranolol. Which
assessment finding best demonstrates a therapeutic effect?
A. Blood pressure decreases from 164/94 mm Hg to 128/78 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate increases from 16/min to 26/min
C. Heart rate increases from 78/min to 110/min
D. Blood glucose increases from 90 mg/dL to 160 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Propranolol blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, decreasing heart rate, contractility, and
blood pressure. A reduction in elevated blood pressure demonstrates therapeutic
effectiveness.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Increased respiratory rate is not an intended effect.
Option C: Propranolol generally decreases heart rate.
Option D: Increased glucose is not a therapeutic goal.
Question 6. Before administering propranolol, which condition in the client’s
medical history should concern the nurse most?
A. Migraine headaches
B. Essential tremor
C. Bronchial asthma
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker and can block beta2 receptors in the lungs,
causing potentially life-threatening bronchospasm in susceptible clients.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Propranolol can be used for migraine prevention.
Option B: Propranolol may be prescribed for essential tremor.
Option D: Hypertension is a common indication for beta blockers.
FINAL EXAM
(Pharmacology)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(Next-Generation NCLEX (NGN) style)
Herzing University
What you Will Get:
• 80+ verified questions
• Correct answers with Rationales.
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Question 1. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed bethanechol
for postoperative urinary retention. Which finding best indicates that the
medication is producing the desired therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased urinary output
B. Increased ability to empty the bladder
C. Increased bladder distention
D. Decreased bowel motility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Bethanechol is a cholinergic agonist that stimulates muscarinic receptors, increasing
detrusor muscle contraction and promoting bladder emptying. An increased ability to
urinate indicates a therapeutic response.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Bethanechol promotes urination rather than decreasing urine elimination.
Option C: Increasing bladder distention would indicate worsening urinary retention.
Option D: Bethanechol may increase gastrointestinal motility rather than decrease it.
Question 2. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for atropine.
Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to expect?
A. Excessive salivation
B. Diarrhea
C. Dry mouth
D. Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Atropine is an anticholinergic medication. Common anticholinergic adverse effects
include dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention, and tachycardia.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Atropine decreases salivary secretions.
Option B: Anticholinergic drugs usually decrease GI motility and may cause constipation.
Option D: Atropine can cause urinary retention rather than increased urinary frequency.
,Question 3. A client with myasthenia gravis is prescribed a reversible
cholinesterase inhibitor. Which medication should the nurse expect to administer?
A. Pyridostigmine
B. Benztropine
C. Atropine
D. Propranolol
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Pyridostigmine inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at the
neuromuscular junction and improving skeletal muscle strength in clients with
myasthenia gravis.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used primarily for Parkinsonism and
extrapyramidal symptoms.
Option C: Atropine blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.
Option D: Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker.
Question 4. A client develops wheezing, hypotension, facial swelling, and
urticaria shortly after being stung by a bee. Which medication should the nurse
administer first?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Prednisone
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Intramuscular epinephrine is the first-line medication for anaphylaxis. It produces
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and increased cardiac output.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Diphenhydramine may be used as an adjunct but does not replace
epinephrine.
Option C: Corticosteroids have a delayed onset and are not first-line emergency therapy.
Option D: Albuterol may improve bronchospasm but does not treat systemic
hypotension and airway edema.
, Question 5. A client with hypertension is receiving propranolol. Which
assessment finding best demonstrates a therapeutic effect?
A. Blood pressure decreases from 164/94 mm Hg to 128/78 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate increases from 16/min to 26/min
C. Heart rate increases from 78/min to 110/min
D. Blood glucose increases from 90 mg/dL to 160 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Propranolol blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, decreasing heart rate, contractility, and
blood pressure. A reduction in elevated blood pressure demonstrates therapeutic
effectiveness.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option B: Increased respiratory rate is not an intended effect.
Option C: Propranolol generally decreases heart rate.
Option D: Increased glucose is not a therapeutic goal.
Question 6. Before administering propranolol, which condition in the client’s
medical history should concern the nurse most?
A. Migraine headaches
B. Essential tremor
C. Bronchial asthma
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Propranolol is a nonselective beta blocker and can block beta2 receptors in the lungs,
causing potentially life-threatening bronchospasm in susceptible clients.
Why the other options are incorrect:
Option A: Propranolol can be used for migraine prevention.
Option B: Propranolol may be prescribed for essential tremor.
Option D: Hypertension is a common indication for beta blockers.
