NURS 615
Exam 3 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ NURS 615 Exam 3 practice questions
➢ Detailed answers
➢ Comprehensive rationales
➢ Pharmacology scenarios
➢ Prescribing case studies
,NURS 615 Exam 3 2026 | Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Advanced
Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. Low-dose colchicine for gout flare:
• A) 1.2 mg once daily for 7 days
• B) 1.2 mg at first sign of flare, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
for a total dose of 1.8 mg
• C) 0.6 mg every 4 hours for 24 hours
• D) 1.2 mg twice daily for 3 days
Answer: B) 1.2 mg at first sign of flare, followed by 0.6 mg one hour
later for a total dose of 1.8 mg
Rationale: The FDA-approved low-dose colchicine regimen for acute gout
flare is 1.2 mg at onset, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later (total 1.8 mg).
This regimen is preferred over high-dose protocols due to reduced
gastrointestinal toxicity while maintaining efficacy. Patients should start at
the earliest sign of a flare, ideally within 12-24 hours.
2. High-dose colchicine regimen:
• A) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours totaling 4.8 mg
• B) 0.6 mg every 2 hours for 12 hours
• C) 1.2 mg three times daily
• D) 0.6 mg every 8 hours
,Answer: A) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours totaling 4.8 mg
Rationale: The traditional high-dose colchicine regimen (1.2 mg followed
by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours up to 4.8 mg) is no longer recommended due to
increased toxicity without additional benefit. The low-dose regimen is
preferred. GI toxicity is dose-dependent; high-dose significantly increases
diarrhea and vomiting.
3. In the treatment of gout, which labs should be monitored?
• A) BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance
• B) Liver function tests only
• C) Complete blood count only
• D) Electrolytes only
Answer: A) BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance
Rationale: Gout medications (especially colchicine, allopurinol, and
febuxostat) are excreted renally and can cause nephrotoxicity. Baseline and
periodic renal function assessment (BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance) is
essential for safe dosing and monitoring. Dose adjustments are required for
patients with renal impairment.
4. Colchicine can cause which adverse effects?
• A) Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• B) Severe headache and dizziness
, • C) Rash and pruritus
• D) Nephrotoxicity only
Answer: A) Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Rationale: Colchicine's most common side effects are gastrointestinal:
severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms
often occur at therapeutic doses and may limit use. GI toxicity is dose-
dependent and more prominent with high-dose regimens. Patients should
be educated to report severe GI symptoms, which may indicate toxicity.
5. Febuxostat (Uloric): When prescribing this medication, patients
should be taught that:
• A) Gout will resolve immediately
• B) Gout may worsen with therapy before it improves
• C) No follow-up is needed
• D) It does not affect uric acid levels
Answer: B) Gout may worsen with therapy before it improves
Rationale: Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, rapidly lowers uric acid
levels. This sudden drop can mobilize urate deposits, triggering acute gout
flares. Patients should continue therapy during flares; anti-inflammatory
prophylaxis (colchicine or NSAIDs) is often co-administered for the first 3-6
months.
Exam 3 2026 | Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Advanced Pharmacology Exam Prep
Resource Features
➢ NURS 615 Exam 3 practice questions
➢ Detailed answers
➢ Comprehensive rationales
➢ Pharmacology scenarios
➢ Prescribing case studies
,NURS 615 Exam 3 2026 | Practice Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Advanced
Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. Low-dose colchicine for gout flare:
• A) 1.2 mg once daily for 7 days
• B) 1.2 mg at first sign of flare, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
for a total dose of 1.8 mg
• C) 0.6 mg every 4 hours for 24 hours
• D) 1.2 mg twice daily for 3 days
Answer: B) 1.2 mg at first sign of flare, followed by 0.6 mg one hour
later for a total dose of 1.8 mg
Rationale: The FDA-approved low-dose colchicine regimen for acute gout
flare is 1.2 mg at onset, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later (total 1.8 mg).
This regimen is preferred over high-dose protocols due to reduced
gastrointestinal toxicity while maintaining efficacy. Patients should start at
the earliest sign of a flare, ideally within 12-24 hours.
2. High-dose colchicine regimen:
• A) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours totaling 4.8 mg
• B) 0.6 mg every 2 hours for 12 hours
• C) 1.2 mg three times daily
• D) 0.6 mg every 8 hours
,Answer: A) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours totaling 4.8 mg
Rationale: The traditional high-dose colchicine regimen (1.2 mg followed
by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours up to 4.8 mg) is no longer recommended due to
increased toxicity without additional benefit. The low-dose regimen is
preferred. GI toxicity is dose-dependent; high-dose significantly increases
diarrhea and vomiting.
3. In the treatment of gout, which labs should be monitored?
• A) BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance
• B) Liver function tests only
• C) Complete blood count only
• D) Electrolytes only
Answer: A) BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance
Rationale: Gout medications (especially colchicine, allopurinol, and
febuxostat) are excreted renally and can cause nephrotoxicity. Baseline and
periodic renal function assessment (BUN, creatinine, creatinine clearance) is
essential for safe dosing and monitoring. Dose adjustments are required for
patients with renal impairment.
4. Colchicine can cause which adverse effects?
• A) Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
• B) Severe headache and dizziness
, • C) Rash and pruritus
• D) Nephrotoxicity only
Answer: A) Severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain
Rationale: Colchicine's most common side effects are gastrointestinal:
severe diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms
often occur at therapeutic doses and may limit use. GI toxicity is dose-
dependent and more prominent with high-dose regimens. Patients should
be educated to report severe GI symptoms, which may indicate toxicity.
5. Febuxostat (Uloric): When prescribing this medication, patients
should be taught that:
• A) Gout will resolve immediately
• B) Gout may worsen with therapy before it improves
• C) No follow-up is needed
• D) It does not affect uric acid levels
Answer: B) Gout may worsen with therapy before it improves
Rationale: Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, rapidly lowers uric acid
levels. This sudden drop can mobilize urate deposits, triggering acute gout
flares. Patients should continue therapy during flares; anti-inflammatory
prophylaxis (colchicine or NSAIDs) is often co-administered for the first 3-6
months.
