UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA | COLLEGE OF NURSING
NURS 711 EXAM 4:
ADVANCED
PHARMACOTHERAPIES
Comprehensive Study Guide & Clinical Practice Examination
Bank
20 BOARD-STYLE CLINICAL CASE QUESTIONS
This comprehensive, evidence-based study guide is engineered
specifically for advanced practice nursing students taking NURS 711. It
provides high-yield topic reviews and board-style multiple-choice
questions designed to assess mastery in advanced
pharmacotherapeutics, clinical decision-making, drug-drug interactions,
dosing adjustments in organ dysfunction, and therapeutic monitoring
across acute and primary care settings.
MAIN FEATURES & CORE CONTENT DOMAINS
Cardiovascular & Renal Therapeutics: Resistant hypertension, HFpEF/HFrEF,
antiarrhythmics, advanced anticoagulation, and CKD regimens.
Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacotherapy: Complex insulin regimens,
SGLT2/GLP-1 RA clinical placement, thyroid disorders, and adrenal insufficiency.
Psychopharmacology & Neurotherapeutics: Treatment-resistant depression,
atypical antipsychotic metabolic risks, Parkinson's disease, and seizure protocols.
Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship: IDSA guideline alignment,
vancomycin AUC/MIC AUC dosing, resistant gram-negative regimens, and
antifungal selection.
Gastrointestinal & Pulmonary Agents: Severe asthma/COPD biologicals, acid-
peptic therapies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) biologic step-up.
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 1
, Academic Year 2026 Edition | Graduate Nursing Advanced Pharmacology Series
Designed for A4 Printing & Offline Desktop/Mobile Board Review
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 2
, TABLE OF CONTENTS & HOW TO USE
1. Domain Review I: Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacotherapy Page 2
2. Domain Review II: Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacotherapy Page 2
3. Domain Review III: Psychopharmacology & Neurotherapeutics Page 3
4. Domain Review IV: Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship Page 3
5. Domain Review V: Gastrointestinal & Respiratory Therapeutics Page 4
6. Practice Examination Bank (Questions 1 – 20) Page 5
7. High-Yield Reference Values & Monitoring Formulas Page 10
How to Utilize This Study Guide
This study guide is structured to facilitate active recall and critical clinical decision-making required for APRN board
certification and NURS 711 success. Review the domain summaries first to consolidate core clinical guidelines
(ACC/AHA, ADA, IDSA, GOLD, GINA). Then, complete the practice questions under timed, exam-simulated
conditions. Ensure you thoroughly analyze the detailed rationales provided for every question—understanding why
incorrect options are inappropriate is just as vital as recognizing the correct choice.
DOMAIN REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Cardiovascular & Renal Focus Points
HFrEF (EF ≤40%): Four pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) include ARNI
(sacubitril/valsartan), beta-blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, bisoprolol), MRA
(spironolactone/eplerenone), and SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin/empagliflozin).
Antiarrhythmics: Amiodarone requires baseline and periodic monitoring of TSH, chest X-ray
(pulmonary toxicity), LFTs, and eye exams (corneal microdeposits). Class IC agents (flecainide,
propafenone) are contraindicated in structural heart disease.
Endocrine & Metabolic Focus Points
Type 2 Diabetes Dosing: SGLT2 inhibitors reduce HF hospitalizations and slow CKD progression
regardless of baseline HbA1c. GLP-1 RAs show pronounced MACE reduction and weight loss benefits.
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 3
NURS 711 EXAM 4:
ADVANCED
PHARMACOTHERAPIES
Comprehensive Study Guide & Clinical Practice Examination
Bank
20 BOARD-STYLE CLINICAL CASE QUESTIONS
This comprehensive, evidence-based study guide is engineered
specifically for advanced practice nursing students taking NURS 711. It
provides high-yield topic reviews and board-style multiple-choice
questions designed to assess mastery in advanced
pharmacotherapeutics, clinical decision-making, drug-drug interactions,
dosing adjustments in organ dysfunction, and therapeutic monitoring
across acute and primary care settings.
MAIN FEATURES & CORE CONTENT DOMAINS
Cardiovascular & Renal Therapeutics: Resistant hypertension, HFpEF/HFrEF,
antiarrhythmics, advanced anticoagulation, and CKD regimens.
Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacotherapy: Complex insulin regimens,
SGLT2/GLP-1 RA clinical placement, thyroid disorders, and adrenal insufficiency.
Psychopharmacology & Neurotherapeutics: Treatment-resistant depression,
atypical antipsychotic metabolic risks, Parkinson's disease, and seizure protocols.
Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship: IDSA guideline alignment,
vancomycin AUC/MIC AUC dosing, resistant gram-negative regimens, and
antifungal selection.
Gastrointestinal & Pulmonary Agents: Severe asthma/COPD biologicals, acid-
peptic therapies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) biologic step-up.
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 1
, Academic Year 2026 Edition | Graduate Nursing Advanced Pharmacology Series
Designed for A4 Printing & Offline Desktop/Mobile Board Review
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 2
, TABLE OF CONTENTS & HOW TO USE
1. Domain Review I: Cardiovascular & Renal Pharmacotherapy Page 2
2. Domain Review II: Endocrine & Metabolic Pharmacotherapy Page 2
3. Domain Review III: Psychopharmacology & Neurotherapeutics Page 3
4. Domain Review IV: Infectious Disease & Antimicrobial Stewardship Page 3
5. Domain Review V: Gastrointestinal & Respiratory Therapeutics Page 4
6. Practice Examination Bank (Questions 1 – 20) Page 5
7. High-Yield Reference Values & Monitoring Formulas Page 10
How to Utilize This Study Guide
This study guide is structured to facilitate active recall and critical clinical decision-making required for APRN board
certification and NURS 711 success. Review the domain summaries first to consolidate core clinical guidelines
(ACC/AHA, ADA, IDSA, GOLD, GINA). Then, complete the practice questions under timed, exam-simulated
conditions. Ensure you thoroughly analyze the detailed rationales provided for every question—understanding why
incorrect options are inappropriate is just as vital as recognizing the correct choice.
DOMAIN REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Cardiovascular & Renal Focus Points
HFrEF (EF ≤40%): Four pillars of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) include ARNI
(sacubitril/valsartan), beta-blockers (carvedilol, metoprolol succinate, bisoprolol), MRA
(spironolactone/eplerenone), and SGLT2 inhibitors (dapagliflozin/empagliflozin).
Antiarrhythmics: Amiodarone requires baseline and periodic monitoring of TSH, chest X-ray
(pulmonary toxicity), LFTs, and eye exams (corneal microdeposits). Class IC agents (flecainide,
propafenone) are contraindicated in structural heart disease.
Endocrine & Metabolic Focus Points
Type 2 Diabetes Dosing: SGLT2 inhibitors reduce HF hospitalizations and slow CKD progression
regardless of baseline HbA1c. GLP-1 RAs show pronounced MACE reduction and weight loss benefits.
NURS 711 Exam 4: Advanced Pharmacotherapies Page 3
