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NSG 124 – PHARMACOLOGY – EXAM 2 (NCLEX-STYLE)
2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for NSG 124 Exam 2 with this focused Pharmacology NCLEX-style study
resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce essential pharmacology
concepts, medication classifications, adverse effects, safety considerations, and
appropriate nursing interventions. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying pharmacology knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening
prioritization and critical-thinking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework
to review key concepts and build confidence for the exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Antimicrobials – Penicillins, Cephalosporins & Carbapenems
(Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about amoxicillin. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with food if it upsets my stomach."
B. "I should complete the full course of antibiotics even if I feel better."
C. "I can stop taking this medication once my symptoms improve."
D. "I should report any rash or difficulty breathing immediately."
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients must complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent
bacterial resistance and recurrence of infection. Stopping early can lead
to treatment failure.
2. Which penicillin is classified as narrow-spectrum?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Ampicillin
C. Penicillin G
D. Piperacillin
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Answer: C
Rationale: Penicillin G is a narrow-spectrum penicillin primarily effective
against gram-positive bacteria. Amoxicillin and ampicillin are broad-
spectrum.
3. A client receiving penicillin develops urticaria and wheezing. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider immediately.
C. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
D. Apply a cold compress to the injection site.
Answer: B
Rationale: Urticaria and wheezing indicate an allergic reaction that may
progress to anaphylaxis. The medication should be stopped immediately
and the provider notified.
4. Which medication should never be mixed with penicillin in the same IV
line?
A. Normal saline
B. Gentamicin
C. Dextrose 5% in water
D. Lactated Ringer's
Answer: B
Rationale: Gentamicin and penicillin are incompatible when mixed; they
should be administered separately with line flushes between doses.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer cephalexin. Which assessment is
most important before administration?
A. Ask the client about penicillin allergy.
B. Check the client's blood glucose level.
C. Assess the client's respiratory rate.
D. Monitor the client's intake and output.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with a penicillin allergy may have a cross-sensitivity to
cephalosporins. Allergy history must be assessed before administration.
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6. Which generation of cephalosporins has the best cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) penetration?
A. First generation
B. Second generation
C. Third, fourth, and fifth generations
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Rationale: Later-generation cephalosporins (3rd, 4th, and 5th) have
improved CSF penetration and are used for CNS infections such as
meningitis.
7. A client is prescribed cefazolin. The nurse should teach the client to:
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset.
C. Avoid dairy products while taking this medication.
D. Take the medication at bedtime only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalosporins may cause GI upset; taking them with food can
reduce nausea and stomach discomfort.
8. Which cephalosporin is eliminated by the liver rather than the kidneys?
A. Cephalexin
B. Cefazolin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Cefepime
Answer: C
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is primarily eliminated by the liver, making it a
preferred choice in clients with renal impairment.
9. A nurse is administering meropenem. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Hypertension
B. Seizures
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypercalcemia
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Answer: B
Rationale: Carbapenems, including meropenem, can lower the seizure
threshold and cause seizures, especially in clients with renal impairment
or CNS disorders.
10. What is the half-life of carbapenems?
A. 30 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 4 hours
D. 12 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbapenems have a short half-life of approximately 1 hour,
requiring frequent dosing.
11. A client on imipenem reports nausea and vomiting. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food.
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.
D. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
Answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common GI side effects of
carbapenems. Administering with food can help reduce these symptoms.
12. Which statement by a client taking cephalosporins indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I should report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
B. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
C. "I can stop taking this medication when I feel better."
D. "I should take this medication with food if it upsets my stomach."
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients must complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent
resistance, even if symptoms improve.
13. A nurse is reviewing the medication history of a client with a severe
penicillin allergy. Which medication should the nurse question?
NSG 124 – PHARMACOLOGY – EXAM 2 (NCLEX-STYLE)
2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for NSG 124 Exam 2 with this focused Pharmacology NCLEX-style study
resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce essential pharmacology
concepts, medication classifications, adverse effects, safety considerations, and
appropriate nursing interventions. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying pharmacology knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening
prioritization and critical-thinking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework
to review key concepts and build confidence for the exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Section 1: Antimicrobials – Penicillins, Cephalosporins & Carbapenems
(Q1–Q20)
1. A nurse is teaching a client about amoxicillin. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should take this medication with food if it upsets my stomach."
B. "I should complete the full course of antibiotics even if I feel better."
C. "I can stop taking this medication once my symptoms improve."
D. "I should report any rash or difficulty breathing immediately."
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients must complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent
bacterial resistance and recurrence of infection. Stopping early can lead
to treatment failure.
2. Which penicillin is classified as narrow-spectrum?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Ampicillin
C. Penicillin G
D. Piperacillin
, Page 2 of 35
Answer: C
Rationale: Penicillin G is a narrow-spectrum penicillin primarily effective
against gram-positive bacteria. Amoxicillin and ampicillin are broad-
spectrum.
3. A client receiving penicillin develops urticaria and wheezing. Which
action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose.
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider immediately.
C. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
D. Apply a cold compress to the injection site.
Answer: B
Rationale: Urticaria and wheezing indicate an allergic reaction that may
progress to anaphylaxis. The medication should be stopped immediately
and the provider notified.
4. Which medication should never be mixed with penicillin in the same IV
line?
A. Normal saline
B. Gentamicin
C. Dextrose 5% in water
D. Lactated Ringer's
Answer: B
Rationale: Gentamicin and penicillin are incompatible when mixed; they
should be administered separately with line flushes between doses.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer cephalexin. Which assessment is
most important before administration?
A. Ask the client about penicillin allergy.
B. Check the client's blood glucose level.
C. Assess the client's respiratory rate.
D. Monitor the client's intake and output.
Answer: A
Rationale: Clients with a penicillin allergy may have a cross-sensitivity to
cephalosporins. Allergy history must be assessed before administration.
, Page 3 of 35
6. Which generation of cephalosporins has the best cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) penetration?
A. First generation
B. Second generation
C. Third, fourth, and fifth generations
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Rationale: Later-generation cephalosporins (3rd, 4th, and 5th) have
improved CSF penetration and are used for CNS infections such as
meningitis.
7. A client is prescribed cefazolin. The nurse should teach the client to:
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset.
C. Avoid dairy products while taking this medication.
D. Take the medication at bedtime only.
Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalosporins may cause GI upset; taking them with food can
reduce nausea and stomach discomfort.
8. Which cephalosporin is eliminated by the liver rather than the kidneys?
A. Cephalexin
B. Cefazolin
C. Ceftriaxone
D. Cefepime
Answer: C
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is primarily eliminated by the liver, making it a
preferred choice in clients with renal impairment.
9. A nurse is administering meropenem. Which adverse effect should the
nurse monitor for?
A. Hypertension
B. Seizures
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypercalcemia
, Page 4 of 35
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbapenems, including meropenem, can lower the seizure
threshold and cause seizures, especially in clients with renal impairment
or CNS disorders.
10. What is the half-life of carbapenems?
A. 30 minutes
B. 1 hour
C. 4 hours
D. 12 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Carbapenems have a short half-life of approximately 1 hour,
requiring frequent dosing.
11. A client on imipenem reports nausea and vomiting. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food.
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider.
C. Encourage the client to drink more fluids.
D. Document the finding and continue monitoring.
Answer: A
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common GI side effects of
carbapenems. Administering with food can help reduce these symptoms.
12. Which statement by a client taking cephalosporins indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. "I should report any unusual bleeding or bruising."
B. "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
C. "I can stop taking this medication when I feel better."
D. "I should take this medication with food if it upsets my stomach."
Answer: C
Rationale: Clients must complete the full course of antibiotics to prevent
resistance, even if symptoms improve.
13. A nurse is reviewing the medication history of a client with a severe
penicillin allergy. Which medication should the nurse question?
