NUR 2474
Pharmacology for Professional Nursing
Exam 1 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Academic Year
Welcome to the NUR 2474 Pharmacology for Professional
Nursing Exam 1 Practice Resource, designed to support
nursing students as they prepare for their first
pharmacology assessment.
Pharmacology requires more than memorizing medication
names. Successful nursing practice involves understanding
drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic
effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, medication
safety, nursing responsibilities, and appropriate patient
education.
This resource provides a focused collection of original
practice questions with answers and detailed rationales to
help you review important pharmacology concepts while
developing clinical reasoning and medication-related
decision-making skills.
NURSE_PAULA
,1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute abdominal
pain. Which sequence should be used for the abdominal
assessment?
A. Palpation → percussion → auscultation → inspection
B. Inspection → auscultation → percussion → palpation
C. Auscultation → inspection → palpation → percussion
D. Percussion → palpation → inspection → auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection → auscultation → percussion →
palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which layer of the GI tract contains the mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis, and serosa?
A. Four major layers of the GI wall
B. Mesentery
C. Peritoneal cavity
D. Visceral fascia
Answer: A. Four major layers of the GI wall
Rationale: From innermost to outermost, the GI tract
consists of mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and
serosa/adventitia.
3. Which structure is primarily responsible for most
nutrient absorption?
NURSE_PAULA 1
,A. Stomach
B. Large intestine
C. Small intestine
D. Esophagus
Answer: C. Small intestine
Rationale: Most digestion and absorption of
carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals
occurs in the small intestine.
4. The nurse explains that the jejunum is important
because it:
A. Stores bile
B. Performs substantial nutrient absorption
C. Produces hydrochloric acid
D. Stores feces
Answer: B. Performs substantial nutrient absorption
Rationale: The jejunum is a major site for absorption of
nutrients.
5. Which cells of the stomach secrete hydrochloric acid?
A. Chief cells
B. Goblet cells
C. Parietal cells
D. Kupffer cells
Answer: C. Parietal cells
NURSE_PAULA 2
Pharmacology for Professional Nursing
Exam 1 Questions & Answers
2026/2027 Academic Year
Welcome to the NUR 2474 Pharmacology for Professional
Nursing Exam 1 Practice Resource, designed to support
nursing students as they prepare for their first
pharmacology assessment.
Pharmacology requires more than memorizing medication
names. Successful nursing practice involves understanding
drug classifications, mechanisms of action, therapeutic
effects, adverse reactions, contraindications, medication
safety, nursing responsibilities, and appropriate patient
education.
This resource provides a focused collection of original
practice questions with answers and detailed rationales to
help you review important pharmacology concepts while
developing clinical reasoning and medication-related
decision-making skills.
NURSE_PAULA
,1. A nurse is assessing a patient with acute abdominal
pain. Which sequence should be used for the abdominal
assessment?
A. Palpation → percussion → auscultation → inspection
B. Inspection → auscultation → percussion → palpation
C. Auscultation → inspection → palpation → percussion
D. Percussion → palpation → inspection → auscultation
Answer: B. Inspection → auscultation → percussion →
palpation
Rationale: The abdomen is assessed in this order because
percussion and palpation can alter bowel sounds.
2. Which layer of the GI tract contains the mucosa,
submucosa, muscularis, and serosa?
A. Four major layers of the GI wall
B. Mesentery
C. Peritoneal cavity
D. Visceral fascia
Answer: A. Four major layers of the GI wall
Rationale: From innermost to outermost, the GI tract
consists of mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and
serosa/adventitia.
3. Which structure is primarily responsible for most
nutrient absorption?
NURSE_PAULA 1
,A. Stomach
B. Large intestine
C. Small intestine
D. Esophagus
Answer: C. Small intestine
Rationale: Most digestion and absorption of
carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals
occurs in the small intestine.
4. The nurse explains that the jejunum is important
because it:
A. Stores bile
B. Performs substantial nutrient absorption
C. Produces hydrochloric acid
D. Stores feces
Answer: B. Performs substantial nutrient absorption
Rationale: The jejunum is a major site for absorption of
nutrients.
5. Which cells of the stomach secrete hydrochloric acid?
A. Chief cells
B. Goblet cells
C. Parietal cells
D. Kupffer cells
Answer: C. Parietal cells
NURSE_PAULA 2
