NURS 6521 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is prescribed Metformin. Which lab value is the most critical
to monitor periodically to prevent lactic acidosis?
A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
C. Serum Potassium
D. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin is renally excreted. A decline in renal function,
measured by eGFR, increases the risk of metformin accumulation and subsequent lactic
acidosis.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is in her first trimester of pregnancy.
Which medication is the preferred choice for treatment?
A. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
,B. Methimazole
C. Radioactive Iodine (RAI)
D. Levothyroxine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PTU is preferred in the first trimester because Methimazole is
associated with birth defects like aplasia cutis. Methimazole is usually preferred in the
second and third trimesters.
3. Which mechanism of action best describes how Sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) lowers blood
glucose?
A. By increasing glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. By slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones
C. By increasing the sensitivity of peripheral insulin receptors
D. By stimulating the direct release of insulin from the pancreas
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: DPP-4 inhibitors work by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks
down incretin hormones (like GLP-1), leading to increased insulin release and decreased
glucagon levels.
, 4. A patient taking long-term Prednisone for an autoimmune disorder is at high risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone have mineralocorticoid effects
that cause sodium retention and potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia.
5. Which medication is used in the treatment of Addison’s disease to replace
mineralocorticoid activity?
A. Fludrocortisone
B. Dexamethasone
C. Hydrocortisone
D. Spironolactone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Fludrocortisone is a potent mineralocorticoid used specifically
for replacement therapy in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s) to maintain
sodium/water balance.
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is prescribed Metformin. Which lab value is the most critical
to monitor periodically to prevent lactic acidosis?
A. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
B. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
C. Serum Potassium
D. Glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin is renally excreted. A decline in renal function,
measured by eGFR, increases the risk of metformin accumulation and subsequent lactic
acidosis.
2. A patient is diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and is in her first trimester of pregnancy.
Which medication is the preferred choice for treatment?
A. Propylthiouracil (PTU)
,B. Methimazole
C. Radioactive Iodine (RAI)
D. Levothyroxine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: PTU is preferred in the first trimester because Methimazole is
associated with birth defects like aplasia cutis. Methimazole is usually preferred in the
second and third trimesters.
3. Which mechanism of action best describes how Sitagliptin (a DPP-4 inhibitor) lowers blood
glucose?
A. By increasing glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. By slowing the inactivation of incretin hormones
C. By increasing the sensitivity of peripheral insulin receptors
D. By stimulating the direct release of insulin from the pancreas
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: DPP-4 inhibitors work by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks
down incretin hormones (like GLP-1), leading to increased insulin release and decreased
glucagon levels.
, 4. A patient taking long-term Prednisone for an autoimmune disorder is at high risk for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone have mineralocorticoid effects
that cause sodium retention and potassium excretion, leading to hypokalemia.
5. Which medication is used in the treatment of Addison’s disease to replace
mineralocorticoid activity?
A. Fludrocortisone
B. Dexamethasone
C. Hydrocortisone
D. Spironolactone
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Fludrocortisone is a potent mineralocorticoid used specifically
for replacement therapy in primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s) to maintain
sodium/water balance.
