Arizona College of Nursing NUR 354 Pharmacology II
Exam 1- Practice Questions, Verified Answers &
Rationales 2026-2027
This specialized study guide features targeted practice questions, verified answers, and
comprehensive logical rationales tailored specifically for Exam 1 of Arizona College of
Nursing's NUR 354 curriculum. It emphasizes intermediate to advanced nursing
pharmacology competencies, including detailed mechanism of action breakdowns,
critical adverse event protocols, and safe medication administration calculations.
Nursing students will master high-alert medication protocols and patient-centered
monitoring parameters to ensure a passing score on their proctored nursing school
assessment.
1. Which medication is a first-line treatment for status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Carbamazepine
D. Valproic acid
Answer: B. Lorazepam
Rationale: Intravenous lorazepam is the first-line treatment for status epilepticus because
of its rapid onset of action in terminating seizure activity.
2. A patient taking phenytoin reports bleeding gums and excess hair growth.
These are signs of:
A. Phenytoin toxicity
B. Expected adverse effects of phenytoin
C. An allergic reaction
D. Infection
Answer: B. Expected adverse effects of phenytoin
Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism are well-known adverse effects of phenytoin.
Good oral hygiene and regular dental care are recommended.
,3. What is the therapeutic serum range for phenytoin?
A. 0.5–2.0 mcg/mL
B. 5–10 mcg/mL
C. 10–20 mcg/mL
D. 20–30 mcg/mL
Answer: C. 10–20 mcg/mL
Rationale: The therapeutic serum range for phenytoin is 10–20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL can cause toxicity.
4. A patient on valproic acid should be monitored for which serious adverse effect?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Cardiotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity
Answer: A. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis.
Liver function tests should be monitored regularly.
5. Which antiepileptic drug is associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lamotrigine
C. Valproic acid
D. Levetiracetam
Answer: B. Lamotrigine
,Rationale: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for serious skin reactions, including
Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Patients should report any rash immediately.
6. What is the mechanism of action of levodopa-carbidopa in Parkinson's disease?
A. Dopamine agonist
B. Increases dopamine in the brain
C. Blocks acetylcholine
D. Inhibits MAO-B
Answer: B. Increases dopamine in the brain
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, while carbidopa prevents
peripheral conversion of levodopa, increasing its availability in the CNS.
7. A patient taking levodopa-carbidopa reports dark sweat and urine. What is the
appropriate nursing response?
A. "This is a sign of toxicity."
B. "This is a harmless side effect of the medication."
C. "You should stop the medication immediately."
D. "This indicates kidney damage."
Answer: B. "This is a harmless side effect of the medication."
Rationale: Dark sweat and urine are harmless side effects of levodopa-carbidopa. Patients
should be reassured.
8. Which medication is used to treat Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting NMDA
receptors?
A. Donepezil
B. Memantine
, C. Rivastigmine
D. Galantamine
Answer: B. Memantine
Rationale: Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to treat moderate to severe
Alzheimer's disease.
9. What is the primary purpose of interferon therapy?
A. To treat bacterial infections
B. To modulate the immune system
C. To treat fungal infections
D. To relieve pain
Answer: B. To modulate the immune system
Rationale: Interferons are cytokines that modulate the immune system and are used to
treat viral infections, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers.
10. Which medication is used to treat hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propylthiouracil
D. Radioactive iodine
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace deficient thyroid
hormone in hypothyroidism.
11. A patient taking levothyroxine should be advised to take the medication:
Exam 1- Practice Questions, Verified Answers &
Rationales 2026-2027
This specialized study guide features targeted practice questions, verified answers, and
comprehensive logical rationales tailored specifically for Exam 1 of Arizona College of
Nursing's NUR 354 curriculum. It emphasizes intermediate to advanced nursing
pharmacology competencies, including detailed mechanism of action breakdowns,
critical adverse event protocols, and safe medication administration calculations.
Nursing students will master high-alert medication protocols and patient-centered
monitoring parameters to ensure a passing score on their proctored nursing school
assessment.
1. Which medication is a first-line treatment for status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Carbamazepine
D. Valproic acid
Answer: B. Lorazepam
Rationale: Intravenous lorazepam is the first-line treatment for status epilepticus because
of its rapid onset of action in terminating seizure activity.
2. A patient taking phenytoin reports bleeding gums and excess hair growth.
These are signs of:
A. Phenytoin toxicity
B. Expected adverse effects of phenytoin
C. An allergic reaction
D. Infection
Answer: B. Expected adverse effects of phenytoin
Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia and hirsutism are well-known adverse effects of phenytoin.
Good oral hygiene and regular dental care are recommended.
,3. What is the therapeutic serum range for phenytoin?
A. 0.5–2.0 mcg/mL
B. 5–10 mcg/mL
C. 10–20 mcg/mL
D. 20–30 mcg/mL
Answer: C. 10–20 mcg/mL
Rationale: The therapeutic serum range for phenytoin is 10–20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL can cause toxicity.
4. A patient on valproic acid should be monitored for which serious adverse effect?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Nephrotoxicity
C. Cardiotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity
Answer: A. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale: Valproic acid carries a black box warning for hepatotoxicity and pancreatitis.
Liver function tests should be monitored regularly.
5. Which antiepileptic drug is associated with Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lamotrigine
C. Valproic acid
D. Levetiracetam
Answer: B. Lamotrigine
,Rationale: Lamotrigine carries a black box warning for serious skin reactions, including
Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Patients should report any rash immediately.
6. What is the mechanism of action of levodopa-carbidopa in Parkinson's disease?
A. Dopamine agonist
B. Increases dopamine in the brain
C. Blocks acetylcholine
D. Inhibits MAO-B
Answer: B. Increases dopamine in the brain
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, while carbidopa prevents
peripheral conversion of levodopa, increasing its availability in the CNS.
7. A patient taking levodopa-carbidopa reports dark sweat and urine. What is the
appropriate nursing response?
A. "This is a sign of toxicity."
B. "This is a harmless side effect of the medication."
C. "You should stop the medication immediately."
D. "This indicates kidney damage."
Answer: B. "This is a harmless side effect of the medication."
Rationale: Dark sweat and urine are harmless side effects of levodopa-carbidopa. Patients
should be reassured.
8. Which medication is used to treat Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting NMDA
receptors?
A. Donepezil
B. Memantine
, C. Rivastigmine
D. Galantamine
Answer: B. Memantine
Rationale: Memantine is an NMDA receptor antagonist used to treat moderate to severe
Alzheimer's disease.
9. What is the primary purpose of interferon therapy?
A. To treat bacterial infections
B. To modulate the immune system
C. To treat fungal infections
D. To relieve pain
Answer: B. To modulate the immune system
Rationale: Interferons are cytokines that modulate the immune system and are used to
treat viral infections, multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers.
10. Which medication is used to treat hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propylthiouracil
D. Radioactive iodine
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone used to replace deficient thyroid
hormone in hypothyroidism.
11. A patient taking levothyroxine should be advised to take the medication:
