EXAM 2
(Nurse Pharmacology I)
Actual Questions w/Correct Answers
(NCLEX (NGN) style)
Northwest College (NWC)
What you Will Get:
• 70+ verified questions
• MCQ, SATA, Correct Answers, and Rationales
• Ideal for exam preparation and concept reinforcement.
,Question 1. A nurse is reviewing a patient’s medical record before administering
a medication. Which factors can alter the patient’s physiologic response to the
drug? (Select all that apply.)
A. Age
B. Height
C. Gender
D. Genetic factors
E. Ability to swallow pills
Correct Answers: A, C, D
Rationale:
Age, gender-related physiologic differences, and genetic factors can alter
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, metabolism, receptor sensitivity, and therefore
drug response.
Option A: Correct. Age affects absorption, distribution, metabolism, renal elimination,
and sensitivity to medications.
Option B: Incorrect. Height alone generally does not determine physiologic drug
response.
Option C: Correct. Hormonal and physiologic differences associated with gender can
influence drug effects.
Option D: Correct. Genetic polymorphisms can alter drug-metabolizing enzymes and
receptor responses.
Option E: Incorrect. Ability to swallow affects administration, not the physiologic
response once the drug reaches the body.
Question 2. An adolescent male patient is beginning androgen therapy for
delayed puberty. His parents ask the nurse when this treatment may be stopped.
The nurse will offer which response?
A. When the patient’s voice becomes deeper
B. When testicular enlargement occurs
C. When facial hair becomes visible
D. When the patient reaches his predicted adult height
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Testicular enlargement indicates that endogenous gonadal function and pubertal
,development are progressing, which may allow externally administered androgen
therapy to be discontinued.
Option A: Incorrect. Voice deepening is a secondary sexual characteristic but is not the
principal indicator for stopping treatment.
Option C: Incorrect. Facial hair development is an androgen effect but does not
specifically demonstrate adequate testicular function.
Option D: Incorrect. Therapy does not necessarily continue until final adult height is
achieved.
Question 3. An immigrant child is in the clinic for MMR vaccination. The nurse
learns that the child has recently received an immune globulin injection for a viral
infection, currently has an upper respiratory infection with a temperature of 100°F,
and has a recent history of thrombocytopenia, which has resolved. What does the
nurse tell the child’s parents?
A. “The vaccine cannot be administered because of the previous thrombocytopenia.”
B. “The mild upper respiratory infection prevents vaccination today.”
C. “The vaccine must be postponed for 3 months after administration of the immune
globulin.”
D. “The vaccine should be administered immediately regardless of the immune globulin.”
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Passive antibodies contained in immune globulin can interfere with replication of
live attenuated vaccine viruses and reduce the immune response to MMR. this
supports postponement after immune globulin administration.
Option A: Incorrect. A resolved history of thrombocytopenia does not automatically
prohibit MMR vaccination.
Option B: Incorrect. A mild respiratory illness with a low-grade temperature generally is
not sufficient reason to withhold routine vaccination.
Option D: Incorrect. Recent immune globulin can interfere with the effectiveness of a
live vaccine.
Question 4. A nurse provides teaching for a patient who is newly diagnosed with
Parkinson disease. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding of the
drug therapy for this disease?
, A. “A levodopa/carbidopa combination is used to improve motor function.”
B. “Drug therapy permanently reverses the loss of dopamine-producing neurons.”
C. “Carbidopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and directly replaces dopamine.”
D. “Levodopa is used primarily to cure the underlying cause of Parkinson disease.”
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted to dopamine in the CNS.
Carbidopa decreases peripheral metabolism of levodopa, allowing more levodopa to
reach the brain and reducing peripheral adverse effects.
Option B: Incorrect. Pharmacologic therapy controls symptoms but does not reverse
neuronal degeneration.
Option C: Incorrect. Carbidopa primarily acts peripherally and does not replace
dopamine in the CNS.
Option D: Incorrect. Levodopa improves symptoms; it does not cure Parkinson disease.
Question 5. A nurse is caring for a patient in the immediate postoperative period
after surgery in which a spinal anesthetic was used. The patient has not voided,
and complains of headache. The patient has a pulse of 62 beats/min, a respiratory
rate of 16 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 92/48 mm Hg. Which action
by the nurse is appropriate?
A. Place the patient in high-Fowler position
B. Encourage the patient to ambulate immediately
C. Administer a stimulant to increase blood pressure
D. Lower the head of the bed to a 10- to 15-degree head-down position
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Spinal anesthesia may cause sympathetic blockade and hypotension. A slight
head-down position can improve venous return and support blood pressure while
the patient is monitored.
Option A: Incorrect. Raising the head can worsen hypotension.
Option B: Incorrect. Ambulation is unsafe while hypotension and residual spinal
blockade are present.
Option C: Incorrect. Medication should not be given without an appropriate order and
assessment.