NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
NURS 1150
PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE
(2026/2027) | Practice Questions & Rationales
66 ORIGINAL A–D PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Study Guide
Use the drug-class summaries to build a framework, then answer each question before reading
its answer and rationale. For each medication, connect the therapeutic purpose to key
assessment, major adverse effects, monitoring, interactions, and patient teaching.
This is original educational practice material, not an official, leaked, or guaranteed exam. NURS
1150 content varies by institution; confirm drug lists, required lab ranges, and instructor-specific
emphasis with your course materials.
Drug Class Quick-Reference
ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)
Used for hypertension and selected cardiac/renal indications. Monitor blood pressure, renal
function, and potassium as ordered. Watch for cough, hyperkalemia, and angioedema;
tongue/lip swelling or breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol)
Reduce heart rate and blood pressure for selected cardiac indications. Assess pulse and blood
pressure and follow prescribed hold parameters. Monitor dizziness, symptomatic bradycardia,
and hypotension. Do not stop chronic therapy abruptly without advice.
Digoxin
Assess apical pulse for one full minute and follow ordered parameters. Monitor renal function,
electrolytes, and levels when ordered. Nausea, poor appetite, confusion, or new visual changes
may indicate toxicity.
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Loop and thiazide diuretics
Monitor blood pressure, fluid status, renal function, and electrolytes. Loop diuretics can cause
potassium/fluid loss; thiazides can affect sodium and potassium. Weakness, cramps,
confusion, dehydration, or reduced urine output need assessment.
Anticoagulants
Monitor for bleeding and the relevant drug-specific tests. Warfarin requires INR-guided
management and consistent vitamin K intake. Avoid adding NSAIDs or supplements without
review. Severe headache after a fall, black tarry stools, hematuria, or persistent bleeding needs
prompt assessment.
Insulin and glucose-lowering agents
Coordinate insulin with the prescribed meal plan and monitor glucose. For an awake person
who can swallow with hypoglycemia, follow the rapid-carbohydrate protocol and recheck
glucose. Do not give oral intake to an unconscious person. Follow medication-specific sick-day
and renal precautions.
Thyroid replacement and corticosteroids
Take levothyroxine consistently as directed and separate from calcium/iron according to
instructions. Prolonged systemic corticosteroid use may require tapering; do not stop abruptly
without direction. Rinse and spit after inhaled corticosteroids.
Bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids
Albuterol can cause tremor and tachycardia. Frequent rescue-inhaler use or persistent
breathlessness should prompt review. Inhaler technique matters; rinse and spit after inhaled
corticosteroids to reduce oral candidiasis risk.
Opioids, NSAIDs, aspirin and acetaminophen
Opioids can cause sedation, constipation, and respiratory depression; slow breathing and
difficulty awakening are emergencies. NSAIDs may cause GI bleeding and kidney injury. Check
combination products for acetaminophen to avoid duplicate dosing and liver injury.
Antidepressants and serotonergic products
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Many antidepressants take time to produce full benefit. Review supplements such as St. John's
wort before combining. Agitation, sweating, tremor, diarrhea, and fever after serotonergic
combinations may signal serotonin syndrome.
Lithium and antiseizure medicines
Dehydration and sodium changes can increase lithium toxicity risk. Vomiting, coarse tremor,
unsteady gait, or confusion warrant urgent assessment. Do not stop antiseizure medicines
abruptly; report serious rash or fever promptly.
Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines
Monitor sedation, falls, and drug-specific effects. Fever, severe rigidity, confusion, and unstable
vital signs with antipsychotic therapy may indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Alcohol
with benzodiazepines can increase impairment and respiratory depression.
Antibiotics
Check allergies, product directions, interactions, and prescribed duration. Some antibiotics
need renal or drug-level monitoring. Facial swelling, wheezing, or trouble breathing may indicate
anaphylaxis. Severe watery diarrhea during or after antibiotics needs prompt evaluation.
Statins, iron and common therapies
Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness with statins, especially with dark urine. Oral iron
can cause constipation and dark stools; distinguish expected effects from possible bleeding.
Follow medication-specific administration and monitoring instructions.
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Which adverse effect is a recognized concern with ACE inhibitors
such as lisinopril?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Severe hypoglycemia in every client
C. Permanent hearing improvement
D. Universal constipation
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause a persistent dry cough and can also cause
hyperkalemia or angioedema.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Severe hypoglycemia is not an expected universal effect.
C. Hearing improvement is not a recognized effect.
D. Constipation is not the characteristic adverse effect being tested.
Key Drug-Class Concept: ACE inhibitors
Question 2. A client taking lisinopril develops tongue swelling. What is the
priority?
A. Offer water and reassess tomorrow
B. Arrange emergency assessment for possible angioedema
C. Give the next dose with food
D. Recommend potassium supplements
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Tongue swelling can threaten the airway and may indicate angioedema,
requiring emergency assessment.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Water does not address possible airway compromise.
C. Further dosing may be dangerous before assessment.
D. Potassium does not treat angioedema and may be risky with ACE inhibitors.
Key Drug-Class Concept: ACE inhibitor safety
Question 3. Before administering a beta blocker, which assessment is most
relevant?
A. Pulse and blood pressure
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
NURS 1150
PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE
(2026/2027) | Practice Questions & Rationales
66 ORIGINAL A–D PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Study Guide
Use the drug-class summaries to build a framework, then answer each question before reading
its answer and rationale. For each medication, connect the therapeutic purpose to key
assessment, major adverse effects, monitoring, interactions, and patient teaching.
This is original educational practice material, not an official, leaked, or guaranteed exam. NURS
1150 content varies by institution; confirm drug lists, required lab ranges, and instructor-specific
emphasis with your course materials.
Drug Class Quick-Reference
ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)
Used for hypertension and selected cardiac/renal indications. Monitor blood pressure, renal
function, and potassium as ordered. Watch for cough, hyperkalemia, and angioedema;
tongue/lip swelling or breathing difficulty is an emergency.
Beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol)
Reduce heart rate and blood pressure for selected cardiac indications. Assess pulse and blood
pressure and follow prescribed hold parameters. Monitor dizziness, symptomatic bradycardia,
and hypotension. Do not stop chronic therapy abruptly without advice.
Digoxin
Assess apical pulse for one full minute and follow ordered parameters. Monitor renal function,
electrolytes, and levels when ordered. Nausea, poor appetite, confusion, or new visual changes
may indicate toxicity.
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Loop and thiazide diuretics
Monitor blood pressure, fluid status, renal function, and electrolytes. Loop diuretics can cause
potassium/fluid loss; thiazides can affect sodium and potassium. Weakness, cramps,
confusion, dehydration, or reduced urine output need assessment.
Anticoagulants
Monitor for bleeding and the relevant drug-specific tests. Warfarin requires INR-guided
management and consistent vitamin K intake. Avoid adding NSAIDs or supplements without
review. Severe headache after a fall, black tarry stools, hematuria, or persistent bleeding needs
prompt assessment.
Insulin and glucose-lowering agents
Coordinate insulin with the prescribed meal plan and monitor glucose. For an awake person
who can swallow with hypoglycemia, follow the rapid-carbohydrate protocol and recheck
glucose. Do not give oral intake to an unconscious person. Follow medication-specific sick-day
and renal precautions.
Thyroid replacement and corticosteroids
Take levothyroxine consistently as directed and separate from calcium/iron according to
instructions. Prolonged systemic corticosteroid use may require tapering; do not stop abruptly
without direction. Rinse and spit after inhaled corticosteroids.
Bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids
Albuterol can cause tremor and tachycardia. Frequent rescue-inhaler use or persistent
breathlessness should prompt review. Inhaler technique matters; rinse and spit after inhaled
corticosteroids to reduce oral candidiasis risk.
Opioids, NSAIDs, aspirin and acetaminophen
Opioids can cause sedation, constipation, and respiratory depression; slow breathing and
difficulty awakening are emergencies. NSAIDs may cause GI bleeding and kidney injury. Check
combination products for acetaminophen to avoid duplicate dosing and liver injury.
Antidepressants and serotonergic products
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Many antidepressants take time to produce full benefit. Review supplements such as St. John's
wort before combining. Agitation, sweating, tremor, diarrhea, and fever after serotonergic
combinations may signal serotonin syndrome.
Lithium and antiseizure medicines
Dehydration and sodium changes can increase lithium toxicity risk. Vomiting, coarse tremor,
unsteady gait, or confusion warrant urgent assessment. Do not stop antiseizure medicines
abruptly; report serious rash or fever promptly.
Antipsychotics and benzodiazepines
Monitor sedation, falls, and drug-specific effects. Fever, severe rigidity, confusion, and unstable
vital signs with antipsychotic therapy may indicate neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Alcohol
with benzodiazepines can increase impairment and respiratory depression.
Antibiotics
Check allergies, product directions, interactions, and prescribed duration. Some antibiotics
need renal or drug-level monitoring. Facial swelling, wheezing, or trouble breathing may indicate
anaphylaxis. Severe watery diarrhea during or after antibiotics needs prompt evaluation.
Statins, iron and common therapies
Report unexplained muscle pain or weakness with statins, especially with dark urine. Oral iron
can cause constipation and dark stools; distinguish expected effects from possible bleeding.
Follow medication-specific administration and monitoring instructions.
Practice Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1. Which adverse effect is a recognized concern with ACE inhibitors
such as lisinopril?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Severe hypoglycemia in every client
C. Permanent hearing improvement
D. Universal constipation
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY DRUG CLASS STUDY GUIDE • 2026/2027
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause a persistent dry cough and can also cause
hyperkalemia or angioedema.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. Severe hypoglycemia is not an expected universal effect.
C. Hearing improvement is not a recognized effect.
D. Constipation is not the characteristic adverse effect being tested.
Key Drug-Class Concept: ACE inhibitors
Question 2. A client taking lisinopril develops tongue swelling. What is the
priority?
A. Offer water and reassess tomorrow
B. Arrange emergency assessment for possible angioedema
C. Give the next dose with food
D. Recommend potassium supplements
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Tongue swelling can threaten the airway and may indicate angioedema,
requiring emergency assessment.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. Water does not address possible airway compromise.
C. Further dosing may be dangerous before assessment.
D. Potassium does not treat angioedema and may be risky with ACE inhibitors.
Key Drug-Class Concept: ACE inhibitor safety
Question 3. Before administering a beta blocker, which assessment is most
relevant?
A. Pulse and blood pressure
NURS 1150 Drug Class Study Guide | Original educational material
