NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
NURS 1150
MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM (2026/2027)
Pharmacology Questions & Detailed Rationales
60 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Complete each question before reviewing the answer and rationale. Focus on safe
administration, monitoring, adverse effects, contraindications, interactions, and patient
education. These are original educational practice questions—
NURS 1150 course coverage varies by institution and instructor. Compare this practice exam
with your syllabus, lecture notes, assigned readings, and medication list.
Midterm Topic Map
• Cardiovascular medications, diuretics, nitrates, and anticoagulants
• Insulin, metformin, hypoglycemia, thyroid replacement, and corticosteroids
• Respiratory medications and inhaler teaching
• Opioids, NSAIDs, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, lithium, antiseizure drugs, and
antipsychotics
• Antibiotic adverse effects, allergies, interactions, and administration
• Medication reconciliation, laboratory monitoring, high-alert safety, and patient education
Practice Questions
Question 1. Before administering digoxin, which assessment is most
important?
A. Measure the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Ask about food preferences
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
C. Check height
D. Ask about sleep habits
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Digoxin can slow heart rate and alter cardiac conduction. Check the
apical pulse for a full minute and follow the prescribed hold parameters.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Food preferences do not establish immediate cardiac safety.
C. C: Height does not determine whether the dose is safe.
D. D: Sleep habits are not the priority pre-dose assessment.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Digoxin safety
Question 2. A client taking lisinopril develops swelling of the lips and tongue.
What is the priority?
A. Reassure the client this is common
B. Seek emergency assessment for possible angioedema
C. Offer a potassium-rich snack
D. Arrange routine follow-up
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Lip and tongue swelling may progress to airway obstruction. Treat as an
emergency and activate the appropriate response.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: This can be life-threatening, not a routine effect.
C. C: Food does not treat airway-threatening swelling.
D. D: Waiting may delay lifesaving care.
Key Pharmacology Concept: ACE inhibitor emergency
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
Question 3. A client taking furosemide has weakness and leg cramps. Which
lab is especially important?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Bilirubin
D. Hemoglobin A1c only
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Loop diuretics can increase potassium loss; hypokalemia may cause
weakness, cramps, and dysrhythmias.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Amylase does not assess potassium loss.
C. C: Bilirubin does not evaluate this likely electrolyte issue.
D. D: A1c reflects longer-term glucose control, not the immediate concern.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Diuretic monitoring
Question 4. Which instruction is important for sublingual nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet whole
B. Sit before taking it and follow the emergency plan if pain persists
C. Combine it with sildenafil
D. Store it loose in an open weekly organizer
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension. Sitting reduces fall risk, and
persistent or severe chest pain requires emergency action. PDE-5 inhibitors can cause
dangerous hypotension with nitrates.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue.
C. C: Nitrates with sildenafil can cause severe hypotension.
D. D: Store it in its original container according to product directions.
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
Key Pharmacology Concept: Nitrate safety
Question 5. What teaching is appropriate for a client taking warfarin?
A. Avoid every vegetable containing vitamin K
B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent and attend INR monitoring
C. Double the next dose after spinach
D. Stop it for any bruise without advice
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Warfarin response is influenced by vitamin K intake. Consistency and
INR monitoring support safe anticoagulation.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: Total avoidance is unnecessary and may unbalance the diet.
C. C: Do not change doses independently.
D. D: Bleeding concerns need clinical advice; unsupervised stopping can increase clot risk.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Warfarin education
Question 6. A client receiving heparin has bleeding gums and blood in the
urine. What should the nurse do?
A. Assess and promptly notify the responsible clinician
B. Give the next dose early
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Report it at the end of the week
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Bleeding may indicate a serious complication. Assess, review relevant
orders and labs, and escalate promptly.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Early dosing can increase bleeding risk.
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
NURS 1150
MIDTERM PRACTICE EXAM (2026/2027)
Pharmacology Questions & Detailed Rationales
60 ORIGINAL PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Complete each question before reviewing the answer and rationale. Focus on safe
administration, monitoring, adverse effects, contraindications, interactions, and patient
education. These are original educational practice questions—
NURS 1150 course coverage varies by institution and instructor. Compare this practice exam
with your syllabus, lecture notes, assigned readings, and medication list.
Midterm Topic Map
• Cardiovascular medications, diuretics, nitrates, and anticoagulants
• Insulin, metformin, hypoglycemia, thyroid replacement, and corticosteroids
• Respiratory medications and inhaler teaching
• Opioids, NSAIDs, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, lithium, antiseizure drugs, and
antipsychotics
• Antibiotic adverse effects, allergies, interactions, and administration
• Medication reconciliation, laboratory monitoring, high-alert safety, and patient education
Practice Questions
Question 1. Before administering digoxin, which assessment is most
important?
A. Measure the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Ask about food preferences
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
C. Check height
D. Ask about sleep habits
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Digoxin can slow heart rate and alter cardiac conduction. Check the
apical pulse for a full minute and follow the prescribed hold parameters.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Food preferences do not establish immediate cardiac safety.
C. C: Height does not determine whether the dose is safe.
D. D: Sleep habits are not the priority pre-dose assessment.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Digoxin safety
Question 2. A client taking lisinopril develops swelling of the lips and tongue.
What is the priority?
A. Reassure the client this is common
B. Seek emergency assessment for possible angioedema
C. Offer a potassium-rich snack
D. Arrange routine follow-up
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Lip and tongue swelling may progress to airway obstruction. Treat as an
emergency and activate the appropriate response.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: This can be life-threatening, not a routine effect.
C. C: Food does not treat airway-threatening swelling.
D. D: Waiting may delay lifesaving care.
Key Pharmacology Concept: ACE inhibitor emergency
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
Question 3. A client taking furosemide has weakness and leg cramps. Which
lab is especially important?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum amylase
C. Bilirubin
D. Hemoglobin A1c only
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Loop diuretics can increase potassium loss; hypokalemia may cause
weakness, cramps, and dysrhythmias.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Amylase does not assess potassium loss.
C. C: Bilirubin does not evaluate this likely electrolyte issue.
D. D: A1c reflects longer-term glucose control, not the immediate concern.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Diuretic monitoring
Question 4. Which instruction is important for sublingual nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet whole
B. Sit before taking it and follow the emergency plan if pain persists
C. Combine it with sildenafil
D. Store it loose in an open weekly organizer
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension. Sitting reduces fall risk, and
persistent or severe chest pain requires emergency action. PDE-5 inhibitors can cause
dangerous hypotension with nitrates.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: Sublingual tablets are placed under the tongue.
C. C: Nitrates with sildenafil can cause severe hypotension.
D. D: Store it in its original container according to product directions.
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
, NURS 1150 • PHARMACOLOGY • STUDY RESOURCE
Key Pharmacology Concept: Nitrate safety
Question 5. What teaching is appropriate for a client taking warfarin?
A. Avoid every vegetable containing vitamin K
B. Keep vitamin K intake consistent and attend INR monitoring
C. Double the next dose after spinach
D. Stop it for any bruise without advice
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Warfarin response is influenced by vitamin K intake. Consistency and
INR monitoring support safe anticoagulation.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
A. A: Total avoidance is unnecessary and may unbalance the diet.
C. C: Do not change doses independently.
D. D: Bleeding concerns need clinical advice; unsupervised stopping can increase clot risk.
Key Pharmacology Concept: Warfarin education
Question 6. A client receiving heparin has bleeding gums and blood in the
urine. What should the nurse do?
A. Assess and promptly notify the responsible clinician
B. Give the next dose early
C. Encourage contact sports
D. Report it at the end of the week
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Rationale: Bleeding may indicate a serious complication. Assess, review relevant
orders and labs, and escalate promptly.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect
B. B: Early dosing can increase bleeding risk.
NURS 1150 Midterm Practice Exam | Original educational material • 2026/2027
