NSG 124 Exam 3 Actual Exam V3 | NSG 124 Pharmacology (NSG124
Exam 3) | Herzing University PDF
1. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro (Humalog) to be administered at 0800. What is the
most important nursing action regarding this medication?
A. Check the patient’s blood glucose at 1200
B. Administer the dose 30 to 60 minutes before the meal
C. Ensure the patient’s breakfast tray is present and the patient is ready to eat
D. Wait for the patient to finish eating before giving the injection
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes.
Administering it without a meal present can lead to severe hypoglycemia shortly after the
injection. The nurse must prioritize patient safety by confirming food availability before
administration.
2. The nurse is providing education to a patient starting levothyroxine (Synthroid) for
hypothyroidism. Which statement indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. I should take this medication right before I go to bed at night
B. I will take this medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast
C. I can stop taking this medication once my energy levels return to normal
D. It is okay to take my calcium supplement at the same time as this drug
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning. This medication is typically lifelong therapy and should not be discontinued
without medical supervision. Patients should also avoid taking minerals like calcium or
iron at the same time as they interfere with absorption.
3. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous contrast. Which
medication should be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Metformin
B. Glipizide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
,Rationale: Metformin must be held prior to and for 48 hours after procedures involving
iodinated contrast media. This precaution is necessary to prevent the risk of acute renal
failure and subsequent lactic acidosis. Renal function should be verified as normal before
resuming the medication.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing acute bronchospasm. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer as a rescue treatment?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Albuterol
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for the rapid relief of
acute asthma symptoms. Other medications like salmeterol or fluticasone are for long-term
maintenance and will not provide immediate relief. Proper use of a rescue inhaler is a
critical component of asthma action plans.
5. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking an inhaled corticosteroid
like beclomethasone?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Oral candidiasis
C. Bradycardia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: B
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can suppress local immunity in the mouth, leading to
fungal infections like thrush. Patients are instructed to rinse their mouths with water and
spit after each use to minimize this risk. This simple education step significantly reduces
the incidence of oral candidiasis.
6. A patient is prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec) for GERD. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to take this medication?
A. Immediately after a large meal
B. Only when symptoms of heartburn occur
C. 30 to 60 minutes before the first meal of the day
D. At bedtime with a snack
Answer: C
, Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole are most effective when taken on an
empty stomach before breakfast. This allows the drug to reach peak levels when the
parietal cells are most active after a period of fasting. Taking it with food or as needed
(PRN) reduces its overall therapeutic effectiveness for acid suppression.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of aluminum-containing antacids.
Which of the following should be included?
A. Diarrhea
B. Abdominal cramping
C. Kidney stones
D. Constipation
Answer: D
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids are well known for causing constipation in many
patients. Conversely, magnesium-based antacids often cause diarrhea, leading many
manufacturers to combine both to balance bowel effects. Nurses should encourage
increased fluid and fiber intake if constipation occurs.
8. Which medication is considered the antidote for an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol)?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) is the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity
because it helps restore glutathione levels in the liver. It is most effective when
administered within 8 to 10 hours of the overdose. Monitoring liver function tests is
essential when managing a patient with acetaminophen poisoning.
9. A patient who is post-operative day 1 is receiving morphine via PCA pump. The nurse notes
a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. What is the priority action?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Check the patient’s blood pressure
C. Document the finding and reassess in 15 minutes
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
Answer: A
Exam 3) | Herzing University PDF
1. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro (Humalog) to be administered at 0800. What is the
most important nursing action regarding this medication?
A. Check the patient’s blood glucose at 1200
B. Administer the dose 30 to 60 minutes before the meal
C. Ensure the patient’s breakfast tray is present and the patient is ready to eat
D. Wait for the patient to finish eating before giving the injection
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes.
Administering it without a meal present can lead to severe hypoglycemia shortly after the
injection. The nurse must prioritize patient safety by confirming food availability before
administration.
2. The nurse is providing education to a patient starting levothyroxine (Synthroid) for
hypothyroidism. Which statement indicates the patient understands the teaching?
A. I should take this medication right before I go to bed at night
B. I will take this medication on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast
C. I can stop taking this medication once my energy levels return to normal
D. It is okay to take my calcium supplement at the same time as this drug
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning. This medication is typically lifelong therapy and should not be discontinued
without medical supervision. Patients should also avoid taking minerals like calcium or
iron at the same time as they interfere with absorption.
3. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous contrast. Which
medication should be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Metformin
B. Glipizide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
,Rationale: Metformin must be held prior to and for 48 hours after procedures involving
iodinated contrast media. This precaution is necessary to prevent the risk of acute renal
failure and subsequent lactic acidosis. Renal function should be verified as normal before
resuming the medication.
4. A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing acute bronchospasm. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer as a rescue treatment?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Albuterol
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for the rapid relief of
acute asthma symptoms. Other medications like salmeterol or fluticasone are for long-term
maintenance and will not provide immediate relief. Proper use of a rescue inhaler is a
critical component of asthma action plans.
5. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient taking an inhaled corticosteroid
like beclomethasone?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Oral candidiasis
C. Bradycardia
D. Urinary retention
Answer: B
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can suppress local immunity in the mouth, leading to
fungal infections like thrush. Patients are instructed to rinse their mouths with water and
spit after each use to minimize this risk. This simple education step significantly reduces
the incidence of oral candidiasis.
6. A patient is prescribed omeprazole (Prilosec) for GERD. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to take this medication?
A. Immediately after a large meal
B. Only when symptoms of heartburn occur
C. 30 to 60 minutes before the first meal of the day
D. At bedtime with a snack
Answer: C
, Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole are most effective when taken on an
empty stomach before breakfast. This allows the drug to reach peak levels when the
parietal cells are most active after a period of fasting. Taking it with food or as needed
(PRN) reduces its overall therapeutic effectiveness for acid suppression.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of aluminum-containing antacids.
Which of the following should be included?
A. Diarrhea
B. Abdominal cramping
C. Kidney stones
D. Constipation
Answer: D
Rationale: Aluminum-based antacids are well known for causing constipation in many
patients. Conversely, magnesium-based antacids often cause diarrhea, leading many
manufacturers to combine both to balance bowel effects. Nurses should encourage
increased fluid and fiber intake if constipation occurs.
8. Which medication is considered the antidote for an overdose of acetaminophen (Tylenol)?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) is the specific antidote for acetaminophen toxicity
because it helps restore glutathione levels in the liver. It is most effective when
administered within 8 to 10 hours of the overdose. Monitoring liver function tests is
essential when managing a patient with acetaminophen poisoning.
9. A patient who is post-operative day 1 is receiving morphine via PCA pump. The nurse notes
a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. What is the priority action?
A. Administer naloxone as prescribed
B. Check the patient’s blood pressure
C. Document the finding and reassess in 15 minutes
D. Increase the IV fluid rate
Answer: A
