NURS 251 Pharmacology Final Exam 2023
(Latest 2025/2026 Update) – Verified Questions &
Answers with References | 100% Guaranteed
Pass | Expert-Certified Solutions
Question 1 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed lorazepam 1 mg PRN for anxiety. What is the priority nursing
consideration?
A: Monitor blood pressure
B: Monitor respiratory rate
C: Check blood glucose
D: Assess temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, can cause respiratory depression, making respiratory
rate the priority, per Lilley (Ch. 22). Other parameters (A, C, D) are less critical. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 2 (Pharmacological)
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What is the therapeutic serum range?
A: 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C: 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D: 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium’s therapeutic range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L to manage bipolar disorder, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 3 (SATA, Pharmacological)
Which side effects should the nurse monitor in a client taking fluoxetine? (Select all that apply.)
A: Sexual dysfunction
B: Tardive dyskinesia
C: Insomnia
D: Hypotension
Correct Answer: A, C
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, commonly causes sexual dysfunction and insomnia, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Tardive dyskinesia (B) is associated with antipsychotics, and hypotension (D) is less
common. Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
,Question 4 (Pharmacological)
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed haloperidol. What is a priority nursing intervention?
A: Monitor for weight loss
B: Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms
C: Check blood glucose
D: Monitor temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, causes extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., tremors),
requiring assessment, per Lilley (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 5 (NGN Case Study, Pharmacological)
Case Study: A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline 50 mg daily and
reports nausea and headache.
Question: What is the nurse’s first action?
A: Stop the medication
B: Consult the healthcare provider
C: Increase the dose
D: Administer an analgesic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side effects like nausea and headache should be reported to the provider for dose
adjustment, per Lilley (Ch. 16). Stopping (A), increasing (C), or administering analgesics (D) is
outside nursing scope without orders. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 6 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed diazepam for alcohol withdrawal. What is the primary purpose?
A: To improve mood
B: To prevent seizures
C: To reduce appetite
D: To enhance sleep
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diazepam prevents seizures during alcohol withdrawal, per Lilley (Ch. 22). Scoring:
0/1.
Question 7 (Pharmacological)
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. What lab test should the nurse
monitor?
A: Blood glucose
B: Liver function tests
C: Thyroid function
D: Creatinine levels
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity, requiring liver function monitoring, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 8 (Pharmacological)
What is a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics like risperidone?
A: Hypoglycemia
B: Weight gain
C: Bradycardia
D: Hair loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, per Lilley (Ch.
16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 9 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed buspirone for anxiety. What should the nurse teach?
A: Take it PRN for acute anxiety
B: It may take weeks to be effective
C: Expect immediate sedation
D: Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone requires weeks to reduce anxiety, per Lilley (Ch. 16). PRN use (A),
sedation (C), and activity avoidance (D) are incorrect. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 10 (Pharmacological)
A client on clozapine requires which regular monitoring?
A: Blood glucose
B: White blood cell count
C: Thyroid function
D: Platelet count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, requiring white blood cell monitoring, per
Lilley (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 11 (Pharmacological)
A client with depression is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). What dietary
restriction should the nurse teach?
A: Avoid vitamin C-rich foods
B: Avoid tyramine-rich foods
C: Increase sugar intake
(Latest 2025/2026 Update) – Verified Questions &
Answers with References | 100% Guaranteed
Pass | Expert-Certified Solutions
Question 1 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed lorazepam 1 mg PRN for anxiety. What is the priority nursing
consideration?
A: Monitor blood pressure
B: Monitor respiratory rate
C: Check blood glucose
D: Assess temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, can cause respiratory depression, making respiratory
rate the priority, per Lilley (Ch. 22). Other parameters (A, C, D) are less critical. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 2 (Pharmacological)
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What is the therapeutic serum range?
A: 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B: 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
C: 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
D: 2.0–2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lithium’s therapeutic range is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L to manage bipolar disorder, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 3 (SATA, Pharmacological)
Which side effects should the nurse monitor in a client taking fluoxetine? (Select all that apply.)
A: Sexual dysfunction
B: Tardive dyskinesia
C: Insomnia
D: Hypotension
Correct Answer: A, C
Rationale: Fluoxetine, an SSRI, commonly causes sexual dysfunction and insomnia, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Tardive dyskinesia (B) is associated with antipsychotics, and hypotension (D) is less
common. Scoring: +/-; +1 for each correct, -1 for each incorrect, minimum 0.
,Question 4 (Pharmacological)
A client with schizophrenia is prescribed haloperidol. What is a priority nursing intervention?
A: Monitor for weight loss
B: Assess for extrapyramidal symptoms
C: Check blood glucose
D: Monitor temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Haloperidol, a typical antipsychotic, causes extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., tremors),
requiring assessment, per Lilley (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 5 (NGN Case Study, Pharmacological)
Case Study: A client with major depressive disorder is prescribed sertraline 50 mg daily and
reports nausea and headache.
Question: What is the nurse’s first action?
A: Stop the medication
B: Consult the healthcare provider
C: Increase the dose
D: Administer an analgesic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Side effects like nausea and headache should be reported to the provider for dose
adjustment, per Lilley (Ch. 16). Stopping (A), increasing (C), or administering analgesics (D) is
outside nursing scope without orders. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 6 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed diazepam for alcohol withdrawal. What is the primary purpose?
A: To improve mood
B: To prevent seizures
C: To reduce appetite
D: To enhance sleep
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diazepam prevents seizures during alcohol withdrawal, per Lilley (Ch. 22). Scoring:
0/1.
Question 7 (Pharmacological)
A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed valproic acid. What lab test should the nurse
monitor?
A: Blood glucose
B: Liver function tests
C: Thyroid function
D: Creatinine levels
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity, requiring liver function monitoring, per Lilley
(Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 8 (Pharmacological)
What is a common side effect of atypical antipsychotics like risperidone?
A: Hypoglycemia
B: Weight gain
C: Bradycardia
D: Hair loss
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, per Lilley (Ch.
16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 9 (Pharmacological)
A client is prescribed buspirone for anxiety. What should the nurse teach?
A: Take it PRN for acute anxiety
B: It may take weeks to be effective
C: Expect immediate sedation
D: Avoid all physical activity
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Buspirone requires weeks to reduce anxiety, per Lilley (Ch. 16). PRN use (A),
sedation (C), and activity avoidance (D) are incorrect. Scoring: 0/1.
Question 10 (Pharmacological)
A client on clozapine requires which regular monitoring?
A: Blood glucose
B: White blood cell count
C: Thyroid function
D: Platelet count
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, requiring white blood cell monitoring, per
Lilley (Ch. 16). Scoring: 0/1.
Question 11 (Pharmacological)
A client with depression is prescribed a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). What dietary
restriction should the nurse teach?
A: Avoid vitamin C-rich foods
B: Avoid tyramine-rich foods
C: Increase sugar intake
