NRSG 106 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
RATED A+
A patient has been diagnosed with PD. Medication therapy is started for this patient.
1. What teaching should the nurse include to the patient and caregiver regarding
pharmacologic therapy of PD?
A. The medication should be stopped when the patient's symptoms improve.
B. Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the
prescriber.
C. A common side effect of anticholinergics is drooling.
D. Improvements in symptoms are expected within 5 days of medication therapy.
B. Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the
prescriber.
Explanation:
Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the prescriber.
Emphasize the importance of taking the medication as prescribed and not quitting the
,medication. It is important for the patient and family or caregiver to understand that
medication(s) must be taken at the dosage and time prescribed. Inability to adhere to or remain
compliant may lead to exacerbation of symptoms and development of complications. Missing a
dose by even 30 minutes may lead to an “off” period and last hours. With anticholinergics, warn
the patient about the adverse effect of dry mouth. Use of artificial saliva drops or gum, frequent
mouth care, fluids, and sucking on sugarless gum or hard candy may be helpful. The patient and
family must understand that some antiparkinson drugs are often titrated to the patient’s response
and that it may take 3 to 4 weeks for a therapeutic response to become evident.
The patient diagnosed with PD has been started on dopaminergic replacement drug
therapy with carbidopa-levodopa.
2. What is a priority action for the nurse?
A. Assess the patient for dizziness and syncope when the patient is walking.
B. Administer the medication first thing in the morning.
C. Administer the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Omit protein from the patient's diet.
A. Assess the patient for dizziness and syncope when the patient is walking.
Explanation:
,The patient may need assistance when walking because of the dizziness and possible syncope
caused by these drugs. Doses are given several hours before bedtime to decrease the incidence of
insomnia, a known adverse effect of these drugs. Oral doses are given with food to help
minimize GI upset. It is important to make sure that the patient and family or caregivers
understand that while taking carbidopa-levodopa, the patient may continue to eat high-protein
foods (e.g., meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products) but with the following special instructions:
use portion control (meat portion about the size of a deck of cards) and take the drug dose one-
half hour before eating a protein-containing meal or 1 hour after.
Before administering lithium to a patient, it is most important for the nurse to assess which
laboratory value?
A. Blood sugar
B. Sodium
C. Urine osmolality
D. Hematocrit
B. Sodium
Lithium may become toxic if the patient has hyponatremia. The sodium level should be assessed
in patients receiving lithium therapy to prevent toxicity.
When patients are taking selective SSRIs for the first time for depression, which is most
important to monitor for during the first few weeks of therapy?
A. Hypertensive crisis
, B. Suicidal thoughts
C. Convulsions
D. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Suicidal thoughts
Explanation:
Some studies have indicated a higher risk for suicide during the first few weeks of antidepressant
therapy.
When providing teaching for a patient who is prescribed a selective SSRI, which statement
will the nurse include?
A. The SSRI will work faster than the older tricyclic antidepressants.
B. The SSRI will have an immediate beneficial effect on the patient's depression symptoms.
C. The SSRI will not work well for severe cases of depression.
D. The SSRI may take several weeks to have a beneficial effect.
D. The SSRI may take several weeks to have a beneficial effect.
Explanation:
It may take several weeks to see the therapeutic effects of SSRIs.
REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE 2025-2026
RATED A+
A patient has been diagnosed with PD. Medication therapy is started for this patient.
1. What teaching should the nurse include to the patient and caregiver regarding
pharmacologic therapy of PD?
A. The medication should be stopped when the patient's symptoms improve.
B. Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the
prescriber.
C. A common side effect of anticholinergics is drooling.
D. Improvements in symptoms are expected within 5 days of medication therapy.
B. Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the
prescriber.
Explanation:
Alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and herbals are to be avoided unless approved by the prescriber.
Emphasize the importance of taking the medication as prescribed and not quitting the
,medication. It is important for the patient and family or caregiver to understand that
medication(s) must be taken at the dosage and time prescribed. Inability to adhere to or remain
compliant may lead to exacerbation of symptoms and development of complications. Missing a
dose by even 30 minutes may lead to an “off” period and last hours. With anticholinergics, warn
the patient about the adverse effect of dry mouth. Use of artificial saliva drops or gum, frequent
mouth care, fluids, and sucking on sugarless gum or hard candy may be helpful. The patient and
family must understand that some antiparkinson drugs are often titrated to the patient’s response
and that it may take 3 to 4 weeks for a therapeutic response to become evident.
The patient diagnosed with PD has been started on dopaminergic replacement drug
therapy with carbidopa-levodopa.
2. What is a priority action for the nurse?
A. Assess the patient for dizziness and syncope when the patient is walking.
B. Administer the medication first thing in the morning.
C. Administer the medication on an empty stomach.
D. Omit protein from the patient's diet.
A. Assess the patient for dizziness and syncope when the patient is walking.
Explanation:
,The patient may need assistance when walking because of the dizziness and possible syncope
caused by these drugs. Doses are given several hours before bedtime to decrease the incidence of
insomnia, a known adverse effect of these drugs. Oral doses are given with food to help
minimize GI upset. It is important to make sure that the patient and family or caregivers
understand that while taking carbidopa-levodopa, the patient may continue to eat high-protein
foods (e.g., meat, fish, poultry, and dairy products) but with the following special instructions:
use portion control (meat portion about the size of a deck of cards) and take the drug dose one-
half hour before eating a protein-containing meal or 1 hour after.
Before administering lithium to a patient, it is most important for the nurse to assess which
laboratory value?
A. Blood sugar
B. Sodium
C. Urine osmolality
D. Hematocrit
B. Sodium
Lithium may become toxic if the patient has hyponatremia. The sodium level should be assessed
in patients receiving lithium therapy to prevent toxicity.
When patients are taking selective SSRIs for the first time for depression, which is most
important to monitor for during the first few weeks of therapy?
A. Hypertensive crisis
, B. Suicidal thoughts
C. Convulsions
D. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Suicidal thoughts
Explanation:
Some studies have indicated a higher risk for suicide during the first few weeks of antidepressant
therapy.
When providing teaching for a patient who is prescribed a selective SSRI, which statement
will the nurse include?
A. The SSRI will work faster than the older tricyclic antidepressants.
B. The SSRI will have an immediate beneficial effect on the patient's depression symptoms.
C. The SSRI will not work well for severe cases of depression.
D. The SSRI may take several weeks to have a beneficial effect.
D. The SSRI may take several weeks to have a beneficial effect.
Explanation:
It may take several weeks to see the therapeutic effects of SSRIs.
