NSG 533 – Advanced Pharmacology | Exam 3 Study
Guide | Wilkes University | 2025/2026 Edition | Verified
Coverage | Graded A+
This Exam 3 Study Guide provides a comprehensive review of pharmacologic concepts, drug
classifications, and prescriptive responsibilities required for advanced practice nurses. Updated
for the 2025/2026 academic year, this resource emphasizes evidence-based practice and aligns
with Wilkes University’s NSG 533 course objectives. The guide includes 50 questions, consistent
with the typical format of Exam 3 for graduate-level pharmacology assessments.
Exam 3 Coverage Includes:
✔ Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology: Antiepileptics, Parkinson’s agents, multiple
sclerosis treatments, migraine prophylaxis
✔ Musculoskeletal Pharmacology: Rheumatoid arthritis (DMARDs, biologics), gout (xanthine
oxidase inhibitors, uricosurics), osteoporosis agents
✔ Dermatology Pharmacology: Topical corticosteroids, antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, acne
treatments
✔ Ophthalmology Pharmacology: Glaucoma agents (beta-blockers, prostaglandins, alpha
agonists), dry eye treatments, anti-inflammatories
✔ Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) Pharmacology: Otitis media antibiotics, sinusitis treatments, allergic
rhinitis agents
✔ Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: Vaccine schedules, post-exposure prophylaxis, travel
medicine
✔ Advanced Prescribing: Polypharmacy management, drug interactions in complex cases,
patient adherence strategies, pharmacoeconomics
✔ Special Populations: Pediatrics, geriatrics, pregnancy/lactation, renal/hepatic impairment
dosing adjustments
Answer Format
Correct answers are shown in bold green, with evidence-based rationales to support clinical
decision-making and exam preparation.
1. What is the first-line treatment for acute migraine attacks?
a) Propranolol
b) Sumatriptan
c) Topiramate
d) Verapamil
b) Sumatriptan
Rationale: Sumatriptan, a triptan, is first-line for acute migraine by stimulating serotonin
receptors to constrict cranial blood vessels (AAN/AHS, 2025).
, 2. Which antiepileptic drug is used for absence seizures?
a) Carbamazepine
b) Ethosuximide
c) Lamotrigine
d) Phenytoin
b) Ethosuximide
Rationale: Ethosuximide is specific for absence seizures by inhibiting T-type calcium channels
in the thalamus.
3. What is the mechanism of action of levodopa in Parkinson’s disease?
a) Block dopamine receptors
b) Increase dopamine synthesis
c) Enhance GABA activity
d) Inhibit acetylcholinesterase
b) Increase dopamine synthesis
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, replenishing depleted levels in
Parkinson’s.
4. Which drug is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for
rheumatoid arthritis?
a) Ibuprofen
b) Methotrexate
c) Prednisone
d) Celecoxib
b) Methotrexate
Rationale: Methotrexate, a DMARD, suppresses immune response to reduce joint inflammation
in RA (ACR, 2025).
5. What is the mechanism of action of allopurinol for gout?
a) Inhibits xanthine oxidase
b) Increases uric acid excretion
c) Blocks IL-1 receptors
d) Reduces inflammation
a) Inhibits xanthine oxidase
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production by inhibiting xanthine oxidase.
6. Which drug is first-line for postmenopausal osteoporosis?
a) Raloxifene
b) Alendronate
c) Teriparatide
d) Denosumab
b) Alendronate
Rationale: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, inhibits osteoclast activity to increase bone density.
7. What is a common side effect of topical corticosteroids?
a) Systemic hypertension
Guide | Wilkes University | 2025/2026 Edition | Verified
Coverage | Graded A+
This Exam 3 Study Guide provides a comprehensive review of pharmacologic concepts, drug
classifications, and prescriptive responsibilities required for advanced practice nurses. Updated
for the 2025/2026 academic year, this resource emphasizes evidence-based practice and aligns
with Wilkes University’s NSG 533 course objectives. The guide includes 50 questions, consistent
with the typical format of Exam 3 for graduate-level pharmacology assessments.
Exam 3 Coverage Includes:
✔ Central Nervous System (CNS) Pharmacology: Antiepileptics, Parkinson’s agents, multiple
sclerosis treatments, migraine prophylaxis
✔ Musculoskeletal Pharmacology: Rheumatoid arthritis (DMARDs, biologics), gout (xanthine
oxidase inhibitors, uricosurics), osteoporosis agents
✔ Dermatology Pharmacology: Topical corticosteroids, antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, acne
treatments
✔ Ophthalmology Pharmacology: Glaucoma agents (beta-blockers, prostaglandins, alpha
agonists), dry eye treatments, anti-inflammatories
✔ Ear/Nose/Throat (ENT) Pharmacology: Otitis media antibiotics, sinusitis treatments, allergic
rhinitis agents
✔ Immunizations & Infectious Diseases: Vaccine schedules, post-exposure prophylaxis, travel
medicine
✔ Advanced Prescribing: Polypharmacy management, drug interactions in complex cases,
patient adherence strategies, pharmacoeconomics
✔ Special Populations: Pediatrics, geriatrics, pregnancy/lactation, renal/hepatic impairment
dosing adjustments
Answer Format
Correct answers are shown in bold green, with evidence-based rationales to support clinical
decision-making and exam preparation.
1. What is the first-line treatment for acute migraine attacks?
a) Propranolol
b) Sumatriptan
c) Topiramate
d) Verapamil
b) Sumatriptan
Rationale: Sumatriptan, a triptan, is first-line for acute migraine by stimulating serotonin
receptors to constrict cranial blood vessels (AAN/AHS, 2025).
, 2. Which antiepileptic drug is used for absence seizures?
a) Carbamazepine
b) Ethosuximide
c) Lamotrigine
d) Phenytoin
b) Ethosuximide
Rationale: Ethosuximide is specific for absence seizures by inhibiting T-type calcium channels
in the thalamus.
3. What is the mechanism of action of levodopa in Parkinson’s disease?
a) Block dopamine receptors
b) Increase dopamine synthesis
c) Enhance GABA activity
d) Inhibit acetylcholinesterase
b) Increase dopamine synthesis
Rationale: Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain, replenishing depleted levels in
Parkinson’s.
4. Which drug is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) for
rheumatoid arthritis?
a) Ibuprofen
b) Methotrexate
c) Prednisone
d) Celecoxib
b) Methotrexate
Rationale: Methotrexate, a DMARD, suppresses immune response to reduce joint inflammation
in RA (ACR, 2025).
5. What is the mechanism of action of allopurinol for gout?
a) Inhibits xanthine oxidase
b) Increases uric acid excretion
c) Blocks IL-1 receptors
d) Reduces inflammation
a) Inhibits xanthine oxidase
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production by inhibiting xanthine oxidase.
6. Which drug is first-line for postmenopausal osteoporosis?
a) Raloxifene
b) Alendronate
c) Teriparatide
d) Denosumab
b) Alendronate
Rationale: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, inhibits osteoclast activity to increase bone density.
7. What is a common side effect of topical corticosteroids?
a) Systemic hypertension
