NUR 378 Final Exam 2025 Pharmacology:
Actual Questions & Answers | Concordia
University St. Paul
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a new medication to a patient. Which of the
following is the FIRST step in the medication administration process?
A. Check the patient’s identification B. Verify the medication dose with another nurse C. Assess
the patient’s allergies D. Review the medication’s mechanism of action
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The first step in medication administration is to assess the
patient’s allergies to prevent allergic reactions. Checking the patient’s identification (A) is
important but typically occurs after verifying allergies. Verifying the dose with another nurse (B) is
part of the "right dose" check but is not the first step. Reviewing the mechanism of action (D) is
important for understanding the drug but is not the priority before ensuring safety.
Question 2: A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. The nurse should
prioritize monitoring which of the following laboratory values?
A. Sodium B. Potassium C. Calcium D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes hypokalemia due to
increased potassium excretion. Monitoring potassium levels is critical to prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias. While sodium (A), calcium (C), and magnesium (D) can also be affected,
potassium is the priority.
Question 3: A patient with hypertension is prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor). The nurse should
teach the patient to report which of the following adverse effects?
A. Dry cough B. Bradycardia C. Hyperglycemia D. Photosensitivity
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia due to
its effect on the heart’s conduction system. Patients should be taught to report a heart rate below
60 bpm or symptoms of dizziness. Dry cough (A) is associated with ACE inhibitors.
,Hyperglycemia (C) is not a common effect of beta-blockers. Photosensitivity (D) is associated
with other drug classes, such as tetracyclines.
Question 4: A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a patient with atrial fibrillation. Which of
the following is the MOST important nursing intervention?
A. Monitor serum digoxin levels B. Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute C. Encourage a
high-fiber diet D. Administer the medication with food
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and bradycardia is a
serious adverse effect. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute before
administering the medication. If the pulse is below 60 bpm, the medication should be held.
Monitoring serum levels (A) is important but not the immediate priority. High-fiber diets (C) and
food administration (D) are not relevant to digoxin safety.
Question 5: A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for deep vein thrombosis. The nurse
should teach the patient to avoid which of the following foods?
A. Bananas B. Spinach C. Apples D. Chicken
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, and foods high in vitamin K,
such as spinach, can interfere with its anticoagulant effect. Bananas (A), apples (C), and
chicken (D) do not significantly interact with warfarin.
Question 6: A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin (Glucophage). The nurse
should instruct the patient to report which of the following symptoms?
A. Headache B. Lactic acidosis symptoms (e.g., muscle pain, weakness) C. Hyperglycemia D.
Dry mouth
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening
adverse effect. Patients should report symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, or difficulty
breathing. Headache (A), hyperglycemia (C), and dry mouth (D) are not specific to lactic
acidosis.
Question 7: A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient with severe pain.
Which of the following assessments is MOST important before administration?
A. Blood pressure B. Respiratory rate C. Temperature D. Oxygen saturation
, Correct Answer: B Rationale: Morphine is an opioid that can cause respiratory depression.
The nurse must assess the respiratory rate before and after administration. Blood pressure
(A), temperature (C), and oxygen saturation (D) are important but secondary to respiratory
status.
Question 8: A patient is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) for asthma. The nurse should teach the
patient to report which of the following adverse effects?
A. Sedation B. Tachycardia C. Constipation D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause tachycardia due to
its stimulant effect on the heart. Sedation (A) is not associated with albuterol. Constipation (C) is
associated with opioids. Hypotension (D) is not a common effect of albuterol.
Question 9: A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. The nurse should prioritize
monitoring which of the following laboratory values?
A. Sodium B. Lithium level C. Potassium D. Glucose
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and lithium levels
must be monitored to prevent toxicity. Sodium (A), potassium (C), and glucose (D) are not
directly related to lithium monitoring.
Question 10: A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for a bacterial infection. The nurse should
instruct the patient to report which of the following symptoms?
A. Nausea B. Rash C. Headache D. Fatigue
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Amoxicillin can cause allergic reactions, including rash, which
may indicate a hypersensitivity reaction. Nausea (A), headache (C), and fatigue (D) are less
specific to allergic reactions.
Question 11: A nurse is administering insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes. Which of the
following is the MOST important action to prevent medication errors?
A. Verify the insulin type with another nurse B. Check the patient’s blood glucose level C. Use a
syringe labeled for insulin D. Administer the insulin subcutaneously
Actual Questions & Answers | Concordia
University St. Paul
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer a new medication to a patient. Which of the
following is the FIRST step in the medication administration process?
A. Check the patient’s identification B. Verify the medication dose with another nurse C. Assess
the patient’s allergies D. Review the medication’s mechanism of action
Correct Answer: C Rationale: The first step in medication administration is to assess the
patient’s allergies to prevent allergic reactions. Checking the patient’s identification (A) is
important but typically occurs after verifying allergies. Verifying the dose with another nurse (B) is
part of the "right dose" check but is not the first step. Reviewing the mechanism of action (D) is
important for understanding the drug but is not the priority before ensuring safety.
Question 2: A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. The nurse should
prioritize monitoring which of the following laboratory values?
A. Sodium B. Potassium C. Calcium D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes hypokalemia due to
increased potassium excretion. Monitoring potassium levels is critical to prevent life-threatening
arrhythmias. While sodium (A), calcium (C), and magnesium (D) can also be affected,
potassium is the priority.
Question 3: A patient with hypertension is prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor). The nurse should
teach the patient to report which of the following adverse effects?
A. Dry cough B. Bradycardia C. Hyperglycemia D. Photosensitivity
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can cause bradycardia due to
its effect on the heart’s conduction system. Patients should be taught to report a heart rate below
60 bpm or symptoms of dizziness. Dry cough (A) is associated with ACE inhibitors.
,Hyperglycemia (C) is not a common effect of beta-blockers. Photosensitivity (D) is associated
with other drug classes, such as tetracyclines.
Question 4: A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a patient with atrial fibrillation. Which of
the following is the MOST important nursing intervention?
A. Monitor serum digoxin levels B. Assess apical pulse for 1 full minute C. Encourage a
high-fiber diet D. Administer the medication with food
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and bradycardia is a
serious adverse effect. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute before
administering the medication. If the pulse is below 60 bpm, the medication should be held.
Monitoring serum levels (A) is important but not the immediate priority. High-fiber diets (C) and
food administration (D) are not relevant to digoxin safety.
Question 5: A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for deep vein thrombosis. The nurse
should teach the patient to avoid which of the following foods?
A. Bananas B. Spinach C. Apples D. Chicken
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist, and foods high in vitamin K,
such as spinach, can interfere with its anticoagulant effect. Bananas (A), apples (C), and
chicken (D) do not significantly interact with warfarin.
Question 6: A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin (Glucophage). The nurse
should instruct the patient to report which of the following symptoms?
A. Headache B. Lactic acidosis symptoms (e.g., muscle pain, weakness) C. Hyperglycemia D.
Dry mouth
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Metformin can cause lactic acidosis, a rare but life-threatening
adverse effect. Patients should report symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, or difficulty
breathing. Headache (A), hyperglycemia (C), and dry mouth (D) are not specific to lactic
acidosis.
Question 7: A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient with severe pain.
Which of the following assessments is MOST important before administration?
A. Blood pressure B. Respiratory rate C. Temperature D. Oxygen saturation
, Correct Answer: B Rationale: Morphine is an opioid that can cause respiratory depression.
The nurse must assess the respiratory rate before and after administration. Blood pressure
(A), temperature (C), and oxygen saturation (D) are important but secondary to respiratory
status.
Question 8: A patient is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) for asthma. The nurse should teach the
patient to report which of the following adverse effects?
A. Sedation B. Tachycardia C. Constipation D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can cause tachycardia due to
its stimulant effect on the heart. Sedation (A) is not associated with albuterol. Constipation (C) is
associated with opioids. Hypotension (D) is not a common effect of albuterol.
Question 9: A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. The nurse should prioritize
monitoring which of the following laboratory values?
A. Sodium B. Lithium level C. Potassium D. Glucose
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and lithium levels
must be monitored to prevent toxicity. Sodium (A), potassium (C), and glucose (D) are not
directly related to lithium monitoring.
Question 10: A patient is prescribed amoxicillin for a bacterial infection. The nurse should
instruct the patient to report which of the following symptoms?
A. Nausea B. Rash C. Headache D. Fatigue
Correct Answer: B Rationale: Amoxicillin can cause allergic reactions, including rash, which
may indicate a hypersensitivity reaction. Nausea (A), headache (C), and fatigue (D) are less
specific to allergic reactions.
Question 11: A nurse is administering insulin to a patient with type 1 diabetes. Which of the
following is the MOST important action to prevent medication errors?
A. Verify the insulin type with another nurse B. Check the patient’s blood glucose level C. Use a
syringe labeled for insulin D. Administer the insulin subcutaneously
