Comprehensive Pharmacology Mastery Exam:
150-Question Selection from the Test Bank.
Answers And Rationale Included.
2025/2026
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
putting the patient at risk for hypokalemia.
2. Which medication is commonly used to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Diazepam
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that competitively binds to
opioid receptors, reversing respiratory depression and sedation.
3. A patient on warfarin therapy presents with bleeding gums.
Which lab value is most relevant to check?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
PT/INR monitors the effectiveness of warfarin, and elevated
levels indicate a higher risk of bleeding.
,4. A patient is prescribed metformin. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of teaching?
A. “I should take this with antacids.”
B. “I should avoid all dairy products.”
C. “I should take this with meals to reduce GI upset.”
D. “I should double the dose if I miss one.”
Metformin can cause GI upset; taking it with meals reduces side
effects. Antacids and certain contrast dyes can interact, but dairy
is not contraindicated.
5. Which medication is first-line therapy for an acute asthma attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Montelukast
D. Fluticasone
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma attacks.
6. Which of the following antibiotics is nephrotoxic and requires
close monitoring of renal function?
A. Azithromycin
B. Gentamicin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Ciprofloxacin
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that can cause acute tubular
necrosis; renal function must be closely monitored.
7. A patient taking digoxin presents with nausea, vomiting, and
visual changes. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Hypernatremia
, D. Bradycardia unrelated to medication
These are classic signs of digoxin toxicity; serum digoxin and
potassium levels should be checked immediately.
8. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy due to
teratogenic effects?
A. Penicillin
B. Warfarin
C. Insulin
D. Acetaminophen
Warfarin crosses the placenta and can cause fetal
malformations, especially during the first trimester.
9. A patient is prescribed lithium. Which lab should be monitored
regularly?
A. Liver function tests
B. CBC
C. Serum lithium levels
D. Coagulation profile
Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index; monitoring serum levels
prevents toxicity.
10. Which medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism?
A. Levothyroxine
B. Methimazole
C. Prednisone
D. Propylthiouracil
Methimazole inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis and is a first-
line treatment for hyperthyroidism.
11. Which antihypertensive is contraindicated in pregnancy?
A. Methyldopa
B. ACE inhibitors
, C. Labetalol
D. Nifedipine
ACE inhibitors can cause fetal renal damage and are
contraindicated during pregnancy.
12. A patient receiving heparin develops a low platelet count.
The nurse suspects:
A. Anemia
B. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
C. Leukopenia
D. Infection
HIT is an immune-mediated reaction that causes a dangerous
drop in platelets and increases thrombotic risk.
13. Which medication is the antidote for acetaminophen
overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
D. Flumazenil
N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores to detoxify
NAPQI, preventing liver damage.
14. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro. When should it be
administered?
A. 2 hours after meals
B. 30 minutes before meals
C. Immediately before meals
D. At bedtime
Insulin lispro is rapid-acting; administering it immediately before
meals prevents postprandial hyperglycemia.
150-Question Selection from the Test Bank.
Answers And Rationale Included.
2025/2026
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
putting the patient at risk for hypokalemia.
2. Which medication is commonly used to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Diazepam
B. Naloxone
C. Flumazenil
D. Atropine
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that competitively binds to
opioid receptors, reversing respiratory depression and sedation.
3. A patient on warfarin therapy presents with bleeding gums.
Which lab value is most relevant to check?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
PT/INR monitors the effectiveness of warfarin, and elevated
levels indicate a higher risk of bleeding.
,4. A patient is prescribed metformin. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of teaching?
A. “I should take this with antacids.”
B. “I should avoid all dairy products.”
C. “I should take this with meals to reduce GI upset.”
D. “I should double the dose if I miss one.”
Metformin can cause GI upset; taking it with meals reduces side
effects. Antacids and certain contrast dyes can interact, but dairy
is not contraindicated.
5. Which medication is first-line therapy for an acute asthma attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Montelukast
D. Fluticasone
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid bronchodilation during acute asthma attacks.
6. Which of the following antibiotics is nephrotoxic and requires
close monitoring of renal function?
A. Azithromycin
B. Gentamicin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Ciprofloxacin
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that can cause acute tubular
necrosis; renal function must be closely monitored.
7. A patient taking digoxin presents with nausea, vomiting, and
visual changes. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Hypernatremia
, D. Bradycardia unrelated to medication
These are classic signs of digoxin toxicity; serum digoxin and
potassium levels should be checked immediately.
8. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy due to
teratogenic effects?
A. Penicillin
B. Warfarin
C. Insulin
D. Acetaminophen
Warfarin crosses the placenta and can cause fetal
malformations, especially during the first trimester.
9. A patient is prescribed lithium. Which lab should be monitored
regularly?
A. Liver function tests
B. CBC
C. Serum lithium levels
D. Coagulation profile
Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index; monitoring serum levels
prevents toxicity.
10. Which medication is used to treat hyperthyroidism?
A. Levothyroxine
B. Methimazole
C. Prednisone
D. Propylthiouracil
Methimazole inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis and is a first-
line treatment for hyperthyroidism.
11. Which antihypertensive is contraindicated in pregnancy?
A. Methyldopa
B. ACE inhibitors
, C. Labetalol
D. Nifedipine
ACE inhibitors can cause fetal renal damage and are
contraindicated during pregnancy.
12. A patient receiving heparin develops a low platelet count.
The nurse suspects:
A. Anemia
B. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
C. Leukopenia
D. Infection
HIT is an immune-mediated reaction that causes a dangerous
drop in platelets and increases thrombotic risk.
13. Which medication is the antidote for acetaminophen
overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
D. Flumazenil
N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores to detoxify
NAPQI, preventing liver damage.
14. A patient is prescribed insulin lispro. When should it be
administered?
A. 2 hours after meals
B. 30 minutes before meals
C. Immediately before meals
D. At bedtime
Insulin lispro is rapid-acting; administering it immediately before
meals prevents postprandial hyperglycemia.
