NCLEX Pharmacology (NCLEX-Pharma)
Latest Version 6.0 Actual Exam
Questions with Answers & Explanations
2026-2028| PDF
Question 1
One gallon would equal 128 fluid ounces, 16 cups, _____ pints, and 4 quarts.
A. 16
B. 8
C. 10
D. 6
Answer: B
Explanation: A gallon is equal to 128 fluid ounces, 16 cups, 8 pints, and 4
quarts. Since 1 pint = 2 cups, 16 ÷ 2 = 8 pints.
Question 2
Which of the following medications should not be prescribed to a patient with
congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Spironolactone
B. Ibuprofen
C. Atenolol
D. Both A and C
Answer: B
Explanation: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can worsen CHF by causing sodium and
water retention and increasing vascular resistance, increasing cardiac workload.
Question 3
Nursing responsibilities for a patient taking Wellbutrin include:
A. Teach the patient about side effects
B. Teach about seizure risk with higher doses
C. Teach the patient to take medication only as prescribed
D. All of the above
Answer: D
,Explanation: Nurses should educate on side effects, seizure risks, and
adherence to prescribed dosing for safe and effective therapy.
Question 4
Which common cell-stimulating medication cannot be administered IV?
A. Proleukin
B. Ontak
C. Kineret
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: Kineret (anakinra) is administered subcutaneously, while
Proleukin and Ontak can be given IV.
Question 5
Which medication categories are used for managing IBS?
A. Serotonin 5-HT receptor antagonists or agonists
B. Anticholinergics
C. Chloride-channel activators
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: IBS management may involve 5-HT receptor drugs,
anticholinergics to reduce spasms, and chloride-channel activators for
constipation.
Question 6
The role of nurses in a potential bioterrorist event includes:
A. Resources
B. Education
C. Planning
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Nurses support community preparedness through education,
resource management, planning, and direct care.
Question 7
Infants with a cold can be treated with saline via bulb syringe. Which preparation
,is correct?
A. 1/2 tsp salt to 8 oz water
B. 1/4 tsp salt to 4 oz water
C. 1/2 tsp salt to 4 oz water
D. 1/4 tsp salt to 8 oz water
Answer: D
Explanation: A gentle solution for infants is 1/4 tsp non-iodized salt in 8 oz
water to clear nasal passages safely.
Question 8
In which year was APAP (acetaminophen) first used?
A. 1963
B. 1893
C. 1887
D. 1933
Answer: B
Explanation: Acetaminophen was first clinically used in 1893 as a safer
analgesic alternative to aspirin.
Question 9
The adverse effects of progestins could include all except:
A. Dysmenorrhea
B. Depression
C. Gallbladder disease
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: C
Explanation: Progestins can cause menstrual changes and mood effects but
are not commonly linked to gallbladder disease.
Question 10
1 ml would equal how many drops (gtt)?
A. 10 gtts
B. 15–16 gtts
C. 5 gtts
D. 30–35 gtts
Answer: B
, Explanation: Standard conversion: 1 ml ≈ 15–16 drops, depending on the
dropper size.
Question 11
Which medication is commonly used as a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
Answer: B
Explanation: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it
quickly reverses airway constriction, hypotension, and shock.
Question 12
A patient taking digoxin should be monitored for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, which can
cause arrhythmias and nausea.
Question 13
Which class of drugs is used to treat hypertension by reducing heart rate and
contractility?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Calcium-channel blockers
D. Diuretics
Answer: B
Explanation: Beta-blockers decrease heart rate and myocardial contractility,
lowering blood pressure and cardiac workload.
Question 14
Which lab value should be monitored closely in a patient on heparin therapy?
Latest Version 6.0 Actual Exam
Questions with Answers & Explanations
2026-2028| PDF
Question 1
One gallon would equal 128 fluid ounces, 16 cups, _____ pints, and 4 quarts.
A. 16
B. 8
C. 10
D. 6
Answer: B
Explanation: A gallon is equal to 128 fluid ounces, 16 cups, 8 pints, and 4
quarts. Since 1 pint = 2 cups, 16 ÷ 2 = 8 pints.
Question 2
Which of the following medications should not be prescribed to a patient with
congestive heart failure (CHF)?
A. Spironolactone
B. Ibuprofen
C. Atenolol
D. Both A and C
Answer: B
Explanation: NSAIDs like ibuprofen can worsen CHF by causing sodium and
water retention and increasing vascular resistance, increasing cardiac workload.
Question 3
Nursing responsibilities for a patient taking Wellbutrin include:
A. Teach the patient about side effects
B. Teach about seizure risk with higher doses
C. Teach the patient to take medication only as prescribed
D. All of the above
Answer: D
,Explanation: Nurses should educate on side effects, seizure risks, and
adherence to prescribed dosing for safe and effective therapy.
Question 4
Which common cell-stimulating medication cannot be administered IV?
A. Proleukin
B. Ontak
C. Kineret
D. None of the above
Answer: C
Explanation: Kineret (anakinra) is administered subcutaneously, while
Proleukin and Ontak can be given IV.
Question 5
Which medication categories are used for managing IBS?
A. Serotonin 5-HT receptor antagonists or agonists
B. Anticholinergics
C. Chloride-channel activators
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: IBS management may involve 5-HT receptor drugs,
anticholinergics to reduce spasms, and chloride-channel activators for
constipation.
Question 6
The role of nurses in a potential bioterrorist event includes:
A. Resources
B. Education
C. Planning
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Explanation: Nurses support community preparedness through education,
resource management, planning, and direct care.
Question 7
Infants with a cold can be treated with saline via bulb syringe. Which preparation
,is correct?
A. 1/2 tsp salt to 8 oz water
B. 1/4 tsp salt to 4 oz water
C. 1/2 tsp salt to 4 oz water
D. 1/4 tsp salt to 8 oz water
Answer: D
Explanation: A gentle solution for infants is 1/4 tsp non-iodized salt in 8 oz
water to clear nasal passages safely.
Question 8
In which year was APAP (acetaminophen) first used?
A. 1963
B. 1893
C. 1887
D. 1933
Answer: B
Explanation: Acetaminophen was first clinically used in 1893 as a safer
analgesic alternative to aspirin.
Question 9
The adverse effects of progestins could include all except:
A. Dysmenorrhea
B. Depression
C. Gallbladder disease
D. Amenorrhea
Answer: C
Explanation: Progestins can cause menstrual changes and mood effects but
are not commonly linked to gallbladder disease.
Question 10
1 ml would equal how many drops (gtt)?
A. 10 gtts
B. 15–16 gtts
C. 5 gtts
D. 30–35 gtts
Answer: B
, Explanation: Standard conversion: 1 ml ≈ 15–16 drops, depending on the
dropper size.
Question 11
Which medication is commonly used as a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A. Diphenhydramine
B. Epinephrine
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
Answer: B
Explanation: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it
quickly reverses airway constriction, hypotension, and shock.
Question 12
A patient taking digoxin should be monitored for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypertension
D. Bradycardia
Answer: A
Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity, which can
cause arrhythmias and nausea.
Question 13
Which class of drugs is used to treat hypertension by reducing heart rate and
contractility?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Calcium-channel blockers
D. Diuretics
Answer: B
Explanation: Beta-blockers decrease heart rate and myocardial contractility,
lowering blood pressure and cardiac workload.
Question 14
Which lab value should be monitored closely in a patient on heparin therapy?
