NSG 533 Advanced Pharmacology Exam Actual
Questions & Answers via Examplify latest update
2025/2026 Chamberlain University
Antacid
Condition: GERD
Medication (Generic): Calcium carbonate
Mechanism of Action: Neutralizes gastric acid
AE: Constipation (Ca/Al), diarrhea (Mg), kidney stones
Interactions: decreases absorption of tetracyclines, furoquinolones,
levothyroxine)
Contraindication: severe renal impairment (mg, al accumulation)
Mon/counsel: seperate other meds 2-4hrs. watch for rebound
Adult Dose: 500-1000 mg
PRN | Duration: PRN
Alginic acid
Condition: GERD, Postprandial reflux
Medication (Generic): Alginic acid + antacid
,Mechanism of Action: Forms raft barrier
AE: Bloating, nausea
Interactions: similar to antacids
Contraindications: ^ Na load in HF/HTN (product specific)
Mon/counsel: best after meals/bedtime. Forms barrier for refluc
Adult Dose: Per label | Duration: PRN Key
H2 receptor antagonist
Condition: GERD, Mild/nocturnal GERD
Medication (Generic): Famotidine/Cimetidine
Mechanism of Action: Blocks H2 receptors
AE: headache, diarrhea
Interactions: cimetidine=CYP nightmare
Contraindications: renal impairment-dose adjustment
Mon/Counsel: Take at night for nocturnal symptoms; avoid cimetidine if
polypharmacy.
Adult Dose: 20 mg BID | Duration: 4-8 wks
Proton pump inhibitor
Condition: GERD
Sulfonylureas
,Examples: Glipizide; Glyburide; Glimepiride
Memory: “GLIP-GLY-GLIME make insulin GO”
early T2DM
A1C: 1-1.5%
Mechanism of action: Memory trick:“Sulfonylureas FORCE insulin out”
Close ATP-sensitive potassium (K⁺) channels on pancreatic β-cells
→ Membrane depolarization
→ Calcium influx
→ Insulin release
Adverse effects: Hypoglycemia; weight gain
Drug interactions: Alcohol → ↑ hypoglycemia
Beta-blockers → mask hypoglycemia symptoms
NSAIDs, sulfonamides → ↑ hypoglycemia
Insulin → additive hypoglycemia
Contraindications: Type 1 diabetes Pregnancy Elderly
patients Renal or hepatic impairment→ Avoid glyburide (highest
hypoglycemia risk)
Monitoring: Glucose logs; A1C; hypoglycemia episodes | Patient counseling: Take
with meals; do not skip meals; know 15-15 hypoglycemia rule.
Meglitinides
Examples: Repaglinide; Nateglinide
post prandial glucose decrease (pts with irregular scheds)
Mechanism of action: Short-acting insulin secretagogues
Memory: “MEG-a MEAL insulin”
Close ATP-dependent K⁺ channels on pancreatic β-cells
, → Cell depolarization
→ Ca²⁺ influx
→ Insulin release
Adverse effects: Hypoglycemia; weight gain
Drug interactions: Gemfibrozil ↑ repaglinide levels
Contraindications: Hepatic impairment; gemfibrozil use, Type 1
diabetes Pregnancy
Monitoring: A1C; glucose logs | Patient counseling: Take before meals; skip dose
if skipping meal.
TZDs (Thiazolidinediones)
Examples: Pioglitazone; Rosiglitazone
Memory: “TZDs make TISSUES respond”
A1C: 0.8-1.5%
helps insulin work better
Mechanism of action: Activate PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor-gamma)
↑ insulin sensitivity in:
Adipose tissue
Skeletal muscle
Liver
↓ hepatic glucose production
Do NOT stimulate insulin secretion
Memory trick: “TZDs Turn cells Zensitive to insulin”
Adverse effects: Weight gain; edema, HF^
Drug interactions: Insulin ↑ HF risk, BC= decreased effectiveness
Questions & Answers via Examplify latest update
2025/2026 Chamberlain University
Antacid
Condition: GERD
Medication (Generic): Calcium carbonate
Mechanism of Action: Neutralizes gastric acid
AE: Constipation (Ca/Al), diarrhea (Mg), kidney stones
Interactions: decreases absorption of tetracyclines, furoquinolones,
levothyroxine)
Contraindication: severe renal impairment (mg, al accumulation)
Mon/counsel: seperate other meds 2-4hrs. watch for rebound
Adult Dose: 500-1000 mg
PRN | Duration: PRN
Alginic acid
Condition: GERD, Postprandial reflux
Medication (Generic): Alginic acid + antacid
,Mechanism of Action: Forms raft barrier
AE: Bloating, nausea
Interactions: similar to antacids
Contraindications: ^ Na load in HF/HTN (product specific)
Mon/counsel: best after meals/bedtime. Forms barrier for refluc
Adult Dose: Per label | Duration: PRN Key
H2 receptor antagonist
Condition: GERD, Mild/nocturnal GERD
Medication (Generic): Famotidine/Cimetidine
Mechanism of Action: Blocks H2 receptors
AE: headache, diarrhea
Interactions: cimetidine=CYP nightmare
Contraindications: renal impairment-dose adjustment
Mon/Counsel: Take at night for nocturnal symptoms; avoid cimetidine if
polypharmacy.
Adult Dose: 20 mg BID | Duration: 4-8 wks
Proton pump inhibitor
Condition: GERD
Sulfonylureas
,Examples: Glipizide; Glyburide; Glimepiride
Memory: “GLIP-GLY-GLIME make insulin GO”
early T2DM
A1C: 1-1.5%
Mechanism of action: Memory trick:“Sulfonylureas FORCE insulin out”
Close ATP-sensitive potassium (K⁺) channels on pancreatic β-cells
→ Membrane depolarization
→ Calcium influx
→ Insulin release
Adverse effects: Hypoglycemia; weight gain
Drug interactions: Alcohol → ↑ hypoglycemia
Beta-blockers → mask hypoglycemia symptoms
NSAIDs, sulfonamides → ↑ hypoglycemia
Insulin → additive hypoglycemia
Contraindications: Type 1 diabetes Pregnancy Elderly
patients Renal or hepatic impairment→ Avoid glyburide (highest
hypoglycemia risk)
Monitoring: Glucose logs; A1C; hypoglycemia episodes | Patient counseling: Take
with meals; do not skip meals; know 15-15 hypoglycemia rule.
Meglitinides
Examples: Repaglinide; Nateglinide
post prandial glucose decrease (pts with irregular scheds)
Mechanism of action: Short-acting insulin secretagogues
Memory: “MEG-a MEAL insulin”
Close ATP-dependent K⁺ channels on pancreatic β-cells
, → Cell depolarization
→ Ca²⁺ influx
→ Insulin release
Adverse effects: Hypoglycemia; weight gain
Drug interactions: Gemfibrozil ↑ repaglinide levels
Contraindications: Hepatic impairment; gemfibrozil use, Type 1
diabetes Pregnancy
Monitoring: A1C; glucose logs | Patient counseling: Take before meals; skip dose
if skipping meal.
TZDs (Thiazolidinediones)
Examples: Pioglitazone; Rosiglitazone
Memory: “TZDs make TISSUES respond”
A1C: 0.8-1.5%
helps insulin work better
Mechanism of action: Activate PPAR-γ (peroxisome proliferator-activated
receptor-gamma)
↑ insulin sensitivity in:
Adipose tissue
Skeletal muscle
Liver
↓ hepatic glucose production
Do NOT stimulate insulin secretion
Memory trick: “TZDs Turn cells Zensitive to insulin”
Adverse effects: Weight gain; edema, HF^
Drug interactions: Insulin ↑ HF risk, BC= decreased effectiveness
