NUR 210 | Principles of Pharmacology | Exam 5 Prep 2026 |Galen
College
1. A patient is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the
following serum lithium levels is within the therapeutic range for maintenance?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic maintenance level for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above
1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an
MAOI). Which food should the patient be instructed to avoid?
A. Fresh green beans
B. Apple juice
C. Baked chicken
D. Cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Aged cheeses like cheddar contain tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive
crisis in patients taking MAOIs.
,3. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize in a patient taking
Clozapine?
A. Weight gain of 2 lbs in a week
B. Drowsiness in the afternoon
C. Sore throat and fever
D. Increased salivation
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis. A sore throat and fever could
indicate a dangerously low white blood cell count.
4. A patient taking Fluoxetine (an SSRI) for depression reports feeling confused,
agitated, and has a temperature of 102.4 F. What is the most likely cause?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Extrapyramidal Symptoms
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome symptoms include agitation, confusion, fever, and
tachycardia, often occurring within hours of medication changes or additions.
5. A patient is experiencing acute dystonia after the first dose of Haloperidol.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Risperidone
D. Dantrolene
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat acute dystonic reactions and
other extrapyramidal symptoms caused by antipsychotics.
, 6. What is the antidote for a Benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil is the specific reversal agent for benzodiazepine toxicity.
7. A patient is prescribed Amitriptyline (a TCA). The nurse should educate the
patient to expect which side effect?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Frequent urination
C. Excessive tearing
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have strong anticholinergic effects, including
dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
8. Which lab value must be monitored closely for a patient taking Valproic acid
for seizures?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Amylase
Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; therefore, liver function tests must be
monitored regularly.
College
1. A patient is prescribed lithium carbonate for bipolar disorder. Which of the
following serum lithium levels is within the therapeutic range for maintenance?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
D. 0.6 - 1.2 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic maintenance level for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above
1.5 mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for Phenelzine (an
MAOI). Which food should the patient be instructed to avoid?
A. Fresh green beans
B. Apple juice
C. Baked chicken
D. Cheddar cheese
Answer: D
Rationale: Aged cheeses like cheddar contain tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive
crisis in patients taking MAOIs.
,3. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize in a patient taking
Clozapine?
A. Weight gain of 2 lbs in a week
B. Drowsiness in the afternoon
C. Sore throat and fever
D. Increased salivation
Answer: C
Rationale: Clozapine carries a risk for agranulocytosis. A sore throat and fever could
indicate a dangerously low white blood cell count.
4. A patient taking Fluoxetine (an SSRI) for depression reports feeling confused,
agitated, and has a temperature of 102.4 F. What is the most likely cause?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
C. Extrapyramidal Symptoms
D. Hypertensive Crisis
Answer: A
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome symptoms include agitation, confusion, fever, and
tachycardia, often occurring within hours of medication changes or additions.
5. A patient is experiencing acute dystonia after the first dose of Haloperidol.
Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Benztropine
B. Lorazepam
C. Risperidone
D. Dantrolene
Answer: A
Rationale: Benztropine is an anticholinergic used to treat acute dystonic reactions and
other extrapyramidal symptoms caused by antipsychotics.
, 6. What is the antidote for a Benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil is the specific reversal agent for benzodiazepine toxicity.
7. A patient is prescribed Amitriptyline (a TCA). The nurse should educate the
patient to expect which side effect?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Frequent urination
C. Excessive tearing
D. Diarrhea
Answer: A
Rationale: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have strong anticholinergic effects, including
dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.
8. Which lab value must be monitored closely for a patient taking Valproic acid
for seizures?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Liver enzymes (AST/ALT)
C. Thyroid stimulating hormone
D. Amylase
Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; therefore, liver function tests must be
monitored regularly.
