NUR 210 | Principles of Pharmacology | Exam 8 Prep 2026 |Galen
College
1. A patient is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which serum level would
the nurse recognize as being within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. Which of the following is the priority nursing assessment before
administering a dose of Digoxin?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds
C. Check the patient’s blood pressure
D. Check the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an
adult; hence, a full minute assessment is required.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about Warfarin. Which vitamin should the
patient maintain a consistent intake of to avoid interfering with the
medication’s effect?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for Warfarin and antagonizes its effects. Patients
should keep their intake consistent to maintain stable INR levels.
4. Which medication is commonly used as a rescue inhaler for acute
bronchospasm?
A. Fluticasone
B. Salmeterol
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for rapid relief of asthma
symptoms. Salmeterol is long-acting and not for rescue use.
5. A patient taking an ACE inhibitor, such as Lisinopril, develops a dry, non-
productive cough. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Advise the patient to take a cough suppressant
B. Notify the provider, as the medication may need to be changed
C. Tell the patient this is a normal side effect that will go away
D. Instruct the patient to double their fluid intake
Answer: B
, Rationale: The ‘ACE cough’ is a common side effect due to bradykinin accumulation. It
often requires switching the patient to an ARB.
6. When administering Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain, how many
doses can be given before calling 911?
A. Five doses
B. Two doses
C. Three doses
D. One dose
Answer: D
Rationale: Current guidelines suggest if the pain is not relieved or worsens after the first
dose, the patient should call 911 before taking subsequent doses.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in treating Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing insulin sensitivity
B. Increasing glucose production in the liver
C. Stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin
D. Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helps cells
become more sensitive to insulin.
8. Which lab value must be monitored closely for a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: B
College
1. A patient is prescribed lithium for bipolar disorder. Which serum level would
the nurse recognize as being within the therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 to 0.5 mEq/L
B. 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L
C. 1.5 to 2.0 mEq/L
D. 2.5 to 3.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Rationale: The standard therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
mEq/L are considered toxic.
2. Which of the following is the priority nursing assessment before
administering a dose of Digoxin?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Assess the radial pulse for 30 seconds
C. Check the patient’s blood pressure
D. Check the patient’s respiratory rate
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin should be held if the apical pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an
adult; hence, a full minute assessment is required.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about Warfarin. Which vitamin should the
patient maintain a consistent intake of to avoid interfering with the
medication’s effect?
A. Vitamin C
B. Vitamin D
C. Vitamin B12
D. Vitamin K
Answer: D
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for Warfarin and antagonizes its effects. Patients
should keep their intake consistent to maintain stable INR levels.
4. Which medication is commonly used as a rescue inhaler for acute
bronchospasm?
A. Fluticasone
B. Salmeterol
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for rapid relief of asthma
symptoms. Salmeterol is long-acting and not for rescue use.
5. A patient taking an ACE inhibitor, such as Lisinopril, develops a dry, non-
productive cough. What is the nurse’s best action?
A. Advise the patient to take a cough suppressant
B. Notify the provider, as the medication may need to be changed
C. Tell the patient this is a normal side effect that will go away
D. Instruct the patient to double their fluid intake
Answer: B
, Rationale: The ‘ACE cough’ is a common side effect due to bradykinin accumulation. It
often requires switching the patient to an ARB.
6. When administering Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain, how many
doses can be given before calling 911?
A. Five doses
B. Two doses
C. Three doses
D. One dose
Answer: D
Rationale: Current guidelines suggest if the pain is not relieved or worsens after the first
dose, the patient should call 911 before taking subsequent doses.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in treating Type 2
Diabetes?
A. Decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing insulin sensitivity
B. Increasing glucose production in the liver
C. Stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin
D. Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin reduces the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helps cells
become more sensitive to insulin.
8. Which lab value must be monitored closely for a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Calcium
D. Serum Magnesium
Answer: B
