NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology Week 9 Study Guide 2026 |Galen
College
1. A patient is prescribed Insulin Lispro (Humalog). At what time should the
nurse instruct the patient to administer this medication?
A. Within 15 minutes of eating
B. Immediately after finishing a meal
C. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
D. Two hours after the largest meal of the day
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
administered within 15 minutes of a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of the biguanide metformin
(Glucophage)?
A. Gastrointestinal distress
B. Weight gain
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Fluid retention
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes GI side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Unlike
sulfonylureas, it does not typically cause hypoglycemia or weight gain.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the administration of Levothyroxine
(Synthroid). Which instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication in the morning on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
C. Take the medication with a full meal to increase absorption.
D. Only take the medication if symptoms of hypothyroidism are present.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before
breakfast, to ensure optimal and consistent absorption.
4. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely in a patient
receiving high-dose corticosteroid therapy?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Glucose
C. Serum Sodium
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia (elevated glucose), hypernatremia
(elevated sodium), and hypokalemia (low potassium) due to their mineralocorticoid and
glucocorticoid effects.
5. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast.
Which medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
, Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast media
administration to prevent the risk of acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
6. What is the mechanism of action for Sulfonylureas such as Glipizide?
A. Stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin
B. Increases insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissues
C. Delays the absorption of glucose in the small intestine
D. Suppresses hepatic glucose production
Answer: A
Rationale: Sulfonylureas work by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to release more
insulin.
7. Which of the following is a characteristic of NPH insulin?
A. It is clear in appearance.
B. It can be administered intravenously.
C. It has a peak effect between 4 and 12 hours.
D. It is a rapid-acting insulin.
Answer: C
Rationale: NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin, which is cloudy and has a peak effect
usually occurring between 4 to 12 hours after injection.
8. A patient is receiving Propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse should monitor for
which serious adverse effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Renal failure
C. Hepatotoxicity
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU carries a black box warning for severe liver injury and acute liver failure.
College
1. A patient is prescribed Insulin Lispro (Humalog). At what time should the
nurse instruct the patient to administer this medication?
A. Within 15 minutes of eating
B. Immediately after finishing a meal
C. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
D. Two hours after the largest meal of the day
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
administered within 15 minutes of a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of the biguanide metformin
(Glucophage)?
A. Gastrointestinal distress
B. Weight gain
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Fluid retention
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes GI side effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Unlike
sulfonylureas, it does not typically cause hypoglycemia or weight gain.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the administration of Levothyroxine
(Synthroid). Which instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication in the morning on an empty stomach.
B. Take the medication at bedtime with a glass of milk.
C. Take the medication with a full meal to increase absorption.
D. Only take the medication if symptoms of hypothyroidism are present.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before
breakfast, to ensure optimal and consistent absorption.
4. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely in a patient
receiving high-dose corticosteroid therapy?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Glucose
C. Serum Sodium
D. All of the above
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids can cause hyperglycemia (elevated glucose), hypernatremia
(elevated sodium), and hypokalemia (low potassium) due to their mineralocorticoid and
glucocorticoid effects.
5. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast.
Which medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Metformin
B. Glyburide
C. Pioglitazone
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: A
, Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast media
administration to prevent the risk of acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
6. What is the mechanism of action for Sulfonylureas such as Glipizide?
A. Stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin
B. Increases insulin sensitivity in the peripheral tissues
C. Delays the absorption of glucose in the small intestine
D. Suppresses hepatic glucose production
Answer: A
Rationale: Sulfonylureas work by stimulating the beta cells of the pancreas to release more
insulin.
7. Which of the following is a characteristic of NPH insulin?
A. It is clear in appearance.
B. It can be administered intravenously.
C. It has a peak effect between 4 and 12 hours.
D. It is a rapid-acting insulin.
Answer: C
Rationale: NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin, which is cloudy and has a peak effect
usually occurring between 4 to 12 hours after injection.
8. A patient is receiving Propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse should monitor for
which serious adverse effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Renal failure
C. Hepatotoxicity
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU carries a black box warning for severe liver injury and acute liver failure.
