NR 293 Pharmacology Week 6 Practice Quiz 2026 |Chamberlain
College
1. A patient with acute asthma symptoms is prescribed a medication for
immediate relief. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Salmeterol
B. Theophylline
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler for
acute bronchospasm. Salmeterol and Montelukast are for maintenance, and Theophylline is
a methylxanthine used for chronic control.
2. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving IV Theophylline. Which serum
level would indicate the patient is within the therapeutic range?
A. 5 mcg/mL
B. 25 mcg/mL
C. 15 mcg/mL
D. 40 mcg/mL
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL are considered toxic.
,3. Which instruction is most important for a patient using a Beclomethasone
inhaler?
A. Take the medication only when feeling short of breath.
B. Rinse your mouth with water after each use.
C. Limit fluid intake while taking this medication.
D. Use a spacer only if you have difficulty coordinating breaths.
Answer: B
Rationale: Beclomethasone is a corticosteroid; rinsing the mouth after use prevents the
development of oral candidiasis (thrush).
4. A patient is prescribed Ipratropium for COPD. What is the primary mechanism
of action for this drug?
A. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors
B. Inhibition of leukotriene receptors
C. Blocking of cholinergic receptors
D. Suppression of the inflammatory response
Answer: C
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication that blocks cholinergic receptors,
leading to bronchodilation.
5. A patient asks when they should take their prescribed Montelukast. What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. Take it 30 minutes before exercise.
B. Take it at the first sign of an asthma attack.
C. Take it once daily in the evening.
D. Take it every 4 hours as needed for wheezing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Montelukast is typically taken once daily in the evening to maintain therapeutic
levels for asthma and allergic rhinitis.
, 6. Which adverse effect is most common with the use of inhaled Tiotropium?
A. Diarrhea
B. Dry mouth
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Tiotropium is an anticholinergic. Common side effects include dry mouth,
blurred vision, and urinary retention.
7. A patient is taking Guaifenesin for a productive cough. Which nursing
instruction is essential?
A. Decrease fluid intake to thicken secretions.
B. Avoid coughing to prevent throat irritation.
C. Take the medication with a sedative to aid sleep.
D. Increase fluid intake to help thin secretions.
Answer: D
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant; increasing fluid intake helps to thin secretions,
making them easier to expectorate.
8. What is the primary indication for the use of Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) in a
respiratory context?
A. To suppress a dry, hacking cough
B. To liquefy and loosen thick mucus secretions
C. To provide rapid bronchodilation
D. To reduce systemic inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic that breaks down the chemical structure of mucus
molecules, making it useful in conditions like cystic fibrosis.
College
1. A patient with acute asthma symptoms is prescribed a medication for
immediate relief. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
A. Salmeterol
B. Theophylline
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a Short-Acting Beta Agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler for
acute bronchospasm. Salmeterol and Montelukast are for maintenance, and Theophylline is
a methylxanthine used for chronic control.
2. The nurse is monitoring a patient receiving IV Theophylline. Which serum
level would indicate the patient is within the therapeutic range?
A. 5 mcg/mL
B. 25 mcg/mL
C. 15 mcg/mL
D. 40 mcg/mL
Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
mcg/mL are considered toxic.
,3. Which instruction is most important for a patient using a Beclomethasone
inhaler?
A. Take the medication only when feeling short of breath.
B. Rinse your mouth with water after each use.
C. Limit fluid intake while taking this medication.
D. Use a spacer only if you have difficulty coordinating breaths.
Answer: B
Rationale: Beclomethasone is a corticosteroid; rinsing the mouth after use prevents the
development of oral candidiasis (thrush).
4. A patient is prescribed Ipratropium for COPD. What is the primary mechanism
of action for this drug?
A. Stimulation of beta-2 receptors
B. Inhibition of leukotriene receptors
C. Blocking of cholinergic receptors
D. Suppression of the inflammatory response
Answer: C
Rationale: Ipratropium is an anticholinergic medication that blocks cholinergic receptors,
leading to bronchodilation.
5. A patient asks when they should take their prescribed Montelukast. What is
the nurse’s best response?
A. Take it 30 minutes before exercise.
B. Take it at the first sign of an asthma attack.
C. Take it once daily in the evening.
D. Take it every 4 hours as needed for wheezing.
Answer: C
Rationale: Montelukast is typically taken once daily in the evening to maintain therapeutic
levels for asthma and allergic rhinitis.
, 6. Which adverse effect is most common with the use of inhaled Tiotropium?
A. Diarrhea
B. Dry mouth
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B
Rationale: Tiotropium is an anticholinergic. Common side effects include dry mouth,
blurred vision, and urinary retention.
7. A patient is taking Guaifenesin for a productive cough. Which nursing
instruction is essential?
A. Decrease fluid intake to thicken secretions.
B. Avoid coughing to prevent throat irritation.
C. Take the medication with a sedative to aid sleep.
D. Increase fluid intake to help thin secretions.
Answer: D
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant; increasing fluid intake helps to thin secretions,
making them easier to expectorate.
8. What is the primary indication for the use of Acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) in a
respiratory context?
A. To suppress a dry, hacking cough
B. To liquefy and loosen thick mucus secretions
C. To provide rapid bronchodilation
D. To reduce systemic inflammation
Answer: B
Rationale: Acetylcysteine is a mucolytic that breaks down the chemical structure of mucus
molecules, making it useful in conditions like cystic fibrosis.
