NR 293 Pharmacology Week 7 Study Guide 2026 |Chamberlain College
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro insulin. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before a meal
C. Immediately after eating
D. At bedtime
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes; therefore, it
should be administered within 15 minutes of a meal.
2. Which of the following is a key teaching point for a patient starting
Metformin?
A. Expect significant weight gain
B. Discontinue use 48 hours before a CT scan with contrast
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
D. Monitor for signs of hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held 48 hours before and after procedures involving iodine-
based contrast dye to prevent acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. I should take this with my breakfast every day
B. I will take this on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. I can stop taking this once my energy levels return
D. This medication works immediately to cure my condition
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning, 30 to 60 minutes before food.
4. What is the priority assessment for a patient receiving Desmopressin for
Diabetes Insipidus?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Inspiratory wheezing
C. Fluid intake and urine output
D. Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH; the nurse must monitor for water
intoxication and ensure the patient’s output decreases while fluid balance is maintained.
5. A patient is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse should monitor for
which serious adverse effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Polyuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cells). Patients
should be taught to report a sore throat or fever immediately.
, 6. When mixing NPH and regular insulin in one syringe, which step is correct?
A. Draw up the NPH (cloudy) before the regular (clear)
B. Draw up the regular (clear) before the NPH (cloudy)
C. Shake both vials vigorously before drawing
D. Draw them in separate syringes and then combine them
Answer: B
Rationale: To prevent contaminating the short-acting (clear) insulin with the long-acting
(cloudy) protein, the clear insulin is drawn first (Clear before Cloudy).
7. A patient on long-term Prednisone therapy is at risk for which condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Osteoporosis
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone inhibit bone formation and lead to calcium loss,
increasing the risk for osteoporosis.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action of Glipizide?
A. Increases glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. Decreases hepatic glucose production
C. Increases insulin sensitivity in the muscles
D. Stimulates the pancreas to release insulin
Answer: D
Rationale: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that works by stimulating the beta cells of the
pancreas to secrete more insulin.
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro insulin. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before a meal
C. Immediately after eating
D. At bedtime
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes; therefore, it
should be administered within 15 minutes of a meal.
2. Which of the following is a key teaching point for a patient starting
Metformin?
A. Expect significant weight gain
B. Discontinue use 48 hours before a CT scan with contrast
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach
D. Monitor for signs of hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held 48 hours before and after procedures involving iodine-
based contrast dye to prevent acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
,3. A nurse is teaching a patient about Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. I should take this with my breakfast every day
B. I will take this on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast
C. I can stop taking this once my energy levels return
D. This medication works immediately to cure my condition
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach in the
morning, 30 to 60 minutes before food.
4. What is the priority assessment for a patient receiving Desmopressin for
Diabetes Insipidus?
A. Blood glucose levels
B. Inspiratory wheezing
C. Fluid intake and urine output
D. Deep tendon reflexes
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH; the nurse must monitor for water
intoxication and ensure the patient’s output decreases while fluid balance is maintained.
5. A patient is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse should monitor for
which serious adverse effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Polyuria
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cells). Patients
should be taught to report a sore throat or fever immediately.
, 6. When mixing NPH and regular insulin in one syringe, which step is correct?
A. Draw up the NPH (cloudy) before the regular (clear)
B. Draw up the regular (clear) before the NPH (cloudy)
C. Shake both vials vigorously before drawing
D. Draw them in separate syringes and then combine them
Answer: B
Rationale: To prevent contaminating the short-acting (clear) insulin with the long-acting
(cloudy) protein, the clear insulin is drawn first (Clear before Cloudy).
7. A patient on long-term Prednisone therapy is at risk for which condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hypotension
C. Osteoporosis
D. Weight loss
Answer: C
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone inhibit bone formation and lead to calcium loss,
increasing the risk for osteoporosis.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action of Glipizide?
A. Increases glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. Decreases hepatic glucose production
C. Increases insulin sensitivity in the muscles
D. Stimulates the pancreas to release insulin
Answer: D
Rationale: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that works by stimulating the beta cells of the
pancreas to secrete more insulin.
