NU 150 Final Exam – Pharmacology –
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Galen College of Nursing)
1. A patient takes a medication and develops hives, wheezing, and facial
swelling within minutes. What is the most likely reaction?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Allergic reaction
C. Expected side effect
D. Drug tolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Hives, wheezing, and facial swelling are classic signs of an
allergic reaction and may indicate anaphylaxis.
2. Which route of administration produces the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Rectal
Answer: C
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into the
bloodstream.
3. A medication given sublingually should be:
A. Chewed
B. Swallowed immediately with water
C. Held under the tongue until dissolved
D. Mixed with food
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual drugs are absorbed through the mucosa under the
tongue.
4. Which statement best describes a side effect?
A. A desired therapeutic outcome
, B. An unexpected and rare effect only
C. A predictable secondary effect of a drug
D. A permanent toxic reaction
Answer: C
Rationale: Side effects are known, often predictable secondary effects.
5. What is the most important action before giving any medication?
A. Ask the patient to guess the drug name
B. Verify the medication order and patient identity
C. Check the patient’s family history
D. Offer water first
Answer: B
Rationale: Safe medication administration begins with verifying the order
and identifying the patient.
6. Which is one of the “rights” of medication administration?
A. Right diagnosis
B. Right route
C. Right family
D. Right insurance
Answer: B
Rationale: Route is one of the core medication rights.
7. A patient says, “I take this pill when I remember, not every day.” What is
the best teaching point?
A. Take double doses next time
B. Follow the prescribed schedule consistently
C. Stop the medication if you miss one dose
D. Take it only when symptoms are severe
Answer: B
Rationale: Many medications require consistent dosing to remain effective
and safe.
8. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lung
D. Pancreas
, Answer: B
Rationale: The liver metabolizes many medications.
9. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug excretion?
A. Kidney
B. Brain
C. Skin
D. Spleen
Answer: A
Rationale: The kidneys excrete many drugs and their metabolites.
10.What is the best definition of a therapeutic effect?
A. A harmful drug response
B. The intended beneficial effect of a medication
C. A sign of overdose
D. An allergic response
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic effect is the desired result of treatment.
11.A patient taking an opioid becomes excessively sleepy and has slow
breathing. What is the priority concern?
A. Mild side effect
B. Respiratory depression
C. Drug tolerance
D. Therapeutic effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can suppress respiration, which is life-threatening.
12.Which medication form should not usually be crushed?
A. Extended-release tablet
B. Chewable tablet
C. Oral liquid
D. Sublingual tablet
Answer: A
Rationale: Crushing extended-release tablets can cause rapid release and
toxicity.
13.A patient is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin. Why should it not be crushed?
A. It would taste bitter
B. It would irritate the stomach and lose its protective coating
, C. It would become inactive in the blood
D. It would act too slowly
Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric coating protects the stomach and controls where the drug
dissolves.
14.Which route is best for a medication that must be absorbed quickly but not
as fast as IV?
A. Oral
B. IM
C. Topical
D. Inhaled
Answer: B
Rationale: IM injection is often faster than oral and slower than IV.
15.Before administering insulin, the nurse should check the patient’s:
A. Lung sounds
B. Blood glucose level
C. Skin turgor only
D. Urine color
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin administration depends on current glucose level.
16.Which medication class is commonly used to lower blood pressure by
removing excess fluid?
A. Beta blockers
B. Diuretics
C. Antacids
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
Rationale: Diuretics reduce fluid volume and help lower blood pressure.
17.A patient taking a beta blocker should be monitored for:
A. Tachycardia and hypertension
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia only
D. Fever and rash only
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta blockers can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
(2026) Actual Questions & Answers
(Galen College of Nursing)
1. A patient takes a medication and develops hives, wheezing, and facial
swelling within minutes. What is the most likely reaction?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Allergic reaction
C. Expected side effect
D. Drug tolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Hives, wheezing, and facial swelling are classic signs of an
allergic reaction and may indicate anaphylaxis.
2. Which route of administration produces the fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intravenous
D. Rectal
Answer: C
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into the
bloodstream.
3. A medication given sublingually should be:
A. Chewed
B. Swallowed immediately with water
C. Held under the tongue until dissolved
D. Mixed with food
Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual drugs are absorbed through the mucosa under the
tongue.
4. Which statement best describes a side effect?
A. A desired therapeutic outcome
, B. An unexpected and rare effect only
C. A predictable secondary effect of a drug
D. A permanent toxic reaction
Answer: C
Rationale: Side effects are known, often predictable secondary effects.
5. What is the most important action before giving any medication?
A. Ask the patient to guess the drug name
B. Verify the medication order and patient identity
C. Check the patient’s family history
D. Offer water first
Answer: B
Rationale: Safe medication administration begins with verifying the order
and identifying the patient.
6. Which is one of the “rights” of medication administration?
A. Right diagnosis
B. Right route
C. Right family
D. Right insurance
Answer: B
Rationale: Route is one of the core medication rights.
7. A patient says, “I take this pill when I remember, not every day.” What is
the best teaching point?
A. Take double doses next time
B. Follow the prescribed schedule consistently
C. Stop the medication if you miss one dose
D. Take it only when symptoms are severe
Answer: B
Rationale: Many medications require consistent dosing to remain effective
and safe.
8. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Liver
C. Lung
D. Pancreas
, Answer: B
Rationale: The liver metabolizes many medications.
9. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug excretion?
A. Kidney
B. Brain
C. Skin
D. Spleen
Answer: A
Rationale: The kidneys excrete many drugs and their metabolites.
10.What is the best definition of a therapeutic effect?
A. A harmful drug response
B. The intended beneficial effect of a medication
C. A sign of overdose
D. An allergic response
Answer: B
Rationale: Therapeutic effect is the desired result of treatment.
11.A patient taking an opioid becomes excessively sleepy and has slow
breathing. What is the priority concern?
A. Mild side effect
B. Respiratory depression
C. Drug tolerance
D. Therapeutic effect
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids can suppress respiration, which is life-threatening.
12.Which medication form should not usually be crushed?
A. Extended-release tablet
B. Chewable tablet
C. Oral liquid
D. Sublingual tablet
Answer: A
Rationale: Crushing extended-release tablets can cause rapid release and
toxicity.
13.A patient is prescribed enteric-coated aspirin. Why should it not be crushed?
A. It would taste bitter
B. It would irritate the stomach and lose its protective coating
, C. It would become inactive in the blood
D. It would act too slowly
Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric coating protects the stomach and controls where the drug
dissolves.
14.Which route is best for a medication that must be absorbed quickly but not
as fast as IV?
A. Oral
B. IM
C. Topical
D. Inhaled
Answer: B
Rationale: IM injection is often faster than oral and slower than IV.
15.Before administering insulin, the nurse should check the patient’s:
A. Lung sounds
B. Blood glucose level
C. Skin turgor only
D. Urine color
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin administration depends on current glucose level.
16.Which medication class is commonly used to lower blood pressure by
removing excess fluid?
A. Beta blockers
B. Diuretics
C. Antacids
D. Antihistamines
Answer: B
Rationale: Diuretics reduce fluid volume and help lower blood pressure.
17.A patient taking a beta blocker should be monitored for:
A. Tachycardia and hypertension
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia only
D. Fever and rash only
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta blockers can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
