NUR2474 Pharmacology Master Review Final
Exam 2026/2027 | Board-Style Questions &
Most Tested Topics | Graded A+
Question 1: The nurse working on a high-acuity medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care
for four patients who were just admitted. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. The NPO patient with a blood glucose level of 80 mg/dL who just received 20
units of 70/30 Novolin insulin
B. The patient with a pulse of 58 beats per minute who is about to receive digoxin
(Lanoxin)
C. The patient with a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg who complains of having a
headache
D. The patient with an allergy to penicillin who is receiving an infusion of vancomycin
(Vancocin)
Answer: A
Rationale: The NPO patient with a blood glucose of 80 mg/dL who just received 20
units of 70/30 insulin is at highest risk for hypoglycemia. The insulin will continue to
lower blood glucose, and the patient is NPO, which increases risk of severe
hypoglycemia. The patient with digoxin (pulse 58) is within normal parameters. The
headache with BP 136/92 is concerning but not emergent. The vancomycin infusion
should be monitored but is not the priority.
Question 2: Which of these situations would cause the nurse to hold a dose of
morphine?
A. The heart rate is above 90 beats per minute
B. The blood pressure is above 140 mm Hg systolic
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute with an oxygen saturation level of
86%
D. The temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius
Answer: C
,Rationale: Morphine is a respiratory depressant. A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
with O₂ saturation of 86% indicates respiratory depression, and the dose should be held.
The provider should be notified. Tachycardia, hypertension, and fever are not
contraindications to morphine.
Question 3: Which of the following statements about the Code of Conduct is true?
A. It is a legal document that must be followed in all situations
B. It serves as a moral guide for military members when isolated or held against
their will
C. It replaces the need for situational awareness
D. It only applies during declared wars
Answer: B
Rationale: The Code of Conduct serves as a moral and ethical guide for military
members when isolated or held against their will by entities hostile to the U.S. It
provides a framework for conduct from isolation through captivity resolution.
Question 4: Which article of the Code of Conduct states "If captured I will continue to
resist by all means available"?
A. Article I
B. Article II
C. Article III
D. Article IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Article III of the Code of Conduct states the obligation to resist by all means
available, continue to resist captivity, and make every effort to escape and aid others to
escape. It also prohibits accepting parole or special favors from the enemy.
Question 5: A patient asks what is meant by "tolerance can occur when taking
anxiolytics." The best response is:
,A. Increased tolerance for medicinal side effects.
B. Greater acceptance of the behaviors of other people when taking the drug.
C. Higher levels of medication are needed to achieve the expected effect.
D. A different anxiolytic is necessary to treat symptoms.
Answer: C
Rationale: Tolerance is the need for higher doses to achieve the same effect over time.
It can occur with benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants. Tolerance does not mean
addiction, though it can be a component of dependence.
Question 6: Pharmacokinetics is the study of:
A. How drugs affect the body
B. The movement of drugs through the body (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)
C. Drug receptor interactions
D. Drug side effects
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement throughout the body,
including the phases of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body.
Question 7: The first-pass effect refers to:
A. The first dose of a medication
B. The initial metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic
circulation
C. The first sign of an adverse drug reaction
D. The initial absorption of a drug from the GI tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect is the initial metabolism of a drug absorbed from the GI
tract in the liver before the drug reaches systemic circulation. This reduces the amount
, of active drug available to produce therapeutic effects. Drugs with high first-pass
metabolism may require higher oral doses or alternative routes (IV, sublingual) to
achieve therapeutic levels.
Question 8: The Six Rights of Medication Administration include: (Select all that apply)
A. Right patient
B. Right medication
C. Right dose
D. Right route
E. Right time
F. Right documentation
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: The Six Rights are: Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation. Additional considerations include Right to
Refuse, Right Education, and Right Assessment/Evaluation.
Question 9: A patient is receiving an IV infusion and develops hives and fever. The
nurse should first:
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Document the finding
Answer: C
Rationale: Hives and fever may indicate an allergic reaction or infusion reaction. The
infusion should be stopped immediately, and the provider notified. The nurse should
also assess the patient's airway and vital signs.
Question 10: What is the difference between a generic and brand name drug?
Exam 2026/2027 | Board-Style Questions &
Most Tested Topics | Graded A+
Question 1: The nurse working on a high-acuity medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care
for four patients who were just admitted. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
A. The NPO patient with a blood glucose level of 80 mg/dL who just received 20
units of 70/30 Novolin insulin
B. The patient with a pulse of 58 beats per minute who is about to receive digoxin
(Lanoxin)
C. The patient with a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg who complains of having a
headache
D. The patient with an allergy to penicillin who is receiving an infusion of vancomycin
(Vancocin)
Answer: A
Rationale: The NPO patient with a blood glucose of 80 mg/dL who just received 20
units of 70/30 insulin is at highest risk for hypoglycemia. The insulin will continue to
lower blood glucose, and the patient is NPO, which increases risk of severe
hypoglycemia. The patient with digoxin (pulse 58) is within normal parameters. The
headache with BP 136/92 is concerning but not emergent. The vancomycin infusion
should be monitored but is not the priority.
Question 2: Which of these situations would cause the nurse to hold a dose of
morphine?
A. The heart rate is above 90 beats per minute
B. The blood pressure is above 140 mm Hg systolic
C. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute with an oxygen saturation level of
86%
D. The temperature is above 38 degrees Celsius
Answer: C
,Rationale: Morphine is a respiratory depressant. A respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
with O₂ saturation of 86% indicates respiratory depression, and the dose should be held.
The provider should be notified. Tachycardia, hypertension, and fever are not
contraindications to morphine.
Question 3: Which of the following statements about the Code of Conduct is true?
A. It is a legal document that must be followed in all situations
B. It serves as a moral guide for military members when isolated or held against
their will
C. It replaces the need for situational awareness
D. It only applies during declared wars
Answer: B
Rationale: The Code of Conduct serves as a moral and ethical guide for military
members when isolated or held against their will by entities hostile to the U.S. It
provides a framework for conduct from isolation through captivity resolution.
Question 4: Which article of the Code of Conduct states "If captured I will continue to
resist by all means available"?
A. Article I
B. Article II
C. Article III
D. Article IV
Answer: C
Rationale: Article III of the Code of Conduct states the obligation to resist by all means
available, continue to resist captivity, and make every effort to escape and aid others to
escape. It also prohibits accepting parole or special favors from the enemy.
Question 5: A patient asks what is meant by "tolerance can occur when taking
anxiolytics." The best response is:
,A. Increased tolerance for medicinal side effects.
B. Greater acceptance of the behaviors of other people when taking the drug.
C. Higher levels of medication are needed to achieve the expected effect.
D. A different anxiolytic is necessary to treat symptoms.
Answer: C
Rationale: Tolerance is the need for higher doses to achieve the same effect over time.
It can occur with benzodiazepines and other CNS depressants. Tolerance does not mean
addiction, though it can be a component of dependence.
Question 6: Pharmacokinetics is the study of:
A. How drugs affect the body
B. The movement of drugs through the body (absorption, distribution,
metabolism, excretion)
C. Drug receptor interactions
D. Drug side effects
Answer: B
Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug movement throughout the body,
including the phases of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME).
Pharmacodynamics is the study of what drugs do to the body.
Question 7: The first-pass effect refers to:
A. The first dose of a medication
B. The initial metabolism of a drug in the liver before it reaches systemic
circulation
C. The first sign of an adverse drug reaction
D. The initial absorption of a drug from the GI tract
Answer: B
Rationale: The first-pass effect is the initial metabolism of a drug absorbed from the GI
tract in the liver before the drug reaches systemic circulation. This reduces the amount
, of active drug available to produce therapeutic effects. Drugs with high first-pass
metabolism may require higher oral doses or alternative routes (IV, sublingual) to
achieve therapeutic levels.
Question 8: The Six Rights of Medication Administration include: (Select all that apply)
A. Right patient
B. Right medication
C. Right dose
D. Right route
E. Right time
F. Right documentation
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F
Rationale: The Six Rights are: Right Patient, Right Medication, Right Dose, Right Route,
Right Time, and Right Documentation. Additional considerations include Right to
Refuse, Right Education, and Right Assessment/Evaluation.
Question 9: A patient is receiving an IV infusion and develops hives and fever. The
nurse should first:
A. Slow the infusion rate
B. Administer diphenhydramine
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Document the finding
Answer: C
Rationale: Hives and fever may indicate an allergic reaction or infusion reaction. The
infusion should be stopped immediately, and the provider notified. The nurse should
also assess the patient's airway and vital signs.
Question 10: What is the difference between a generic and brand name drug?
