NURSING PHARMACOLOGY DRUGS 2026
EDITION COMPLETE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX-RN
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
reflex tachycardia. It may produce thiocyanate toxicity after prolonged
administration, or cyanide poisoning or excessive hypotension if too rapidly
administered
spironolactone - CORRECT ANSWER-"Aldosterone receptor blocker - shown
to have efficacious effects in treating a patient with heart failure.
succinylcholine - CORRECT ANSWER-Depolarizing Neuromuscular Blocker
(i.e. Noncompetitive NicotinicM Receptor Antagonist)
tetracycline - CORRECT ANSWER-"Static, BROAD. inhibits protein
synthesis.
SEs: hepatotoxic, renal toxic, bone and teeth (yellowing), suprainfections,
GI (take with food), photosensitivity. DDIs: antacids--DO NOT GIVE WITH
ANTACIDS; decreases contraceptive activity
Pregnancy D"
,theophylline - CORRECT ANSWER-Methylxanthine bronchodilator; narrow
therapeutic range, not used anymore mostly
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole - CORRECT ANSWER-bactrim
tolbutamide - CORRECT ANSWER-a sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic that
stimulates release of insulin. Used for insulin deficient patients.
trimethoprim - CORRECT ANSWER-folic acid inhibitor antimicrobial
(static), given with sulfonamide as Bactrim.
valproate - CORRECT ANSWER-drug of choice for rapid cycling bipolar;
increases GABA neurotransmission (inhibitory); targets depressive phase
better than manic
vancomycin - CORRECT ANSWER-Cidal, narrow (G+, MRSA and C. diff.
Binds to cell wall.
SES--KNOW THESE!--Ototoxicity (ear poisoning), red man's syndrome
(allergy marked by flushing, pruritus/skin itch, tachycardia, hypotension;
can be avoided by infusing the med slowly); thrombophlebitis.
venlaflaxine - CORRECT ANSWER-(Effexor, SNRI). Depression or anxiety.
Anticholinergic effects, weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, GI upset.
verapamil - CORRECT ANSWER-CCB, class IV antidysrhythmic that reduces
myocardial contractility. Adverse effects include hypotension and edema;
, and, constipation. DDIs include elevated digoxin levels and increased risks
for effects if combined with beta blockers.
warfarin - CORRECT ANSWER-(PO) vitamin K antagonist; indirect inhibitor
of coagulation, effects monitored by PT/INR (prothrombin
time/international normalized ratio). INR of 2 - 3 appropriate for most
patients. Preg Cat X. overdose tx: vit. K
zidovudine (AZT) - CORRECT ANSWER-"Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase
Inhibitor (NRTIs) that inhibits HIV replication. Adverse effects include
Anemia, Neutropenia, Lactic acidosis, Gastrointestinal effects, and CNS
effects.
Levodopa - CORRECT ANSWER-dopamine receptor agonist; counteracts
FGA; antiparkinson's drug
Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Pramipexole - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Amantadine - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Benztropine - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's anticholinergic
Mannitol - CORRECT ANSWER-osmotic diuretic; promotes diuresis by
creating an osmotic force within the lumen of the nephron; preserves urine
flow; reduces ICP; lowers intraocular pressure; may cause edema
EDITION COMPLETE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX-RN
PHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
reflex tachycardia. It may produce thiocyanate toxicity after prolonged
administration, or cyanide poisoning or excessive hypotension if too rapidly
administered
spironolactone - CORRECT ANSWER-"Aldosterone receptor blocker - shown
to have efficacious effects in treating a patient with heart failure.
succinylcholine - CORRECT ANSWER-Depolarizing Neuromuscular Blocker
(i.e. Noncompetitive NicotinicM Receptor Antagonist)
tetracycline - CORRECT ANSWER-"Static, BROAD. inhibits protein
synthesis.
SEs: hepatotoxic, renal toxic, bone and teeth (yellowing), suprainfections,
GI (take with food), photosensitivity. DDIs: antacids--DO NOT GIVE WITH
ANTACIDS; decreases contraceptive activity
Pregnancy D"
,theophylline - CORRECT ANSWER-Methylxanthine bronchodilator; narrow
therapeutic range, not used anymore mostly
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole - CORRECT ANSWER-bactrim
tolbutamide - CORRECT ANSWER-a sulfonylurea oral hypoglycemic that
stimulates release of insulin. Used for insulin deficient patients.
trimethoprim - CORRECT ANSWER-folic acid inhibitor antimicrobial
(static), given with sulfonamide as Bactrim.
valproate - CORRECT ANSWER-drug of choice for rapid cycling bipolar;
increases GABA neurotransmission (inhibitory); targets depressive phase
better than manic
vancomycin - CORRECT ANSWER-Cidal, narrow (G+, MRSA and C. diff.
Binds to cell wall.
SES--KNOW THESE!--Ototoxicity (ear poisoning), red man's syndrome
(allergy marked by flushing, pruritus/skin itch, tachycardia, hypotension;
can be avoided by infusing the med slowly); thrombophlebitis.
venlaflaxine - CORRECT ANSWER-(Effexor, SNRI). Depression or anxiety.
Anticholinergic effects, weight loss, seizure, insomnia, headache, GI upset.
verapamil - CORRECT ANSWER-CCB, class IV antidysrhythmic that reduces
myocardial contractility. Adverse effects include hypotension and edema;
, and, constipation. DDIs include elevated digoxin levels and increased risks
for effects if combined with beta blockers.
warfarin - CORRECT ANSWER-(PO) vitamin K antagonist; indirect inhibitor
of coagulation, effects monitored by PT/INR (prothrombin
time/international normalized ratio). INR of 2 - 3 appropriate for most
patients. Preg Cat X. overdose tx: vit. K
zidovudine (AZT) - CORRECT ANSWER-"Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase
Inhibitor (NRTIs) that inhibits HIV replication. Adverse effects include
Anemia, Neutropenia, Lactic acidosis, Gastrointestinal effects, and CNS
effects.
Levodopa - CORRECT ANSWER-dopamine receptor agonist; counteracts
FGA; antiparkinson's drug
Carbidopa - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Pramipexole - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Amantadine - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's drug; dopamine agonist
Benztropine - CORRECT ANSWER-antiparkinson's anticholinergic
Mannitol - CORRECT ANSWER-osmotic diuretic; promotes diuresis by
creating an osmotic force within the lumen of the nephron; preserves urine
flow; reduces ICP; lowers intraocular pressure; may cause edema
