Galen College NU 150 Exam 3 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Pharmacology Q&A
| Pharmacology
1. A nurse is evaluating a patient who has been taking omeprazole for
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which finding indicates that the
medication has been effective?
A) Decreased bowel sounds
B) The patient reports no gastric reflux or heartburn
C) Increased appetite and weight gain
D) Decreased urination frequency
Correct Answer: The patient reports no gastric reflux or heartburn
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric
acid secretion. The best indicator of effectiveness is symptom relief,
specifically the absence of heartburn and gastric reflux. The other options
are not related to the therapeutic effect of PPIs. PPIs should be taken 30–60
minutes before meals for maximum effectiveness.
2. A patient has been on prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and
now presents with diarrhea and oral thrush. The nurse suspects:
A) An allergic reaction to the antibiotic
B) A superinfection caused by overgrowth of resistant organisms
C) The original infection was viral, not bacterial
D) The patient has developed lactose intolerance
Correct Answer: A superinfection caused by overgrowth of resistant
organisms
Rationale: Prolonged or broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy disrupts normal
flora, allowing resistant organisms such as Clostridioides difficile and Candida
,to overgrow, leading to superinfections. Symptoms include diarrhea (C.
difficile) and oral thrush (Candida). The antibiotic dose was too low is
incorrect, as superinfections are caused by overgrowth of resistant
organisms.
3. A patient is prescribed nitrofurantoin for a urinary tract infection. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset."
B) "I can stop taking this medication when I no longer have burning with
urination."
C) "I should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication."
D) "This medication may cause my urine to turn a brownish color."
Correct Answer: "I can stop taking this medication when I no longer have
burning with urination."
Rationale: Antibiotics should be taken for the full prescribed course, even if
symptoms improve, to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria. Nitrofurantoin is bacteriostatic and may turn urine brownish, which
is harmless. Taking it with food and drinking fluids are appropriate
instructions.
4. The nurse is administering calcium carbonate to a patient. What is a
potential adverse effect of this medication?
A) Hearing loss
B) Kidney stone formation
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypotension
Correct Answer: Kidney stone formation
,Rationale: Excess calcium intake can lead to hypercalcemia and renal calculi
(kidney stones). Patients should maintain adequate hydration and be
monitored for flank pain and hematuria. Hypocalcemia is the opposite of the
intended effect, and hearing loss is not associated with calcium carbonate.
5. A patient is scheduled for surgery and is prescribed an anticholinergic
medication preoperatively. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
A) To decrease respiratory secretions
B) To increase urine output
C) To lower blood pressure
D) To reduce inflammatory response
Correct Answer: To decrease respiratory secretions
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications are used preoperatively to decrease
respiratory secretions and prevent bradycardia during surgery. They block
the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing salivation and bronchial
secretions, which helps maintain a clear airway during anesthesia.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to a 2-year-old child. Which
technique is correct?
A) Pull the auricle up and back
B) Pull the auricle down and back
C) Pull the auricle forward
D) Instill drops without manipulating the ear
Correct Answer: Pull the auricle down and back
, Rationale: In children younger than 3 years, the ear canal is shorter and
angles downward. Pulling the pinna down and back straightens the canal to
allow medication to reach the tympanic membrane. For adults and children
over 3 years, the auricle is pulled up and back.
7. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of medication
reconciliation?
A) To list all medications a patient is allergic to
B) To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the
patient's home medications
C) To document only newly prescribed medications
D) To calculate the cost of the patient's drug therapy
Correct Answer: To identify discrepancies between current medication orders
and the patient's home medications
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient's
medication orders to all of the medications the patient has been taking. This
process is required at care transitions to avoid omissions, duplications,
dosing errors, and drug interactions.
8. A patient is prescribed metronidazole. Which substance should the patient
be instructed to avoid while taking this medication?
A) Caffeine
B) Alcohol
C) Dairy products
D) Grapefruit juice
Correct Answer: Alcohol
| Pharmacology
1. A nurse is evaluating a patient who has been taking omeprazole for
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Which finding indicates that the
medication has been effective?
A) Decreased bowel sounds
B) The patient reports no gastric reflux or heartburn
C) Increased appetite and weight gain
D) Decreased urination frequency
Correct Answer: The patient reports no gastric reflux or heartburn
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) that reduces gastric
acid secretion. The best indicator of effectiveness is symptom relief,
specifically the absence of heartburn and gastric reflux. The other options
are not related to the therapeutic effect of PPIs. PPIs should be taken 30–60
minutes before meals for maximum effectiveness.
2. A patient has been on prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy and
now presents with diarrhea and oral thrush. The nurse suspects:
A) An allergic reaction to the antibiotic
B) A superinfection caused by overgrowth of resistant organisms
C) The original infection was viral, not bacterial
D) The patient has developed lactose intolerance
Correct Answer: A superinfection caused by overgrowth of resistant
organisms
Rationale: Prolonged or broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy disrupts normal
flora, allowing resistant organisms such as Clostridioides difficile and Candida
,to overgrow, leading to superinfections. Symptoms include diarrhea (C.
difficile) and oral thrush (Candida). The antibiotic dose was too low is
incorrect, as superinfections are caused by overgrowth of resistant
organisms.
3. A patient is prescribed nitrofurantoin for a urinary tract infection. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication with food to reduce stomach upset."
B) "I can stop taking this medication when I no longer have burning with
urination."
C) "I should drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication."
D) "This medication may cause my urine to turn a brownish color."
Correct Answer: "I can stop taking this medication when I no longer have
burning with urination."
Rationale: Antibiotics should be taken for the full prescribed course, even if
symptoms improve, to prevent the development of antibiotic-resistant
bacteria. Nitrofurantoin is bacteriostatic and may turn urine brownish, which
is harmless. Taking it with food and drinking fluids are appropriate
instructions.
4. The nurse is administering calcium carbonate to a patient. What is a
potential adverse effect of this medication?
A) Hearing loss
B) Kidney stone formation
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypotension
Correct Answer: Kidney stone formation
,Rationale: Excess calcium intake can lead to hypercalcemia and renal calculi
(kidney stones). Patients should maintain adequate hydration and be
monitored for flank pain and hematuria. Hypocalcemia is the opposite of the
intended effect, and hearing loss is not associated with calcium carbonate.
5. A patient is scheduled for surgery and is prescribed an anticholinergic
medication preoperatively. What is the primary purpose of this medication?
A) To decrease respiratory secretions
B) To increase urine output
C) To lower blood pressure
D) To reduce inflammatory response
Correct Answer: To decrease respiratory secretions
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications are used preoperatively to decrease
respiratory secretions and prevent bradycardia during surgery. They block
the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing salivation and bronchial
secretions, which helps maintain a clear airway during anesthesia.
6. The nurse is preparing to administer ear drops to a 2-year-old child. Which
technique is correct?
A) Pull the auricle up and back
B) Pull the auricle down and back
C) Pull the auricle forward
D) Instill drops without manipulating the ear
Correct Answer: Pull the auricle down and back
, Rationale: In children younger than 3 years, the ear canal is shorter and
angles downward. Pulling the pinna down and back straightens the canal to
allow medication to reach the tympanic membrane. For adults and children
over 3 years, the auricle is pulled up and back.
7. Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of medication
reconciliation?
A) To list all medications a patient is allergic to
B) To identify discrepancies between current medication orders and the
patient's home medications
C) To document only newly prescribed medications
D) To calculate the cost of the patient's drug therapy
Correct Answer: To identify discrepancies between current medication orders
and the patient's home medications
Rationale: Medication reconciliation is the process of comparing a patient's
medication orders to all of the medications the patient has been taking. This
process is required at care transitions to avoid omissions, duplications,
dosing errors, and drug interactions.
8. A patient is prescribed metronidazole. Which substance should the patient
be instructed to avoid while taking this medication?
A) Caffeine
B) Alcohol
C) Dairy products
D) Grapefruit juice
Correct Answer: Alcohol
