NU NUR 320 Module 4 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Pharmacology for Nursing
Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed a medication that is a weak base. The nurse
understands that this drug will be best absorbed in which part of the
gastrointestinal tract?
A) The stomach (acidic environment)
B) The small intestine (alkaline environment)
C) The colon (neutral environment)
D) The esophagus (neutral environment)
Correct Answer: The small intestine (alkaline environment)
Rationale: Weak bases are better absorbed in alkaline environments (the
small intestine) because they are non-ionized and more lipid-soluble. Weak
acids are better absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach.
2. A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication for the treatment of
overactive bladder. The nurse should monitor the patient for which adverse
effect?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary frequency
C) Dry mouth
D) Excessive sweating
Correct Answer: Dry mouth
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications block the parasympathetic nervous
system, which leads to decreased secretions. Common adverse effects
include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
,3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should
educate the patient that this medication primarily works by:
A) Increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas
B) Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
C) Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine
D) Increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing
hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis) and improving insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues. It is not a secretagogue.
4. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. The nurse
should anticipate a need to prescribe which medication to manage a
common side effect?
A) An antiemetic
B) A laxative or stool softener
C) An antidiarrheal
D) An antihistamine
Correct Answer: A laxative or stool softener
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation by decreasing
gastrointestinal motility and increasing smooth muscle tone. Prophylactic use
of laxatives or stool softeners is often necessary.
5. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. The nurse should be
most concerned about this medication if the patient has a history of:
,A) Hypertension
B) Angina
C) Asthma
D) Migraine headaches
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block both beta-1 (cardiac) and beta-2
(pulmonary) receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors can cause
bronchospasm, making these drugs contraindicated in patients with asthma
or COPD.
6. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption, leading to increased excretion of potassium, which can result in
hypokalemia.
7. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. The nurse should monitor
the patient for signs of toxicity, which include:
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
, C) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
D) Muscle weakness and paresthesia
Correct Answer: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index. Signs of toxicity include
gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), cardiac dysrhythmias, and
visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos).
8. A patient is prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GERD. The nurse
should instruct the patient to take this medication:
A) With meals to enhance absorption
B) 30-60 minutes before meals
C) At bedtime for maximum effect
D) With an antacid for faster relief
Correct Answer: 30-60 minutes before meals
Rationale: PPIs are most effective when taken 30-60 minutes before a meal,
as they need to inhibit the proton pumps that are activated by food intake.
9. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. The nurse understands that
this medication is classified as a:
A) Beta-1 agonist
B) Beta-2 agonist
C) Alpha-1 agonist
D) Alpha-2 agonist
Practice Q&A | Nursing
1. A patient is prescribed a medication that is a weak base. The nurse
understands that this drug will be best absorbed in which part of the
gastrointestinal tract?
A) The stomach (acidic environment)
B) The small intestine (alkaline environment)
C) The colon (neutral environment)
D) The esophagus (neutral environment)
Correct Answer: The small intestine (alkaline environment)
Rationale: Weak bases are better absorbed in alkaline environments (the
small intestine) because they are non-ionized and more lipid-soluble. Weak
acids are better absorbed in the acidic environment of the stomach.
2. A patient is prescribed an anticholinergic medication for the treatment of
overactive bladder. The nurse should monitor the patient for which adverse
effect?
A) Diarrhea
B) Urinary frequency
C) Dry mouth
D) Excessive sweating
Correct Answer: Dry mouth
Rationale: Anticholinergic medications block the parasympathetic nervous
system, which leads to decreased secretions. Common adverse effects
include dry mouth, constipation, and blurred vision.
,3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should
educate the patient that this medication primarily works by:
A) Increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas
B) Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
C) Slowing the absorption of carbohydrates from the intestine
D) Increasing the excretion of glucose in the urine
Correct Answer: Decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin
sensitivity
Rationale: Metformin is a biguanide that works primarily by decreasing
hepatic glucose production (gluconeogenesis) and improving insulin
sensitivity in peripheral tissues. It is not a secretagogue.
4. A patient is prescribed an opioid analgesic for severe pain. The nurse
should anticipate a need to prescribe which medication to manage a
common side effect?
A) An antiemetic
B) A laxative or stool softener
C) An antidiarrheal
D) An antihistamine
Correct Answer: A laxative or stool softener
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation by decreasing
gastrointestinal motility and increasing smooth muscle tone. Prophylactic use
of laxatives or stool softeners is often necessary.
5. A patient is prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker. The nurse should be
most concerned about this medication if the patient has a history of:
,A) Hypertension
B) Angina
C) Asthma
D) Migraine headaches
Correct Answer: Asthma
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers block both beta-1 (cardiac) and beta-2
(pulmonary) receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors can cause
bronchospasm, making these drugs contraindicated in patients with asthma
or COPD.
6. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. The nurse should
monitor the patient for which of the following electrolyte imbalances?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride
reabsorption, leading to increased excretion of potassium, which can result in
hypokalemia.
7. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. The nurse should monitor
the patient for signs of toxicity, which include:
A) Tachycardia and hypertension
B) Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
, C) Hyperglycemia and polyuria
D) Muscle weakness and paresthesia
Correct Answer: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index. Signs of toxicity include
gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea, vomiting), cardiac dysrhythmias, and
visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos).
8. A patient is prescribed a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for GERD. The nurse
should instruct the patient to take this medication:
A) With meals to enhance absorption
B) 30-60 minutes before meals
C) At bedtime for maximum effect
D) With an antacid for faster relief
Correct Answer: 30-60 minutes before meals
Rationale: PPIs are most effective when taken 30-60 minutes before a meal,
as they need to inhibit the proton pumps that are activated by food intake.
9. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. The nurse understands that
this medication is classified as a:
A) Beta-1 agonist
B) Beta-2 agonist
C) Alpha-1 agonist
D) Alpha-2 agonist
