NURS 180 COMPREHENSIVE
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted renally.
The nurse should anticipate which adjustment to the medication regimen?
A. Decrease the dose frequency
B. Increase the initial loading dose
C. Decrease the dosage amount
D. Change the route to intravenous
C. Decrease the dosage amount
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In renal impairment, drug excretion is decreased, leading to
potential toxicity. Therefore, the dose should be reduced to prevent accumulation.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving intravenous gentamicin. Which assessment
finding is most indicative of a serious adverse effect?
A. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
B. Nausea and vomiting
,C. Tinnitus and hearing loss
D. Reddish-orange discoloration of urine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are known for ototoxicity and
nephrotoxicity. Tinnitus is an early sign of auditory nerve damage.
3. A patient is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. PT/INR
D. Hemoglobin level
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for
monitoring warfarin therapy. aPTT is used for heparin.
4. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of an acute asthma
attack?
A. Albuterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
, D. Salmeterol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a
rescue medication for immediate bronchodilation.
5. A patient taking digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a normal side effect
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Assess the patient’s apical pulse and serum potassium levels
D. Instruct the patient to drink more water
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visual changes (halos) are a classic sign of digoxin toxicity,
which can be exacerbated by hypokalemia.
6. Which statement by a patient starting levothyroxine for hypothyroidism indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. I should take this medication on an empty stomach.
B. I may need to take this for the rest of my life.
C. I will take this pill right before I go to bed.
D. I will wait 30-60 minutes before eating breakfast.
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM 2 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with chronic kidney disease is prescribed a drug that is primarily excreted renally.
The nurse should anticipate which adjustment to the medication regimen?
A. Decrease the dose frequency
B. Increase the initial loading dose
C. Decrease the dosage amount
D. Change the route to intravenous
C. Decrease the dosage amount
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: In renal impairment, drug excretion is decreased, leading to
potential toxicity. Therefore, the dose should be reduced to prevent accumulation.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient receiving intravenous gentamicin. Which assessment
finding is most indicative of a serious adverse effect?
A. Urine output of 30 mL/hr
B. Nausea and vomiting
,C. Tinnitus and hearing loss
D. Reddish-orange discoloration of urine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are known for ototoxicity and
nephrotoxicity. Tinnitus is an early sign of auditory nerve damage.
3. A patient is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. PT/INR
D. Hemoglobin level
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for
monitoring warfarin therapy. aPTT is used for heparin.
4. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of an acute asthma
attack?
A. Albuterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
, D. Salmeterol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a
rescue medication for immediate bronchodilation.
5. A patient taking digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What is the
nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a normal side effect
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Assess the patient’s apical pulse and serum potassium levels
D. Instruct the patient to drink more water
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visual changes (halos) are a classic sign of digoxin toxicity,
which can be exacerbated by hypokalemia.
6. Which statement by a patient starting levothyroxine for hypothyroidism indicates a need
for further teaching?
A. I should take this medication on an empty stomach.
B. I may need to take this for the rest of my life.
C. I will take this pill right before I go to bed.
D. I will wait 30-60 minutes before eating breakfast.
