NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study Guide
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. Immediately after finishing a meal
C. At bedtime to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia
D. 15 minutes before or with a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It must be administered within
15 minutes of eating to prevent hypoglycemia. This is important because the nurse must choose the
action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first
when answering these questions. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and
act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
2. Which laboratory value is most important for a nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
Gentamicin (Garamycin)?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Creatinine
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like Gentamicin are nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum creatinine and BUN is
essential to detect early signs of kidney damage. Clear understanding of this concept improves both
test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock
the idea in place. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar
questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient taking Warfarin (Coumadin) has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 5.5.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare to administer Vitamin K
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Increase the dose to reach therapeutic range
D. Encourage the patient to eat more leafy green vegetables
Answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 5.5 is above the therapeutic range (usually 2.0-3.0), indicating a high risk for
bleeding. Vitamin K is the antidote for Warfarin. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the
most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do
right now. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions
appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Metformin (Glucophage)?
A. Stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin
B. Increases glucose absorption in the small intestine
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases insulin sensitivity
D. Promotes the excretion of glucose via the kidneys
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin reduces glucose production by the liver and improves how the body uses insulin.
It does not stimulate insulin secretion, which reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning
signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the
client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026/2027 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study Guide
2026/2027 UPDATE Galen College
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED ANSWERS
with Clear, Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations) / Study Guide
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Rationales
Grade: A+ Assured
ASSURED GRADE A+
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 1
,NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When should the nurse instruct the
patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. Immediately after finishing a meal
C. At bedtime to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia
D. 15 minutes before or with a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It must be administered within
15 minutes of eating to prevent hypoglycemia. This is important because the nurse must choose the
action that keeps the client safest while still meeting their basic needs. Always think about safety first
when answering these questions. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning signs and
act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the client.
2. Which laboratory value is most important for a nurse to monitor in a patient receiving
Gentamicin (Garamycin)?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Serum Creatinine
C. Prothrombin Time (PT)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like Gentamicin are nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum creatinine and BUN is
essential to detect early signs of kidney damage. Clear understanding of this concept improves both
test performance and everyday clinical judgment. Practice applying it to short case scenarios to lock
the idea in place. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar
questions appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 2
, NUR 210 Exam 4: Principles of Pharmacology Study … 2026/2027 • Verified • Assured Grade A+
3. A patient taking Warfarin (Coumadin) has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 5.5.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Prepare to administer Vitamin K
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Increase the dose to reach therapeutic range
D. Encourage the patient to eat more leafy green vegetables
Answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 5.5 is above the therapeutic range (usually 2.0-3.0), indicating a high risk for
bleeding. Vitamin K is the antidote for Warfarin. Exam questions often test whether you can pick the
most practical and safe choice for the client in real situations. Focus on what the nurse can actually do
right now. Remembering this point will help you decide the best nursing action when similar questions
appear on the exam. Link the answer to the client’s current condition and risk level.
4. What is the primary mechanism of action for Metformin (Glucophage)?
A. Stimulates the pancreas to secrete more insulin
B. Increases glucose absorption in the small intestine
C. Decreases hepatic glucose production and increases insulin sensitivity
D. Promotes the excretion of glucose via the kidneys
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin reduces glucose production by the liver and improves how the body uses insulin.
It does not stimulate insulin secretion, which reduces the risk of hypoglycemia. Understanding this
helps the nurse notice early warning signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often
prevents bigger complications for the client. Understanding this helps the nurse notice early warning
signs and act before the problem gets worse. Early action often prevents bigger complications for the
client.
Exam (Elaborations) • Detailed Rationales Page 3
