GALEN COLLEGE OF NURSING · SCHOOL OF NURSING
NUR 600 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Advanced Pharmacology — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Topic Focus: Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Infectious Disease
Pharmacology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Advanced Pharmacology 2
NUR 600 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 600 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Advanced Pharmacology — Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT,
Infectious Disease
1 Topical application of an antihistamine may result in drug toxicity in children. The
parent of a toddler asks the NP about using a topical antihistamine to treat the
child's atopic dermatitis symptoms. The NP should tell the parent to use which
medication instead?
A Hydrocortisone cream
B Triamcinolone acetonide
C Diphenhydramine cream
D Pramoxine lotion
Why B is correct: Topical antihistamines should be avoided in children due to risk of
systemic toxicity. Triamcinolone acetonide is a topical corticosteroid that is appropriate for
treating atopic dermatitis in children.
A — Hydrocortisone may not be potent enough for moderate dermatitis.
C — Diphenhydramine is the antihistamine that should be avoided.
D — Pramoxine is an anesthetic, not appropriate as a primary treatment.
,2 A 5-year-old child has atopic dermatitis that is refractory to treatment with
hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% cream. The primary care NP should prescribe:
A Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
B Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%
C Desonide cream 0.05%
D Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Why C is correct: Desonide is a low-potency topical corticosteroid appropriate for children
with atopic dermatitis refractory to hydrocortisone.
A — Hydrocortisone valerate is a higher potency steroid.
B — Fluocinolone is a higher potency steroid.
D — Clobetasol is a super-high potency steroid not recommended for children.
3 A patient has been treated for severe contact dermatitis on both arms with
clobetasol propionate cream. At a follow-up visit, the primary care NP notes that the
condition has cleared. The NP should:
A Discontinue the clobetasol immediately
B Prescribe a higher potency steroid
C Prescribe triamcinolone cream for 2 weeks
D Continue clobetasol indefinitely
Why C is correct: After clearing severe contact dermatitis with a high-potency steroid,
stepping down to a mid-potency steroid like triamcinolone for a limited time is appropriate
to prevent relapse.
A — Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound flare.
B — Higher potency is not needed since the condition has cleared.
D — Long-term use of clobetasol is not recommended.
, 4 A primary care NP prescribes fluocinolone cream for a patient who has contact
dermatitis. At a follow-up visit in 2 weeks, the patient reports decreased pruritus but
continues to have excoriated, erythematous areas. The NP should:
A Increase the fluocinolone concentration
B Add a systemic corticosteroid
C Begin therapy with pimecrolimus (Elidel)
D Refer to a dermatologist
Why C is correct: Pimecrolimus, a topical calcineurin inhibitor, may be used as a non-
steroidal alternative for atopic dermatitis when topical corticosteroids are not fully effective.
A — Increasing concentration may not be sufficient.
B — Systemic corticosteroids are not first-line for this presentation.
D — Referral may be needed but Elidel is appropriate first.
5 A primary care NP is considering using a topical immunosuppressive agent for a
patient who has atopic dermatitis that is refractory to treatment with topical
corticosteroids. The NP should:
A Use tacrolimus in children under 2 years
B Prescribe pimecrolimus for continuous use
C Prescribe pimecrolimus for short-term, intermittent use
D Use pimecrolimus as first-line therapy
Why C is correct: Topical calcineurin inhibitors like pimecrolimus should be used for short-
term, intermittent use in patients refractory to topical corticosteroids.
A — Tacrolimus is not recommended in children under 2 years.
B — Continuous use is not recommended.
D — They are not first-line therapy.
NUR 600 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Advanced Pharmacology — NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with
Rationales
Topic Focus: Dermatology, Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Infectious Disease
Pharmacology
Edition 1 · September 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales — Advanced Pharmacology 2
NUR 600 · Galen College of Nursing Page 1
,NUR 600 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: Advanced Pharmacology — Dermatology, Ophthalmology, ENT,
Infectious Disease
1 Topical application of an antihistamine may result in drug toxicity in children. The
parent of a toddler asks the NP about using a topical antihistamine to treat the
child's atopic dermatitis symptoms. The NP should tell the parent to use which
medication instead?
A Hydrocortisone cream
B Triamcinolone acetonide
C Diphenhydramine cream
D Pramoxine lotion
Why B is correct: Topical antihistamines should be avoided in children due to risk of
systemic toxicity. Triamcinolone acetonide is a topical corticosteroid that is appropriate for
treating atopic dermatitis in children.
A — Hydrocortisone may not be potent enough for moderate dermatitis.
C — Diphenhydramine is the antihistamine that should be avoided.
D — Pramoxine is an anesthetic, not appropriate as a primary treatment.
,2 A 5-year-old child has atopic dermatitis that is refractory to treatment with
hydrocortisone acetate 2.5% cream. The primary care NP should prescribe:
A Hydrocortisone valerate 0.2%
B Fluocinolone acetonide 0.01%
C Desonide cream 0.05%
D Clobetasol propionate 0.05%
Why C is correct: Desonide is a low-potency topical corticosteroid appropriate for children
with atopic dermatitis refractory to hydrocortisone.
A — Hydrocortisone valerate is a higher potency steroid.
B — Fluocinolone is a higher potency steroid.
D — Clobetasol is a super-high potency steroid not recommended for children.
3 A patient has been treated for severe contact dermatitis on both arms with
clobetasol propionate cream. At a follow-up visit, the primary care NP notes that the
condition has cleared. The NP should:
A Discontinue the clobetasol immediately
B Prescribe a higher potency steroid
C Prescribe triamcinolone cream for 2 weeks
D Continue clobetasol indefinitely
Why C is correct: After clearing severe contact dermatitis with a high-potency steroid,
stepping down to a mid-potency steroid like triamcinolone for a limited time is appropriate
to prevent relapse.
A — Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound flare.
B — Higher potency is not needed since the condition has cleared.
D — Long-term use of clobetasol is not recommended.
, 4 A primary care NP prescribes fluocinolone cream for a patient who has contact
dermatitis. At a follow-up visit in 2 weeks, the patient reports decreased pruritus but
continues to have excoriated, erythematous areas. The NP should:
A Increase the fluocinolone concentration
B Add a systemic corticosteroid
C Begin therapy with pimecrolimus (Elidel)
D Refer to a dermatologist
Why C is correct: Pimecrolimus, a topical calcineurin inhibitor, may be used as a non-
steroidal alternative for atopic dermatitis when topical corticosteroids are not fully effective.
A — Increasing concentration may not be sufficient.
B — Systemic corticosteroids are not first-line for this presentation.
D — Referral may be needed but Elidel is appropriate first.
5 A primary care NP is considering using a topical immunosuppressive agent for a
patient who has atopic dermatitis that is refractory to treatment with topical
corticosteroids. The NP should:
A Use tacrolimus in children under 2 years
B Prescribe pimecrolimus for continuous use
C Prescribe pimecrolimus for short-term, intermittent use
D Use pimecrolimus as first-line therapy
Why C is correct: Topical calcineurin inhibitors like pimecrolimus should be used for short-
term, intermittent use in patients refractory to topical corticosteroids.
A — Tacrolimus is not recommended in children under 2 years.
B — Continuous use is not recommended.
D — They are not first-line therapy.
