NURS 325 Pharmacology Exam--/-
Questions 1–200 | Comprehensive
Pharmacology Exam Practice | 100%
Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Monitor serum drug levels closely
C. Administer the medication rapidly
D. Double the dose if the client does not respond
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between therapeutic and toxic
doses is small, requiring close monitoring of serum drug levels. Administering with food (A) does
not address the narrow therapeutic index. Rapid administration (C) and doubling the dose (D)
could lead to toxicity .
2. Which of the following best describes the term "half-life" in pharmacology?
A. The time it takes for a drug to reach its peak effect
B. The time required for the amount of drug in the body to be reduced by 50%
C. The time it takes for a drug to be completely eliminated from the body
D. The time required for a drug to produce a therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to be reduced by
50%. It determines the dosing interval and the time needed to reach steady state. Peak effect (A)
is related to absorption. Complete elimination (C) takes approximately 4-5 half-lives. Therapeutic
effect onset (D) is related to absorption and distribution .
1
, 3. A client is prescribed a medication that is a known CYP3A4 inhibitor. Which of the
following effects would the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased metabolism of other medications
B. Decreased metabolism of other medications
C. No effect on other medications
D. Increased excretion of other medications
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CYP3A4 inhibitors decrease the metabolism of other drugs metabolized by this
enzyme, leading to increased drug levels and potential toxicity. CYP3A4 inducers increase
metabolism (A), potentially decreasing drug efficacy .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a first-generation antipsychotic. Which of
the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?
A. Weight loss
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: First-generation antipsychotics are associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
such as dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia due to dopamine blockade. Weight loss (A) is not
typical; weight gain is more common. Hyperglycemia (C) is more associated with second-
generation antipsychotics. Insomnia (D) is not a common adverse effect .
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which of the following findings indicates lithium
toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Coarse hand tremors and ataxia
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Coarse hand tremors and ataxia indicate moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A
serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L (A) is within the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Fine hand
tremors (B) and increased thirst (D) are common side effects, not toxicity .
2
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 72 bpm
B. Heart rate of 52 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Digoxin should be withheld if the heart rate is below 60 bpm in adults. A heart rate
of 52 bpm indicates bradycardia, which could worsen with digoxin. The other findings are within
normal limits .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Unfractionated heparin therapy is monitored with aPTT. PT/INR (A) is used to
monitor warfarin. Platelet count (C) should also be monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), but aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter. Potassium (D) is not
typically affected .
8. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take aspirin for headaches."
C. "Use an electric razor when shaving."
D. "Double your dose if you miss a dose."
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Clients on warfarin should use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding from
3
, cuts. Leafy green vegetables (A) are high in vitamin K and should be consumed consistently, not
increased. Aspirin (B) increases bleeding risk. Doubling doses (D) is dangerous .
9. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for furosemide.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication at bedtime."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Avoid sunlight while taking this medication."
D. "Take the medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Clients should increase
potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, potatoes). The medication should be taken in the
morning (A) to avoid nocturia. Photosensitivity (C) is not a common effect. Antacids (D) can
reduce absorption .
10. A client is prescribed metformin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset."
C. "Expect weight gain as a side effect."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Weight loss, not gain (C), is common. Alcohol (D) should be avoided due to the risk of lactic
acidosis .
11. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving levothyroxine. Which of the following
findings indicates the medication is effective?
A. Weight loss
B. Increased energy
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
4
Questions 1–200 | Comprehensive
Pharmacology Exam Practice | 100%
Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Monitor serum drug levels closely
C. Administer the medication rapidly
D. Double the dose if the client does not respond
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: A narrow therapeutic index means the difference between therapeutic and toxic
doses is small, requiring close monitoring of serum drug levels. Administering with food (A) does
not address the narrow therapeutic index. Rapid administration (C) and doubling the dose (D)
could lead to toxicity .
2. Which of the following best describes the term "half-life" in pharmacology?
A. The time it takes for a drug to reach its peak effect
B. The time required for the amount of drug in the body to be reduced by 50%
C. The time it takes for a drug to be completely eliminated from the body
D. The time required for a drug to produce a therapeutic effect
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Half-life is the time required for the amount of drug in the body to be reduced by
50%. It determines the dosing interval and the time needed to reach steady state. Peak effect (A)
is related to absorption. Complete elimination (C) takes approximately 4-5 half-lives. Therapeutic
effect onset (D) is related to absorption and distribution .
1
, 3. A client is prescribed a medication that is a known CYP3A4 inhibitor. Which of the
following effects would the nurse anticipate?
A. Increased metabolism of other medications
B. Decreased metabolism of other medications
C. No effect on other medications
D. Increased excretion of other medications
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: CYP3A4 inhibitors decrease the metabolism of other drugs metabolized by this
enzyme, leading to increased drug levels and potential toxicity. CYP3A4 inducers increase
metabolism (A), potentially decreasing drug efficacy .
4. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a first-generation antipsychotic. Which of
the following adverse effects should the nurse monitor for?
A. Weight loss
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: First-generation antipsychotics are associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
such as dystonia, parkinsonism, and akathisia due to dopamine blockade. Weight loss (A) is not
typical; weight gain is more common. Hyperglycemia (C) is more associated with second-
generation antipsychotics. Insomnia (D) is not a common adverse effect .
5. A client is prescribed lithium carbonate. Which of the following findings indicates lithium
toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Coarse hand tremors and ataxia
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Coarse hand tremors and ataxia indicate moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A
serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L (A) is within the therapeutic range (0.6-1.2 mEq/L). Fine hand
tremors (B) and increased thirst (D) are common side effects, not toxicity .
2
, 6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 72 bpm
B. Heart rate of 52 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Digoxin should be withheld if the heart rate is below 60 bpm in adults. A heart rate
of 52 bpm indicates bradycardia, which could worsen with digoxin. The other findings are within
normal limits .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving heparin therapy. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Unfractionated heparin therapy is monitored with aPTT. PT/INR (A) is used to
monitor warfarin. Platelet count (C) should also be monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), but aPTT is the primary monitoring parameter. Potassium (D) is not
typically affected .
8. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take aspirin for headaches."
C. "Use an electric razor when shaving."
D. "Double your dose if you miss a dose."
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Clients on warfarin should use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding from
3
, cuts. Leafy green vegetables (A) are high in vitamin K and should be consumed consistently, not
increased. Aspirin (B) increases bleeding risk. Doubling doses (D) is dangerous .
9. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for furosemide.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication at bedtime."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Avoid sunlight while taking this medication."
D. "Take the medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Clients should increase
potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, potatoes). The medication should be taken in the
morning (A) to avoid nocturia. Photosensitivity (C) is not a common effect. Antacids (D) can
reduce absorption .
10. A client is prescribed metformin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset."
C. "Expect weight gain as a side effect."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Weight loss, not gain (C), is common. Alcohol (D) should be avoided due to the risk of lactic
acidosis .
11. A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving levothyroxine. Which of the following
findings indicates the medication is effective?
A. Weight loss
B. Increased energy
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
4
