,HSC 204 Exam 2 Principles of Pharmacology Questions And Answers
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient taking oral
tetracycline?
A) Take it with an iron supplement to improve absorption
B) Take it with a magnesium-containing antacid
C) Take it with a large serving of dairy products
D) Separate it from calcium, iron, magnesium, and antacid products as
directed
Correct Answer: D) Separate it from calcium, iron, magnesium, and antacid
products as directed
Rationale: Multivalent minerals can bind tetracyclines in the gastrointestinal
tract and substantially reduce absorption.
Q2. Which adverse effect should be included in teaching for
doxycycline?
A) Increased sensitivity to sunlight
B) Permanent hypoglycemia
C) Severe bradycardia
D) Hyperkalemia in every patient
Correct Answer: A) Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of
exaggerated sunburn.
Q3. Tetracycline antibiotics are generally avoided during pregnancy
and in young children primarily because they can affect which
tissue?
A) Cardiac valves
B) Retinal vessels
C) Developing teeth and bone
D) Pancreatic beta cells
Correct Answer: C) Developing teeth and bone
Rationale: Tetracyclines can bind calcium in developing tissues and cause
permanent tooth discoloration and effects on bone growth.
,Q4. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient prescribed
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole?
A) Restrict all fluids
B) Maintain adequate hydration unless contraindicated
C) Double the dose after a missed dose
D) Take potassium supplements routinely
Correct Answer: B) Maintain adequate hydration unless contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps reduce crystalluria and supports renal
elimination of sulfonamide-containing medication.
Q5. A patient taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole develops a
widespread blistering rash with mucosal lesions. Which action is
most appropriate?
A) Continue the medication and add moisturizer
B) Take the next dose with food
C) Wait until the prescription is completed
D) Stop the medication and seek immediate evaluation for a severe
hypersensitivity reaction
Correct Answer: D) Stop the medication and seek immediate evaluation for a
severe hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: Blistering skin and mucosal lesions can indicate a serious
cutaneous drug reaction requiring urgent assessment.
Q6. Which laboratory abnormality can occur with trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole, particularly in susceptible patients?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Severe hypocalcemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypophosphatemia
Correct Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Trimethoprim can reduce renal potassium excretion and may
contribute to clinically important hyperkalemia.
Q7. Nitrofurantoin is primarily used for which type of infection?
A) Lower urinary tract infection
B) Meningitis
, C) Bacterial endocarditis
D) Osteomyelitis
Correct Answer: A) Lower urinary tract infection
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin achieves therapeutic concentrations in urine and
is commonly used for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.
Q8. Which finding during long-term nitrofurantoin therapy requires
prompt evaluation?
A) Mild thirst
B) New cough and progressive shortness of breath
C) Increased appetite
D) Temporary headache after exercise
Correct Answer: B) New cough and progressive shortness of breath
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin can rarely cause significant pulmonary toxicity,
particularly with prolonged exposure.
Q9. Which statement about phenazopyridine is correct?
A) It eradicates bacteria causing a urinary tract infection
B) It can relieve urinary discomfort but does not replace antimicrobial
treatment when infection is present
C) It prevents all recurrent urinary infections
D) It acts as a systemic anticoagulant
Correct Answer: B) It can relieve urinary discomfort but does not replace
antimicrobial treatment when infection is present
Rationale: Phenazopyridine provides urinary-tract analgesia but has no
antibacterial activity.
Q10. Which effect should be explained to a patient taking
phenazopyridine?
A) Permanent color blindness
B) Blue discoloration of the skin
C) White stools
D) Orange-red discoloration of urine
Correct Answer: D) Orange-red discoloration of urine
Rationale: Phenazopyridine commonly causes orange or reddish urine
discoloration and can stain clothing.
2026/2027 Jersey College
Q1. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient taking oral
tetracycline?
A) Take it with an iron supplement to improve absorption
B) Take it with a magnesium-containing antacid
C) Take it with a large serving of dairy products
D) Separate it from calcium, iron, magnesium, and antacid products as
directed
Correct Answer: D) Separate it from calcium, iron, magnesium, and antacid
products as directed
Rationale: Multivalent minerals can bind tetracyclines in the gastrointestinal
tract and substantially reduce absorption.
Q2. Which adverse effect should be included in teaching for
doxycycline?
A) Increased sensitivity to sunlight
B) Permanent hypoglycemia
C) Severe bradycardia
D) Hyperkalemia in every patient
Correct Answer: A) Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause photosensitivity, increasing the risk of
exaggerated sunburn.
Q3. Tetracycline antibiotics are generally avoided during pregnancy
and in young children primarily because they can affect which
tissue?
A) Cardiac valves
B) Retinal vessels
C) Developing teeth and bone
D) Pancreatic beta cells
Correct Answer: C) Developing teeth and bone
Rationale: Tetracyclines can bind calcium in developing tissues and cause
permanent tooth discoloration and effects on bone growth.
,Q4. Which instruction is appropriate for a patient prescribed
trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole?
A) Restrict all fluids
B) Maintain adequate hydration unless contraindicated
C) Double the dose after a missed dose
D) Take potassium supplements routinely
Correct Answer: B) Maintain adequate hydration unless contraindicated
Rationale: Adequate hydration helps reduce crystalluria and supports renal
elimination of sulfonamide-containing medication.
Q5. A patient taking trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole develops a
widespread blistering rash with mucosal lesions. Which action is
most appropriate?
A) Continue the medication and add moisturizer
B) Take the next dose with food
C) Wait until the prescription is completed
D) Stop the medication and seek immediate evaluation for a severe
hypersensitivity reaction
Correct Answer: D) Stop the medication and seek immediate evaluation for a
severe hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: Blistering skin and mucosal lesions can indicate a serious
cutaneous drug reaction requiring urgent assessment.
Q6. Which laboratory abnormality can occur with trimethoprim-
sulfamethoxazole, particularly in susceptible patients?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Severe hypocalcemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypophosphatemia
Correct Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Trimethoprim can reduce renal potassium excretion and may
contribute to clinically important hyperkalemia.
Q7. Nitrofurantoin is primarily used for which type of infection?
A) Lower urinary tract infection
B) Meningitis
, C) Bacterial endocarditis
D) Osteomyelitis
Correct Answer: A) Lower urinary tract infection
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin achieves therapeutic concentrations in urine and
is commonly used for uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections.
Q8. Which finding during long-term nitrofurantoin therapy requires
prompt evaluation?
A) Mild thirst
B) New cough and progressive shortness of breath
C) Increased appetite
D) Temporary headache after exercise
Correct Answer: B) New cough and progressive shortness of breath
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin can rarely cause significant pulmonary toxicity,
particularly with prolonged exposure.
Q9. Which statement about phenazopyridine is correct?
A) It eradicates bacteria causing a urinary tract infection
B) It can relieve urinary discomfort but does not replace antimicrobial
treatment when infection is present
C) It prevents all recurrent urinary infections
D) It acts as a systemic anticoagulant
Correct Answer: B) It can relieve urinary discomfort but does not replace
antimicrobial treatment when infection is present
Rationale: Phenazopyridine provides urinary-tract analgesia but has no
antibacterial activity.
Q10. Which effect should be explained to a patient taking
phenazopyridine?
A) Permanent color blindness
B) Blue discoloration of the skin
C) White stools
D) Orange-red discoloration of urine
Correct Answer: D) Orange-red discoloration of urine
Rationale: Phenazopyridine commonly causes orange or reddish urine
discoloration and can stain clothing.
