NUR 210 Exam 3 V2 | NUR 210 Pharmacology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR 210 Exam 3) | Galen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Lispro insulin to a patient with Type 1 Diabetes. When
should the nurse provide the injection?
A. 30 to 45 minutes before a meal
B. One hour after the patient has finished eating
C. Only when the blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
D. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of approximately 15 minutes. It is
critical to ensure the patient consumes food quickly to prevent severe hypoglycemia. The
nurse must verify that the meal tray is present or arriving immediately before
administration.
2. A patient taking Metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous contrast. What
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Increase the dose of Metformin the day of the procedure.
B. Take the Metformin with a large glass of water before the scan.
C. Discontinue Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Switch to an injectable insulin for the duration of the hospital stay.
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held for 48 hours following the administration of contrast
media to prevent renal failure. The combination of contrast and Metformin significantly
increases the risk of lactic acidosis. Renal function should be verified before resuming the
medication.
3. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize in a patient receiving Levothyroxine
for hypothyroidism?
A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one week
B. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
C. Complaints of feeling cold in a warm room
D. Increased appetite and regular bowel movements
Answer: B
,Rationale: Tachycardia is a sign of thyroid hormone toxicity or an excessive dose of
Levothyroxine. The nurse should monitor for symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as
palpitations, chest pain, and insomnia. If the heart rate is elevated, the provider may need
to adjust the dosage.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers for asthma. How should the
nurse teach the patient to use them?
A. Use the Beclomethasone first to open the airways.
B. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
C. Wait 10 minutes between the two different inhalers.
D. Mix the medications in a nebulizer for better delivery.
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator that should be used first to open the airways for
the corticosteroid. Waiting five minutes allows the bronchodilation to occur, enhancing the
deposition of the steroid in the lungs. Patients should always rinse their mouth after using
the steroid inhaler to prevent oral candidiasis.
5. A patient is receiving Propylthiouracil (PTU). Which laboratory value is most important for
the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Serum sodium levels
C. White blood cell (WBC) count
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis, which is a dangerous drop in the white blood
cell count. The nurse must instruct the patient to report any signs of infection, such as fever
or sore throat, immediately. Regular monitoring of the CBC is essential for patient safety
during therapy.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of Oral Iron supplements. What should
be included in the teaching?
A. Iron should be taken with milk to prevent gastric upset.
B. The stools will likely turn black or dark green.
C. Liquid iron should be held in the mouth for one minute.
D. Iron causes frequent watery diarrhea in most patients.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Dark, greenish-black stools are a common and harmless side effect of oral iron
therapy. The nurse should also advise the patient to take the supplement with Vitamin C to
increase absorption. Liquid forms should be taken through a straw to prevent staining of
the teeth.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action for Omeprazole in treating peptic ulcer disease?
A. Neutralizing gastric acid already present in the stomach
B. Forming a protective barrier over the gastric mucosa
C. Blocking H2 receptors on the parietal cells
D. Irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+ ATPase pump
Answer: D
Rationale: Omeprazole is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) that stops the final step of acid
secretion. It is more potent than H2 blockers and provides longer-lasting acid suppression.
The medication should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before the first meal of the day.
8. A patient is diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus. Which medication does the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Glucagon
B. Furosemide
C. Desmopressin (DDAVP)
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) used to treat
Diabetes Insipidus. It works by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby
decreasing urine output. The nurse must monitor for water intoxication symptoms, such as
headache and confusion.
9. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing acute
bronchospasm?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Montelukast
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid relief of
airway obstruction. Long-acting medications like Salmeterol are used for maintenance and
Rationale (NUR 210 Exam 3) | Galen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Lispro insulin to a patient with Type 1 Diabetes. When
should the nurse provide the injection?
A. 30 to 45 minutes before a meal
B. One hour after the patient has finished eating
C. Only when the blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
D. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of approximately 15 minutes. It is
critical to ensure the patient consumes food quickly to prevent severe hypoglycemia. The
nurse must verify that the meal tray is present or arriving immediately before
administration.
2. A patient taking Metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous contrast. What
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Increase the dose of Metformin the day of the procedure.
B. Take the Metformin with a large glass of water before the scan.
C. Discontinue Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Switch to an injectable insulin for the duration of the hospital stay.
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held for 48 hours following the administration of contrast
media to prevent renal failure. The combination of contrast and Metformin significantly
increases the risk of lactic acidosis. Renal function should be verified before resuming the
medication.
3. Which assessment finding should the nurse prioritize in a patient receiving Levothyroxine
for hypothyroidism?
A. Weight gain of 2 pounds in one week
B. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
C. Complaints of feeling cold in a warm room
D. Increased appetite and regular bowel movements
Answer: B
,Rationale: Tachycardia is a sign of thyroid hormone toxicity or an excessive dose of
Levothyroxine. The nurse should monitor for symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as
palpitations, chest pain, and insomnia. If the heart rate is elevated, the provider may need
to adjust the dosage.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers for asthma. How should the
nurse teach the patient to use them?
A. Use the Beclomethasone first to open the airways.
B. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
C. Wait 10 minutes between the two different inhalers.
D. Mix the medications in a nebulizer for better delivery.
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator that should be used first to open the airways for
the corticosteroid. Waiting five minutes allows the bronchodilation to occur, enhancing the
deposition of the steroid in the lungs. Patients should always rinse their mouth after using
the steroid inhaler to prevent oral candidiasis.
5. A patient is receiving Propylthiouracil (PTU). Which laboratory value is most important for
the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum potassium levels
B. Serum sodium levels
C. White blood cell (WBC) count
D. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis, which is a dangerous drop in the white blood
cell count. The nurse must instruct the patient to report any signs of infection, such as fever
or sore throat, immediately. Regular monitoring of the CBC is essential for patient safety
during therapy.
6. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of Oral Iron supplements. What should
be included in the teaching?
A. Iron should be taken with milk to prevent gastric upset.
B. The stools will likely turn black or dark green.
C. Liquid iron should be held in the mouth for one minute.
D. Iron causes frequent watery diarrhea in most patients.
Answer: B
, Rationale: Dark, greenish-black stools are a common and harmless side effect of oral iron
therapy. The nurse should also advise the patient to take the supplement with Vitamin C to
increase absorption. Liquid forms should be taken through a straw to prevent staining of
the teeth.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action for Omeprazole in treating peptic ulcer disease?
A. Neutralizing gastric acid already present in the stomach
B. Forming a protective barrier over the gastric mucosa
C. Blocking H2 receptors on the parietal cells
D. Irreversibly inhibiting the H+/K+ ATPase pump
Answer: D
Rationale: Omeprazole is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) that stops the final step of acid
secretion. It is more potent than H2 blockers and provides longer-lasting acid suppression.
The medication should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before the first meal of the day.
8. A patient is diagnosed with Diabetes Insipidus. Which medication does the nurse anticipate
administering?
A. Glucagon
B. Furosemide
C. Desmopressin (DDAVP)
D. Regular Insulin
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) used to treat
Diabetes Insipidus. It works by increasing water reabsorption in the kidneys, thereby
decreasing urine output. The nurse must monitor for water intoxication symptoms, such as
headache and confusion.
9. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing acute
bronchospasm?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Montelukast
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid relief of
airway obstruction. Long-acting medications like Salmeterol are used for maintenance and
