NURS 5334 Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam Prep-
Practice Questions & Answers
This specialized graduate-level nursing study guide features targeted practice
questions and verified answers designed specifically for the NURS 5334 Advanced
Pharmacology final examination. It delivers comprehensive master's-level coverage of
critical pharmacotherapeutic principles, including complex pharmacokinetic modeling,
drug-drug interactions, and clinical prescriptive logic across diverse lifespan
populations. Advanced practice nursing students will master high-alert medication
protocols, receptor site dynamics, and monitoring parameters to secure a passing score
on their proctored final assessment.
1. A patient is prescribed diphenhydramine. Which side effect is most common?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-
brain barrier, causing significant sedation and anticholinergic effects.
2. Which antihistamine is least sedating?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Loratadine
C) Hydroxyzine
D) Promethazine
Rationale: Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine with minimal CNS
penetration, resulting in less sedation.
3. A patient is prescribed pseudoephedrine. Which condition is a contraindication?
A) Allergic rhinitis
,B) Severe hypertension
C) Common cold
D) Sinus congestion
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that causes vasoconstriction and can
worsen hypertension.
4. Which medication is an antitussive?
A) Guaifenesin
B) Dextromethorphan
C) Pseudoephedrine
D) Loratadine
Rationale: Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex in the brain; guaifenesin is an
expectorant.
5. A patient is prescribed guaifenesin. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take at bedtime
B) Increase fluid intake
C) Take on empty stomach
D) Avoid fluids
Rationale: Guaifenesin thins respiratory secretions; adequate hydration helps loosen
mucus.
6. Which medication is an antiviral used for influenza A and B?
A) Acyclovir
B) Oseltamivir
C) Fluconazole
D) Metronidazole
,Rationale: Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor effective against influenza A and B if
started within 48 hours of symptoms.
7. A patient is prescribed acyclovir. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with food
B) Increase fluid intake
C) Take at bedtime
D) Avoid fluids
Rationale: Acyclovir can cause nephrotoxicity; adequate hydration reduces the risk of
crystal nephropathy.
8. Which medication is an antifungal used for candidiasis?
A) Acyclovir
B) Fluconazole
C) Oseltamivir
D) Metronidazole
Rationale: Fluconazole is an azole antifungal effective against Candida species.
9. A patient is prescribed metronidazole. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with alcohol
B) Avoid alcohol
C) Take with milk
D) Take on empty stomach
Rationale: Metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol, leading to severe
nausea and vomiting.
, 10. Which antibiotic is a urinary tract antiseptic?
A) Amoxicillin
B) Nitrofurantoin
C) Azithromycin
D) Doxycycline
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin concentrates in urine and is used for uncomplicated UTIs; it is
not effective for systemic infections.
11. A patient is prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Which side effect is
most concerning?
A) Diarrhea
B) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: TMP-SMX can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, including Stevens-
Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
12. Which antibiotic is a tetracycline?
A) Amoxicillin
B) Doxycycline
C) Azithromycin
D) Cephalexin
Rationale: Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic; it is contraindicated in pregnancy and
children under 8 due to tooth discoloration.
13. A patient is prescribed doxycycline. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with milk
B) Take with plenty of water
Practice Questions & Answers
This specialized graduate-level nursing study guide features targeted practice
questions and verified answers designed specifically for the NURS 5334 Advanced
Pharmacology final examination. It delivers comprehensive master's-level coverage of
critical pharmacotherapeutic principles, including complex pharmacokinetic modeling,
drug-drug interactions, and clinical prescriptive logic across diverse lifespan
populations. Advanced practice nursing students will master high-alert medication
protocols, receptor site dynamics, and monitoring parameters to secure a passing score
on their proctored final assessment.
1. A patient is prescribed diphenhydramine. Which side effect is most common?
A) Diarrhea
B) Sedation
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that crosses the blood-
brain barrier, causing significant sedation and anticholinergic effects.
2. Which antihistamine is least sedating?
A) Diphenhydramine
B) Loratadine
C) Hydroxyzine
D) Promethazine
Rationale: Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine with minimal CNS
penetration, resulting in less sedation.
3. A patient is prescribed pseudoephedrine. Which condition is a contraindication?
A) Allergic rhinitis
,B) Severe hypertension
C) Common cold
D) Sinus congestion
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that causes vasoconstriction and can
worsen hypertension.
4. Which medication is an antitussive?
A) Guaifenesin
B) Dextromethorphan
C) Pseudoephedrine
D) Loratadine
Rationale: Dextromethorphan suppresses the cough reflex in the brain; guaifenesin is an
expectorant.
5. A patient is prescribed guaifenesin. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take at bedtime
B) Increase fluid intake
C) Take on empty stomach
D) Avoid fluids
Rationale: Guaifenesin thins respiratory secretions; adequate hydration helps loosen
mucus.
6. Which medication is an antiviral used for influenza A and B?
A) Acyclovir
B) Oseltamivir
C) Fluconazole
D) Metronidazole
,Rationale: Oseltamivir is a neuraminidase inhibitor effective against influenza A and B if
started within 48 hours of symptoms.
7. A patient is prescribed acyclovir. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with food
B) Increase fluid intake
C) Take at bedtime
D) Avoid fluids
Rationale: Acyclovir can cause nephrotoxicity; adequate hydration reduces the risk of
crystal nephropathy.
8. Which medication is an antifungal used for candidiasis?
A) Acyclovir
B) Fluconazole
C) Oseltamivir
D) Metronidazole
Rationale: Fluconazole is an azole antifungal effective against Candida species.
9. A patient is prescribed metronidazole. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with alcohol
B) Avoid alcohol
C) Take with milk
D) Take on empty stomach
Rationale: Metronidazole causes a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol, leading to severe
nausea and vomiting.
, 10. Which antibiotic is a urinary tract antiseptic?
A) Amoxicillin
B) Nitrofurantoin
C) Azithromycin
D) Doxycycline
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin concentrates in urine and is used for uncomplicated UTIs; it is
not effective for systemic infections.
11. A patient is prescribed trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Which side effect is
most concerning?
A) Diarrhea
B) Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: TMP-SMX can cause severe hypersensitivity reactions, including Stevens-
Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis.
12. Which antibiotic is a tetracycline?
A) Amoxicillin
B) Doxycycline
C) Azithromycin
D) Cephalexin
Rationale: Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic; it is contraindicated in pregnancy and
children under 8 due to tooth discoloration.
13. A patient is prescribed doxycycline. Which instruction is correct?
A) Take with milk
B) Take with plenty of water
