NSG 318 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM QUESTION BANK
2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE TEST | CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. What is a superinfection?
any infection that persists for longer than 2 weeks
an infection cause by an alteration of normal body flora during
treatment with an antibiotic
an infection that is easy to eradicate because it usually responds well
to antibiotic therapy
a serious infection affecting several bodily systems
2. What is the maximum recommended duration for the use of ketorolac?
10 days
7 days
5 days or less
2 weeks
3. Describe how the mechanism of action of penicillin contributes to its
effectiveness against bacteria.
Penicillin alters RNA transcription, inhibiting protein production.
Penicillin blocks protein synthesis, preventing bacterial growth.
Penicillin disrupts the formation of the bacterial cell wall, leading to
cell lysis and death.
Penicillin interferes with DNA replication, stopping bacterial
reproduction.
,4. Discuss the implications of using ketorolac for longer than the recommended
duration.
There are no implications for exceeding the recommended duration.
Longer use of ketorolac is safe if monitored closely.
Using ketorolac for longer than the recommended duration can
increase the risk of adverse effects and complications.
Ketorolac can be used indefinitely if the patient tolerates it well.
5. Describe the significance of recognizing a disulfiram-like reaction in patients
taking certain medications.
It helps in diagnosing bacterial infections more accurately.
It indicates the need for increased dosages of antibiotics.
Recognizing a disulfiram-like reaction is crucial for preventing
adverse effects in patients taking medications like ceftriaxone and
metronidazole.
It is important for understanding drug interactions with over-the-
counter medications.
6. What condition is zolpidem tartrate primarily used to treat?
Insomnia
Depression
Pain
Anxiety
7. Describe the differences in onset times among the various types of insulin.
, Long-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 1-1.5 hrs, while
intermediate-acting takes 30 min.
All types of insulin have the same onset time of 30 min.
Short-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 30 min, while rapid-acting
takes 1-2 hrs.
Rapid-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 10-30 min, followed by
short-acting at 30 min, intermediate-acting at 1-2 hrs, and long-
acting at 1-1.5 hrs.
8. What is metronidazole used for?
vaginitis
C. diff colitis
all of these
anaerobic infections
9. If a patient is experiencing alopecia after starting a new antibiotic, what
should a nurse consider when assessing the situation?
The nurse should suggest using hair growth products without
consulting a doctor.
The nurse should consider the possibility that the antibiotic may be
causing the hair loss as a side effect.
The nurse should ignore the hair loss as it is unrelated to medication.
The nurse should recommend stopping all medications immediately.
10. Which laboratory values should be evaluated to assess a patient's ability to
metabolize antibiotics?
Glucose, potassium, and sodium levels
, BUN, creatinine, and liver enzyme levels
Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and white blood cell count
Calcium, magnesium, and phosphate levels
11. What is the major concern of combining MAOIs and tyramine?
suicidal idealization
weight gain
cardiogenic toxicity
hypertensive crisis
12. A patient has received atropine 30 minutes prior to a surgical procedure. The
nurse knows that which is the purpose of the administration of preoperative
atropine?
To decrease heart rate
To decrease salivary secretions
To induce sedation
To promote urination
13. There is a new drug on the market used to treat overactive bladder called
solifenacin. What is likely a mechanism of action of this medication.
muscarinic agonist
diuretic
adrenergic blocker
acetylcholine esterase inhibitor
muscarinic antagonist
2026/2027 | NURSING PRACTICE TEST | CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. What is a superinfection?
any infection that persists for longer than 2 weeks
an infection cause by an alteration of normal body flora during
treatment with an antibiotic
an infection that is easy to eradicate because it usually responds well
to antibiotic therapy
a serious infection affecting several bodily systems
2. What is the maximum recommended duration for the use of ketorolac?
10 days
7 days
5 days or less
2 weeks
3. Describe how the mechanism of action of penicillin contributes to its
effectiveness against bacteria.
Penicillin alters RNA transcription, inhibiting protein production.
Penicillin blocks protein synthesis, preventing bacterial growth.
Penicillin disrupts the formation of the bacterial cell wall, leading to
cell lysis and death.
Penicillin interferes with DNA replication, stopping bacterial
reproduction.
,4. Discuss the implications of using ketorolac for longer than the recommended
duration.
There are no implications for exceeding the recommended duration.
Longer use of ketorolac is safe if monitored closely.
Using ketorolac for longer than the recommended duration can
increase the risk of adverse effects and complications.
Ketorolac can be used indefinitely if the patient tolerates it well.
5. Describe the significance of recognizing a disulfiram-like reaction in patients
taking certain medications.
It helps in diagnosing bacterial infections more accurately.
It indicates the need for increased dosages of antibiotics.
Recognizing a disulfiram-like reaction is crucial for preventing
adverse effects in patients taking medications like ceftriaxone and
metronidazole.
It is important for understanding drug interactions with over-the-
counter medications.
6. What condition is zolpidem tartrate primarily used to treat?
Insomnia
Depression
Pain
Anxiety
7. Describe the differences in onset times among the various types of insulin.
, Long-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 1-1.5 hrs, while
intermediate-acting takes 30 min.
All types of insulin have the same onset time of 30 min.
Short-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 30 min, while rapid-acting
takes 1-2 hrs.
Rapid-acting insulin has the fastest onset at 10-30 min, followed by
short-acting at 30 min, intermediate-acting at 1-2 hrs, and long-
acting at 1-1.5 hrs.
8. What is metronidazole used for?
vaginitis
C. diff colitis
all of these
anaerobic infections
9. If a patient is experiencing alopecia after starting a new antibiotic, what
should a nurse consider when assessing the situation?
The nurse should suggest using hair growth products without
consulting a doctor.
The nurse should consider the possibility that the antibiotic may be
causing the hair loss as a side effect.
The nurse should ignore the hair loss as it is unrelated to medication.
The nurse should recommend stopping all medications immediately.
10. Which laboratory values should be evaluated to assess a patient's ability to
metabolize antibiotics?
Glucose, potassium, and sodium levels
, BUN, creatinine, and liver enzyme levels
Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and white blood cell count
Calcium, magnesium, and phosphate levels
11. What is the major concern of combining MAOIs and tyramine?
suicidal idealization
weight gain
cardiogenic toxicity
hypertensive crisis
12. A patient has received atropine 30 minutes prior to a surgical procedure. The
nurse knows that which is the purpose of the administration of preoperative
atropine?
To decrease heart rate
To decrease salivary secretions
To induce sedation
To promote urination
13. There is a new drug on the market used to treat overactive bladder called
solifenacin. What is likely a mechanism of action of this medication.
muscarinic agonist
diuretic
adrenergic blocker
acetylcholine esterase inhibitor
muscarinic antagonist
