NU 578 UNIT 4 GASTROINTESTINAL
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2026/2027
– 75 VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
HERZING UNIVERSITY NURSING |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. Which medication is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) commonly used for
GERD?
A) Ranitidine
B) Omeprazole
C) Sucralfate
D) Misoprostol
Rationale: Omeprazole irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+ ATPase pump in gastric parietal
cells, reducing acid secretion. Ranitidine is an H2 blocker; sucralfate is a mucosal
protectant; misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog.
2. Which of the following are adverse effects of long-term PPI therapy? Select
all that apply.
A) Hypomagnesemia
B) Increased risk of C. difficile infection
C) Fracture risk
D) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Long-term PPIs reduce magnesium absorption, alter gut flora increasing C.
diff risk, and decrease calcium absorption leading to fractures. Hyperkalemia is not
typical.
3. A patient on sucralfate should be instructed to take the medication:
A) On an empty stomach 1 hour before meals
B) With meals
,C) At bedtime with food
D) Immediately after meals
Rationale: Sucralfate forms a protective barrier over ulcers; food decreases its binding.
It should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals and at bedtime.
4. Which drug is an H2 receptor antagonist? Select all that apply.
A) Famotidine
B) Cimetidine
C) Pantoprazole
D) Esomeprazole
Rationale: Famotidine and cimetidine block histamine H2 receptors on parietal cells.
Pantoprazole and esomeprazole are PPIs.
5. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy for treating GERD?
A) Calcium carbonate
B) Misoprostol
C) Famotidine
D) Omeprazole
Rationale: Misoprostol (prostaglandin E1 analog) can cause uterine contractions and
abortion; it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
6. Which are appropriate nursing considerations for a patient receiving
ondansetron? Select all that apply.
A) Monitor for QT prolongation
B) Assess for headache and constipation
C) Administer with grapefruit juice
D) Monitor for serotonin syndrome
Rationale: Ondansetron (5-HT3 antagonist) can prolong QT interval, cause
headache/constipation, and increase serotonin syndrome risk. Grapefruit juice is not a
concern.
, 7. Metoclopramide is used for:
A) Gastroparesis
B) Chemotherapy-induced nausea
C) Peptic ulcer disease
D) Constipation
Rationale: Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist/prokinetic used for gastroparesis
and CINV. It is not used for PUD or constipation.
8. Which adverse effect is associated with metoclopramide? Select all that
apply.
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Dystonia
C) Hyperprolactinemia
D) Hypertension
Rationale: Metoclopramide blocks dopamine receptors, causing extrapyramidal
symptoms (tardive dyskinesia, dystonia) and increased prolactin. It does not typically
cause hypertension.
9. Which laxative is classified as a stimulant?
A) Docusate sodium
B) Bisacodyl
C) Polyethylene glycol
D) Psyllium
Rationale: Bisacodyl stimulates intestinal peristalsis. Docusate is a stool softener; PEG is
osmotic; psyllium is bulk-forming.
10. Which are bulk-forming laxatives? Select all that apply.
A) Psyllium
B) Methylcellulose
C) Senna
D) Magnesium hydroxide
Rationale: Psyllium and methylcellulose absorb water and increase stool bulk. Senna is
stimulant; magnesium hydroxide is osmotic.
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2026/2027
– 75 VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES |
HERZING UNIVERSITY NURSING |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD
1. Which medication is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) commonly used for
GERD?
A) Ranitidine
B) Omeprazole
C) Sucralfate
D) Misoprostol
Rationale: Omeprazole irreversibly inhibits the H+/K+ ATPase pump in gastric parietal
cells, reducing acid secretion. Ranitidine is an H2 blocker; sucralfate is a mucosal
protectant; misoprostol is a prostaglandin analog.
2. Which of the following are adverse effects of long-term PPI therapy? Select
all that apply.
A) Hypomagnesemia
B) Increased risk of C. difficile infection
C) Fracture risk
D) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Long-term PPIs reduce magnesium absorption, alter gut flora increasing C.
diff risk, and decrease calcium absorption leading to fractures. Hyperkalemia is not
typical.
3. A patient on sucralfate should be instructed to take the medication:
A) On an empty stomach 1 hour before meals
B) With meals
,C) At bedtime with food
D) Immediately after meals
Rationale: Sucralfate forms a protective barrier over ulcers; food decreases its binding.
It should be taken on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals and at bedtime.
4. Which drug is an H2 receptor antagonist? Select all that apply.
A) Famotidine
B) Cimetidine
C) Pantoprazole
D) Esomeprazole
Rationale: Famotidine and cimetidine block histamine H2 receptors on parietal cells.
Pantoprazole and esomeprazole are PPIs.
5. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy for treating GERD?
A) Calcium carbonate
B) Misoprostol
C) Famotidine
D) Omeprazole
Rationale: Misoprostol (prostaglandin E1 analog) can cause uterine contractions and
abortion; it is contraindicated in pregnancy.
6. Which are appropriate nursing considerations for a patient receiving
ondansetron? Select all that apply.
A) Monitor for QT prolongation
B) Assess for headache and constipation
C) Administer with grapefruit juice
D) Monitor for serotonin syndrome
Rationale: Ondansetron (5-HT3 antagonist) can prolong QT interval, cause
headache/constipation, and increase serotonin syndrome risk. Grapefruit juice is not a
concern.
, 7. Metoclopramide is used for:
A) Gastroparesis
B) Chemotherapy-induced nausea
C) Peptic ulcer disease
D) Constipation
Rationale: Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist/prokinetic used for gastroparesis
and CINV. It is not used for PUD or constipation.
8. Which adverse effect is associated with metoclopramide? Select all that
apply.
A) Tardive dyskinesia
B) Dystonia
C) Hyperprolactinemia
D) Hypertension
Rationale: Metoclopramide blocks dopamine receptors, causing extrapyramidal
symptoms (tardive dyskinesia, dystonia) and increased prolactin. It does not typically
cause hypertension.
9. Which laxative is classified as a stimulant?
A) Docusate sodium
B) Bisacodyl
C) Polyethylene glycol
D) Psyllium
Rationale: Bisacodyl stimulates intestinal peristalsis. Docusate is a stool softener; PEG is
osmotic; psyllium is bulk-forming.
10. Which are bulk-forming laxatives? Select all that apply.
A) Psyllium
B) Methylcellulose
C) Senna
D) Magnesium hydroxide
Rationale: Psyllium and methylcellulose absorb water and increase stool bulk. Senna is
stimulant; magnesium hydroxide is osmotic.
