1
NSG 223
NSG223 Exam 1 Questions with Correct
Detailed Answers UPDATED 2025-2026
AST -Correct Answer ✔Male 20-40 u/L
Female 15-30 u/L
ALT -Correct Answer ✔Male 19-36 u/L
Female 24-36 u/L
ALBUMIN -Correct Answer ✔3.4-4.8 g/dL
BILIRUBIN -Correct Answer ✔< 1.2 mg/dL
BUN -Correct Answer ✔8-21 mg/dL
CREATININE -Correct Answer ✔Male 0.61-1.21 mg/dL
Female 0.51-1.11 mg/dL
SERUM DIGOXIN -Correct Answer ✔0.5-2.0 ng/mL
SERUM CALCIUM -Correct Answer ✔9-11 mg/dL
SERUM POTASSIUM -Correct Answer ✔3.5-5.0 mEq/L
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL -Correct Answer ✔< 200 mg/dL
HDL -Correct Answer ✔> 60 mg/dL
LDL -Correct Answer ✔< 100 mg/dL
TRIGLYCERIDES -Correct Answer ✔< 150 mg/dL
aPTT (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔25-30 seconds
aPTT (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔60-80 seconds (1.5-2 x normal)
PT (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔11-14 seconds
PT (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔18-24 seconds (1.5-2 x normal)
INR (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔0.9-1.2 seconds
NSG 223
, 2
NSG 223
INR (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔2-3 seconds
WBC -Correct Answer ✔4,500-11,100 cells/microL
(4.5-11.1 x 10^3)
RBC -Correct Answer ✔Male 4.21-5.81 x 10^6 cells/microL
Female 3.61-5.11 x 10^6 cells/microL
HGB -Correct Answer ✔Male 14.0-17.3 g/dL
Female 11.7-15.5 g/dL
HCT -Correct Answer ✔Male 42-52%
Female 36-48%
PLT -Correct Answer ✔150,000-400,000/microL
RIGHTS OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION -Correct Answer ✔Right patient, right
medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right education, right
to refuse, right assessment, right evaluation.
DRUG PREGNANCY CATEGORIES -Correct Answer ✔A alright
B be careful
C controversial
D don't do it
X never
PHARMACOKINETICS -Correct Answer ✔*What the body does to the drug.*
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS (LFT's) -Correct Answer ✔AST/ALT/Bilirubin/Serum
Albumin. Increased levels indicate hepatic function issues which would effect
metabolism of medications.
RENAL FUNCTION TESTS -Correct Answer ✔BUN/Creatinine. Increased levels
indicate renal function issues which would effect excretion of medications.
SERUM DRUG LEVELS -Correct Answer ✔Laboratory measurement of the amount of a
drug in the blood at a particular time used to effectively maintain therapeutic range.
PEAK PLASMA LEVEL -Correct Answer ✔Measurement of when the drug is at its
highest concentration in the body. Timing depends on medication peak time and route
of administration.
NSG 223
, 3
NSG 223
TROUGH PLASMA LEVEL -Correct Answer ✔Measurement of when the drug is at its
lowest concentration in the body. Timing of test is usually right before administration of
next dose.
HYPOCALCEMIA -Correct Answer ✔*Serum calcium < 9 mg/dL.* Symptoms include
(CATS) convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms/stridor.
HYPERCALCEMIA -Correct Answer ✔*Serum calcium > 11 mg/dL.* Symptoms include
increased bone pain, anorexia, n/v/c, thirst, lethargy, fatigue.
DRUGS FOR CALCIUM IMBALANCES -Correct Answer ✔Calcium Supplements
Vitamin D Therapy
CALCIUM SALTS -Correct Answer ✔Calcium *supplement* used to treat osteoporosis
and hypocalcemia.
*PO w/ meals and full glass of water.*
CALCITRIOL -Correct Answer ✔Active form of vitamin D that promotes intestinal
absorption of calcium - not effective without adequate calcium intake. *Excess vitamin D
can cause calcium to leave bones and enter the blood.*
OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS -Correct Answer ✔Bisphosphonates
Calcitonins
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMS)
ALENDRONATE (FOSAMAX) -Correct Answer ✔Bisphosphonate used in the treatment
of osteoporosis. Inhibits osteoclast activity (decrease bone resorption). *Can cause
esophageal irritation - administer on empty stomach with full glass of water and remain
upright at least 30 minutes.*
CALCITONIN (SALMON) -Correct Answer ✔*Nasal spray* used in the treatment of
postmenopausal osteoporosis to inhibit osteoclast activity (decrease bone resorption).
RALOXIFENE (EVISTA) -Correct Answer ✔SERM used in the treatment of
osteoporosis. Blocks estrogen receptors in breasts and uterus to increase estrogen in
bone to slow bone loss. *Monitor for risk of PE and DVT.*
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) -Correct Answer ✔Progressive, degenerative joint disease
with loss of articular cartilage and hypertrophy of bone at articular surfaces. *Associated
with "wear and tear."*
*TREATMENT:* acetaminophen first then progress to NSAIDs.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) -Correct Answer ✔Chronic, progressive disease
caused by *autoimmune* and inflammatory components and effects multiple joints.
NSG 223
NSG 223
NSG223 Exam 1 Questions with Correct
Detailed Answers UPDATED 2025-2026
AST -Correct Answer ✔Male 20-40 u/L
Female 15-30 u/L
ALT -Correct Answer ✔Male 19-36 u/L
Female 24-36 u/L
ALBUMIN -Correct Answer ✔3.4-4.8 g/dL
BILIRUBIN -Correct Answer ✔< 1.2 mg/dL
BUN -Correct Answer ✔8-21 mg/dL
CREATININE -Correct Answer ✔Male 0.61-1.21 mg/dL
Female 0.51-1.11 mg/dL
SERUM DIGOXIN -Correct Answer ✔0.5-2.0 ng/mL
SERUM CALCIUM -Correct Answer ✔9-11 mg/dL
SERUM POTASSIUM -Correct Answer ✔3.5-5.0 mEq/L
TOTAL CHOLESTEROL -Correct Answer ✔< 200 mg/dL
HDL -Correct Answer ✔> 60 mg/dL
LDL -Correct Answer ✔< 100 mg/dL
TRIGLYCERIDES -Correct Answer ✔< 150 mg/dL
aPTT (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔25-30 seconds
aPTT (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔60-80 seconds (1.5-2 x normal)
PT (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔11-14 seconds
PT (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔18-24 seconds (1.5-2 x normal)
INR (NORMAL) -Correct Answer ✔0.9-1.2 seconds
NSG 223
, 2
NSG 223
INR (THERAPEUTIC) -Correct Answer ✔2-3 seconds
WBC -Correct Answer ✔4,500-11,100 cells/microL
(4.5-11.1 x 10^3)
RBC -Correct Answer ✔Male 4.21-5.81 x 10^6 cells/microL
Female 3.61-5.11 x 10^6 cells/microL
HGB -Correct Answer ✔Male 14.0-17.3 g/dL
Female 11.7-15.5 g/dL
HCT -Correct Answer ✔Male 42-52%
Female 36-48%
PLT -Correct Answer ✔150,000-400,000/microL
RIGHTS OF DRUG ADMINISTRATION -Correct Answer ✔Right patient, right
medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right education, right
to refuse, right assessment, right evaluation.
DRUG PREGNANCY CATEGORIES -Correct Answer ✔A alright
B be careful
C controversial
D don't do it
X never
PHARMACOKINETICS -Correct Answer ✔*What the body does to the drug.*
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.
LIVER FUNCTION TESTS (LFT's) -Correct Answer ✔AST/ALT/Bilirubin/Serum
Albumin. Increased levels indicate hepatic function issues which would effect
metabolism of medications.
RENAL FUNCTION TESTS -Correct Answer ✔BUN/Creatinine. Increased levels
indicate renal function issues which would effect excretion of medications.
SERUM DRUG LEVELS -Correct Answer ✔Laboratory measurement of the amount of a
drug in the blood at a particular time used to effectively maintain therapeutic range.
PEAK PLASMA LEVEL -Correct Answer ✔Measurement of when the drug is at its
highest concentration in the body. Timing depends on medication peak time and route
of administration.
NSG 223
, 3
NSG 223
TROUGH PLASMA LEVEL -Correct Answer ✔Measurement of when the drug is at its
lowest concentration in the body. Timing of test is usually right before administration of
next dose.
HYPOCALCEMIA -Correct Answer ✔*Serum calcium < 9 mg/dL.* Symptoms include
(CATS) convulsions, arrhythmias, tetany, spasms/stridor.
HYPERCALCEMIA -Correct Answer ✔*Serum calcium > 11 mg/dL.* Symptoms include
increased bone pain, anorexia, n/v/c, thirst, lethargy, fatigue.
DRUGS FOR CALCIUM IMBALANCES -Correct Answer ✔Calcium Supplements
Vitamin D Therapy
CALCIUM SALTS -Correct Answer ✔Calcium *supplement* used to treat osteoporosis
and hypocalcemia.
*PO w/ meals and full glass of water.*
CALCITRIOL -Correct Answer ✔Active form of vitamin D that promotes intestinal
absorption of calcium - not effective without adequate calcium intake. *Excess vitamin D
can cause calcium to leave bones and enter the blood.*
OSTEOPOROSIS DRUGS -Correct Answer ✔Bisphosphonates
Calcitonins
Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMS)
ALENDRONATE (FOSAMAX) -Correct Answer ✔Bisphosphonate used in the treatment
of osteoporosis. Inhibits osteoclast activity (decrease bone resorption). *Can cause
esophageal irritation - administer on empty stomach with full glass of water and remain
upright at least 30 minutes.*
CALCITONIN (SALMON) -Correct Answer ✔*Nasal spray* used in the treatment of
postmenopausal osteoporosis to inhibit osteoclast activity (decrease bone resorption).
RALOXIFENE (EVISTA) -Correct Answer ✔SERM used in the treatment of
osteoporosis. Blocks estrogen receptors in breasts and uterus to increase estrogen in
bone to slow bone loss. *Monitor for risk of PE and DVT.*
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) -Correct Answer ✔Progressive, degenerative joint disease
with loss of articular cartilage and hypertrophy of bone at articular surfaces. *Associated
with "wear and tear."*
*TREATMENT:* acetaminophen first then progress to NSAIDs.
RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA) -Correct Answer ✔Chronic, progressive disease
caused by *autoimmune* and inflammatory components and effects multiple joints.
NSG 223
