Pharmacology NBME Application Questions
| Comprehensive Practice Test Bank with
Answers and Rationales for Exam
Preparation
1. A patient presents with chronic pain and is prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID). Which of the following is a common side effect of
NSAIDs?
o A) Weight loss
o B) Gastrointestinal bleeding
o C) Hyperglycemia
o D) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding due to their
inhibition of cyclooxygenase, which leads to decreased protective gastric mucus.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient who has just started on a beta-blocker for
hypertension. Which of the following findings would be most concerning?
o A) Bradycardia
o B) Severe hypotension
o C) Mild fatigue
o D) Slight dizziness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypotension can indicate an adverse reaction to the medication and
may require immediate intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.
3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching?
o A) "I need to take this medication with meals."
o B) "I can stop taking this medication if I lose weight."
o C) "I should monitor my blood sugar levels regularly."
o D) "I need to report any unusual muscle pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin should be continued even if the patient loses weight, as it helps
manage blood glucose levels; stopping the medication prematurely can lead to poor
glycemic control.
,4. A nurse is administering warfarin to a patient. Which laboratory test is most
important to monitor?
o A) Hemoglobin
o B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
o C) Platelet count
o D) PT (Prothrombin Time)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring INR is essential for patients on warfarin to ensure they are
within the therapeutic range and to prevent bleeding complications.
5. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse educate the patient about?
o A) Tachycardia
o B) Persistent cough
o C) Weight gain
o D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A persistent cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings would indicate digoxin toxicity?
o A) Increased appetite
o B) Visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos)
o C) Weight loss
o D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances are a classic sign of digoxin toxicity, which can also
include nausea and bradycardia.
7. A patient with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin. What should the nurse
monitor for as a potential side effect of this medication?
o A) Increased blood pressure
o B) Muscle pain or weakness
o C) Increased appetite
, o D) Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause muscle pain or weakness, which may indicate
rhabdomyolysis, a serious side effect.
8. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient with diabetes. Which of the following
actions is most important?
o A) Administer the insulin in the arm
o B) Rotate injection sites
o C) Inject the insulin quickly
o D) Store the insulin at room temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy and ensures more
consistent absorption of insulin.
9. A patient receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
o A) Treat pain
o B) Prevent nausea and vomiting
o C) Increase appetite
o D) Treat diarrhea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ondansetron is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used primarily to
prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
10. A nurse is evaluating a patient who is taking lithium for bipolar disorder. Which of
the following findings is most concerning?
o A) Increased thirst
o B) Weight gain
o C) Tremors
o D) Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tremors can indicate lithium toxicity and require further evaluation and
possible adjustment of the medication.
11. A patient is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. What is the most important electrolyte
for the nurse to monitor?
, o A) Calcium
o B) Potassium
o C) Sodium
o D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, so monitoring potassium levels
is essential to prevent complications.
12. A nurse is administering a dose of morphine to a patient. Which of the following
assessments is the priority?
o A) Pain level
o B) Respiratory rate
o C) Blood pressure
o D) Level of consciousness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring respiratory rate is critical after administering opioids due to the
risk of respiratory depression.
13. A patient is started on atorvastatin. What is the primary action of this medication?
o A) Increase HDL cholesterol
o B) Lower LDL cholesterol
o C) Decrease triglycerides
o D) Increase blood glucose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin primarily works to lower LDL cholesterol levels, reducing
cardiovascular risk.
14. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of prednisone. Which statement
indicates a need for further education?
o A) "I may experience increased appetite."
o B) "This medication will not affect my blood sugar levels."
o C) "I should take this medication with food."
o D) "I need to monitor for signs of infection."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prednisone can cause hyperglycemia, so patients should be aware of
potential effects on blood sugar levels.
| Comprehensive Practice Test Bank with
Answers and Rationales for Exam
Preparation
1. A patient presents with chronic pain and is prescribed a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID). Which of the following is a common side effect of
NSAIDs?
o A) Weight loss
o B) Gastrointestinal bleeding
o C) Hyperglycemia
o D) Tachycardia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: NSAIDs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding due to their
inhibition of cyclooxygenase, which leads to decreased protective gastric mucus.
2. A nurse is monitoring a patient who has just started on a beta-blocker for
hypertension. Which of the following findings would be most concerning?
o A) Bradycardia
o B) Severe hypotension
o C) Mild fatigue
o D) Slight dizziness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypotension can indicate an adverse reaction to the medication and
may require immediate intervention to prevent adverse outcomes.
3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which statement by the
patient indicates a need for further teaching?
o A) "I need to take this medication with meals."
o B) "I can stop taking this medication if I lose weight."
o C) "I should monitor my blood sugar levels regularly."
o D) "I need to report any unusual muscle pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin should be continued even if the patient loses weight, as it helps
manage blood glucose levels; stopping the medication prematurely can lead to poor
glycemic control.
,4. A nurse is administering warfarin to a patient. Which laboratory test is most
important to monitor?
o A) Hemoglobin
o B) INR (International Normalized Ratio)
o C) Platelet count
o D) PT (Prothrombin Time)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring INR is essential for patients on warfarin to ensure they are
within the therapeutic range and to prevent bleeding complications.
5. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse educate the patient about?
o A) Tachycardia
o B) Persistent cough
o C) Weight gain
o D) Increased appetite
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A persistent cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors due to the
accumulation of bradykinin.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient taking digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings would indicate digoxin toxicity?
o A) Increased appetite
o B) Visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green halos)
o C) Weight loss
o D) Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual disturbances are a classic sign of digoxin toxicity, which can also
include nausea and bradycardia.
7. A patient with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin. What should the nurse
monitor for as a potential side effect of this medication?
o A) Increased blood pressure
o B) Muscle pain or weakness
o C) Increased appetite
, o D) Weight gain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause muscle pain or weakness, which may indicate
rhabdomyolysis, a serious side effect.
8. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient with diabetes. Which of the following
actions is most important?
o A) Administer the insulin in the arm
o B) Rotate injection sites
o C) Inject the insulin quickly
o D) Store the insulin at room temperature
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy and ensures more
consistent absorption of insulin.
9. A patient receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron. What is the primary
purpose of this medication?
o A) Treat pain
o B) Prevent nausea and vomiting
o C) Increase appetite
o D) Treat diarrhea
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ondansetron is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used primarily to
prevent nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy.
10. A nurse is evaluating a patient who is taking lithium for bipolar disorder. Which of
the following findings is most concerning?
o A) Increased thirst
o B) Weight gain
o C) Tremors
o D) Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Tremors can indicate lithium toxicity and require further evaluation and
possible adjustment of the medication.
11. A patient is prescribed a thiazide diuretic. What is the most important electrolyte
for the nurse to monitor?
, o A) Calcium
o B) Potassium
o C) Sodium
o D) Magnesium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, so monitoring potassium levels
is essential to prevent complications.
12. A nurse is administering a dose of morphine to a patient. Which of the following
assessments is the priority?
o A) Pain level
o B) Respiratory rate
o C) Blood pressure
o D) Level of consciousness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Monitoring respiratory rate is critical after administering opioids due to the
risk of respiratory depression.
13. A patient is started on atorvastatin. What is the primary action of this medication?
o A) Increase HDL cholesterol
o B) Lower LDL cholesterol
o C) Decrease triglycerides
o D) Increase blood glucose
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin primarily works to lower LDL cholesterol levels, reducing
cardiovascular risk.
14. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of prednisone. Which statement
indicates a need for further education?
o A) "I may experience increased appetite."
o B) "This medication will not affect my blood sugar levels."
o C) "I should take this medication with food."
o D) "I need to monitor for signs of infection."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prednisone can cause hyperglycemia, so patients should be aware of
potential effects on blood sugar levels.
