NUR 521 Advanced Pharmacology
Exams 1 to 4 Blueprints_Complete Updated Fall 2025.
The University of Alabama
Capstone College of Nursing
NUR 521 Advanced Pharmacology
Exam 1 Blueprint and Study Guide
General Tips for Exam Success: A review of anatomy and pathophysiology is included at the beginning of most
modules in the course. You will not see many direct questions about this information; however, this foundational
knowledge is necessary to understand how drugs work in the body and how the body responds to drugs. You will
be much more successful if you have a strong foundational knowledge and understanding of this information.
You are responsible for knowing the name, MOA, Use, Common AE, Serious AE, Dosing, Administration,
CI, Interactions, and Patient Education for all prototype drugs included in each module. Most of the exam
questions will focus on the prototype drugs presented in each module. You also need to know about the drug class
across the life span. There is content in each module that discusses use of each drug class in pediatric, pregnancy,
breastfeeding, and older adult populations. You will not necessarily need to know an exact dose for prescribing on
all of the prototype drugs, but if faculty stresses a certain dose in a lecture, you will be responsible for this
information. When attempting to narrow down the content, consider what you need to know to be a safe prescriber.
Also, listen for tips and what is emphasized in the lecture. This study guide is intended to help you focus your
studies, but it does not include a list of all necessary details about each individual drug. If any evidenced base
guidelines were presented in the module, I would be sure to review what information was discussed by faculty in
the lecture.
Module Covered Exam Topic
Question
Allocation
Module I: Foundational 10 Legal Issues
,Principles of o Why should APRNs have full prescriptive authority? Who
Pharmacotherapeutics would benefit from this?
o Whether APRNs possess full prescriptive authority depends on
their legal right to prescribe without a supervisory or
collaborative requirement. APRNs are educated to practice and
prescribe independently without supervision; however, some
state laws require that they practice in collaboration with or
under a physician's supervision.
o Advance practice providers complete rigorous programs of
study, largely in accredited programs that meet stringent national
standards. Although there are differences in each program, all
include common components. They require extensive education
focused on assessment, diagnosis, and management of health
problems. Diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and procedural
skills are evaluated in both didactic and clinical courses.
National examinations validate the ability to provide safe and
competent care. Licensure ensures that providers comply with
standards of the practice that promote public health and safety.
o Limited prescriptive authority creates numerous barriers to
quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.
Controlled Substances Classification
o What is the definition of each schedule? Can you provide an
example drug that fits in each schedule?
o Schedule I: substances in this schedule are those that have no
, accepted medical use in the United States and have a high
potential for abuse. e.g. heronin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA
o Schedule II: substances in this schedule have a high abuse
potential with sever psychic or physical dependence liability.
Consists of certain narcotics and stimulants and depressant
drugs. e.g. opium, morphine codeine, dilaudid, methadone
demerol, and hydrocodone. Can also consist of narcotic and
stimulant drugs.
o Schedule III: Substances listed in this class have a potential for
abuse, B less than those in schedule I and II. Includes
compounds containing limited quantities of certain narcotic
drugs. e.g. products containing no more than 90 mg of codeine
per dosage unit such as Tylenol with codeine, Buprenophrine
o Buprenorphine- is a long-acting opioid drug used to replace
shorter- acting opioids that someone may be addicted to, such as
heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, or hydromorphone.
o
Prescribing Medication
o What components are necessary when writing a prescription?
o When writing any prescription, there are key elements that must
be present to compose a complete prescription. These elements
include the following
Prescriber name, license number, and contact information
, Prescriber U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
number if applicable
National provider Identifier (NPI) number
Patient name and DOB
Patient allergies
Name of medication
Indication of medication (e.g. atenolol for hypertension)
Medication strength (e.g., 25 mg, 500 mg/mL)
Dose of medication and frequency (e.g., 12.5 mg once
daily)
Number of tablets or capsules to dispense
Number of refills
If ok to use generic form of drug
It is important to note the indication for the medication because many
drugs are used for more than one purpose. This allows for the patient as
well as other providers to understand your intent for prescribing a
particular drug.
o What factors should the APRN considered when prescribing
medications?
o Cost
o Guidelines- It is the provider’s responsibility to keep abreast of
new recommendations or changes in guidelines and incorporate
these into their prescribing practices. Although following the
Exams 1 to 4 Blueprints_Complete Updated Fall 2025.
The University of Alabama
Capstone College of Nursing
NUR 521 Advanced Pharmacology
Exam 1 Blueprint and Study Guide
General Tips for Exam Success: A review of anatomy and pathophysiology is included at the beginning of most
modules in the course. You will not see many direct questions about this information; however, this foundational
knowledge is necessary to understand how drugs work in the body and how the body responds to drugs. You will
be much more successful if you have a strong foundational knowledge and understanding of this information.
You are responsible for knowing the name, MOA, Use, Common AE, Serious AE, Dosing, Administration,
CI, Interactions, and Patient Education for all prototype drugs included in each module. Most of the exam
questions will focus on the prototype drugs presented in each module. You also need to know about the drug class
across the life span. There is content in each module that discusses use of each drug class in pediatric, pregnancy,
breastfeeding, and older adult populations. You will not necessarily need to know an exact dose for prescribing on
all of the prototype drugs, but if faculty stresses a certain dose in a lecture, you will be responsible for this
information. When attempting to narrow down the content, consider what you need to know to be a safe prescriber.
Also, listen for tips and what is emphasized in the lecture. This study guide is intended to help you focus your
studies, but it does not include a list of all necessary details about each individual drug. If any evidenced base
guidelines were presented in the module, I would be sure to review what information was discussed by faculty in
the lecture.
Module Covered Exam Topic
Question
Allocation
Module I: Foundational 10 Legal Issues
,Principles of o Why should APRNs have full prescriptive authority? Who
Pharmacotherapeutics would benefit from this?
o Whether APRNs possess full prescriptive authority depends on
their legal right to prescribe without a supervisory or
collaborative requirement. APRNs are educated to practice and
prescribe independently without supervision; however, some
state laws require that they practice in collaboration with or
under a physician's supervision.
o Advance practice providers complete rigorous programs of
study, largely in accredited programs that meet stringent national
standards. Although there are differences in each program, all
include common components. They require extensive education
focused on assessment, diagnosis, and management of health
problems. Diagnostic reasoning, critical thinking, and procedural
skills are evaluated in both didactic and clinical courses.
National examinations validate the ability to provide safe and
competent care. Licensure ensures that providers comply with
standards of the practice that promote public health and safety.
o Limited prescriptive authority creates numerous barriers to
quality, affordable, and accessible patient care.
Controlled Substances Classification
o What is the definition of each schedule? Can you provide an
example drug that fits in each schedule?
o Schedule I: substances in this schedule are those that have no
, accepted medical use in the United States and have a high
potential for abuse. e.g. heronin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA
o Schedule II: substances in this schedule have a high abuse
potential with sever psychic or physical dependence liability.
Consists of certain narcotics and stimulants and depressant
drugs. e.g. opium, morphine codeine, dilaudid, methadone
demerol, and hydrocodone. Can also consist of narcotic and
stimulant drugs.
o Schedule III: Substances listed in this class have a potential for
abuse, B less than those in schedule I and II. Includes
compounds containing limited quantities of certain narcotic
drugs. e.g. products containing no more than 90 mg of codeine
per dosage unit such as Tylenol with codeine, Buprenophrine
o Buprenorphine- is a long-acting opioid drug used to replace
shorter- acting opioids that someone may be addicted to, such as
heroin, oxycodone, fentanyl, or hydromorphone.
o
Prescribing Medication
o What components are necessary when writing a prescription?
o When writing any prescription, there are key elements that must
be present to compose a complete prescription. These elements
include the following
Prescriber name, license number, and contact information
, Prescriber U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
number if applicable
National provider Identifier (NPI) number
Patient name and DOB
Patient allergies
Name of medication
Indication of medication (e.g. atenolol for hypertension)
Medication strength (e.g., 25 mg, 500 mg/mL)
Dose of medication and frequency (e.g., 12.5 mg once
daily)
Number of tablets or capsules to dispense
Number of refills
If ok to use generic form of drug
It is important to note the indication for the medication because many
drugs are used for more than one purpose. This allows for the patient as
well as other providers to understand your intent for prescribing a
particular drug.
o What factors should the APRN considered when prescribing
medications?
o Cost
o Guidelines- It is the provider’s responsibility to keep abreast of
new recommendations or changes in guidelines and incorporate
these into their prescribing practices. Although following the
