BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
Verified Answers|100% Correct| Grade A-
Nightingale
What hormone stimulates the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
from both male and female glands?
A)Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
B)Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
C)Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D)Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH) - ANSWER c
The male and female glands respond to luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH, which
are released from the anterior pituitary in response to stimulation from GnRH that
is released from the hypothalamus. GHRH stimulates the release of the growth
hormone, which targets cell growth. TRH stimulates the thyroid-stimulating
hormone, which targets the thyroid gland. PRH stimulates the release of prolactin,
which is necessary for milk production.
A nurse is providing patient education to a patient as part of her work in a fertility
clinic. The nurse explains possible reasons for infertility. When explaining how the
ovaries are involved in conception, what will the nurse stress?
A)Ova quickly degenerate and most are absorbed in the body before the age of 12.
B)The ovaries at birth contain all of the ova that a woman will have.
C)Ova aggregate, causing millions to be contained in a storage site called a follicle.
D)Follicles produce only estrogen; the uterus produces progesterone. -
ANSWER b
It would be important to explain that the woman's ova do not increase or decrease
from birth to childbearing years. The nurse will stress that all the ova that a woman
,will have will be present at birth. The patient should understand that if she does not
ovulate 1 month or for several months, it is not because she has done something to
her body to cause this. Ova slowly degenerate over a lifetime or they are released
once a month until menopause is complete. Each ovum is contained in a storage
site called a follicle, which produces the female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone.
The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy with her clinical
group. What hormone, produced during pregnancy, would the instructor tell the
students helps to maintain the pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A)High levels of estrogen only
B)High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C)Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D)High levels of estrogen and progesterone - ANSWER D
Feedback:
In a pregnant woman, both estrogen and progesterone hormones have specific
functions. High levels of both hormones are needed for the maintenance of
pregnancy.
The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about the female
reproductive system. A student is trying to understand the role of progesterone in
the body. What nonreproductive affect does progesterone have on the body?
A)Decreased body temperature B)Decreased appetite C)Anti-insulinD)Increased
uterine motility - ANSWER C
Feedback:
Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate a higher blood glucose
concentration to allow for rapid diffusion of glucose to the developing embryo.
Body temperature and appetite are increased by progesterone. Uterine motility is
decreased to provide increased chance that implantation can occur.
What hormone causes ovulation to occur? A)Adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)
B)Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C)Prolactin
,D)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - ANSWER B
Feedback:
When the circulating estrogen level rises high enough, it stimulates a massive
release of LH from the anterior pituitary causing one of the developing follicles to
burst and release the ovum with its stored hormones into the system. ACTH targets
the adrenal corticosteroid hormone, which helps prepare the body for the "fight or
flight" response. Prolactin is responsible for milk production and FSH in
combination with LH stimulate follicles on the outer surface of the uterus to grow
and develop and also stimulates the release of estrogen and progesterone.
A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe menstrual cramps.
The girl is concerned about the pain and worried that "something is wrong." The
nurse explains to the patient that she has cramping during her menstrual period
because of what?
A)An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which cause uterine
contractions
B)Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of the lining of
the uterus
C)Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off
vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D)An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the lining of the
uterus to slough away - ANSWER C Feedback:
Prostaglandins in the uterus stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off vessels in
the lining of the uterus, which is the cause of the cramping. The decrease of
estrogen and progesterone after the involution of the corpus luteum triggers the
release of follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The
decreased levels of FSH and LH cause the inner lining of the uterus to slough off
because the vascular system is no longer being stimulated. High, not low, levels of
plasminogen in the uterus prevent clotting of the lining as the vessels shear off.
What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific adrenergic agonist
effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm during anesthesia?
A)Dobutamine (Dobutrex) B)Ephedrine (generic) C)Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
D)Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) - ANSWER C
, Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent bronchospasm
during anesthesia. Phenylephrine is an alpha-specific adrenergic agonist. Both
dobutamine and ephedrine are alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists.
The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients. Which patient should
be advised by the nurse that over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations contain
phenylephrine and should be avoided?
A)A 47-year-old woman with hypertensionB)A 52-year-old man with adult onset
diabetes
C)A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection
D)A 62-year-old man with gout - ANSWER A
Feedback:
Phenylephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor and alpha1-agonist with little or no effect
on the heart or bronchi, is used in many combination cold and allergy products.
Patients with hypertension should avoid these drugs because serious increases in
blood pressure could occur. Use of this drug in patients with diabetes and gout are
not contraindicated. An upper respiratory infection may be an indication for the
drug.
The nurse is writing a plan of care for a patient receiving an alpha-specific
adrenergic agonist. What should this plan of care include?
A)Monitoring the patient for diarrhea
B)Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate every 2 to 4 hours
C)Assessing skin turgor for dehydration D)Assessing for fatigue and lethargy -
ANSWER B
Sympathetic stimulation will cause hypertension and increased heart rate so it is
important these be monitored. Sympathetic stimulation will also result in increased
sweating, decreased gastrointestinal activity, and a sense of anxiety and heightened
awareness. Diarrhea, dehydration, fatigue, and lethargy would not be expected.
A nurse receives an order for clonidine (Catapres) for a 25-year-old pregnant
woman. What is the nurse's priority action?
A)Weigh the patient to obtain correct dose/kg/day.
B)Have a second nurse check the dose before administering the drug.
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions and
Verified Answers|100% Correct| Grade A-
Nightingale
What hormone stimulates the release of the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
from both male and female glands?
A)Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH)
B)Thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)
C)Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)
D)Prolactin-releasing hormone (PRH) - ANSWER c
The male and female glands respond to luteinizing hormone (LH) and FSH, which
are released from the anterior pituitary in response to stimulation from GnRH that
is released from the hypothalamus. GHRH stimulates the release of the growth
hormone, which targets cell growth. TRH stimulates the thyroid-stimulating
hormone, which targets the thyroid gland. PRH stimulates the release of prolactin,
which is necessary for milk production.
A nurse is providing patient education to a patient as part of her work in a fertility
clinic. The nurse explains possible reasons for infertility. When explaining how the
ovaries are involved in conception, what will the nurse stress?
A)Ova quickly degenerate and most are absorbed in the body before the age of 12.
B)The ovaries at birth contain all of the ova that a woman will have.
C)Ova aggregate, causing millions to be contained in a storage site called a follicle.
D)Follicles produce only estrogen; the uterus produces progesterone. -
ANSWER b
It would be important to explain that the woman's ova do not increase or decrease
from birth to childbearing years. The nurse will stress that all the ova that a woman
,will have will be present at birth. The patient should understand that if she does not
ovulate 1 month or for several months, it is not because she has done something to
her body to cause this. Ova slowly degenerate over a lifetime or they are released
once a month until menopause is complete. Each ovum is contained in a storage
site called a follicle, which produces the female sex hormones, estrogen and
progesterone.
The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy with her clinical
group. What hormone, produced during pregnancy, would the instructor tell the
students helps to maintain the pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A)High levels of estrogen only
B)High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C)Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D)High levels of estrogen and progesterone - ANSWER D
Feedback:
In a pregnant woman, both estrogen and progesterone hormones have specific
functions. High levels of both hormones are needed for the maintenance of
pregnancy.
The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about the female
reproductive system. A student is trying to understand the role of progesterone in
the body. What nonreproductive affect does progesterone have on the body?
A)Decreased body temperature B)Decreased appetite C)Anti-insulinD)Increased
uterine motility - ANSWER C
Feedback:
Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate a higher blood glucose
concentration to allow for rapid diffusion of glucose to the developing embryo.
Body temperature and appetite are increased by progesterone. Uterine motility is
decreased to provide increased chance that implantation can occur.
What hormone causes ovulation to occur? A)Adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH)
B)Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C)Prolactin
,D)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) - ANSWER B
Feedback:
When the circulating estrogen level rises high enough, it stimulates a massive
release of LH from the anterior pituitary causing one of the developing follicles to
burst and release the ovum with its stored hormones into the system. ACTH targets
the adrenal corticosteroid hormone, which helps prepare the body for the "fight or
flight" response. Prolactin is responsible for milk production and FSH in
combination with LH stimulate follicles on the outer surface of the uterus to grow
and develop and also stimulates the release of estrogen and progesterone.
A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe menstrual cramps.
The girl is concerned about the pain and worried that "something is wrong." The
nurse explains to the patient that she has cramping during her menstrual period
because of what?
A)An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which cause uterine
contractions
B)Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of the lining of
the uterus
C)Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off
vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D)An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the lining of the
uterus to slough away - ANSWER C Feedback:
Prostaglandins in the uterus stimulate uterine contractions to clamp off vessels in
the lining of the uterus, which is the cause of the cramping. The decrease of
estrogen and progesterone after the involution of the corpus luteum triggers the
release of follicle- stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The
decreased levels of FSH and LH cause the inner lining of the uterus to slough off
because the vascular system is no longer being stimulated. High, not low, levels of
plasminogen in the uterus prevent clotting of the lining as the vessels shear off.
What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific adrenergic agonist
effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm during anesthesia?
A)Dobutamine (Dobutrex) B)Ephedrine (generic) C)Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
D)Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine) - ANSWER C
, Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent bronchospasm
during anesthesia. Phenylephrine is an alpha-specific adrenergic agonist. Both
dobutamine and ephedrine are alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonists.
The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients. Which patient should
be advised by the nurse that over-the-counter cold and allergy preparations contain
phenylephrine and should be avoided?
A)A 47-year-old woman with hypertensionB)A 52-year-old man with adult onset
diabetes
C)A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory infection
D)A 62-year-old man with gout - ANSWER A
Feedback:
Phenylephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor and alpha1-agonist with little or no effect
on the heart or bronchi, is used in many combination cold and allergy products.
Patients with hypertension should avoid these drugs because serious increases in
blood pressure could occur. Use of this drug in patients with diabetes and gout are
not contraindicated. An upper respiratory infection may be an indication for the
drug.
The nurse is writing a plan of care for a patient receiving an alpha-specific
adrenergic agonist. What should this plan of care include?
A)Monitoring the patient for diarrhea
B)Monitoring blood pressure and heart rate every 2 to 4 hours
C)Assessing skin turgor for dehydration D)Assessing for fatigue and lethargy -
ANSWER B
Sympathetic stimulation will cause hypertension and increased heart rate so it is
important these be monitored. Sympathetic stimulation will also result in increased
sweating, decreased gastrointestinal activity, and a sense of anxiety and heightened
awareness. Diarrhea, dehydration, fatigue, and lethargy would not be expected.
A nurse receives an order for clonidine (Catapres) for a 25-year-old pregnant
woman. What is the nurse's priority action?
A)Weigh the patient to obtain correct dose/kg/day.
B)Have a second nurse check the dose before administering the drug.
