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NURS 180
NURS 180 / NURS180: Quiz 3 Exam - Pharmacology |WCU
(Latest 2026/2027) Q&A.
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST method. Which question best
assesses the "T" in PQRST?
A. "Can you describe the pain?"
B. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
C. "When did the pain start?"
D. "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?": Answer: C. "When did the
pain start?"
Rationale: The "T" in PQRST stands for "Time"—when the pain began and whether it has
changed over time.
2. A post-surgical patient receiving IV morphine has respiratory depression, pinpoint
pupils, and unresponsiveness. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Perform a sternal rub
B. Administer naloxone (Narcan) IV
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C. Increase the infusion rate of morphine
D. Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position: Answer: B. Administer naloxone
(Narcan)
IV
Rationale: The triad of opioid overdose includes respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils,
and coma. Naloxone is the opioid antidote.
3. A patient with chronic opioid use abruptly stops taking morphine. Which withdrawal
symptoms does the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Diarrhea
B. Piloerection (goosebumps)
C. Bradycardia
D. Lacrimation (tearing)
E. Respiratory depression: Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal symptoms include flu-like effects: diarrhea, sweating,
piloerection, nausea, muscle cramps, and lacrimation. Bradycardia and respiratory
depression do NOT occur in withdrawal—instead, the patient may experience
tachycardia.
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4. A nurse is educating a patient about Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA). Which
statement by the patient requires further teaching?
A. "This will allow me to control my pain by pressing a button."
B. "If my pain is really bad, I can press the button as many times as I want for extra
doses."
C. "A lockout mechanism prevents me from getting too much medication."
D. "My nurse will set a loading dose to help manage my pain initially.": Answer: B.
"If my pain is really bad, I can press the button as many times as I want for extra doses."
( =Rationale: PCA pumps have a lockout mechanism to prevent overdose. Repeated
pressing will not override the pre-set Ý dose limits.)
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about NSAIDs and Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "Ibuprofen can help with inflammation, but Tylenol does not."
B. "I should take NSAIDs with food to prevent stomach upset."
C. "Tylenol is safe to take in any amount because it doesn't affect the stomach."
D. "NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX enzymes to reduce pain and inflammation."-
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: Answer: C. "Tylenol is safe to take in any amount because it doesn't affect the
stomach."
Rationale: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause hepatotoxicity at high doses, especially in
patients who consume alcohol.
6. Which of the following statements is true regarding COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors?
A. COX-1 inhibition can cause gastric ulcers and bleeding tendencies.
B. COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of GI bleeding more than COX-1 inhibitors.
C. COX-1 inhibitors selectively reduce inflammation without affecting platelet function.
D. COX-2 inhibitors are safer for patients with cardiovascular disease.: A. COX-1
inhibition can cause gastric ulcers and bleeding tendencies.
Rationale: COX-1 inhibitors affect prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining and
promote platelet aggregation. COX-2 inhibitors (Celecoxib) have lower GI risk but
increase the risk of MI and stroke.)
7. A patient on long-term prednisone therapy is at risk for Cushing syndrome. Which
findings are consistent with this condition? (Select all that apply.)
A. Moon face
NURS 180
NURS 180
NURS 180 / NURS180: Quiz 3 Exam - Pharmacology |WCU
(Latest 2026/2027) Q&A.
1. A nurse is assessing a patient's pain using the PQRST method. Which question best
assesses the "T" in PQRST?
A. "Can you describe the pain?"
B. "What makes the pain better or worse?"
C. "When did the pain start?"
D. "How would you rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10?": Answer: C. "When did the
pain start?"
Rationale: The "T" in PQRST stands for "Time"—when the pain began and whether it has
changed over time.
2. A post-surgical patient receiving IV morphine has respiratory depression, pinpoint
pupils, and unresponsiveness. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Perform a sternal rub
B. Administer naloxone (Narcan) IV
NURS 180
, 2
NURS 180
C. Increase the infusion rate of morphine
D. Place the patient in the Trendelenburg position: Answer: B. Administer naloxone
(Narcan)
IV
Rationale: The triad of opioid overdose includes respiratory depression, pinpoint pupils,
and coma. Naloxone is the opioid antidote.
3. A patient with chronic opioid use abruptly stops taking morphine. Which withdrawal
symptoms does the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Diarrhea
B. Piloerection (goosebumps)
C. Bradycardia
D. Lacrimation (tearing)
E. Respiratory depression: Answers: A, B, D
Rationale: Opioid withdrawal symptoms include flu-like effects: diarrhea, sweating,
piloerection, nausea, muscle cramps, and lacrimation. Bradycardia and respiratory
depression do NOT occur in withdrawal—instead, the patient may experience
tachycardia.
NURS 180
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NURS 180
4. A nurse is educating a patient about Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA). Which
statement by the patient requires further teaching?
A. "This will allow me to control my pain by pressing a button."
B. "If my pain is really bad, I can press the button as many times as I want for extra
doses."
C. "A lockout mechanism prevents me from getting too much medication."
D. "My nurse will set a loading dose to help manage my pain initially.": Answer: B.
"If my pain is really bad, I can press the button as many times as I want for extra doses."
( =Rationale: PCA pumps have a lockout mechanism to prevent overdose. Repeated
pressing will not override the pre-set Ý dose limits.)
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about NSAIDs and Acetaminophen (Tylenol). Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "Ibuprofen can help with inflammation, but Tylenol does not."
B. "I should take NSAIDs with food to prevent stomach upset."
C. "Tylenol is safe to take in any amount because it doesn't affect the stomach."
D. "NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX enzymes to reduce pain and inflammation."-
NURS 180
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NURS 180
: Answer: C. "Tylenol is safe to take in any amount because it doesn't affect the
stomach."
Rationale: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause hepatotoxicity at high doses, especially in
patients who consume alcohol.
6. Which of the following statements is true regarding COX-1 and COX-2 inhibitors?
A. COX-1 inhibition can cause gastric ulcers and bleeding tendencies.
B. COX-2 inhibitors increase the risk of GI bleeding more than COX-1 inhibitors.
C. COX-1 inhibitors selectively reduce inflammation without affecting platelet function.
D. COX-2 inhibitors are safer for patients with cardiovascular disease.: A. COX-1
inhibition can cause gastric ulcers and bleeding tendencies.
Rationale: COX-1 inhibitors affect prostaglandins that protect the stomach lining and
promote platelet aggregation. COX-2 inhibitors (Celecoxib) have lower GI risk but
increase the risk of MI and stroke.)
7. A patient on long-term prednisone therapy is at risk for Cushing syndrome. Which
findings are consistent with this condition? (Select all that apply.)
A. Moon face
NURS 180
