Galen NUR 210 Final Exam 2026/2027 | Principles of Pharmacology | Complete Study Guide with Q&A | Pharmacokinetics, Antibiotics, Cardiac, CNS & Endocrine Drugs | Verified Answers with Rationales | Grade A+ | Downloadable PDF

INSTANT PDF DOWNLOAD—This comprehensive study guide is specifically designed for Galen College of Nursing students preparing for the NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology Final Exam for the 2026/2027 academic year. Based on verified exam materials from top-selling student resources, this resource contains expertly verified practice questions and 100% correct answers with detailed rationales to help you master core pharmacology concepts and achieve a top score (Grade A+). This comprehensive guide covers all major topics tested on the NUR 210 Final Exam : Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics : The four phases—absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion. First-pass effect (oral drugs undergo hepatic metabolism) . Protein binding (only unbound drug is active) . Half-life determines dosing interval. Therapeutic index—narrow therapeutic window drugs require monitoring (lithium, digoxin, warfarin) . Agonist vs. antagonist . Medication Safety : Rights of medication administration (right patient, drug, dose, route, time, documentation) . High-alert medications require independent double-check . Medication reconciliation prevents errors . Adverse drug reactions vs. side effects . Anaphylaxis management (epinephrine, airway, oxygen) . Autonomic Nervous System Drugs : Adrenergic agonists (epinephrine)—anaphylaxis, cardiac arrest; side effects: tachycardia, hypertension. Beta-2 agonists (albuterol)—bronchodilation; side effects: tachycardia, tremors. Beta blockers (metoprolol)—never stop abruptly; contraindicated in asthma (non-selective) . Cholinergic agonists (bethanechol)—urinary retention; side effects: bradycardia, increased secretions. Anticholinergics (atropine)—preoperative, bradycardia; side effects: "dry them out" (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention) . Cardiovascular Drugs : Digoxin —cardiac glycoside; hold if HR 60; toxicity: yellow/green halos, bradycardia, nausea; hypokalemia increases toxicity risk; therapeutic range 0.5-2 ng/mL. Loop diuretics (furosemide) —monitor K+, ototoxicity. Thiazide diuretics (HCTZ) —K+ wasting, hyperglycemia. ACE inhibitors (lisinopril) —dry cough, hyperkalemia. ARBs (losartan) —no cough . Calcium channel blockers (amlodipine) —flushing, ankle edema . Antibiotics & Anti-Infectives : Cephalosporins —monitor for superinfection . Vancomycin —MRSA treatment; red-man syndrome; monitor peak/trough, nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity . Aminoglycosides (gentamicin) —peak 45-60 min after dose, trough before next dose . TMP-SMZ —increase fluid intake to prevent crystalluria . Tetracyclines —avoid dairy, antacids; not for children 8 years (teeth staining) . Macrolides —photosensitivity . Metronidazole —avoid alcohol (disulfiram reaction) . Nitrofurantoin —drowsiness, brown urine . Antivirals & Antifungals : Acyclovir —genital herpes; increase fluids, oral hygiene . Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) —influenza; start within 48 hours . Nystatin —oral candidiasis; swish and swallow . Influenza vaccine —assess for egg allergy . CNS & Psychiatric Drugs : Phenytoin (Dilantin) —seizures; therapeutic range 10-20 mcg/mL; gingival hyperplasia . Valproic acid —hepatotoxicity monitoring . Antipsychotics —EPS, tardive dyskinesia (AIMS scale) , NMS . Clozapine —agranulocytosis (ANC monitoring) . SSRIs —2-6 week onset; serotonin syndrome; sexual dysfunction . MAOIs —tyramine restriction (hypertensive crisis) . Bupropion —no sexual side effects; seizure risk . Benzodiazepines —GABA; flumazenil antidote; dependence risk . Zolpidem (Ambien) —sleep aid, short-term use . Antidiabetics & Endocrine Drugs : Insulin —regular (clear), NPH (cloudy); mixing sequence: clear to cloudy; glargine has no peak . Metformin —GI upset; hold for contrast dye (renal risk) . Levothyroxine —hypothyroidism; take before breakfast; never stop abruptly . Propylthiouracil —hyperthyroidism; monitor for agranulocytosis . Alendronate —upright for 30 min after dose (esophageal irritation) . Respiratory Drugs : Albuterol —bronchodilator; tachycardia side effect . Metered-dose inhaler —hold breath 10 seconds; bronchodilator first, then corticosteroid (wait 5 min) . Guaifenesin —expectorant; increase fluids . Diphenhydramine —antihistamine; sedation (avoid driving) . Pain Management : Opioid analgesics—respiratory depression risk; naloxone antidote . NSAIDs—GI bleeding risk; COX-2 inhibitors (celecoxib) reduce GI effects but increase cardiovascular risk . Acetaminophen—hepatotoxicity, max 4 g/day . Sample Questions Include : "What are the four phases of pharmacokinetics?" → Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion "A patient taking furosemide reports muscle weakness and cramps. What electrolyte imbalance is most likely?" → Hypokalemia "What is the most important teaching for a patient starting alendronate (Fosamax)?" → Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking "A patient on isoniazid (INH) reports numbness and tingling in fingers. What intervention is needed?" → Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) supplementation "What should the nurse teach a patient taking TMP-SMZ for UTI?" → Increase fluid intake to prevent crystalluria "What adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of clozapine?" → Fever (possible agranulocytosis or myocarditis) "What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin (Dilantin)?" → 10-20 mcg/mL "What is the priority assessment before administering digoxin?" → Apical pulse for 1 full minute "What foods must patients on MAOIs avoid?" → Aged cheese, cured meats, red wine (tyramine-rich foods) "What is the correct sequence for mixing regular and NPH insulin?" → Draw regular (clear) first, then NPH (cloudy) All questions include complete rationales based on current evidence-based practice, pharmacology standards, and Galen College curriculum requirements . DOCUMENT ACCESS: This study guide is available as an instant digital download (PDF) immediately upon purchase. Fully text-searchable, printable, and accessible anytime through your user account. 100% satisfaction guarantee. Trusted by thousands of Galen nursing students for NUR 210 final exam preparation and mastering pharmacology competencies .