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NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 6 Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine Pharmacology (Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenal) (Questions 1-15)
Q1: A patient with Type 1 diabetes is prescribed insulin lispro. The nurse understands that this
insulin is classified as rapid-acting and should be administered at which time?
A. 30 minutes before meals.
B. 15 minutes before meals.
C. 2 hours after meals.
D. Once daily at bedtime.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
administered 15 minutes before meals to match the post-prandial blood glucose rise. Option A
describes short-acting (Regular) insulin. Option D describes long-acting insulin.
Q2: A patient presents with diaphoresis, confusion, and tremors. Their blood glucose is 58
mg/dL. The nurse should administer which first-line treatment for hypoglycemia if the patient is
conscious?
A. 1 mg Glucagon IM.
B. 4 oz of orange juice or 3-4 glucose tablets.
C. 1 L of normal saline IV.
D. 50 mL of dextrose 50% (D50) IV push.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a conscious patient with hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL), the "15-15 Rule" is
followed: give 15g of rapid-acting carbohydrates (4 oz juice/soda, glucose tabs). Glucagon (A) is
for unconscious patients. D50 (D) is for severe hypoglycemia or unconscious patients.
,2
Q3: A patient with Type 2 diabetes is starting Metformin. The nurse teaches the patient about the
potential for lactic acidosis. Which symptom should the patient report immediately?
A. Mild nausea after taking the medication.
B. Muscle pain, weakness, and difficulty breathing.
C. Increased thirst and frequent urination.
D. Dry skin and hair loss.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain (myalgia), weakness, and respiratory distress are signs of lactic acidosis,
a rare but serious complication of Metformin. Mild nausea (A) is a common side effect but not
an emergency. Option C describes hyperglycemia. Option D describes hypothyroidism.
Q4: Which oral antidiabetic drug class carries the highest risk of hypoglycemia, especially in
elderly patients?
A. Biguanides (Metformin)
B. Thiazolidinediones (Pioglitazone)
C. Sulfonylureas (Glipizide, Glyburide)
D. DPP-4 inhibitors (Sitagliptin)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sulfonylureas stimulate insulin secretion independent of glucose levels, which can
lead to hypoglycemia, particularly if meals are skipped or renal function is impaired. Metformin
(A) and DPP-4 inhibitors (D) rarely cause hypoglycemia when used alone.
Q5: A patient is prescribed Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. The nurse should monitor the
patient for which specific infection?
A. Pneumonia
B. Genital mycotic (yeast) infections and UTIs
C. Cellulitis
D. Influenza
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: SGLT2 inhibitors increase glucose excretion in the urine, creating a favorable
environment for fungal (yeast) and bacterial infections in the genital and urinary tracts.
Q6: A nurse is providing education for a patient starting Exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Inject this medication intramuscularly twice daily."
B. "Take this medication immediately before your evening meal."
C. "Report severe abdominal pain that radiates to your back, as this may indicate pancreatitis."
D. "You will not need to monitor your blood glucose while on this medication."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GLP-1 agonists carry a risk of pancreatitis. Patients should be taught to report
symptoms such as severe, persistent abdominal pain radiating to the back, with or without
vomiting. It is injected subcutaneously (A), not IM.
Q7: A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine. When should the nurse instruct
the patient to take this medication for optimal absorption?
A. With breakfast.
B. At bedtime.
C. On an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
D. With a full glass of milk to increase absorption.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast,
to maximize absorption. Calcium and other medications can interfere with absorption, so it
should not be taken with food (A) or milk (D) immediately.
Q8: A patient taking Methimazole for hyperthyroidism calls the clinic reporting a sore throat and
fever. What instruction should the nurse give?
A. "Take an over-the-counter decongestant and increase fluids."
B. "Continue the medication and come to the clinic for a blood draw tomorrow."
NURS 251 Pharmacology Module 6 Exam Actual
Exam 2026/2027 – Complete Exam-Style
Questions with Detailed Rationales | 100%
Verified – Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Section 1: Endocrine Pharmacology (Diabetes, Thyroid, Adrenal) (Questions 1-15)
Q1: A patient with Type 1 diabetes is prescribed insulin lispro. The nurse understands that this
insulin is classified as rapid-acting and should be administered at which time?
A. 30 minutes before meals.
B. 15 minutes before meals.
C. 2 hours after meals.
D. Once daily at bedtime.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
administered 15 minutes before meals to match the post-prandial blood glucose rise. Option A
describes short-acting (Regular) insulin. Option D describes long-acting insulin.
Q2: A patient presents with diaphoresis, confusion, and tremors. Their blood glucose is 58
mg/dL. The nurse should administer which first-line treatment for hypoglycemia if the patient is
conscious?
A. 1 mg Glucagon IM.
B. 4 oz of orange juice or 3-4 glucose tablets.
C. 1 L of normal saline IV.
D. 50 mL of dextrose 50% (D50) IV push.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For a conscious patient with hypoglycemia (<70 mg/dL), the "15-15 Rule" is
followed: give 15g of rapid-acting carbohydrates (4 oz juice/soda, glucose tabs). Glucagon (A) is
for unconscious patients. D50 (D) is for severe hypoglycemia or unconscious patients.
,2
Q3: A patient with Type 2 diabetes is starting Metformin. The nurse teaches the patient about the
potential for lactic acidosis. Which symptom should the patient report immediately?
A. Mild nausea after taking the medication.
B. Muscle pain, weakness, and difficulty breathing.
C. Increased thirst and frequent urination.
D. Dry skin and hair loss.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle pain (myalgia), weakness, and respiratory distress are signs of lactic acidosis,
a rare but serious complication of Metformin. Mild nausea (A) is a common side effect but not
an emergency. Option C describes hyperglycemia. Option D describes hypothyroidism.
Q4: Which oral antidiabetic drug class carries the highest risk of hypoglycemia, especially in
elderly patients?
A. Biguanides (Metformin)
B. Thiazolidinediones (Pioglitazone)
C. Sulfonylureas (Glipizide, Glyburide)
D. DPP-4 inhibitors (Sitagliptin)
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sulfonylureas stimulate insulin secretion independent of glucose levels, which can
lead to hypoglycemia, particularly if meals are skipped or renal function is impaired. Metformin
(A) and DPP-4 inhibitors (D) rarely cause hypoglycemia when used alone.
Q5: A patient is prescribed Empagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor. The nurse should monitor the
patient for which specific infection?
A. Pneumonia
B. Genital mycotic (yeast) infections and UTIs
C. Cellulitis
D. Influenza
Correct Answer: B
, 3
Rationale: SGLT2 inhibitors increase glucose excretion in the urine, creating a favorable
environment for fungal (yeast) and bacterial infections in the genital and urinary tracts.
Q6: A nurse is providing education for a patient starting Exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist. Which
instruction is most important?
A. "Inject this medication intramuscularly twice daily."
B. "Take this medication immediately before your evening meal."
C. "Report severe abdominal pain that radiates to your back, as this may indicate pancreatitis."
D. "You will not need to monitor your blood glucose while on this medication."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: GLP-1 agonists carry a risk of pancreatitis. Patients should be taught to report
symptoms such as severe, persistent abdominal pain radiating to the back, with or without
vomiting. It is injected subcutaneously (A), not IM.
Q7: A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine. When should the nurse instruct
the patient to take this medication for optimal absorption?
A. With breakfast.
B. At bedtime.
C. On an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
D. With a full glass of milk to increase absorption.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast,
to maximize absorption. Calcium and other medications can interfere with absorption, so it
should not be taken with food (A) or milk (D) immediately.
Q8: A patient taking Methimazole for hyperthyroidism calls the clinic reporting a sore throat and
fever. What instruction should the nurse give?
A. "Take an over-the-counter decongestant and increase fluids."
B. "Continue the medication and come to the clinic for a blood draw tomorrow."
