NU 150 Pharmacology Final Exam Prep 2026 | 200 Practice
Questions & Detailed Answers | Galen College of Nursing |
Actual Q&A | Verified Solutions
QUESTION 1
A patient takes a medication and develops hives, wheezing, and facial swelling within minutes. What is
the most likely reaction?
A) Therapeutic effect
B) Allergic reaction
C) Expected side effect
D) Drug tolerance
Answer: B) Allergic reaction
Explanation: Hives, wheezing, and facial swelling are classic signs of an allergic reaction and may indicate
anaphylaxis, a lifethreatening emergency.
QUESTION 2
Which route of administration produces the fastest systemic effect?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
C) Intravenous
D) Rectal
Answer: C) Intravenous
,Explanation: IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, producing the fastest
systemic effect.
QUESTION 3
A medication given sublingually should be:
A) Chewed
B) Swallowed immediately with water
C) Held under the tongue until dissolved
D) Mixed with food
Answer: C) Held under the tongue until dissolved
Explanation: Sublingual drugs are absorbed through the mucosa under the tongue for rapid systemic
absorption.
QUESTION 4
Which statement best describes a side effect?
A) A desired therapeutic outcome
B) An unexpected and rare effect only
C) A predictable secondary effect of a drug
D) A permanent toxic reaction
Answer: C) A predictable secondary effect of a drug
Explanation: Side effects are known, often predictable secondary effects of a drug that occur at
therapeutic doses.
,QUESTION 5
What is the most important action before giving any medication?
A) Ask the patient to guess the drug name
B) Verify the medication order and patient identity
C) Check the patient's family history
D) Offer water first
Answer: B) Verify the medication order and patient identity
Explanation: Safe medication administration begins with verifying the order and identifying the patient
using at least two identifiers.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is one of the "rights" of medication administration?
A) Right room
B) Right diet
C) Right dose
D) Right diagnosis
Answer: C) Right dose
Explanation: The rights of medication administration include right patient, right drug, right dose, right
route, right time, and right documentation.
, QUESTION 7
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates the patient may be
experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Mild thirst and dry mouth
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Increased appetite and weight gain
D) Constipation and insomnia
Answer: B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
Explanation: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and unsteady
gait; levels must be checked immediately.
QUESTION 8
Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about sildenafil?
A) "I should not take this medication with nitrates."
B) "This medication may cause flushing or a headache."
C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
D) "I should contact my provider if I have an erection lasting more than 4 hours."
Answer: C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
Explanation: Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction and does not protect against STIs; believing it does
indicates misunderstanding.
Questions & Detailed Answers | Galen College of Nursing |
Actual Q&A | Verified Solutions
QUESTION 1
A patient takes a medication and develops hives, wheezing, and facial swelling within minutes. What is
the most likely reaction?
A) Therapeutic effect
B) Allergic reaction
C) Expected side effect
D) Drug tolerance
Answer: B) Allergic reaction
Explanation: Hives, wheezing, and facial swelling are classic signs of an allergic reaction and may indicate
anaphylaxis, a lifethreatening emergency.
QUESTION 2
Which route of administration produces the fastest systemic effect?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
C) Intravenous
D) Rectal
Answer: C) Intravenous
,Explanation: IV administration delivers medication directly into the bloodstream, producing the fastest
systemic effect.
QUESTION 3
A medication given sublingually should be:
A) Chewed
B) Swallowed immediately with water
C) Held under the tongue until dissolved
D) Mixed with food
Answer: C) Held under the tongue until dissolved
Explanation: Sublingual drugs are absorbed through the mucosa under the tongue for rapid systemic
absorption.
QUESTION 4
Which statement best describes a side effect?
A) A desired therapeutic outcome
B) An unexpected and rare effect only
C) A predictable secondary effect of a drug
D) A permanent toxic reaction
Answer: C) A predictable secondary effect of a drug
Explanation: Side effects are known, often predictable secondary effects of a drug that occur at
therapeutic doses.
,QUESTION 5
What is the most important action before giving any medication?
A) Ask the patient to guess the drug name
B) Verify the medication order and patient identity
C) Check the patient's family history
D) Offer water first
Answer: B) Verify the medication order and patient identity
Explanation: Safe medication administration begins with verifying the order and identifying the patient
using at least two identifiers.
QUESTION 6
Which of the following is one of the "rights" of medication administration?
A) Right room
B) Right diet
C) Right dose
D) Right diagnosis
Answer: C) Right dose
Explanation: The rights of medication administration include right patient, right drug, right dose, right
route, right time, and right documentation.
, QUESTION 7
A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates the patient may be
experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Mild thirst and dry mouth
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Increased appetite and weight gain
D) Constipation and insomnia
Answer: B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
Explanation: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors, nausea, vomiting, confusion, and unsteady
gait; levels must be checked immediately.
QUESTION 8
Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about sildenafil?
A) "I should not take this medication with nitrates."
B) "This medication may cause flushing or a headache."
C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
D) "I should contact my provider if I have an erection lasting more than 4 hours."
Answer: C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
Explanation: Sildenafil treats erectile dysfunction and does not protect against STIs; believing it does
indicates misunderstanding.
