,NURS 251 Module 2 Exam | Pharmacology | Portage
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Nonprescription medications are also commonly known as:
A) Prescription drugs
B) Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
C) Controlled substances
D) Investigational drugs
Correct Answer: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Rationale: Nonprescription medications are more commonly known as over-the-counter (OTC)
medications. These medications are available without a prescription and are accessible in most cases
without restriction, although some may be kept behind the pharmacy counter.
2. Which of the following statements about OTC medications is TRUE?
A) Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification to purchase
B) All OTC medications are completely unrestricted and available to anyone
C) OTC medications carry absolutely no risks
D) OTC medications do not need to demonstrate safety
Correct Answer: Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification
to purchase
Rationale: Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification for
purchase. This is false. OTC medications do carry risks, and they must demonstrate safety.
3. Which OTC drug can be used in the making of crystal meth, and what restrictions have been placed on
it?
A) Dextromethorphan; restricted to behind-the-counter sales
B) Guaifenesin; limited to 3.6 grams per purchase
,C) Pseudoephedrine; limited to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per month
D) Diphenhydramine; requires a prescription in all states
Correct Answer: Pseudoephedrine; limited to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per month
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine is the OTC decongestant that can be used in the manufacturing of crystal
meth. It has been placed behind the pharmacy counter with purchase limits of 3.6 grams per day and 9
grams per month.
4. The party within the FDA responsible for the federal oversight of OTC medications being both safe and
effective was formed in which year?
A) 1962
B) 1972
C) 1982
D) 1992
Correct Answer: 1972
Rationale: The OTC Review Board is the party within the FDA responsible for the federal oversight of
OTC medications being both safe and effective. It was formed in 1972 to systematically review all OTC
drug products.
5. Unlike OTC medications, dietary and herbal supplements are only required to demonstrate:
A) Safety and efficacy
B) Safety, not efficacy
C) Efficacy, not safety
D) Neither safety nor efficacy
Correct Answer: Safety, not efficacy
, Rationale: Unlike OTC medications, dietary and herbal supplements are only required to demonstrate
safety, not efficacy. They are not held to the same rigorous standards for proving effectiveness before
being marketed.
6. Which of the following situations would make a drug appropriate for OTC status?
A) The medication has numerous severe side effects
B) The patient cannot easily monitor the effectiveness of the medication
C) The medication has very few side effects, effectiveness can be easily monitored, and it is easy to use
D) The medication requires frequent blood monitoring
Correct Answer: The medication has very few side effects, effectiveness can be easily monitored, and it
is easy to use
Rationale: For a drug to be appropriate for OTC status, it should have very few side effects, allow the
patient to easily monitor effectiveness based on symptoms, and be easy to use. These characteristics
ensure safe self-administration.
7. Which statement about OTC medication risks is TRUE?
A) OTC medications carry absolutely no risks
B) OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution
C) OTC medications are safer than prescription medications in all cases
D) OTC medications cannot interact with other drugs
Correct Answer: OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution
Rationale: OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution. The statement that OTC
medications carry absolutely no risks is false, which is why they are available without a prescription.
8. A patient with which of the following disease states should be educated to talk with their healthcare
provider before taking an OTC cough and cold medication for an extended time?
A) Asthma
Learning | Q & A | 2026 Edition
1. Nonprescription medications are also commonly known as:
A) Prescription drugs
B) Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
C) Controlled substances
D) Investigational drugs
Correct Answer: Over-the-counter (OTC) medications
Rationale: Nonprescription medications are more commonly known as over-the-counter (OTC)
medications. These medications are available without a prescription and are accessible in most cases
without restriction, although some may be kept behind the pharmacy counter.
2. Which of the following statements about OTC medications is TRUE?
A) Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification to purchase
B) All OTC medications are completely unrestricted and available to anyone
C) OTC medications carry absolutely no risks
D) OTC medications do not need to demonstrate safety
Correct Answer: Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification
to purchase
Rationale: Most nonprescription medications still have some restrictions and require identification for
purchase. This is false. OTC medications do carry risks, and they must demonstrate safety.
3. Which OTC drug can be used in the making of crystal meth, and what restrictions have been placed on
it?
A) Dextromethorphan; restricted to behind-the-counter sales
B) Guaifenesin; limited to 3.6 grams per purchase
,C) Pseudoephedrine; limited to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per month
D) Diphenhydramine; requires a prescription in all states
Correct Answer: Pseudoephedrine; limited to 3.6 grams per day and 9 grams per month
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine is the OTC decongestant that can be used in the manufacturing of crystal
meth. It has been placed behind the pharmacy counter with purchase limits of 3.6 grams per day and 9
grams per month.
4. The party within the FDA responsible for the federal oversight of OTC medications being both safe and
effective was formed in which year?
A) 1962
B) 1972
C) 1982
D) 1992
Correct Answer: 1972
Rationale: The OTC Review Board is the party within the FDA responsible for the federal oversight of
OTC medications being both safe and effective. It was formed in 1972 to systematically review all OTC
drug products.
5. Unlike OTC medications, dietary and herbal supplements are only required to demonstrate:
A) Safety and efficacy
B) Safety, not efficacy
C) Efficacy, not safety
D) Neither safety nor efficacy
Correct Answer: Safety, not efficacy
, Rationale: Unlike OTC medications, dietary and herbal supplements are only required to demonstrate
safety, not efficacy. They are not held to the same rigorous standards for proving effectiveness before
being marketed.
6. Which of the following situations would make a drug appropriate for OTC status?
A) The medication has numerous severe side effects
B) The patient cannot easily monitor the effectiveness of the medication
C) The medication has very few side effects, effectiveness can be easily monitored, and it is easy to use
D) The medication requires frequent blood monitoring
Correct Answer: The medication has very few side effects, effectiveness can be easily monitored, and it
is easy to use
Rationale: For a drug to be appropriate for OTC status, it should have very few side effects, allow the
patient to easily monitor effectiveness based on symptoms, and be easy to use. These characteristics
ensure safe self-administration.
7. Which statement about OTC medication risks is TRUE?
A) OTC medications carry absolutely no risks
B) OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution
C) OTC medications are safer than prescription medications in all cases
D) OTC medications cannot interact with other drugs
Correct Answer: OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution
Rationale: OTC medications carry risks and should be used with caution. The statement that OTC
medications carry absolutely no risks is false, which is why they are available without a prescription.
8. A patient with which of the following disease states should be educated to talk with their healthcare
provider before taking an OTC cough and cold medication for an extended time?
A) Asthma
