,NU 150|NU 150 Exam 4 | pharmacology |
Galen College | Q & A | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication on an empty stomach for better absorption."
B) "I should avoid high-protein meals around the time I take this medication."
C) "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
D) "I may experience dark-colored urine while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
Rationale: High-protein meals compete with levodopa for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract,
reducing its effectiveness. Patients should take levodopa on an empty stomach or with low-protein
foods. Dark-colored urine is a harmless side effect.
2. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia. What is the nurse's priority teaching?
A) "Discontinue the medication immediately."
B) "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental checkups."
C) "Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid flossing."
D) "This side effect is permanent and cannot be managed."
Correct Answer: "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental checkups."
Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia is a common side effect of phenytoin. Good oral hygiene, regular
flossing, and routine dental visits can help manage this condition. The medication should not be
discontinued without provider guidance.
3. What instruction should the nurse provide to a patient taking alendronate for osteoporosis?
A) "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
,B) "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
C) "Take the medication at bedtime with a snack."
D) "Crush the tablet for easier swallowing."
Correct Answer: "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
Rationale: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulceration. Patients should remain upright
for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication to prevent esophageal reflux and injury.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates the patient may be
experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Weight gain and increased appetite
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Hypothyroidism and dry mouth
D) Polyuria and polydipsia only
Correct Answer: Tremors, confusion, and nausea
Rationale: Signs of lithium toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coarse tremor, confusion, and
ataxia. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Polyuria and polydipsia are common side
effects, not necessarily signs of toxicity.
5. Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about sildenafil?
A) "This medication should not be taken with nitrates."
B) "I should report any prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours."
C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
D) "I should avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
, Rationale: Sildenafil is used for erectile dysfunction and does not provide protection against sexually
transmitted infections. Patients should be educated about the importance of using barrier protection for
STI prevention.
6. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side effects. What is the nurse's best
response?
A) "Lorazepam has no significant side effects."
B) "Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation."
C) "You may experience increased energy and alertness."
D) "Weight gain is the most common side effect."
Correct Answer: "Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam commonly cause CNS depression, leading to drowsiness,
dizziness, and sedation. Patients should be cautioned about activities requiring alertness.
7. A nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. A patient with hypoalbuminemia will
most likely experience:
A) Decreased drug effect due to increased metabolism
B) Increased free drug levels and risk of toxicity
C) Decreased absorption due to low protein
D) No change in drug levels
Correct Answer: Increased free drug levels and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Hypoalbuminemia reduces protein-binding sites, leading to increased free (unbound) drug
levels in the bloodstream. This increases the risk of drug toxicity, especially for highly protein-bound
medications.
8. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. How many hours will it take to reach steady state?
A) 12 hours
Galen College | Q & A | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication on an empty stomach for better absorption."
B) "I should avoid high-protein meals around the time I take this medication."
C) "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
D) "I may experience dark-colored urine while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "I should take this medication with a high-protein meal."
Rationale: High-protein meals compete with levodopa for absorption in the gastrointestinal tract,
reducing its effectiveness. Patients should take levodopa on an empty stomach or with low-protein
foods. Dark-colored urine is a harmless side effect.
2. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia. What is the nurse's priority teaching?
A) "Discontinue the medication immediately."
B) "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental checkups."
C) "Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid flossing."
D) "This side effect is permanent and cannot be managed."
Correct Answer: "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and dental checkups."
Rationale: Gingival hyperplasia is a common side effect of phenytoin. Good oral hygiene, regular
flossing, and routine dental visits can help manage this condition. The medication should not be
discontinued without provider guidance.
3. What instruction should the nurse provide to a patient taking alendronate for osteoporosis?
A) "Take the medication with a full glass of milk."
,B) "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
C) "Take the medication at bedtime with a snack."
D) "Crush the tablet for easier swallowing."
Correct Answer: "Remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication."
Rationale: Alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and ulceration. Patients should remain upright
for at least 30 minutes after taking the medication to prevent esophageal reflux and injury.
4. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What finding indicates the patient may be
experiencing lithium toxicity?
A) Weight gain and increased appetite
B) Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C) Hypothyroidism and dry mouth
D) Polyuria and polydipsia only
Correct Answer: Tremors, confusion, and nausea
Rationale: Signs of lithium toxicity include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coarse tremor, confusion, and
ataxia. These symptoms require immediate medical attention. Polyuria and polydipsia are common side
effects, not necessarily signs of toxicity.
5. Which patient statement indicates a need for further teaching about sildenafil?
A) "This medication should not be taken with nitrates."
B) "I should report any prolonged erection lasting more than 4 hours."
C) "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
D) "I should avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: "This medication will protect me from sexually transmitted infections."
, Rationale: Sildenafil is used for erectile dysfunction and does not provide protection against sexually
transmitted infections. Patients should be educated about the importance of using barrier protection for
STI prevention.
6. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side effects. What is the nurse's best
response?
A) "Lorazepam has no significant side effects."
B) "Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation."
C) "You may experience increased energy and alertness."
D) "Weight gain is the most common side effect."
Correct Answer: "Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, and sedation."
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam commonly cause CNS depression, leading to drowsiness,
dizziness, and sedation. Patients should be cautioned about activities requiring alertness.
7. A nurse is administering a drug that is highly protein-bound. A patient with hypoalbuminemia will
most likely experience:
A) Decreased drug effect due to increased metabolism
B) Increased free drug levels and risk of toxicity
C) Decreased absorption due to low protein
D) No change in drug levels
Correct Answer: Increased free drug levels and risk of toxicity
Rationale: Hypoalbuminemia reduces protein-binding sites, leading to increased free (unbound) drug
levels in the bloodstream. This increases the risk of drug toxicity, especially for highly protein-bound
medications.
8. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. How many hours will it take to reach steady state?
A) 12 hours
