NSG 5240 Advanced Pharmacology Final Exam {NEW
VERSION} | Questions with Verified Answers and
Rationales | South College | A+ Graded
Key NSG 5240 Advanced Pharmacology Topics Covered:
Prescriptive authority, pharmacokinetics/dynamics
Cardiovascular (antihypertensives, antianginals, heart failure, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, lipid-lowering)
Endocrine (diabetes, thyroid, osteoporosis, gout)
CNS (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, ADHD, pain)
Respiratory (asthma, COPD, antiemetics)
GI (PPIs, H2 blockers, H. pylori, IBD, antiemetics)
Hematology (anticoagulants, antiplatelets, thrombolytics)
Infectious disease (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, H. pylori, hepatitis C)
Immunology/rheumatology (RA, psoriasis, MS, IBD, immunosuppressants, biologics)
Patient education, safety, monitoring, and adverse effects
1. Which of the following best describes the role of the APRN in prescriptive
authority?
A. To prescribe medications without any limitations
B. To prescribe within the scope of practice, state regulations, and
collaborative agreements as required
C. To prescribe only over-the-counter medications
D. To prescribe only in hospital settings
,2. A patient is started on a new medication that has a narrow therapeutic
index. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Monitor serum drug levels and assess for signs of toxicity
C. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake
D. Teach the patient to take the medication at bedtime
3. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by liver disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
4. A patient is taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. “Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables.”
B. “Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K–containing foods.”
C. “Take this medication with aspirin for pain.”
D. “Avoid using a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
5. Which drug class is first-line therapy for hypertension in most patients
without compelling indications?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or calcium channel
blockers
, C. Alpha-blockers
D. Central alpha-2 agonists
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which assessment
is most important before initiation?
A. Liver function tests
B. Renal function (eGFR)
C. Thyroid function tests
D. Complete blood count
7. Which medication is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Bupropion
D. Venlafaxine
8. A patient is receiving a beta-blocker. Which finding should the nurse
monitor?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
9. Which medication is used for acute relief of angina?
A. Metoprolol
, B. Nitroglycerin sublingual
C. Amlodipine
D. Atorvastatin
10. A patient is prescribed a statin for hyperlipidemia. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with grapefruit juice.”
B. “Report any unexplained muscle pain or weakness to your
provider.”
C. “Take this medication on an empty stomach.”
D. “Expect your urine to turn dark brown.”
11. Which medication is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs or SNRIs
C. Buspirone only
D. Antipsychotics
12. A patient is taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with food.”
B. “Take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning.”
C. “Expect to gain weight while taking this medication.”
D. “Avoid calcium supplements.”
VERSION} | Questions with Verified Answers and
Rationales | South College | A+ Graded
Key NSG 5240 Advanced Pharmacology Topics Covered:
Prescriptive authority, pharmacokinetics/dynamics
Cardiovascular (antihypertensives, antianginals, heart failure, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, lipid-lowering)
Endocrine (diabetes, thyroid, osteoporosis, gout)
CNS (antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anticonvulsants, Parkinson’s,
Alzheimer’s, ADHD, pain)
Respiratory (asthma, COPD, antiemetics)
GI (PPIs, H2 blockers, H. pylori, IBD, antiemetics)
Hematology (anticoagulants, antiplatelets, thrombolytics)
Infectious disease (antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, H. pylori, hepatitis C)
Immunology/rheumatology (RA, psoriasis, MS, IBD, immunosuppressants, biologics)
Patient education, safety, monitoring, and adverse effects
1. Which of the following best describes the role of the APRN in prescriptive
authority?
A. To prescribe medications without any limitations
B. To prescribe within the scope of practice, state regulations, and
collaborative agreements as required
C. To prescribe only over-the-counter medications
D. To prescribe only in hospital settings
,2. A patient is started on a new medication that has a narrow therapeutic
index. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer the medication with food
B. Monitor serum drug levels and assess for signs of toxicity
C. Encourage the patient to increase fluid intake
D. Teach the patient to take the medication at bedtime
3. Which pharmacokinetic process is most affected by liver disease?
A. Absorption
B. Distribution
C. Metabolism
D. Excretion
4. A patient is taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. “Increase your intake of green leafy vegetables.”
B. “Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K–containing foods.”
C. “Take this medication with aspirin for pain.”
D. “Avoid using a soft-bristle toothbrush.”
5. Which drug class is first-line therapy for hypertension in most patients
without compelling indications?
A. Beta-blockers
B. Thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or calcium channel
blockers
, C. Alpha-blockers
D. Central alpha-2 agonists
6. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which assessment
is most important before initiation?
A. Liver function tests
B. Renal function (eGFR)
C. Thyroid function tests
D. Complete blood count
7. Which medication is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI)?
A. Amitriptyline
B. Sertraline (Zoloft)
C. Bupropion
D. Venlafaxine
8. A patient is receiving a beta-blocker. Which finding should the nurse
monitor?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia and hypotension
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
9. Which medication is used for acute relief of angina?
A. Metoprolol
, B. Nitroglycerin sublingual
C. Amlodipine
D. Atorvastatin
10. A patient is prescribed a statin for hyperlipidemia. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with grapefruit juice.”
B. “Report any unexplained muscle pain or weakness to your
provider.”
C. “Take this medication on an empty stomach.”
D. “Expect your urine to turn dark brown.”
11. Which medication is a first-line treatment for generalized anxiety
disorder?
A. Benzodiazepines
B. SSRIs or SNRIs
C. Buspirone only
D. Antipsychotics
12. A patient is taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
instruction should the nurse include?
A. “Take this medication with food.”
B. “Take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning.”
C. “Expect to gain weight while taking this medication.”
D. “Avoid calcium supplements.”
