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NUR 210 PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL
300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
NUR 210 PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY — EXAMS 1-4
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Modules 1-3)
1. What is the nursing process and how does it apply to pharmacology?
A) ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B) APIE: Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) ADOPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcomes, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
Answer: A. The nursing process (ADPIE) is a systematic framework used in pharmacology to
ensure safe medication administration. Assessment involves collecting data about the patient's
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health status and medication history. Diagnosis identifies actual or potential health problems
related to medications. Planning establishes goals and outcomes for medication therapy.
Implementation involves administering medications and providing patient education. Evaluation
assesses the effectiveness of the medication therapy and the patient's response.
2. A nurse completes an initial assessment and charts that the patient's respirations are
eupneic and pulse is 58 beats per minute. What type of data are these?
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Interpretive data
D) Historical data
Answer: B. Objective data are measurable and observable findings that can be seen, heard, felt,
or measured. Eupneic respirations and a pulse of 58 beats per minute are objective data
because they are obtained through physical assessment and vital sign measurement. Subjective
data are reported by the patient (e.g., "I feel dizzy").
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3. A patient is prescribed a medication that is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Liver function tests (AST, ALT)
B) Serum creatinine and BUN
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum electrolytes
Answer: B. Medications eliminated by the kidneys require monitoring of renal function through
serum creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels. Impaired renal function can lead to drug
accumulation and toxicity. Liver function tests are monitored for hepatically metabolized drugs.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notes that the patient has difficulty
swallowing. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce
B) Request a liquid formulation or alternative route from the prescriber
C) Administer the medication with a large glass of water
D) Hold the medication and document the patient's inability to swallow
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Answer: B. When a patient has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), the nurse should request a
liquid formulation or alternative route from the prescriber. Not all medications can be crushed
(e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated). Safety is the priority; the nurse should never crush
medications without verifying compatibility.
5. Which of the following is a key component of the pharmacokinetic phase "absorption"?
A) The movement of the drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream
B) The distribution of the drug to target tissues
C) The metabolism of the drug by the liver
D) The elimination of the drug from the body
Answer: A. Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site of administration into
the bloodstream. Factors affecting absorption include route of administration, drug formulation,
blood flow, and gastrointestinal factors (e.g., food, pH).
6. A patient is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. Which of the following
conditions would increase the risk of drug toxicity?
4
NUR 210 PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR (2026-2027) ALL
300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
NUR 210 PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY — EXAMS 1-4
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK
EXAM 1: FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS (Modules 1-3)
1. What is the nursing process and how does it apply to pharmacology?
A) ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
B) APIE: Assessment, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
C) ADOPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Outcomes, Planning, Implementation, Evaluation
D) SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
Answer: A. The nursing process (ADPIE) is a systematic framework used in pharmacology to
ensure safe medication administration. Assessment involves collecting data about the patient's
1
, Page 2 of 190
health status and medication history. Diagnosis identifies actual or potential health problems
related to medications. Planning establishes goals and outcomes for medication therapy.
Implementation involves administering medications and providing patient education. Evaluation
assesses the effectiveness of the medication therapy and the patient's response.
2. A nurse completes an initial assessment and charts that the patient's respirations are
eupneic and pulse is 58 beats per minute. What type of data are these?
A) Subjective data
B) Objective data
C) Interpretive data
D) Historical data
Answer: B. Objective data are measurable and observable findings that can be seen, heard, felt,
or measured. Eupneic respirations and a pulse of 58 beats per minute are objective data
because they are obtained through physical assessment and vital sign measurement. Subjective
data are reported by the patient (e.g., "I feel dizzy").
2
, Page 3 of 190
3. A patient is prescribed a medication that is primarily eliminated by the kidneys. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Liver function tests (AST, ALT)
B) Serum creatinine and BUN
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum electrolytes
Answer: B. Medications eliminated by the kidneys require monitoring of renal function through
serum creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen) levels. Impaired renal function can lead to drug
accumulation and toxicity. Liver function tests are monitored for hepatically metabolized drugs.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication and notes that the patient has difficulty
swallowing. What is the most appropriate action?
A) Crush the medication and mix it with applesauce
B) Request a liquid formulation or alternative route from the prescriber
C) Administer the medication with a large glass of water
D) Hold the medication and document the patient's inability to swallow
3
, Page 4 of 190
Answer: B. When a patient has difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), the nurse should request a
liquid formulation or alternative route from the prescriber. Not all medications can be crushed
(e.g., extended-release, enteric-coated). Safety is the priority; the nurse should never crush
medications without verifying compatibility.
5. Which of the following is a key component of the pharmacokinetic phase "absorption"?
A) The movement of the drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream
B) The distribution of the drug to target tissues
C) The metabolism of the drug by the liver
D) The elimination of the drug from the body
Answer: A. Absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site of administration into
the bloodstream. Factors affecting absorption include route of administration, drug formulation,
blood flow, and gastrointestinal factors (e.g., food, pH).
6. A patient is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. Which of the following
conditions would increase the risk of drug toxicity?
4
