Geneva College NURS 251 Module 2 Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Portage Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary difference between OTC
medications and dietary supplements regarding FDA oversight?
A) OTC medications must prove safety and efficacy; dietary supplements do
not require pre-market approval
B) Dietary supplements are held to the same safety and efficacy standards
as OTC medications
C) OTC medications are regulated by the DEA, while dietary supplements are
regulated by the FDA
D) Dietary supplements require a prescription, while OTC medications do not
Correct Answer: OTC medications must prove safety and efficacy; dietary
supplements do not require pre-market approval
Rationale: OTC medications must demonstrate both safety and effectiveness
to the FDA before being marketed. Dietary supplements do not require pre-
market approval for safety or efficacy; the FDA can only take action after a
supplement is found to be unsafe. This is a critical distinction in drug
regulation.
2. A patient with hypertension asks about taking an OTC decongestant for a
cold. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A) "All OTC medications are safe for patients with high blood pressure."
B) "You should speak with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC
cold medication."
C) "Decongestants are safe as long as you take them for less than a week."
D) "You can take the decongestant, but you should double your blood
pressure medication."
,Correct Answer: "You should speak with your healthcare provider before
taking any OTC cold medication."
Rationale: OTC medications can be harmful to patients with comorbidities
such as hypertension. Decongestants can raise blood pressure. The nurse
should educate the patient to consult a healthcare provider before taking any
OTC medication, especially for extended use.
3. In 1972, the FDA established a review board to evaluate OTC medications.
What were the primary goals of this initiative?
A) To ensure all OTC medications were available without any restrictions
B) To ensure OTC medications are safe, effective, and have appropriate
labeling
C) To remove all OTC medications from the market
D) To classify all OTC medications as dietary supplements
Correct Answer: To ensure OTC medications are safe, effective, and have
appropriate labeling
Rationale: The FDA's OTC review, started in 1972, had two main goals: to
ensure these medications are safe and effective, and to establish appropriate
labeling standards. This review led to the removal of unsafe or ineffective
drugs from the market.
4. Which of the following is a criterion that would make a medication
appropriate for OTC status?
A) The medication has a low therapeutic index
B) The consumer can easily monitor the effectiveness of the medication
C) The medication has a high potential for abuse
D) The medication requires a healthcare provider to diagnose the condition
,Correct Answer: The consumer can easily monitor the effectiveness of the
medication
Rationale: One criterion for OTC status is that the consumer must be able to
monitor the effectiveness of the medication based on their symptoms. Other
criteria include a high therapeutic index, low abuse potential, and ease of
use.
5. What is the name of the OTC drug that can be used in the manufacturing
of crystal meth, and what restriction has been placed on it?
A) Loratadine; it requires a prescription
B) Pseudoephedrine; it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and ID is
required for purchase
C) Esomeprazole; it is available only by prescription
D) Acetaminophen; it is available only in limited quantities
Correct Answer: Pseudoephedrine; it is kept behind the pharmacy counter
and ID is required for purchase
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, can be used to make crystal
meth. To prevent this, it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and
identification is required for purchase.
6. A patient with glaucoma asks about taking an OTC antihistamine for
allergies. What is the most important consideration for the nurse?
A) Antihistamines are safe for all patients with glaucoma
B) The patient should consult a healthcare provider before taking any OTC
medication
C) Antihistamines are only available by prescription
, D) OTC medications have no risks for patients with glaucoma
Correct Answer: The patient should consult a healthcare provider before
taking any OTC medication
Rationale: OTC medications can be harmful to patients with comorbidities
such as glaucoma. Certain OTC medications, like antihistamines, can
increase intraocular pressure and worsen glaucoma. The patient should be
educated to speak with a provider before taking any OTC medication.
7. Which of the following best describes the information required on a 'Drug
Facts' label for OTC medications?
A) Only the active ingredients and dosage
B) Purpose, uses, warnings, side effects, dosage, and active/inactive
ingredients
C) Only the price and manufacturer information
D) The chemical structure of the drug
Correct Answer: Purpose, uses, warnings, side effects, dosage, and
active/inactive ingredients
Rationale: The 'Drug Facts' label must include the purpose and uses of the
product, specific warnings, side effects, substances to avoid, dosage, and
active and inactive ingredients. This standardized label helps consumers
understand how to use the product safely.
8. A patient asks the nurse about the difference between alternative
medicine and complementary medicine. How should the nurse respond?
A) They are the same thing and can be used interchangeably
B) Alternative medicine is used instead of standard Western medicine;
complementary medicine is used alongside it
Portage Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. Which of the following best describes the primary difference between OTC
medications and dietary supplements regarding FDA oversight?
A) OTC medications must prove safety and efficacy; dietary supplements do
not require pre-market approval
B) Dietary supplements are held to the same safety and efficacy standards
as OTC medications
C) OTC medications are regulated by the DEA, while dietary supplements are
regulated by the FDA
D) Dietary supplements require a prescription, while OTC medications do not
Correct Answer: OTC medications must prove safety and efficacy; dietary
supplements do not require pre-market approval
Rationale: OTC medications must demonstrate both safety and effectiveness
to the FDA before being marketed. Dietary supplements do not require pre-
market approval for safety or efficacy; the FDA can only take action after a
supplement is found to be unsafe. This is a critical distinction in drug
regulation.
2. A patient with hypertension asks about taking an OTC decongestant for a
cold. What is the most appropriate nursing response?
A) "All OTC medications are safe for patients with high blood pressure."
B) "You should speak with your healthcare provider before taking any OTC
cold medication."
C) "Decongestants are safe as long as you take them for less than a week."
D) "You can take the decongestant, but you should double your blood
pressure medication."
,Correct Answer: "You should speak with your healthcare provider before
taking any OTC cold medication."
Rationale: OTC medications can be harmful to patients with comorbidities
such as hypertension. Decongestants can raise blood pressure. The nurse
should educate the patient to consult a healthcare provider before taking any
OTC medication, especially for extended use.
3. In 1972, the FDA established a review board to evaluate OTC medications.
What were the primary goals of this initiative?
A) To ensure all OTC medications were available without any restrictions
B) To ensure OTC medications are safe, effective, and have appropriate
labeling
C) To remove all OTC medications from the market
D) To classify all OTC medications as dietary supplements
Correct Answer: To ensure OTC medications are safe, effective, and have
appropriate labeling
Rationale: The FDA's OTC review, started in 1972, had two main goals: to
ensure these medications are safe and effective, and to establish appropriate
labeling standards. This review led to the removal of unsafe or ineffective
drugs from the market.
4. Which of the following is a criterion that would make a medication
appropriate for OTC status?
A) The medication has a low therapeutic index
B) The consumer can easily monitor the effectiveness of the medication
C) The medication has a high potential for abuse
D) The medication requires a healthcare provider to diagnose the condition
,Correct Answer: The consumer can easily monitor the effectiveness of the
medication
Rationale: One criterion for OTC status is that the consumer must be able to
monitor the effectiveness of the medication based on their symptoms. Other
criteria include a high therapeutic index, low abuse potential, and ease of
use.
5. What is the name of the OTC drug that can be used in the manufacturing
of crystal meth, and what restriction has been placed on it?
A) Loratadine; it requires a prescription
B) Pseudoephedrine; it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and ID is
required for purchase
C) Esomeprazole; it is available only by prescription
D) Acetaminophen; it is available only in limited quantities
Correct Answer: Pseudoephedrine; it is kept behind the pharmacy counter
and ID is required for purchase
Rationale: Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, can be used to make crystal
meth. To prevent this, it is kept behind the pharmacy counter and
identification is required for purchase.
6. A patient with glaucoma asks about taking an OTC antihistamine for
allergies. What is the most important consideration for the nurse?
A) Antihistamines are safe for all patients with glaucoma
B) The patient should consult a healthcare provider before taking any OTC
medication
C) Antihistamines are only available by prescription
, D) OTC medications have no risks for patients with glaucoma
Correct Answer: The patient should consult a healthcare provider before
taking any OTC medication
Rationale: OTC medications can be harmful to patients with comorbidities
such as glaucoma. Certain OTC medications, like antihistamines, can
increase intraocular pressure and worsen glaucoma. The patient should be
educated to speak with a provider before taking any OTC medication.
7. Which of the following best describes the information required on a 'Drug
Facts' label for OTC medications?
A) Only the active ingredients and dosage
B) Purpose, uses, warnings, side effects, dosage, and active/inactive
ingredients
C) Only the price and manufacturer information
D) The chemical structure of the drug
Correct Answer: Purpose, uses, warnings, side effects, dosage, and
active/inactive ingredients
Rationale: The 'Drug Facts' label must include the purpose and uses of the
product, specific warnings, side effects, substances to avoid, dosage, and
active and inactive ingredients. This standardized label helps consumers
understand how to use the product safely.
8. A patient asks the nurse about the difference between alternative
medicine and complementary medicine. How should the nurse respond?
A) They are the same thing and can be used interchangeably
B) Alternative medicine is used instead of standard Western medicine;
complementary medicine is used alongside it
