NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questio… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual
Questions & Answers
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questio… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a patient. When should the nurse expect
the onset of action?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 15 to 30 minutes
C. 1 to 2 hours
D. 4 to 6 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes. It should be administered
right before meals. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for a patient taking
furosemide?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum magnesium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium excretion, leading to a high risk of
hypokalemia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which condition is a contraindication
for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Glaucoma
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Severe renal impairment
Answer: D
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment due to the increased risk of
lactic acidosis. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questio… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of sucralfate in treating peptic ulcer disease?
A. Forming a protective barrier over the ulcer
B. Inhibiting the proton pump
C. Blocking H2 receptors
D. Neutralizing gastric acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Sucralfate reacts with gastric acid to form a thick, paste-like substance that adheres to the ulcer
site, protecting it from further damage. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking levothyroxine. What instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication with a full meal.
B. Take the medication at bedtime.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. Take the medication only when feeling fatigued.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure
optimal absorption. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute gout attack?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Febuxostat
Answer: B
Rationale: Colchicine is used to treat acute gout flares, whereas allopurinol and probenecid are used for
long-term prevention. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
✓ VERIFIED • 2026 UPDATE • 100% ACCURATE
NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual
Questions & Answers
Actual Exam Questions & Verified Answers
with Detailed Rationales
Document Type: Exam (Elaborations)
Academic Year:
Total Questions: 50 Multiple Choice
Includes: Correct Answers + Full Rationales
Status: Verified & Updated for 2026
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 1
,NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questio… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
Questions & Verified Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a patient. When should the nurse expect
the onset of action?
A. 30 to 60 minutes
B. 15 to 30 minutes
C. 1 to 2 hours
D. 4 to 6 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes. It should be administered
right before meals. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and
improves patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (B)
requires understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
2. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely for a patient taking
furosemide?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum magnesium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium excretion, leading to a high risk of
hypokalemia. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports safe, evidence-based practice and improves
patient outcomes. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications.
3. A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which condition is a contraindication
for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Glaucoma
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Severe renal impairment
Answer: D
Rationale: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment due to the increased risk of
lactic acidosis. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (D) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 2
, NSG 318 Exam 3 – GCU Pharmacology – 2026 Actual Questio… 2026 Update • Verified Answers
4. What is the primary mechanism of action of sucralfate in treating peptic ulcer disease?
A. Forming a protective barrier over the ulcer
B. Inhibiting the proton pump
C. Blocking H2 receptors
D. Neutralizing gastric acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Sucralfate reacts with gastric acid to form a thick, paste-like substance that adheres to the ulcer
site, protecting it from further damage. Recognizing this principle allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate
complications, and provide accurate patient education. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this
concept from closely related distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking levothyroxine. What instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication with a full meal.
B. Take the medication at bedtime.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. Take the medication only when feeling fatigued.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure
optimal absorption. This is an important clinical concept because selecting the correct answer (C) requires
understanding both the pathophysiology and the practical nursing implications. Recognizing this principle
allows the nurse to prioritize care, anticipate complications, and provide accurate patient education.
6. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute gout attack?
A. Allopurinol
B. Colchicine
C. Probenecid
D. Febuxostat
Answer: B
Rationale: Colchicine is used to treat acute gout flares, whereas allopurinol and probenecid are used for
long-term prevention. Exam questions often test the ability to distinguish this concept from closely related
distractors, making a clear rationale essential for mastery. Applying this knowledge in clinical settings supports
safe, evidence-based practice and improves patient outcomes.
Exam (Elaborations) • Actual Questions & Rationales Page 3
