NUR 210 Exam 3 V1 | NUR 210 Pharmacology | Actual Q&A with
Rationale (NUR 210 Exam 3) | Galen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Lispro (Humalog) insulin to a patient. At what time
should the nurse ensure the patient’s meal tray is present in the room?
A. Immediately after the morning snack
B. 30 to 60 minutes after administration
C. 2 hours after administration
D. Within 15 minutes of administration
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. To prevent severe
hypoglycemia, the patient must have food available immediately after the dose is given. The
nurse must verify that the meal tray is on the unit before injecting the insulin.
2. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism. Which instruction
should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A. Take the medication with the evening meal.
B. Stop the medication once your symptoms resolve.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is optimal when taken on an empty stomach, usually
in the morning before breakfast. Food and certain minerals like calcium can interfere with
the bioavailability of the drug. This is typically a lifelong therapy, so patients should never
stop it abruptly.
3. A patient receiving Furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
,Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium in the
urine. This often leads to hypokalemia, which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias. Patients are
frequently prescribed potassium supplements or encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods
like bananas.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of long-term Prednisone therapy. Which
of the following should be reported immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild insomnia
C. Weight gain of 1 pound in a week
D. Fever and sore throat
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone are immunosuppressants that can mask signs
of infection. Fever and sore throat are critical indicators of a potential infection that the
patient’s body may not be able to fight effectively. Patients on long-term steroids are at
high risk for opportunistic infections.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and is prescribed Metformin. The patient is
scheduled for an IV contrast-enhanced CT scan. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer a double dose of Metformin before the scan.
B. Give the Metformin with plenty of water before the scan.
C. Hold the Metformin for 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Check the patient’s blood glucose every 15 minutes during the scan.
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld prior to and for 48 hours after procedures using
iodine-containing contrast dye. This precaution prevents the risk of lactic acidosis if the
contrast causes temporary renal impairment. Renal function tests (Creatinine) are usually
checked before restarting the drug.
6. Which insulin should the nurse expect to have NO peak time and a duration of 24 hours?
A. NPH (Humulin N)
B. Regular (Humulin R)
C. Lispro (Humalog)
D. Glargine (Lantus)
Answer: D
, Rationale: Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin that provides a steady basal rate of
insulin over 24 hours. It does not have a peak time, which reduces the risk of hypoglycemia
compared to NPH. It is typically administered once daily at the same time every day.
7. A patient with hypothyroidism is starting Propylthiouracil (PTU). What is the primary
therapeutic goal of this medication?
A. To inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
B. To increase thyroid hormone production.
C. To increase the heart rate.
D. To replace T3 and T4 levels.
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism or Graves’
disease. It works by preventing the thyroid gland from synthesizing new thyroid hormones.
The nurse should monitor for signs of hypothyroidism if the dose is too high.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer IV Potassium Chloride. Which of the following is a
critical safety rule for this medication?
A. Administer by rapid IV push if the potassium is very low.
B. Always dilute and administer using an infusion pump.
C. Mix with a blood transfusion for better absorption.
D. Only give if the patient has a heart rate above 100 bpm.
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium Chloride must never be given IV push as it can cause immediate
cardiac arrest. It must always be diluted in a large volume of fluid and administered slowly
via an infusion pump. The nurse should also monitor the IV site for infiltration and
phlebitis.
9. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus is receiving Desmopressin (DDAVP). Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased urinary output and decreased urine specific gravity.
B. Increased thirst and weight loss.
C. Decreased urinary output and increased urine specific gravity.
D. Decreased blood pressure and bradycardia.
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) which causes
the kidneys to reabsorb water. Effectiveness is demonstrated by a reduction in the massive
Rationale (NUR 210 Exam 3) | Galen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Lispro (Humalog) insulin to a patient. At what time
should the nurse ensure the patient’s meal tray is present in the room?
A. Immediately after the morning snack
B. 30 to 60 minutes after administration
C. 2 hours after administration
D. Within 15 minutes of administration
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. To prevent severe
hypoglycemia, the patient must have food available immediately after the dose is given. The
nurse must verify that the meal tray is on the unit before injecting the insulin.
2. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine (Synthroid) for hypothyroidism. Which instruction
should the nurse include in the discharge teaching?
A. Take the medication with the evening meal.
B. Stop the medication once your symptoms resolve.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is optimal when taken on an empty stomach, usually
in the morning before breakfast. Food and certain minerals like calcium can interfere with
the bioavailability of the drug. This is typically a lifelong therapy, so patients should never
stop it abruptly.
3. A patient receiving Furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
,Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium in the
urine. This often leads to hypokalemia, which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias. Patients are
frequently prescribed potassium supplements or encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods
like bananas.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of long-term Prednisone therapy. Which
of the following should be reported immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Mild insomnia
C. Weight gain of 1 pound in a week
D. Fever and sore throat
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone are immunosuppressants that can mask signs
of infection. Fever and sore throat are critical indicators of a potential infection that the
patient’s body may not be able to fight effectively. Patients on long-term steroids are at
high risk for opportunistic infections.
5. A patient is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and is prescribed Metformin. The patient is
scheduled for an IV contrast-enhanced CT scan. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer a double dose of Metformin before the scan.
B. Give the Metformin with plenty of water before the scan.
C. Hold the Metformin for 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Check the patient’s blood glucose every 15 minutes during the scan.
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld prior to and for 48 hours after procedures using
iodine-containing contrast dye. This precaution prevents the risk of lactic acidosis if the
contrast causes temporary renal impairment. Renal function tests (Creatinine) are usually
checked before restarting the drug.
6. Which insulin should the nurse expect to have NO peak time and a duration of 24 hours?
A. NPH (Humulin N)
B. Regular (Humulin R)
C. Lispro (Humalog)
D. Glargine (Lantus)
Answer: D
, Rationale: Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin that provides a steady basal rate of
insulin over 24 hours. It does not have a peak time, which reduces the risk of hypoglycemia
compared to NPH. It is typically administered once daily at the same time every day.
7. A patient with hypothyroidism is starting Propylthiouracil (PTU). What is the primary
therapeutic goal of this medication?
A. To inhibit the synthesis of thyroid hormones.
B. To increase thyroid hormone production.
C. To increase the heart rate.
D. To replace T3 and T4 levels.
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU is an antithyroid medication used to treat hyperthyroidism or Graves’
disease. It works by preventing the thyroid gland from synthesizing new thyroid hormones.
The nurse should monitor for signs of hypothyroidism if the dose is too high.
8. The nurse is preparing to administer IV Potassium Chloride. Which of the following is a
critical safety rule for this medication?
A. Administer by rapid IV push if the potassium is very low.
B. Always dilute and administer using an infusion pump.
C. Mix with a blood transfusion for better absorption.
D. Only give if the patient has a heart rate above 100 bpm.
Answer: B
Rationale: Potassium Chloride must never be given IV push as it can cause immediate
cardiac arrest. It must always be diluted in a large volume of fluid and administered slowly
via an infusion pump. The nurse should also monitor the IV site for infiltration and
phlebitis.
9. A patient with Diabetes Insipidus is receiving Desmopressin (DDAVP). Which assessment
finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased urinary output and decreased urine specific gravity.
B. Increased thirst and weight loss.
C. Decreased urinary output and increased urine specific gravity.
D. Decreased blood pressure and bradycardia.
Answer: C
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) which causes
the kidneys to reabsorb water. Effectiveness is demonstrated by a reduction in the massive
