PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS EXAM 2025/2026 -
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|2025/2026|100% CORRECT
A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is prescribed
prednisone. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
A. Hypotension
B. Elevated potassium levels
C. Neck and back pain
D. Hypoglycemia - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: Neck and back pain from a vertebral compression fracture may occur because of the
development of osteoporosis as a result of glucocorticoid therapy. Other possible adverse effects of
prednisone include hypertension, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Gluocorticoids*
A patient has been prescribed pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids. It is most important for the
nurse to teach the patient to do what?
A. Increase intake of dietary sodium.
B. Take antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. Never abruptly withdraw therapy.
D. Have an eye examination every year. - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of glucocorticoids may cause adrenal insufficiency or an adrenal crisis.
Infection should be prevented, but the use of antibiotics without a known infection is inappropriate.
Sodium intake should be restricted while the patient is taking glucocorticoids. Eye examinations are
recommended every 6 months for patients on glucocorticoid therapy.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient has been receiving long-term prednisone therapy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The chart indicates that the patient has developed Cushing's syndrome. When performing a physical
assessment, the nurse anticipates finding all but which manifestation of Cushing's syndrome?
,A. Hypoglycemia
B. Muscle weakness
C. Glucosuria
D. "Buffalo hump" - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome is manifested by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, fluid and electrolyte
disturbances, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cutaneous striations, and lowered resistance to
infection. Redistribution of fat produces a "potbelly," "moon face," and "buffalo hump."
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking high-dose aspirin and complains of gastric upset
and pain. What does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for this patient?
A. Taking a lower dose of aspirin
B. Biweekly injections of methotrexate [Rheumatrex]
C. Obtaining a prescription for celecoxib [Celebrex]
D. Daily drug therapy with prednisone - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: If aspirin causes gastrointestinal upset or pain, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor
(celecoxib) should be considered. Methotrexate is administered once a week. Daily prednisone
therapy is not indicated; prednisone is usually administered for exacerbations and as short-term
therapy.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate [Rheumatrex]. The nurse will expect
to observe therapeutic effects with this drug in which time period?
A. 3 to 7 days
B. 3 to 6 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. 1 to 2 years - ANSWER-Answer: B
Rationale: Methotrexate acts faster than all other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Therapeutic effects may develop in 3 to 6 weeks.
, *Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with acute gouty arthritis requests information on the preferred drug to take to treat a
painful flare-up. The nurse should recommend which medication?
A. Allopurinol
B. Febuxostat
C. Probenecid
D. Naproxen - ANSWER-Answer: D
Rationale: NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are preferred drugs for treating acute gouty attacks. Benefits
derive mainly from anti-inflammatory actions. Four drugs—allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, and
pegloticase—are used long term to prevent gouty attacks. Benefits derive from lowering plasma uric
acid levels. These drugs lack anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions and therefore are not effective
against acute gouty attacks. Naproxen (or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is considered the
agent of first choice to treat acute gouty arthritis.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient is prescribed allopurinol for chronic tophaceous gout. The patient develops a rash. What is
the priority intervention by the nurse?
A. Stop the medication and assess the patient for liver and kidney failure.
B. Instruct the patient to avoid exposing the skin to sunlight.
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with the dose of allopurinol.
D. Monitor the patient for respiratory depression. - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale: A serious toxic reaction to allopurinol is hypersensitivity syndrome. The medication should
be immediately discontinued; the patient should be observed for rash, fever, eosinophilia, and liver
and kidney dysfunction.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient with gout has not experienced relief with conventional drug therapy. The nurse anticipates
which agent will be prescribed for the patient?
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS|2025/2026|100% CORRECT
A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is prescribed
prednisone. It is most important for the nurse to monitor the patient for what?
A. Hypotension
B. Elevated potassium levels
C. Neck and back pain
D. Hypoglycemia - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: Neck and back pain from a vertebral compression fracture may occur because of the
development of osteoporosis as a result of glucocorticoid therapy. Other possible adverse effects of
prednisone include hypertension, hypokalemia, and hyperglycemia.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Gluocorticoids*
A patient has been prescribed pharmacologic doses of glucocorticoids. It is most important for the
nurse to teach the patient to do what?
A. Increase intake of dietary sodium.
B. Take antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. Never abruptly withdraw therapy.
D. Have an eye examination every year. - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of glucocorticoids may cause adrenal insufficiency or an adrenal crisis.
Infection should be prevented, but the use of antibiotics without a known infection is inappropriate.
Sodium intake should be restricted while the patient is taking glucocorticoids. Eye examinations are
recommended every 6 months for patients on glucocorticoid therapy.
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient has been receiving long-term prednisone therapy for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
The chart indicates that the patient has developed Cushing's syndrome. When performing a physical
assessment, the nurse anticipates finding all but which manifestation of Cushing's syndrome?
,A. Hypoglycemia
B. Muscle weakness
C. Glucosuria
D. "Buffalo hump" - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale: Cushing's syndrome is manifested by hyperglycemia, glycosuria, fluid and electrolyte
disturbances, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cutaneous striations, and lowered resistance to
infection. Redistribution of fat produces a "potbelly," "moon face," and "buffalo hump."
*Reference Ch. 72 - Glucocorticoids*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis has been taking high-dose aspirin and complains of gastric upset
and pain. What does the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for this patient?
A. Taking a lower dose of aspirin
B. Biweekly injections of methotrexate [Rheumatrex]
C. Obtaining a prescription for celecoxib [Celebrex]
D. Daily drug therapy with prednisone - ANSWER-Answer: C
Rationale: If aspirin causes gastrointestinal upset or pain, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor
(celecoxib) should be considered. Methotrexate is administered once a week. Daily prednisone
therapy is not indicated; prednisone is usually administered for exacerbations and as short-term
therapy.
*Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate [Rheumatrex]. The nurse will expect
to observe therapeutic effects with this drug in which time period?
A. 3 to 7 days
B. 3 to 6 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. 1 to 2 years - ANSWER-Answer: B
Rationale: Methotrexate acts faster than all other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.
Therapeutic effects may develop in 3 to 6 weeks.
, *Reference Ch. 73 - Rheumatoid Arthritis*
A patient with acute gouty arthritis requests information on the preferred drug to take to treat a
painful flare-up. The nurse should recommend which medication?
A. Allopurinol
B. Febuxostat
C. Probenecid
D. Naproxen - ANSWER-Answer: D
Rationale: NSAIDs and glucocorticoids are preferred drugs for treating acute gouty attacks. Benefits
derive mainly from anti-inflammatory actions. Four drugs—allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, and
pegloticase—are used long term to prevent gouty attacks. Benefits derive from lowering plasma uric
acid levels. These drugs lack anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions and therefore are not effective
against acute gouty attacks. Naproxen (or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) is considered the
agent of first choice to treat acute gouty arthritis.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient is prescribed allopurinol for chronic tophaceous gout. The patient develops a rash. What is
the priority intervention by the nurse?
A. Stop the medication and assess the patient for liver and kidney failure.
B. Instruct the patient to avoid exposing the skin to sunlight.
C. Administer diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with the dose of allopurinol.
D. Monitor the patient for respiratory depression. - ANSWER-Answer: A
Rationale: A serious toxic reaction to allopurinol is hypersensitivity syndrome. The medication should
be immediately discontinued; the patient should be observed for rash, fever, eosinophilia, and liver
and kidney dysfunction.
*Reference Ch. 74 - Drugs for Gout*
A patient with gout has not experienced relief with conventional drug therapy. The nurse anticipates
which agent will be prescribed for the patient?
