NUR 210 – Exam 2: Principles of Pharmacology Actual
exam (Latest 2025/2026 Update)
100 Most-Tested Nursing Questions with Answers and
Rationales | Comprehensive Study Guide for Advanced
Pharmacology
Overview:
This updated NUR 210 Exam 2: Principles of Pharmacology practice guide is designed to
prepare nursing students for high-yield pharmacology concepts and clinical decision-making
questions. It focuses on safe medication administration, advanced pharmacologic principles, and
common adverse drug reactions encountered in nursing practice.
Topics Covered:
💊 Cardiovascular Drugs (Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers,
Diuretics)
🧬 CNS Drugs (Opioids, Benzodiazepines, MAO inhibitors)
⚕️ Endocrine & Metabolic Drugs (Insulin, Oral hypoglycemics, Thyroid medications,
Lithium)
🧬 Anticoagulants & Antiplatelet Therapy (Warfarin, Heparin, Novel agents)
⚠️ Adverse Effects, Toxicity, and Drug Interactions
💉 Nursing Responsibilities & Patient Teaching
🧬 Clinical Judgement & Scenario-Based Pharmacology Questions
✅ Safe Medication Administration (Six Rights, First-Pass Effect, Peak/Trough,
Monitoring Labs)
Features:
100 most-tested practice questions with answers in bold
Concise rationales for rapid comprehension
Scenario-based and concept-based questions reflecting real exam patterns
Aligned with NUR 210 course outcomes and NCLEX-RN pharmacology standards
Ideal for Exam 2 preparation, review sessions, and skill reinforcement
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily affected by beta-adrenergic blockers?
A. Dopamine
,B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Rationale: Beta-blockers inhibit the effects of norepinephrine on beta receptors,
reducing heart rate and BP.
2. A nurse should withhold metformin before a CT scan with contrast because of
the risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Lactic acidosis and renal injury
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Iodine contrast increases risk of lactic acidosis when renal function is
impaired.
3. Which medication is used to reverse warfarin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K (phytonadione)
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Rationale: Vitamin K promotes clotting factor synthesis, reversing warfarin’s
effect.
4. Which effect is expected from activation of the parasympathetic nervous
system?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Bronchodilation
C. Increased GI motility and salivation
D. Pupil dilation
Rationale: Parasympathetic stimulation promotes “rest-and-digest” activities.
, 5. What is the primary adverse effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics?
A. Constipation
B. Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity
C. Photosensitivity
D. Hypotension
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can damage hearing and kidneys.
6. Which insulin has no defined peak and provides 24-hour coverage?
A. Regular insulin
B. Insulin glargine (Lantus)
C. NPH insulin
D. Lispro insulin
Rationale: Glargine provides a steady basal level for 24 hours.
7. The nurse should teach patients taking corticosteroids to report:
A. Fatigue
B. Signs of infection
C. Weight loss
D. Low appetite
Rationale: Corticosteroids suppress immune function and mask infection.
8. A patient on furosemide has a potassium of 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse’s first action
is to:
A. Give next dose
B. Hold drug and notify provider
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Restrict fluids
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia is dangerous; dose should be held.
9. Which drug class reduces blood pressure by blocking calcium entry into cardiac
and vascular muscle?
exam (Latest 2025/2026 Update)
100 Most-Tested Nursing Questions with Answers and
Rationales | Comprehensive Study Guide for Advanced
Pharmacology
Overview:
This updated NUR 210 Exam 2: Principles of Pharmacology practice guide is designed to
prepare nursing students for high-yield pharmacology concepts and clinical decision-making
questions. It focuses on safe medication administration, advanced pharmacologic principles, and
common adverse drug reactions encountered in nursing practice.
Topics Covered:
💊 Cardiovascular Drugs (Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers,
Diuretics)
🧬 CNS Drugs (Opioids, Benzodiazepines, MAO inhibitors)
⚕️ Endocrine & Metabolic Drugs (Insulin, Oral hypoglycemics, Thyroid medications,
Lithium)
🧬 Anticoagulants & Antiplatelet Therapy (Warfarin, Heparin, Novel agents)
⚠️ Adverse Effects, Toxicity, and Drug Interactions
💉 Nursing Responsibilities & Patient Teaching
🧬 Clinical Judgement & Scenario-Based Pharmacology Questions
✅ Safe Medication Administration (Six Rights, First-Pass Effect, Peak/Trough,
Monitoring Labs)
Features:
100 most-tested practice questions with answers in bold
Concise rationales for rapid comprehension
Scenario-based and concept-based questions reflecting real exam patterns
Aligned with NUR 210 course outcomes and NCLEX-RN pharmacology standards
Ideal for Exam 2 preparation, review sessions, and skill reinforcement
1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily affected by beta-adrenergic blockers?
A. Dopamine
,B. Norepinephrine
C. Acetylcholine
D. Serotonin
Rationale: Beta-blockers inhibit the effects of norepinephrine on beta receptors,
reducing heart rate and BP.
2. A nurse should withhold metformin before a CT scan with contrast because of
the risk of:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Lactic acidosis and renal injury
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: Iodine contrast increases risk of lactic acidosis when renal function is
impaired.
3. Which medication is used to reverse warfarin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K (phytonadione)
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Rationale: Vitamin K promotes clotting factor synthesis, reversing warfarin’s
effect.
4. Which effect is expected from activation of the parasympathetic nervous
system?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Bronchodilation
C. Increased GI motility and salivation
D. Pupil dilation
Rationale: Parasympathetic stimulation promotes “rest-and-digest” activities.
, 5. What is the primary adverse effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics?
A. Constipation
B. Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity
C. Photosensitivity
D. Hypotension
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can damage hearing and kidneys.
6. Which insulin has no defined peak and provides 24-hour coverage?
A. Regular insulin
B. Insulin glargine (Lantus)
C. NPH insulin
D. Lispro insulin
Rationale: Glargine provides a steady basal level for 24 hours.
7. The nurse should teach patients taking corticosteroids to report:
A. Fatigue
B. Signs of infection
C. Weight loss
D. Low appetite
Rationale: Corticosteroids suppress immune function and mask infection.
8. A patient on furosemide has a potassium of 2.9 mEq/L. The nurse’s first action
is to:
A. Give next dose
B. Hold drug and notify provider
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Restrict fluids
Rationale: Severe hypokalemia is dangerous; dose should be held.
9. Which drug class reduces blood pressure by blocking calcium entry into cardiac
and vascular muscle?
