RN PHARMACOLOGY A RELIAS EXAM WITH
100% CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
1. What medication is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Prednisone
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct Answer: Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors, reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation
in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
2. Which statement made by a person regarding hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is correct?
A. I should take extra care when standing up or changing positions.
B. I should avoid drinking water.
C. I can skip potassium-rich foods.
D. I should double the dose if I miss one.
Correct Answer: I should take extra care when standing up or changing positions.
Rationale: HCTZ can cause orthostatic hypotension, and patients should rise slowly to prevent
dizziness or fainting.
3. A 250mg dose of an oral medication has been ordered. The medication is supplied only in 100mg
tablets. How many tablets would you administer?
A. 2
B. 2.5
C. 3
D. 2.25
Correct Answer: 2.5
Rationale: 250 mg ÷ 100 mg/tablet = 2.5 tablets.
4. What medication is considered a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Mannitol
Correct Answer: Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone inhibits aldosterone, conserving potassium while promoting sodium and
water excretion.
5. You receive report that a person just received their fourth dose of IV vancomycin over 30 minutes.
Upon assessment, you notice redness and itching. What would you suspect?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
C. Serum sickness
D. Nephrotoxicity
Correct Answer: Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause histamine release, leading to flushing and
pruritus known as red man syndrome.
6. Which of the following would you question if prescribed for a person taking sildenafil (Viagra)?
A. Aspirin
, B. Nitroglycerin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Concurrent use of nitrates and sildenafil can cause severe hypotension due to additive
vasodilation.
7. You are caring for a person with a capillary blood glucose of 33 mg/dL and they are unable to
tolerate oral intake. Which would you administer?
A. Insulin
B. Dextrose 50% IV push
C. Glucagon IM
D. Water
Correct Answer: Dextrose 50% IV push
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) requires rapid IV glucose administration to restore
blood sugar.
8. A physician orders Insulin glargine (Lantus), 10 U, subQ QD. What change would you suggest for
safety?
A. Increase dose to 15 U
B. Spell out units and daily
C. Change route to IV
D. Combine with rapid insulin
Correct Answer: Spell out units and daily
Rationale: Writing "units" instead of "U" prevents dosing errors, and QD should be spelled out as
"daily".
9. Which statement reflects the need for further education regarding warfarin (Coumadin)?
A. I will get my INR checked regularly.
B. I will avoid leafy green vegetables.
C. If I get headaches, aspirin is my best option for pain.
D. I will report any unusual bleeding.
Correct Answer: If I get headaches, aspirin is my best option for pain.
Rationale: Aspirin increases bleeding risk with warfarin; acetaminophen is preferred.
10. A person has a penicillin allergy. What medication would you question?
A. Ceftriaxone
B. Azithromycin
C. Doxycycline
D. Vancomycin
Correct Answer: Ceftriaxone
Rationale: Cephalosporins like ceftriaxone may cross-react in patients with penicillin allergies.
11. You receive an order to start a heparin drip at 18 units/kg/hr for a person weighing 75 kg. Heparin
comes in a 500 mL bag with 25,000 units. What is the starting rate?
A. 27 mL/hr
B. 18 mL/hr
C. 25 mL/hr
D. 20 mL/hr
Correct Answer: 27 mL/hr
Rationale: 18 units/kg × 75 kg = 1,350 units/hr. 25,000 units ÷ 500 mL = 50 units/mL. 1,350 ÷ 50 =
27 mL/hr.
100% CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
1. What medication is a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A. Montelukast
B. Albuterol
C. Prednisone
D. Diphenhydramine
Correct Answer: Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors, reducing bronchoconstriction and inflammation
in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
2. Which statement made by a person regarding hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is correct?
A. I should take extra care when standing up or changing positions.
B. I should avoid drinking water.
C. I can skip potassium-rich foods.
D. I should double the dose if I miss one.
Correct Answer: I should take extra care when standing up or changing positions.
Rationale: HCTZ can cause orthostatic hypotension, and patients should rise slowly to prevent
dizziness or fainting.
3. A 250mg dose of an oral medication has been ordered. The medication is supplied only in 100mg
tablets. How many tablets would you administer?
A. 2
B. 2.5
C. 3
D. 2.25
Correct Answer: 2.5
Rationale: 250 mg ÷ 100 mg/tablet = 2.5 tablets.
4. What medication is considered a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Mannitol
Correct Answer: Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone inhibits aldosterone, conserving potassium while promoting sodium and
water excretion.
5. You receive report that a person just received their fourth dose of IV vancomycin over 30 minutes.
Upon assessment, you notice redness and itching. What would you suspect?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
C. Serum sickness
D. Nephrotoxicity
Correct Answer: Red man syndrome due to a rapid infusion rate
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause histamine release, leading to flushing and
pruritus known as red man syndrome.
6. Which of the following would you question if prescribed for a person taking sildenafil (Viagra)?
A. Aspirin
, B. Nitroglycerin
C. Acetaminophen
D. Ibuprofen
Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Concurrent use of nitrates and sildenafil can cause severe hypotension due to additive
vasodilation.
7. You are caring for a person with a capillary blood glucose of 33 mg/dL and they are unable to
tolerate oral intake. Which would you administer?
A. Insulin
B. Dextrose 50% IV push
C. Glucagon IM
D. Water
Correct Answer: Dextrose 50% IV push
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL) requires rapid IV glucose administration to restore
blood sugar.
8. A physician orders Insulin glargine (Lantus), 10 U, subQ QD. What change would you suggest for
safety?
A. Increase dose to 15 U
B. Spell out units and daily
C. Change route to IV
D. Combine with rapid insulin
Correct Answer: Spell out units and daily
Rationale: Writing "units" instead of "U" prevents dosing errors, and QD should be spelled out as
"daily".
9. Which statement reflects the need for further education regarding warfarin (Coumadin)?
A. I will get my INR checked regularly.
B. I will avoid leafy green vegetables.
C. If I get headaches, aspirin is my best option for pain.
D. I will report any unusual bleeding.
Correct Answer: If I get headaches, aspirin is my best option for pain.
Rationale: Aspirin increases bleeding risk with warfarin; acetaminophen is preferred.
10. A person has a penicillin allergy. What medication would you question?
A. Ceftriaxone
B. Azithromycin
C. Doxycycline
D. Vancomycin
Correct Answer: Ceftriaxone
Rationale: Cephalosporins like ceftriaxone may cross-react in patients with penicillin allergies.
11. You receive an order to start a heparin drip at 18 units/kg/hr for a person weighing 75 kg. Heparin
comes in a 500 mL bag with 25,000 units. What is the starting rate?
A. 27 mL/hr
B. 18 mL/hr
C. 25 mL/hr
D. 20 mL/hr
Correct Answer: 27 mL/hr
Rationale: 18 units/kg × 75 kg = 1,350 units/hr. 25,000 units ÷ 500 mL = 50 units/mL. 1,350 ÷ 50 =
27 mL/hr.
