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NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 3 Practice Test | Exam Questions
with Verified Answers & Rationales | 2026–2027 Chamberlain
University Pharmacology Study Guide | Grade A
Question 1
Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., Lispro, Aspart) has an onset of action within:
A. 15 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 60 minutes
D. 120 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 15 minutes
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin analogs have an onset of approximately 15 minutes,
peak in about 1.5 hours, and duration of 3 hours. They are administered just before or
immediately after meals.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed regular insulin (Humulin R). The nurse knows this type of
insulin is classified as:
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A. Rapid-acting
B. Short-acting
C. Intermediate-acting
D. Long-acting
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Short-acting
Rationale: Regular insulin is short-acting, with an onset of 30 minutes, peak of 3 hours,
and duration of 6 hours. It is often used for intravenous infusions and can be mixed with
intermediate-acting insulin like NPH.
Question 3
NPH insulin (Humulin N) is an example of which type of insulin?
A. Rapid-acting
B. Short-acting
C. Intermediate-acting
D. Long-acting
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Intermediate-acting
Rationale: NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin with an onset of 60 minutes, peak of 6
hours, and duration of 12 hours. It appears cloudy and must be mixed gently.
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Question 4
Long-acting insulin (e.g., Glargine/Lantus, Detemir/Levemir) has the following
characteristic:
A. It has a distinct peak effect.
B. It has an onset of 120 minutes and a duration of 24 hours, with no significant peak.
C. It is always clear and can be mixed with regular insulin.
D. It is primarily used to cover mealtime blood glucose spikes.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It has an onset of 120 minutes and a duration of 24 hours,
with no significant peak.
Rationale: Long-acting insulins provide a basal level of insulin with a duration of about
24 hours and no pronounced peak. They should not be mixed with other insulins in the
same syringe.
Question 5
Which long-acting insulins should NOT be mixed with other insulins in the same
syringe? (Select all that apply.)
A. Lispro (Humalog)
B. Glargine (Lantus)
C. Detemir (Levemir)
D. NPH (Humulin N)
NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 3 Practice Test | Exam Questions
with Verified Answers & Rationales | 2026–2027 Chamberlain
University Pharmacology Study Guide | Grade A
Question 1
Rapid-acting insulin (e.g., Lispro, Aspart) has an onset of action within:
A. 15 minutes
B. 30 minutes
C. 60 minutes
D. 120 minutes
CORRECT ANSWER: A. 15 minutes
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin analogs have an onset of approximately 15 minutes,
peak in about 1.5 hours, and duration of 3 hours. They are administered just before or
immediately after meals.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed regular insulin (Humulin R). The nurse knows this type of
insulin is classified as:
,2|Page
A. Rapid-acting
B. Short-acting
C. Intermediate-acting
D. Long-acting
CORRECT ANSWER: B. Short-acting
Rationale: Regular insulin is short-acting, with an onset of 30 minutes, peak of 3 hours,
and duration of 6 hours. It is often used for intravenous infusions and can be mixed with
intermediate-acting insulin like NPH.
Question 3
NPH insulin (Humulin N) is an example of which type of insulin?
A. Rapid-acting
B. Short-acting
C. Intermediate-acting
D. Long-acting
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Intermediate-acting
Rationale: NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin with an onset of 60 minutes, peak of 6
hours, and duration of 12 hours. It appears cloudy and must be mixed gently.
, 3|Page
Question 4
Long-acting insulin (e.g., Glargine/Lantus, Detemir/Levemir) has the following
characteristic:
A. It has a distinct peak effect.
B. It has an onset of 120 minutes and a duration of 24 hours, with no significant peak.
C. It is always clear and can be mixed with regular insulin.
D. It is primarily used to cover mealtime blood glucose spikes.
CORRECT ANSWER: B. It has an onset of 120 minutes and a duration of 24 hours,
with no significant peak.
Rationale: Long-acting insulins provide a basal level of insulin with a duration of about
24 hours and no pronounced peak. They should not be mixed with other insulins in the
same syringe.
Question 5
Which long-acting insulins should NOT be mixed with other insulins in the same
syringe? (Select all that apply.)
A. Lispro (Humalog)
B. Glargine (Lantus)
C. Detemir (Levemir)
D. NPH (Humulin N)
