NR 565 / NR565 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism -correct Answers
-Face is pale, puffy, and expressionless.
Skin is cold and dry.
hair is brittle, and hair loss occurs.
Heart rate and temperature are lowered. The patient
lethargy, fatigue, and intolerance to cold.
Mentation may be impaired.
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism -correct Answers
-Heart Rate is Rapid; Possible arrhythmia/angina
Nervousness, insomnia, rapid thought flow, and rapid
speech
Skeletal muscles may weaken and atrophy
Metabolic rate is raised, resulting in increased heat
production, increased body temperature, intolerance to
heat, and skin that is warm and moist
Weight loss occurs if caloric intake fails to match the
increase in metabolic rate
Severe hypothyroidism -correct Answers -Myxedema
Hypothyroid Treatment -correct Answers -Levothyroxine
is the drug of choice for most patients who require thyroid
hormone replacement.
,Levothyroxine (Synthroid) Therapeutic Goal -correct
Answers -Resolution of signs and symptoms of
hypothyroidism and restoration of normal laboratory
values for serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and
free thyroxine (T4).
Major forms of hyperthyroidism -correct Answers -Graves
disease and toxic nodular goiter (also known as Plummer
disease).
Graves Disease -correct Answers -Most common cause
of excessive thyroid hormone secretion
What adjunctive therapy is good to prescribe to control
symptoms of hyperthyroidism other than thyroid specific
medications? -correct Answers -β-Blockers and
nonradioactive iodine may be used as adjunctive therapy.
β-Blockers suppress tachycardia by blocking β-receptors
on the heart.
Nonradioactive iodine inhibits synthesis and release of
thyroid hormones.
Monitoring needs and intervals for Levothyroxine -correct
Answers -Check TSH 6-8 weeks after initiating therapy
and after any dosage change.
Check TSH at least once a year after serum TSH is
stabilized.
Hyperthyroid Treatment -correct Answers -thionamide
drugs—methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU)—
suppress synthesis of thyroid hormones.
,Methimazole Therapeutic Goal -correct Answers -(1)
reduction of thyroid hormone production in Graves'
disease, (2) control of hyperthyroidism until the effects of
radiation on the thyroid become manifest, (3) suppression
of thyroid hormone production before subtotal
thyroidectomy, (4) treatment of thyrotoxic crisis.
Monitoring needs and intervals for Methimazole -correct
Answers -Check CBC with differential if signs or
symptoms of infection. Check LFTs if signs or symptoms
of liver dysfunction.
High Risk Patients for Methimazole -correct Answers -
Should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Methimazole Toxicity -correct Answers -Agranulocytosis
is the most dangerous toxicity.
PTU High Risk Warning -correct Answers -Carries a risk
for liver toxicity. Although rare, the FDA recommends
against using as a first-line treatment due to potential for
hepatic toxicity.
Effects of maternal hypothyroidism on offspring and
appropriate patient teaching related to need for treatment.
-correct Answers -Can cause delay in mental
development and derangement of growth. In the absence
of thyroid hormones, the child develops a large and
protruding tongue, potbelly, and dwarfish stature.
Development of the nervous system, bones, teeth, and
muscles is impaired.
, Congenital Hypothyroidism Treatment -correct Answers -
requires replacement therapy with thyroid hormones. If
treatment is initiated within a few days of birth, physical
and mental development will be normal.
replacement therapy should continue for 3 years, after
which it should be stopped for 4 weeks to determine
whether thyroid deficiency is permanent or transient.
Patient Teaching for Methimazole -correct Answers -Tell
your healthcare providers that you are taking this drug.
Check blood work as directed.
Taking this drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if
you are pregnant, especially in the first trimester.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this
drug, call your healthcare provider right away.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding to
discuss risks to the baby.
Have your baby's thyroid checked if you are using this
drug and breast-feeding.
Agranulocytosis is the most dangerous toxicity risk for this
medication but is very rare. Sore throat and fever should
be reported immediately.
Patient Teaching for Levothyroxine -correct Answers -
works best if you take it on an empty stomach, 30 to 60
minutes before breakfast.
take the medicine at the same time each day.
Ideal HbA1C goal for diabetic, non-pregnant adults -
correct Answers -less than 7%.
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
Signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism -correct Answers
-Face is pale, puffy, and expressionless.
Skin is cold and dry.
hair is brittle, and hair loss occurs.
Heart rate and temperature are lowered. The patient
lethargy, fatigue, and intolerance to cold.
Mentation may be impaired.
Signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism -correct Answers
-Heart Rate is Rapid; Possible arrhythmia/angina
Nervousness, insomnia, rapid thought flow, and rapid
speech
Skeletal muscles may weaken and atrophy
Metabolic rate is raised, resulting in increased heat
production, increased body temperature, intolerance to
heat, and skin that is warm and moist
Weight loss occurs if caloric intake fails to match the
increase in metabolic rate
Severe hypothyroidism -correct Answers -Myxedema
Hypothyroid Treatment -correct Answers -Levothyroxine
is the drug of choice for most patients who require thyroid
hormone replacement.
,Levothyroxine (Synthroid) Therapeutic Goal -correct
Answers -Resolution of signs and symptoms of
hypothyroidism and restoration of normal laboratory
values for serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and
free thyroxine (T4).
Major forms of hyperthyroidism -correct Answers -Graves
disease and toxic nodular goiter (also known as Plummer
disease).
Graves Disease -correct Answers -Most common cause
of excessive thyroid hormone secretion
What adjunctive therapy is good to prescribe to control
symptoms of hyperthyroidism other than thyroid specific
medications? -correct Answers -β-Blockers and
nonradioactive iodine may be used as adjunctive therapy.
β-Blockers suppress tachycardia by blocking β-receptors
on the heart.
Nonradioactive iodine inhibits synthesis and release of
thyroid hormones.
Monitoring needs and intervals for Levothyroxine -correct
Answers -Check TSH 6-8 weeks after initiating therapy
and after any dosage change.
Check TSH at least once a year after serum TSH is
stabilized.
Hyperthyroid Treatment -correct Answers -thionamide
drugs—methimazole and propylthiouracil (PTU)—
suppress synthesis of thyroid hormones.
,Methimazole Therapeutic Goal -correct Answers -(1)
reduction of thyroid hormone production in Graves'
disease, (2) control of hyperthyroidism until the effects of
radiation on the thyroid become manifest, (3) suppression
of thyroid hormone production before subtotal
thyroidectomy, (4) treatment of thyrotoxic crisis.
Monitoring needs and intervals for Methimazole -correct
Answers -Check CBC with differential if signs or
symptoms of infection. Check LFTs if signs or symptoms
of liver dysfunction.
High Risk Patients for Methimazole -correct Answers -
Should be avoided in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Methimazole Toxicity -correct Answers -Agranulocytosis
is the most dangerous toxicity.
PTU High Risk Warning -correct Answers -Carries a risk
for liver toxicity. Although rare, the FDA recommends
against using as a first-line treatment due to potential for
hepatic toxicity.
Effects of maternal hypothyroidism on offspring and
appropriate patient teaching related to need for treatment.
-correct Answers -Can cause delay in mental
development and derangement of growth. In the absence
of thyroid hormones, the child develops a large and
protruding tongue, potbelly, and dwarfish stature.
Development of the nervous system, bones, teeth, and
muscles is impaired.
, Congenital Hypothyroidism Treatment -correct Answers -
requires replacement therapy with thyroid hormones. If
treatment is initiated within a few days of birth, physical
and mental development will be normal.
replacement therapy should continue for 3 years, after
which it should be stopped for 4 weeks to determine
whether thyroid deficiency is permanent or transient.
Patient Teaching for Methimazole -correct Answers -Tell
your healthcare providers that you are taking this drug.
Check blood work as directed.
Taking this drug may cause harm to the unborn baby if
you are pregnant, especially in the first trimester.
If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking this
drug, call your healthcare provider right away.
Tell your healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding to
discuss risks to the baby.
Have your baby's thyroid checked if you are using this
drug and breast-feeding.
Agranulocytosis is the most dangerous toxicity risk for this
medication but is very rare. Sore throat and fever should
be reported immediately.
Patient Teaching for Levothyroxine -correct Answers -
works best if you take it on an empty stomach, 30 to 60
minutes before breakfast.
take the medicine at the same time each day.
Ideal HbA1C goal for diabetic, non-pregnant adults -
correct Answers -less than 7%.
