RN PHARMACOLOGY FOR NURSING
STUDENTS — FULL PRACTICE EXAM +
DETAILED ANSWERS (2026)
◉acetaminophen. Answer: centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic
and antipyretic properties; no antiinflammatory,antirheumatic
properties
◉acyclovir. Answer: Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex
Virus & Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor,
suppresses synthesis of viral DNA, resistance.
◉amiodarone. Answer: Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle
cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
◉amoxicillin. Answer: Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H.
influenzae, E. coli, and N. Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-
lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
,◉atropine. Answer: muscinarinic receptor
antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for mydriases (eye exams), to
raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic poisoning
(rx, shrooms)
◉amphotericin B. Answer: broad spectrum antifungal, which is the
agent of choice for systemic mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its
uses are limited to treating progressive and potentially fatal
infections. Adverse effects include infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity,
and hypokalemia.
◉aspirin. Answer: A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is
used to prevent arterial thrombosis, stroke, or MI. Major SEs include
risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an NSAID that works by
inhibiting platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
◉beclomethasone. Answer: inhaled corticosteroid used to treat
airway inflammation in asthma
◉bethanechol. Answer: muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for
urinary retention
, ◉buproprion. Answer: (DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia,
headache, serotonin syndrome (see laundry list above), withdrawal,
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
◉captopril. Answer: ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious
effects in treating a patient with heart failure. Blocks production of
angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins, and decreases release of
aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of hypotension,
hyperkalemia, or persistant cough, CARDIAC REMODELING
◉carbenicillin. Answer: "Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal
penicillins), which has the same spectrum of activity as broad-
spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
◉cefotaxime. Answer: "Third generation cephalosporin with activity
against meningitis and nosocomial infections resistant to others
(restricted use). It has greater activity against Gram negative
bacteria, increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better ability
to reach CSF.
◉cephalexin. Answer: "First generation cephalosporin poor activity
against Gram negative bacteria, sensitive to to most beta-lactamases,
unable to reach CSF. Used for Staphylococcus if mild penicillin
allergy.
STUDENTS — FULL PRACTICE EXAM +
DETAILED ANSWERS (2026)
◉acetaminophen. Answer: centrally acting cox inhibitor; analgesic
and antipyretic properties; no antiinflammatory,antirheumatic
properties
◉acyclovir. Answer: Antimetabolite for Treating Herpes Simplex
Virus & Varicella-Zoster Virus Infections;
MOAs: Purine necleoside analog: DNA polymerase inhibitor,
suppresses synthesis of viral DNA, resistance.
◉amiodarone. Answer: Class 3 Potassium channel blocker
Only approved for life-threatening dysrhythmias.
Delays repolarization and extends action potential of heart muscle
cells.
SE: Profound hypotension."
◉amoxicillin. Answer: Broad-spectrum penicillin active against H.
influenzae, E. coli, and N. Gonorrhoeae. It is inactivated by beta-
lactamases, so not helpful for Staphylococcus.
,◉atropine. Answer: muscinarinic receptor
antagonist/anticholinergic drug; used for mydriases (eye exams), to
raise HR, lower GI motility, and as antidote to muscarinic poisoning
(rx, shrooms)
◉amphotericin B. Answer: broad spectrum antifungal, which is the
agent of choice for systemic mycoses, despite being highly toxic. Its
uses are limited to treating progressive and potentially fatal
infections. Adverse effects include infusion reactions, nephrotoxicity,
and hypokalemia.
◉aspirin. Answer: A drug that decrease platelet aggregation and is
used to prevent arterial thrombosis, stroke, or MI. Major SEs include
risk of major GI bleeding. This drug is an NSAID that works by
inhibiting platelet COX, COX-1, and COX-2.
◉beclomethasone. Answer: inhaled corticosteroid used to treat
airway inflammation in asthma
◉bethanechol. Answer: muscarinic agnonist, used primarily for
urinary retention
, ◉buproprion. Answer: (DA and NE). Weight loss, seizure, insomnia,
headache, serotonin syndrome (see laundry list above), withdrawal,
Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
◉captopril. Answer: ACE inhibitor - shown to have efficacious
effects in treating a patient with heart failure. Blocks production of
angiotensin II, dilates arterioles and veins, and decreases release of
aldosterone. It may show the adverse effects of hypotension,
hyperkalemia, or persistant cough, CARDIAC REMODELING
◉carbenicillin. Answer: "Extended spectrum (antipseudomonal
penicillins), which has the same spectrum of activity as broad-
spectrum penicillins, plus treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
◉cefotaxime. Answer: "Third generation cephalosporin with activity
against meningitis and nosocomial infections resistant to others
(restricted use). It has greater activity against Gram negative
bacteria, increased resistance to beta-lactamases, and better ability
to reach CSF.
◉cephalexin. Answer: "First generation cephalosporin poor activity
against Gram negative bacteria, sensitive to to most beta-lactamases,
unable to reach CSF. Used for Staphylococcus if mild penicillin
allergy.
