Nurs 521 Pharmacology Exam
Practice Study Guide Questions and
Verified Solutions 2026
1st generation NSAIDS inhibit:
a. COX-1 only
b. COX-2 only
c. COX-1 and COX-2 - Correct Ans-C
2nd generation NSAIDS inhibit:
a. COX-1 only
b. COX-2 only
c. COX-1 and COX-2 - Correct Ans-B
A 25-year-old woman on fluoxetine (Prozac), a stimulating antidepressant, has trouble
with falling asleep. You would expect which of the following drugs to be used?
a. Lorazepam (Ativan)
b. Buspirone (BuSpar)
c. Trazodone (Desyrel)
d. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Correct Ans-C
A 37-year old female patient has just been admitted to your clinic for a chief complaint
of diarrhea. Your client states, "I have trouble concentrating, I feel hot and sweaty all the
time, and I'm eating ALL the time but losing weight! Also, for some reason my eyes look
like they're bulging out of my head." Which of the following disease's do you suspect
your patient of having based on these symptoms?
a. Hashimoto's disease
b. Type II diabetes
c. Menopause
d. Grave's disease - Correct Ans-D
A COX-1 inhibitor medication benefits the body by:
a. Suppressing inflammation
b. Reducing fever
c. Preventing platelet aggregation
d. Relieving pain - Correct Ans-C
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A nurse assesses a patient who takes a maintenance dose of lithium carbonate
(Lithobid) for bipolar disorder. The patient complains of hand tremor, nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea. The patient's gait is unsteady. What might the nurse suspect in this
situation? The patient:
a. may have consumed some foods high in tyramine.
b. has not taken the lithium as directed.
c. has probably developed tolerance to the lithium.
d. may have developed lithium toxicity. - Correct Ans-D
A nurse is educating a patient knowledge they should know when taking COX inhibitors
(both 1 and 2). Which of the following statements made by the patient requires further
instruction?
a. "I should use a soft bristle toothbrush to prevent my gums from bleeding."
b. "I should take a blood thinner while on this medication to reduce it's side effects."
c. "I should be careful about running into things, like a table, to prevent bruising."
d. "I should expect to see a relief of pain, fever, and inflammation when taking this." -
Correct Ans-B
A nurse should recognize that a patient who is receiving an angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medication while also receiving aspirin is at risk to develop
which of these complications?
a. Aspirin poisoning
b. Liver toxicity
c. Renal failure
d. Hemorrhage - Correct Ans-C (High-dose aspirin should be avoided in patients taking
ACE inhibitor medications. In susceptible patients, these medications can impair renal
function when they are combined with aspirin. Aspirin overdose causes poisoning. Liver
toxicity and hemorrhage are not effects from ACE inhibitors and aspirin interactions.)
A nurse teaches a patient who is taking daily low-dose aspirin for protection against
myocardial infarction and stroke to also avoid taking which of these medications?
a. Ibuprofen (Motrin)
b. Zolpidem (Ambien)
c. Loratadine (Claritin)
d. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - Correct Ans-A (Ibuprofen can block the antiplatelet
effects of aspirin, and patients who take low-dose aspirin to protect against myocardial
infarction and thrombosis should avoid ibuprofen. It is not necessary to avoid taking
zolpidem, loratadine, or diphenhydramine while taking aspirin.)
A nurse teaches a patient who takes an MAO inhibitor about important dietary
restrictions. Which foods will the nurse caution the patient to avoid?
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a. Aged cheese and sherry
b. Grapefruit and other citrus juices
c. Coffee, colas, and tea
d. Potato and corn chips - Correct Ans-A
A patient has been admitted to the emergency room with myxedema crisis, or severe
life-threatening hypothyroidism, and is non-responsive. Which of the following
medications would you anticipate the physician to order to treat this condition?
a. Levothyroxine
b. Liothyronine
c. Methimazole
d. Propylthiouracil - Correct Ans-B (Liothyronine has a rapid onset of action in
myxedema coma.)
A patient has been given instructions about levothyroxine (Synthroid). Which of these
statements, if made by the patient, would indicate that the patient understands the
instructions?
a. " I'll take this medication in the morning so as not to interfere with sleep."
b. " I'll plan to double my dose if I gain more than 1 pound per day."
c. " I'll be glad when I don't have to take this medication in a few months." - Correct Ans-
A (Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism by increasing basal metabolism and
thus wakefulness. It is administered as a once-daily dose and a lifelong therapy and is
best taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.)
A patient has just walked into the clinic you work at and exhibits signs of brittle hair as
well as hair loss. They also have a very puffy, expressionless face. Which of the
following conditions would this patient be suspected of having?
a. Hypothyroidism
b. Grave's disease
c. Cretinism
d. Thyrotoxicosis - Correct Ans-A
A patient is admitted to the ER with a pulse of 180, temperature of 105.7, blood
pressure of 78/40, and is unconscious. Upon assessment, their muscles have atrophied
and the patient looks underweight. Upon reviewing their medical history, you learn that
they have hyperthyroidism and just recently had a major open heart surgery. Which of
the following conditions do you suspect has occurred because of their hyperthyroidism
and symptoms?
a. Hypoglycemia
b. Drug overdose
c. Congestive heart failure
d. Thyrotoxic crisis - Correct Ans-D
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A patient taking a benzodiazepine orally would most likely exhibit which group of
symptoms during acute toxicity?
a. Drowsiness, lethargy, confusion
b. Profound hypotension, respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest
c. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
d. Panic, delirium, seizures - Correct Ans-A
A patient taking a MAOI complains of a severe headache, chest pain, nausea, vomiting,
and sweating. Upon questioning, they state they ate avocado toast for breakfast. What
medical condition do you suspect this patient of having?
a. Hypertensive crisis
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Thyroid storm
d. Anaphylactic reaction - Correct Ans-A
A patient taking Bupropion for smoking cessation may experience all of the following
side effects EXCEPT:
a. Seizures
b. Weight loss
c. Constipation
d. Bradycardia - Correct Ans-D (You would experience tachycardia)
A patient taking Xanax who suddenly stops their dosage would most likely exhibit which
group of significant withdrawal symptoms?
a. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
b. Anxiety, sweating, tremors
c. Dizziness, insomnia, constipation
d. Panic, delirium, seizures - Correct Ans-D
A patient walks into the ER and complains of ringing in the ears, that they feel dizzy and
sweaty, and they have a terrible headache. After asking if they have taken any
medication, they say to you, "I didn't feel well, so I took a few tablets of aspirin." What
condition do you suspect this patient of having?
a. Thyrotoxicosis
b. Salicylism
c. Hypoglycemia
d. Hypersensitivity to ASA - Correct Ans-B
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