NSG124 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 2026
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
◉ Side Effects of Opioids. Answer: Drowsiness, respiratory
depression, constipation, and nausea.
◉ Adverse Effects of Opioids. Answer: Respiratory depression (most
concerning), liver toxicity (with certain opioids and acetaminophen).
◉ Nursing Actions for Opioids. Answer: Monitor pain level,
respiratory rate, level of consciousness (LOC) using a sedation scale,
and bowel function before and after administration. Have naloxone
(opioid antagonist) available.
◉ Teaching for Opioids. Answer: Avoid alcohol and other CNS
depressants, report constipation, and do not operate heavy
machinery.
◉ Critical Finding for Opioids. Answer: Respiratory rate less than 12
breaths/min is a critical finding and requires immediate
intervention.
,◉ NSAIDs. Answer: Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking
cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in the peripheral nervous system
(PNS) and CNS.
◉ Side Effects of NSAIDs. Answer: GI upset, bleeding, and renal
toxicity.
◉ Adverse Effects of NSAIDs. Answer: GI bleeding, renal failure, and
cardiovascular events.
◉ Nursing Actions for NSAIDs. Answer: Administer with food,
monitor for GI bleeding (black stools), assess renal function (BUN,
creatinine).
◉ Teaching for NSAIDs. Answer: Report signs of bleeding, take with
food, and avoid alcohol.
◉ Acetaminophen. Answer: Primarily acts in the CNS to reduce pain
and fever.
◉ Side Effects of Acetaminophen. Answer: Generally well-tolerated
but can cause liver toxicity with overdose or chronic high doses.
, ◉ Adverse Effects of Acetaminophen. Answer: Hepatotoxicity (liver
damage).
◉ Nursing Actions for Acetaminophen. Answer: Monitor liver
function tests (LFTs).
◉ Teaching for Acetaminophen. Answer: Do not exceed the
maximum daily dose (typically 4000 mg/day), avoid alcohol.
◉ Migraine Medications. Answer: Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan) are
selective serotonin receptor agonists that cause vasoconstriction of
cranial blood vessels.
◉ Adverse Effects of Triptans. Answer: Vasoconstriction (chest pain,
hypertension).
◉ Nursing Actions for Triptans. Answer: Assess for cardiac history
(contraindicated in patients with a history of heart disease). Monitor
blood pressure.
◉ Teaching for Triptans. Answer: Take at the first sign of a migraine,
avoid triggers.
◉ Ergotamines. Answer: Vasoconstrictors, similar to triptans.
COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE AND PRACTICE
QUESTIONS
◉ Side Effects of Opioids. Answer: Drowsiness, respiratory
depression, constipation, and nausea.
◉ Adverse Effects of Opioids. Answer: Respiratory depression (most
concerning), liver toxicity (with certain opioids and acetaminophen).
◉ Nursing Actions for Opioids. Answer: Monitor pain level,
respiratory rate, level of consciousness (LOC) using a sedation scale,
and bowel function before and after administration. Have naloxone
(opioid antagonist) available.
◉ Teaching for Opioids. Answer: Avoid alcohol and other CNS
depressants, report constipation, and do not operate heavy
machinery.
◉ Critical Finding for Opioids. Answer: Respiratory rate less than 12
breaths/min is a critical finding and requires immediate
intervention.
,◉ NSAIDs. Answer: Inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking
cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes in the peripheral nervous system
(PNS) and CNS.
◉ Side Effects of NSAIDs. Answer: GI upset, bleeding, and renal
toxicity.
◉ Adverse Effects of NSAIDs. Answer: GI bleeding, renal failure, and
cardiovascular events.
◉ Nursing Actions for NSAIDs. Answer: Administer with food,
monitor for GI bleeding (black stools), assess renal function (BUN,
creatinine).
◉ Teaching for NSAIDs. Answer: Report signs of bleeding, take with
food, and avoid alcohol.
◉ Acetaminophen. Answer: Primarily acts in the CNS to reduce pain
and fever.
◉ Side Effects of Acetaminophen. Answer: Generally well-tolerated
but can cause liver toxicity with overdose or chronic high doses.
, ◉ Adverse Effects of Acetaminophen. Answer: Hepatotoxicity (liver
damage).
◉ Nursing Actions for Acetaminophen. Answer: Monitor liver
function tests (LFTs).
◉ Teaching for Acetaminophen. Answer: Do not exceed the
maximum daily dose (typically 4000 mg/day), avoid alcohol.
◉ Migraine Medications. Answer: Triptans (e.g., sumatriptan) are
selective serotonin receptor agonists that cause vasoconstriction of
cranial blood vessels.
◉ Adverse Effects of Triptans. Answer: Vasoconstriction (chest pain,
hypertension).
◉ Nursing Actions for Triptans. Answer: Assess for cardiac history
(contraindicated in patients with a history of heart disease). Monitor
blood pressure.
◉ Teaching for Triptans. Answer: Take at the first sign of a migraine,
avoid triggers.
◉ Ergotamines. Answer: Vasoconstrictors, similar to triptans.
