NU 150 FINAL EXAM PHARMACOLOGY —
COMPLETE 150-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 | Questions with
Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-30)
1. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What
finding indicates the patient may be experiencing lithium toxicity?
A. Mild thirst and dry mouth
B. Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. Constipation and insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors,
nausea, vomiting, confusion, and unsteady gait; levels must
be checked immediately .
2. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side
effects. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "This medication is safe to take with alcohol."
B. "You may experience drowsiness and should avoid driving."
C. "This medication works as a stimulant to increase energy."
D. "You can stop taking it abruptly when you feel better."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like lorazepam cause CNS
,depression, drowsiness, and dizziness. Patients should avoid
driving or operating heavy machinery .
3. A patient taking lorazepam (Ativan) should be taught to avoid:
A. Driving and operating heavy machinery
B. Drinking water
C. Taking the medication with food
D. Taking the medication at bedtime
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines cause sedation and impair
cognitive and motor function. Patients should avoid driving
and other hazardous activities.
4. A patient is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. The
nurse should teach the patient that:
A. The medication works immediately
B. It may take 4-8 weeks to feel the full therapeutic effect
C. The medication can be stopped abruptly
D. The medication should be taken only as needed
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine have a delayed onset of
therapeutic action. While side effects may appear early,
improvement in mood and anxiety typically takes 4-8 weeks.*
5. The nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed
fluoxetine for depression. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "This medication rarely affects sexual function."
B. "You may experience sexual dysfunction as a side effect."
,C. "You can stop the medication abruptly if you feel better."
D. "Weight gain is impossible with this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine commonly cause decreased
libido, delayed orgasm, or erectile dysfunction .
6. A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) reports decreased libido and
difficulty achieving orgasm. The nurse's best response is:
A. "This is a rare side effect; you should go to the emergency
room."
B. "Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs; discuss
options with your provider."
C. "Stop taking the medication immediately."
D. "This means the medication is working properly."
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Sexual dysfunction occurs in 30-60% of patients
taking SSRIs. It is often dose-related and may improve with
dose reduction or medication change.*
7. What is the most important teaching point for a patient starting
aripiprazole?
A. "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older
antipsychotics."
B. "You can stop the medication once you feel better."
C. "This medication will not affect your blood sugar."
D. "You can drink alcohol freely while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic
associated with fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than typical
, agents like haloperidol, though metabolic effects still need
monitoring .
8. A patient taking valproic acid for epilepsy reports abdominal
pain and nausea. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to take the medication with milk
B. Assess liver function tests
C. Increase the dose to control seizures
D. Stop all other medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; abdominal
pain, nausea, and vomiting may indicate liver injury that
requires lab evaluation .
9. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia.
What is the nurse's priority teaching?
A. "Stop taking the medication immediately."
B. "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and
dental checkups."
C. "Avoid all citrus fruits."
D. "Increase your dose when the seizures worsen."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gum overgrowth; good oral
hygiene and regular dental care help minimize this adverse
effect .
10. A patient taking phenytoin (Dilantin) should be taught to
report which early signs of toxicity?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Ataxia (unsteady gait), slurred speech, and hand tremor
COMPLETE 150-QUESTION PRACTICE EXAM
Galen College of Nursing | 2026/2027 | Questions with
Answers & Rationales
SECTION 1: PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY (Questions 1-30)
1. A patient with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. What
finding indicates the patient may be experiencing lithium toxicity?
A. Mild thirst and dry mouth
B. Tremors, confusion, and nausea
C. Increased appetite and weight gain
D. Constipation and insomnia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include tremors,
nausea, vomiting, confusion, and unsteady gait; levels must
be checked immediately .
2. A patient prescribed lorazepam for anxiety asks about its side
effects. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "This medication is safe to take with alcohol."
B. "You may experience drowsiness and should avoid driving."
C. "This medication works as a stimulant to increase energy."
D. "You can stop taking it abruptly when you feel better."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Benzodiazepines like lorazepam cause CNS
,depression, drowsiness, and dizziness. Patients should avoid
driving or operating heavy machinery .
3. A patient taking lorazepam (Ativan) should be taught to avoid:
A. Driving and operating heavy machinery
B. Drinking water
C. Taking the medication with food
D. Taking the medication at bedtime
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Benzodiazepines cause sedation and impair
cognitive and motor function. Patients should avoid driving
and other hazardous activities.
4. A patient is prescribed fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression. The
nurse should teach the patient that:
A. The medication works immediately
B. It may take 4-8 weeks to feel the full therapeutic effect
C. The medication can be stopped abruptly
D. The medication should be taken only as needed
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine have a delayed onset of
therapeutic action. While side effects may appear early,
improvement in mood and anxiety typically takes 4-8 weeks.*
5. The nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed
fluoxetine for depression. Which of the following should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "This medication rarely affects sexual function."
B. "You may experience sexual dysfunction as a side effect."
,C. "You can stop the medication abruptly if you feel better."
D. "Weight gain is impossible with this medication."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs like fluoxetine commonly cause decreased
libido, delayed orgasm, or erectile dysfunction .
6. A patient taking fluoxetine (Prozac) reports decreased libido and
difficulty achieving orgasm. The nurse's best response is:
A. "This is a rare side effect; you should go to the emergency
room."
B. "Sexual dysfunction is a common side effect of SSRIs; discuss
options with your provider."
C. "Stop taking the medication immediately."
D. "This means the medication is working properly."
Correct Answer: B
*Rationale: Sexual dysfunction occurs in 30-60% of patients
taking SSRIs. It is often dose-related and may improve with
dose reduction or medication change.*
7. What is the most important teaching point for a patient starting
aripiprazole?
A. "You may experience fewer side effects compared to older
antipsychotics."
B. "You can stop the medication once you feel better."
C. "This medication will not affect your blood sugar."
D. "You can drink alcohol freely while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Aripiprazole is an atypical antipsychotic
associated with fewer extrapyramidal symptoms than typical
, agents like haloperidol, though metabolic effects still need
monitoring .
8. A patient taking valproic acid for epilepsy reports abdominal
pain and nausea. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Encourage the patient to take the medication with milk
B. Assess liver function tests
C. Increase the dose to control seizures
D. Stop all other medications
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Valproic acid can cause hepatotoxicity; abdominal
pain, nausea, and vomiting may indicate liver injury that
requires lab evaluation .
9. A patient on phenytoin for epilepsy reports gingival hyperplasia.
What is the nurse's priority teaching?
A. "Stop taking the medication immediately."
B. "Practice good oral hygiene, including regular flossing and
dental checkups."
C. "Avoid all citrus fruits."
D. "Increase your dose when the seizures worsen."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phenytoin can cause gum overgrowth; good oral
hygiene and regular dental care help minimize this adverse
effect .
10. A patient taking phenytoin (Dilantin) should be taught to
report which early signs of toxicity?
A. Dry mouth and constipation
B. Ataxia (unsteady gait), slurred speech, and hand tremor
