1
ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026-27 JUST RELEASED VERSION
Exam Description
This exam assesses advanced nursing-level pharmacology
knowledge including:
✔ Mechanisms of action of drugs
✔ Pharmacodynamics & pharmacokinetics
✔ Therapeutic uses and dosing principles
✔ Drug interactions and adverse effects
✔ Safe prescribing and clinical application in complex patient
scenarios
,2
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A 14-year-old male with short stature and virilization is
evaluated. The NP suspects anabolic steroid use. What should
be ordered?
A) Serum cortisol
B) Liver function tests and serum cholesterol
C) Testosterone only
D) Bone density
Answer: B
Rationale: Androgen use in adolescents can accelerate
epiphyseal closure and cause hepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia
(↓ HDL, ↑ LDL), so liver panels and cholesterol are appropriate.
2. A patient on tadalafil for ED should NOT be prescribed
which medication due to severe hypotension risk?
,3
A) Aspirin
B) Nitro-tab (nitroglycerin)
C) Acetaminophen
D) Amoxicillin
Answer: B
Rationale: PDE-5 inhibitors and nitrates both cause vasodilation
→ severe hypotension when combined.
3. What contraceptive is not appropriate for a breastfeeding
patient at 6 weeks postpartum?
A) Progestin-only pill
B) IUD
C) Combination oral contraceptive
D) Barrier method
Answer: C
Rationale: Estrogen-containing combined oral contraceptives
can reduce milk supply and are contraindicated early in
breastfeeding.
4. How do combination oral contraceptives primarily prevent
pregnancy?
A) Thickening cervical mucus
B) Suppressing ovulation
, 4
C) Increasing basal body temperature
D) Increasing progesterone only
Answer: B
Rationale: They mainly inhibit ovulation through feedback on
the hypothalamus and pituitary.
5. A common side effect of tamsulosin in a 56-year-old man is:
A) Hypertension
B) Decreased ejaculate and libido
C) Increased appetite
D) Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin can cause sexual
dysfunction including reduced ejaculate and libido.
6. Saw palmetto is thought to contain which active
component?
A) Stigmasterol
B) Beta-sitosterol
C) Flavonoid alpha
D) Omega-3 fatty acids
ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM
WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
2026-27 JUST RELEASED VERSION
Exam Description
This exam assesses advanced nursing-level pharmacology
knowledge including:
✔ Mechanisms of action of drugs
✔ Pharmacodynamics & pharmacokinetics
✔ Therapeutic uses and dosing principles
✔ Drug interactions and adverse effects
✔ Safe prescribing and clinical application in complex patient
scenarios
,2
Practice Questions, Answers & Rationales
1. A 14-year-old male with short stature and virilization is
evaluated. The NP suspects anabolic steroid use. What should
be ordered?
A) Serum cortisol
B) Liver function tests and serum cholesterol
C) Testosterone only
D) Bone density
Answer: B
Rationale: Androgen use in adolescents can accelerate
epiphyseal closure and cause hepatotoxicity and dyslipidemia
(↓ HDL, ↑ LDL), so liver panels and cholesterol are appropriate.
2. A patient on tadalafil for ED should NOT be prescribed
which medication due to severe hypotension risk?
,3
A) Aspirin
B) Nitro-tab (nitroglycerin)
C) Acetaminophen
D) Amoxicillin
Answer: B
Rationale: PDE-5 inhibitors and nitrates both cause vasodilation
→ severe hypotension when combined.
3. What contraceptive is not appropriate for a breastfeeding
patient at 6 weeks postpartum?
A) Progestin-only pill
B) IUD
C) Combination oral contraceptive
D) Barrier method
Answer: C
Rationale: Estrogen-containing combined oral contraceptives
can reduce milk supply and are contraindicated early in
breastfeeding.
4. How do combination oral contraceptives primarily prevent
pregnancy?
A) Thickening cervical mucus
B) Suppressing ovulation
, 4
C) Increasing basal body temperature
D) Increasing progesterone only
Answer: B
Rationale: They mainly inhibit ovulation through feedback on
the hypothalamus and pituitary.
5. A common side effect of tamsulosin in a 56-year-old man is:
A) Hypertension
B) Decreased ejaculate and libido
C) Increased appetite
D) Weight gain
Answer: B
Rationale: Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin can cause sexual
dysfunction including reduced ejaculate and libido.
6. Saw palmetto is thought to contain which active
component?
A) Stigmasterol
B) Beta-sitosterol
C) Flavonoid alpha
D) Omega-3 fatty acids
