NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 9 Study Guide (ATI-Based) 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer levothyroxine to a client with
hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Expect the full effect of the medication within 24 hours.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast. It takes several weeks to reach therapeutic levels.
2. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which of the following is
a known contraindication for this medication?
A. History of hypertension
B. Upcoming CT scan with intravenous contrast dye
C. Concurrent use of vitamin C
D. BMI greater than 30
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld 48 hours before and after procedures involving
iodine-based contrast dye to prevent lactic acidosis and acute renal failure.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving propylthiouracil (PTU) for
hyperthyroidism. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor?
A. Serum calcium
B. White blood cell (WBC) count
C. Serum potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a dangerous drop in WBCs), so monitoring the
WBC count is a priority for infection risk.
4. A client is receiving desmopressin for the treatment of diabetes insipidus.
Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased urine output
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Increased blood glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH that increases water reabsorption in the
kidneys, leading to decreased urine output and increased urine specific gravity.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting a new prescription for
prednisone. Which side effect should be reported to the provider?
A. Weight loss
B. Sore throat or fever
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Increased energy levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like prednisone suppress the immune system; a sore throat or
fever could indicate a serious infection.
, 6. A client is prescribed lispro insulin. When should the nurse instruct the client
to administer this medication?
A. 60 minutes before a meal
B. Once daily in the morning
C. Only at bedtime
D. 15 minutes before a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes. It should be
given immediately before or with meals.
7. Which of the following is a priority assessment for a client receiving
magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia?
A. Apical pulse
B. Bowel sounds
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Pupillary response
Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity, which can
lead to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for gentamicin. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Tinnitus
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are ototoxic; tinnitus or hearing loss are key
adverse effects to monitor.
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer levothyroxine to a client with
hypothyroidism. Which of the following instructions should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
D. Expect the full effect of the medication within 24 hours.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach to enhance absorption,
typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast. It takes several weeks to reach therapeutic levels.
2. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which of the following is
a known contraindication for this medication?
A. History of hypertension
B. Upcoming CT scan with intravenous contrast dye
C. Concurrent use of vitamin C
D. BMI greater than 30
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld 48 hours before and after procedures involving
iodine-based contrast dye to prevent lactic acidosis and acute renal failure.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving propylthiouracil (PTU) for
hyperthyroidism. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor?
A. Serum calcium
B. White blood cell (WBC) count
C. Serum potassium
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a dangerous drop in WBCs), so monitoring the
WBC count is a priority for infection risk.
4. A client is receiving desmopressin for the treatment of diabetes insipidus.
Which finding indicates the medication is effective?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased urine output
C. Decreased urine specific gravity
D. Increased blood glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH that increases water reabsorption in the
kidneys, leading to decreased urine output and increased urine specific gravity.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting a new prescription for
prednisone. Which side effect should be reported to the provider?
A. Weight loss
B. Sore throat or fever
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Increased energy levels
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like prednisone suppress the immune system; a sore throat or
fever could indicate a serious infection.
, 6. A client is prescribed lispro insulin. When should the nurse instruct the client
to administer this medication?
A. 60 minutes before a meal
B. Once daily in the morning
C. Only at bedtime
D. 15 minutes before a meal
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15-30 minutes. It should be
given immediately before or with meals.
7. Which of the following is a priority assessment for a client receiving
magnesium sulfate IV for preeclampsia?
A. Apical pulse
B. Bowel sounds
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Pupillary response
Answer: C
Rationale: Loss of deep tendon reflexes is an early sign of magnesium toxicity, which can
lead to respiratory depression and cardiac arrest.
8. A nurse is caring for a client with a prescription for gentamicin. Which adverse
effect should the nurse monitor for?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Tinnitus
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are ototoxic; tinnitus or hearing loss are key
adverse effects to monitor.
