NR 293 Pharmacology Exam 3 Practice (ATI-Based) 2026
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a patient. When should the
nurse expect the onset of action?
A. 24 hours
B. 1 to 2 hours
C. 4 to 6 hours
D. 15 to 30 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes. It is
typically administered right before or after meals.
2. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which lab value
should the nurse prioritize checking before administration?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Amylase
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels
indicate renal impairment, which increases the risk for lactic acidosis, a life-threatening
complication.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching for a client starting levothyroxine for
hypothyroidism. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with dinner.
C. Wait 1 hour after taking the medication to drink water.
D. Take the medication only when feeling fatigued.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning to increase
absorption and prevent insomnia.
4. A client is receiving propylthiouracil (PTU) for Graves’ disease. Which adverse
effect should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Weight gain
B. Constipation
C. Sore throat and fever
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a dangerous drop in white blood cell count).
Sore throat and fever are early signs of infection that must be reported.
5. A patient is prescribed desmopressin for diabetes insipidus. Which outcome
indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased blood glucose
C. Increased heart rate
D. Decreased serum potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) used to reduce
high urine volume and thirst in patients with diabetes insipidus.
, 6. A client taking high-dose glucocorticoids for a long period is at risk for which
condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term glucocorticoid use causes bone loss by inhibiting osteoblasts and
reducing calcium absorption, leading to osteoporosis.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about omeprazole. Which long-term risk should
the nurse mention?
A. Vitamin C deficiency
B. C. difficile-associated diarrhea
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Liver failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole increase the risk of C. diff
infections and bone fractures due to decreased acid and mineral absorption.
8. A nurse is administering sucralfate to a patient with a duodenal ulcer. When
should the nurse administer this medication?
A. With meals
B. One hour before meals and at bedtime
C. Immediately after meals
D. Only when pain occurs
Answer: B
Rationale: Sucralfate creates a protective barrier over ulcers and works best on an empty
stomach, typically one hour before meals.
|Chamberlain College
1. A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro to a patient. When should the
nurse expect the onset of action?
A. 24 hours
B. 1 to 2 hours
C. 4 to 6 hours
D. 15 to 30 minutes
Answer: D
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 to 30 minutes. It is
typically administered right before or after meals.
2. A patient with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which lab value
should the nurse prioritize checking before administration?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum creatinine
C. Amylase
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin is primarily excreted by the kidneys. Elevated creatinine levels
indicate renal impairment, which increases the risk for lactic acidosis, a life-threatening
complication.
,3. A nurse is providing teaching for a client starting levothyroxine for
hypothyroidism. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before breakfast.
B. Take the medication with dinner.
C. Wait 1 hour after taking the medication to drink water.
D. Take the medication only when feeling fatigued.
Answer: A
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach in the morning to increase
absorption and prevent insomnia.
4. A client is receiving propylthiouracil (PTU) for Graves’ disease. Which adverse
effect should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Weight gain
B. Constipation
C. Sore throat and fever
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a dangerous drop in white blood cell count).
Sore throat and fever are early signs of infection that must be reported.
5. A patient is prescribed desmopressin for diabetes insipidus. Which outcome
indicates the medication is effective?
A. Decreased urine output
B. Increased blood glucose
C. Increased heart rate
D. Decreased serum potassium
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) used to reduce
high urine volume and thirst in patients with diabetes insipidus.
, 6. A client taking high-dose glucocorticoids for a long period is at risk for which
condition?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Weight loss
D. Hypotension
Answer: B
Rationale: Long-term glucocorticoid use causes bone loss by inhibiting osteoblasts and
reducing calcium absorption, leading to osteoporosis.
7. A nurse is teaching a patient about omeprazole. Which long-term risk should
the nurse mention?
A. Vitamin C deficiency
B. C. difficile-associated diarrhea
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Liver failure
Answer: B
Rationale: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole increase the risk of C. diff
infections and bone fractures due to decreased acid and mineral absorption.
8. A nurse is administering sucralfate to a patient with a duodenal ulcer. When
should the nurse administer this medication?
A. With meals
B. One hour before meals and at bedtime
C. Immediately after meals
D. Only when pain occurs
Answer: B
Rationale: Sucralfate creates a protective barrier over ulcers and works best on an empty
stomach, typically one hour before meals.
