NR566 | NR566 Advanced Pharmacology for Care
of the Family Exam 3 Version 1 | Questions with
Correct Answers and Expert Explanation for Each
Question | Chamberlain
1. A patient with mild intermittent asthma presents for a follow-up. Which medication
is the preferred treatment for acute relief of bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid relief of acute asthma symptoms by stimulating beta-2 receptors. It is the drug
of choice for exercise-induced bronchospasm and acute exacerbations in mild
intermittent asthma. Patients should be monitored for overuse, as frequent use
indicates a need for stepped-up maintenance therapy.
2. Which education should the nurse practitioner provide to a patient starting
Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes?
A. Expect gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea, which often resolve over time.
,B. Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia as it is a common side effect.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you develop a dry cough.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such
as nausea and diarrhea, especially when first starting the medication. To minimize
these effects, it is recommended to take the medication with meals and titrate the
dose slowly. These symptoms generally subside after several weeks of consistent
use.
3. A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine. When should the
practitioner check the TSH level to evaluate the effectiveness of the initial dose?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 1 to 2 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. Once a year
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The half-life of levothyroxine is approximately 7 days,
meaning it takes several weeks to reach a steady-state concentration. TSH levels
,should be checked 6 to 8 weeks after starting therapy or changing the dose to allow
for physiological stabilization. Monitoring too early may result in an inaccurate
assessment of the therapeutic effect.
4. Which medication is contraindicated in a patient with a history of severe systemic
allergic reactions to peanuts or soy?
A. Atrovent (Ipratropium) HFA inhaler
B. Combivent Respimat
C. Atrovent nasal spray
D. Ipratropium bromide inhalation solution
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Certain formulations of ipratropium products previously
contained soy lecithin as a propellant, though many HFA versions have removed
this. Historically, Combivent MDI and Atrovent MDI were contraindicated in patients
with peanut or soy allergies. Always verify current manufacturer labeling, but for
exam purposes, soy/peanut allergies are traditionally linked to ipratropium
bromide products.
5. What is the primary Black Box Warning associated with the use of Long-Acting Beta
Agonists (LABA) as monotherapy in asthma treatment?
A. Increased risk of asthma-related death
, B. Increased risk of cardiovascular events
C. Potential for liver toxicity
D. Risk of severe hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: LABAs like Salmeterol should never be used as monotherapy
for asthma because they increase the risk of asthma-related death. They must
always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for asthma
management. This warning does not apply to the use of LABAs in patients with
COPD.
6. A patient is prescribed an Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) for persistent asthma. What
instruction is vital to prevent oral candidiasis?
A. Avoid caffeine for two hours after use.
B. Take the medication only when feeling short of breath.
C. Check blood glucose levels daily.
D. Use a spacer and rinse the mouth with water after inhalation.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Oral candidiasis (thrush) is a common local side effect of
inhaled corticosteroids due to immunosuppression in the oropharynx. Using a
of the Family Exam 3 Version 1 | Questions with
Correct Answers and Expert Explanation for Each
Question | Chamberlain
1. A patient with mild intermittent asthma presents for a follow-up. Which medication
is the preferred treatment for acute relief of bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides
rapid relief of acute asthma symptoms by stimulating beta-2 receptors. It is the drug
of choice for exercise-induced bronchospasm and acute exacerbations in mild
intermittent asthma. Patients should be monitored for overuse, as frequent use
indicates a need for stepped-up maintenance therapy.
2. Which education should the nurse practitioner provide to a patient starting
Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes?
A. Expect gastrointestinal side effects like diarrhea, which often resolve over time.
,B. Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia as it is a common side effect.
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach to increase absorption.
D. Stop the medication immediately if you develop a dry cough.
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects such
as nausea and diarrhea, especially when first starting the medication. To minimize
these effects, it is recommended to take the medication with meals and titrate the
dose slowly. These symptoms generally subside after several weeks of consistent
use.
3. A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine. When should the
practitioner check the TSH level to evaluate the effectiveness of the initial dose?
A. 6 to 8 weeks
B. 1 to 2 weeks
C. 3 to 4 months
D. Once a year
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: The half-life of levothyroxine is approximately 7 days,
meaning it takes several weeks to reach a steady-state concentration. TSH levels
,should be checked 6 to 8 weeks after starting therapy or changing the dose to allow
for physiological stabilization. Monitoring too early may result in an inaccurate
assessment of the therapeutic effect.
4. Which medication is contraindicated in a patient with a history of severe systemic
allergic reactions to peanuts or soy?
A. Atrovent (Ipratropium) HFA inhaler
B. Combivent Respimat
C. Atrovent nasal spray
D. Ipratropium bromide inhalation solution
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Certain formulations of ipratropium products previously
contained soy lecithin as a propellant, though many HFA versions have removed
this. Historically, Combivent MDI and Atrovent MDI were contraindicated in patients
with peanut or soy allergies. Always verify current manufacturer labeling, but for
exam purposes, soy/peanut allergies are traditionally linked to ipratropium
bromide products.
5. What is the primary Black Box Warning associated with the use of Long-Acting Beta
Agonists (LABA) as monotherapy in asthma treatment?
A. Increased risk of asthma-related death
, B. Increased risk of cardiovascular events
C. Potential for liver toxicity
D. Risk of severe hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: LABAs like Salmeterol should never be used as monotherapy
for asthma because they increase the risk of asthma-related death. They must
always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for asthma
management. This warning does not apply to the use of LABAs in patients with
COPD.
6. A patient is prescribed an Inhaled Corticosteroid (ICS) for persistent asthma. What
instruction is vital to prevent oral candidiasis?
A. Avoid caffeine for two hours after use.
B. Take the medication only when feeling short of breath.
C. Check blood glucose levels daily.
D. Use a spacer and rinse the mouth with water after inhalation.
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Oral candidiasis (thrush) is a common local side effect of
inhaled corticosteroids due to immunosuppression in the oropharynx. Using a
