NUR 521
Advanced Pharmacology
Exam Blueprint Study Guide
(Exams 1–4)
Questions & Answers
Latest Updated 2026| University of Alabama
What You’ll Get:
• Comprehensive Exam Coverage (Exams 1–4) — All key pharmacology concepts
organized exactly as outlined in the official blueprint
• High-Yield Questions & Answers — Carefully selected questions designed to
reflect real exam difficulty and structure
• NGN-Style Case Scenarios — Application-based questions to strengthen clinical
judgment and decision-making skills
• Detailed Expert Rationales — Clear explanations for every answer to help you
understand the “why,” not just memorize
,• Drug Class Breakdown & Mechanisms — Simplified summaries of
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and major drug classes
• Clinical Application Focus — Prioritization, adverse effects, contraindications,
and patient safety strategies
• Exam Strategy Tips — Proven techniques to improve accuracy, time management,
and confidence
• Fully Updated 2026 Content — Aligned with current pharmacology guidelines and
exam expectations
• Instant PDF Download — Easy access on any device for quick review anytime,
anywhere
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NUR 521 Exam 1 ……………………………………………. 3
NUR 521 Exam 2 ……………………………………………. 19
NUR 521 Exam 3 ……………………………………………. 39
NUR 521 Exam 4 ……………………………………………. 53
, NUR 521 Exam 1 Blueprint and Study Guide
Module 1:Foundational Principles of Pharmacotherapeutics
• There are no prototype drugs in module 1.
1. Legal issues
a. Why should APRNs have full prescriptive authority? Who would benefit from
this?
i. APRNS should have full authority so that they can meet the demands for
future healthcare needs. Without it, groups in areas of the greatest need
may not get the care they need.
2. Controlled Substance Classification
a. What is the definition of each schedule of drugs? Can you provide an example
drug that fits in each schedule?
i. Schedule I: No acceptable medical use with high abuse potential ex:
Heroin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA
ii. Schedule II: narcotic stimulants and depressants w/ high abuse potential
and severe psychic or physical dependence liability ex: opium, morphine,
dilaudid, methadone, Demerol, hydrocodone
iii. Schedule III: Abuse potential, less than I or II, and contain compounds w/
limited quantities of certain narcotics ex. products w/ no more than 90 mg
of codeine such as Tylenol w/ codeine, buprenorphine (Suboxone)
iv. Schedule IV: Abuse potential less than those in III ex. barbital,
phenobarbital, Xanax, Domalin, chloral hydtrate, clorazepate
v. Schedule V: less abuse potential than IV and contain preparations
containing limited quantities of certain narcotic and stimulants used for
cough, diarrhea, and pain ex. buprenorphine and propylhexedrine.
3. Prescribing Medications
a. What components are necessary when writing a prescription?
i. Prescriber name, license number, and contact information
ii. DEA number when needed.
iii. NPI number
iv. Patient name and DOB
v. Patient allergies
vi. Name of medication
vii. Indication of use for medication
viii. Medication concentration
ix. Dose, route, frequency
x. Number of tablets to dispense.
xi. Number of refills
xii. If okay to use generic form of medications
b. What factors should the APRN consider when prescribing medications?
, i. Cost and availability
ii. Guidelines
iii. Interactions and side effects
iv. Allergies
v. Liver and renal function
vi. Monitoring parameters
vii. Special populations
viii. Never pre-sign scripts
ix. Do not use abbreviations.
x. Write in ink and use temper-resistant scripts.
c. What factors should the APRN consider when refilling medications?
i. Is this a new medication for the patient?
ii. Am I changing the dose or frequency?
iii. Am I adding new medications to their regimen?
iv. Is the patient having undesired side effects?
v. When do I expect to follow up with this patient?
vi. When was the last time I saw this patient? Do I need to see them again
before refill?
vii. Is this a schedule II medication? These are not eligible for refills and need
a new prescription each time.
d. What is the benefit of collaboration during drug selection and prescription
writing?
i. Helps to develop a relationship with the pharmacist, who can provide
additional information. They have firsthand knowledge of formulary and
can assist with dosing.
ii. Also helps to have an ID specialist because they know more options
available to the patient.
4. Patient Education
a. What information should be included in patient education materials?
i. Name of medication
ii. Purpose
iii. Dose
iv. Administration
v. Adverse effects
vi. Storage
vii. Laboratory testing
viii. Interactions
ix. Duration of therapy
b. Why is patient education so important?
i. Medication information can be easy to forget, especially for a patient
taking multiple medications. Education is the best way to promote positive
outcomes with drug therapy. Make sure to teach patients common side
Advanced Pharmacology
Exam Blueprint Study Guide
(Exams 1–4)
Questions & Answers
Latest Updated 2026| University of Alabama
What You’ll Get:
• Comprehensive Exam Coverage (Exams 1–4) — All key pharmacology concepts
organized exactly as outlined in the official blueprint
• High-Yield Questions & Answers — Carefully selected questions designed to
reflect real exam difficulty and structure
• NGN-Style Case Scenarios — Application-based questions to strengthen clinical
judgment and decision-making skills
• Detailed Expert Rationales — Clear explanations for every answer to help you
understand the “why,” not just memorize
,• Drug Class Breakdown & Mechanisms — Simplified summaries of
pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and major drug classes
• Clinical Application Focus — Prioritization, adverse effects, contraindications,
and patient safety strategies
• Exam Strategy Tips — Proven techniques to improve accuracy, time management,
and confidence
• Fully Updated 2026 Content — Aligned with current pharmacology guidelines and
exam expectations
• Instant PDF Download — Easy access on any device for quick review anytime,
anywhere
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NUR 521 Exam 1 ……………………………………………. 3
NUR 521 Exam 2 ……………………………………………. 19
NUR 521 Exam 3 ……………………………………………. 39
NUR 521 Exam 4 ……………………………………………. 53
, NUR 521 Exam 1 Blueprint and Study Guide
Module 1:Foundational Principles of Pharmacotherapeutics
• There are no prototype drugs in module 1.
1. Legal issues
a. Why should APRNs have full prescriptive authority? Who would benefit from
this?
i. APRNS should have full authority so that they can meet the demands for
future healthcare needs. Without it, groups in areas of the greatest need
may not get the care they need.
2. Controlled Substance Classification
a. What is the definition of each schedule of drugs? Can you provide an example
drug that fits in each schedule?
i. Schedule I: No acceptable medical use with high abuse potential ex:
Heroin, marijuana, LSD, MDMA
ii. Schedule II: narcotic stimulants and depressants w/ high abuse potential
and severe psychic or physical dependence liability ex: opium, morphine,
dilaudid, methadone, Demerol, hydrocodone
iii. Schedule III: Abuse potential, less than I or II, and contain compounds w/
limited quantities of certain narcotics ex. products w/ no more than 90 mg
of codeine such as Tylenol w/ codeine, buprenorphine (Suboxone)
iv. Schedule IV: Abuse potential less than those in III ex. barbital,
phenobarbital, Xanax, Domalin, chloral hydtrate, clorazepate
v. Schedule V: less abuse potential than IV and contain preparations
containing limited quantities of certain narcotic and stimulants used for
cough, diarrhea, and pain ex. buprenorphine and propylhexedrine.
3. Prescribing Medications
a. What components are necessary when writing a prescription?
i. Prescriber name, license number, and contact information
ii. DEA number when needed.
iii. NPI number
iv. Patient name and DOB
v. Patient allergies
vi. Name of medication
vii. Indication of use for medication
viii. Medication concentration
ix. Dose, route, frequency
x. Number of tablets to dispense.
xi. Number of refills
xii. If okay to use generic form of medications
b. What factors should the APRN consider when prescribing medications?
, i. Cost and availability
ii. Guidelines
iii. Interactions and side effects
iv. Allergies
v. Liver and renal function
vi. Monitoring parameters
vii. Special populations
viii. Never pre-sign scripts
ix. Do not use abbreviations.
x. Write in ink and use temper-resistant scripts.
c. What factors should the APRN consider when refilling medications?
i. Is this a new medication for the patient?
ii. Am I changing the dose or frequency?
iii. Am I adding new medications to their regimen?
iv. Is the patient having undesired side effects?
v. When do I expect to follow up with this patient?
vi. When was the last time I saw this patient? Do I need to see them again
before refill?
vii. Is this a schedule II medication? These are not eligible for refills and need
a new prescription each time.
d. What is the benefit of collaboration during drug selection and prescription
writing?
i. Helps to develop a relationship with the pharmacist, who can provide
additional information. They have firsthand knowledge of formulary and
can assist with dosing.
ii. Also helps to have an ID specialist because they know more options
available to the patient.
4. Patient Education
a. What information should be included in patient education materials?
i. Name of medication
ii. Purpose
iii. Dose
iv. Administration
v. Adverse effects
vi. Storage
vii. Laboratory testing
viii. Interactions
ix. Duration of therapy
b. Why is patient education so important?
i. Medication information can be easy to forget, especially for a patient
taking multiple medications. Education is the best way to promote positive
outcomes with drug therapy. Make sure to teach patients common side
