D441 Pharmacology: Endocrine Drugs Practice Pack 2026 |WGU
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When should the nurse
instruct the patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before or with a meal
C. Immediately after finishing a meal
D. At bedtime on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes; it should be given
shortly before or during a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which lab value is the primary indicator for adjusting the dosage of
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)?
A. Serum T3 levels
B. Creatinine clearance
C. Serum glucose levels
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: D
Rationale: TSH levels are the most sensitive indicator for determining if thyroid
replacement therapy is therapeutic, subtherapeutic, or excessive.
,3. A patient on long-term Prednisone therapy is at high risk for which of the
following conditions?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone increase bone resorption and decrease calcium
absorption, leading to a high risk of osteoporosis.
4. Which insulin cannot be mixed with any other insulin in the same syringe?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH insulin
C. Insulin Glargine (Lantus)
D. Insulin Aspart (Novolog)
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin with a low pH; mixing it with other
insulins can cause precipitation and alter its absorption profile.
5. What is the most common side effect of Metformin (Glucophage)?
A. Gastrointestinal upset
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Weight gain
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin frequently causes GI side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and
abdominal bloating, especially when first started.
, 6. A patient with hyperthyroidism is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Tachycardia
C. Insomnia
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cell count),
putting the patient at high risk for infection.
7. When teaching a patient about taking Levothyroxine, the nurse should
emphasize taking it:
A. With the largest meal of the day
B. With a full glass of milk
C. Right before going to bed
D. In the morning on an empty stomach
Answer: D
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach,
ideally 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
8. Which medication is used to treat a patient experiencing a severe
hypoglycemic reaction who is unconscious?
A. Oral glucose gel
B. Subcutaneous Glucagon
C. Regular insulin IV
D. Normal saline bolus
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucagon is used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the
patient cannot safely swallow oral glucose.
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When should the nurse
instruct the patient to administer this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
B. 15 minutes before or with a meal
C. Immediately after finishing a meal
D. At bedtime on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes; it should be given
shortly before or during a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which lab value is the primary indicator for adjusting the dosage of
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)?
A. Serum T3 levels
B. Creatinine clearance
C. Serum glucose levels
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: D
Rationale: TSH levels are the most sensitive indicator for determining if thyroid
replacement therapy is therapeutic, subtherapeutic, or excessive.
,3. A patient on long-term Prednisone therapy is at high risk for which of the
following conditions?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Osteoporosis
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Weight loss
Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone increase bone resorption and decrease calcium
absorption, leading to a high risk of osteoporosis.
4. Which insulin cannot be mixed with any other insulin in the same syringe?
A. Regular insulin
B. NPH insulin
C. Insulin Glargine (Lantus)
D. Insulin Aspart (Novolog)
Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin with a low pH; mixing it with other
insulins can cause precipitation and alter its absorption profile.
5. What is the most common side effect of Metformin (Glucophage)?
A. Gastrointestinal upset
B. Severe hypoglycemia
C. Weight gain
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin frequently causes GI side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and
abdominal bloating, especially when first started.
, 6. A patient with hyperthyroidism is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Tachycardia
C. Insomnia
D. Hypertension
Answer: A
Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cell count),
putting the patient at high risk for infection.
7. When teaching a patient about taking Levothyroxine, the nurse should
emphasize taking it:
A. With the largest meal of the day
B. With a full glass of milk
C. Right before going to bed
D. In the morning on an empty stomach
Answer: D
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is increased when taken on an empty stomach,
ideally 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast.
8. Which medication is used to treat a patient experiencing a severe
hypoglycemic reaction who is unconscious?
A. Oral glucose gel
B. Subcutaneous Glucagon
C. Regular insulin IV
D. Normal saline bolus
Answer: B
Rationale: Glucagon is used as an emergency treatment for severe hypoglycemia when the
patient cannot safely swallow oral glucose.
