Rasmussen Pharmacology Final Newest Questions
and Answers (2026) | Comprehensive Updated
Review and Rationales | Grade A+
• Routes that Diphenhydramine can be administered -✓✓PO, IM, IV
• Diphenhydramine -✓✓Antihistamine.
Absorbed through the GI tract.
Metabolized by the liver.
Highly Protein bound.
Caution while driving due to drowsiness.
• Onset of action for diphenhydramine -✓✓15-30 Min.
• Nursing intervention for diphenhydramine IM -✓✓Administer IM form in a large muscle.
Avoid subcutaneous injection.
• Oxymetazoline -✓✓Afrin
Dristan
Vicks Sinex
• Phenylephrine -✓✓Sudafed PE
Suphedrin PE
• Pseudoephedrine -✓✓Silfedrine
Sudafed
Suphedrin
• Nasal Decongestants -✓✓Decreases the effect of beta blockers.
Increased hypertension & dysrhymia risk when taken with MAOI's (bipolar and panic
disorder drug)
• Side effects of nasal decongestants -✓✓May cause initial reaction of restlessness,
nervousness, or jittery.
This will resolve after the body adjusts.
BP and blood glucose levels may increase with these meds
• Nasal decongestants mixed with caffeine can increase... -✓✓the possibility of
restlessness or palpitations
• Rebound nasal congestion -✓✓Caused by irritation of the nasal mucosa which results
in rebound vasodilation instead of constriction (could occur within use of 3 days)
, • Intranasal Glucocorticoids -✓✓Anti-inflammatory; decrease rhinorrhea, sneezing, and
congestion
May be used alone or in addition to antihistamines
• Intranasal glucocorticoids should be directed... -✓✓away from the septum.
Pt should sniff gently.
May result in nasal dryness if used too often.
• Antitussives -✓✓Act on the cough-control center in the medulla to suppress the cough
reflex
May be used if the pt has a non-productive cough that is irritating.
Hard candy is another option.
• Antitussives non-opioids -✓✓Benzonatate (tessalon pearls)
• Antitussives opioids -✓✓Codeine, guaifenesin and codeine
• Expectorants -✓✓Loosens bronchial secretions by reducing surface tension of
secretions.
Hydration is the best expectorant; Increase fluid intake to at least 8 glasses per day to
help loosen mucus.
• Guaifenesin -✓✓most commonly used expectorant.
• What is encouraged when a pt has a harsh non-productive cough -
✓✓dextromethorphan or codeine
Esp at night.
• yellow or green nasal drainage or a productive cough could indicate -✓✓that pt needs
an antibiotic
• Bronchial asthma signs and symptoms -✓✓bronchospasm, wheezing, mucus
secretions, dyspnea
• Bronchodilators -✓✓commonly used w/ diminished breath sounds.
Especially when a pt has wheezes
• Short acting adrenergic inhalers -✓✓should be followed by long acting adrenergic
inhalers
• Albuterol -✓✓causes bronchodilation
simply opens up the airway
does not decrease inflammation
and Answers (2026) | Comprehensive Updated
Review and Rationales | Grade A+
• Routes that Diphenhydramine can be administered -✓✓PO, IM, IV
• Diphenhydramine -✓✓Antihistamine.
Absorbed through the GI tract.
Metabolized by the liver.
Highly Protein bound.
Caution while driving due to drowsiness.
• Onset of action for diphenhydramine -✓✓15-30 Min.
• Nursing intervention for diphenhydramine IM -✓✓Administer IM form in a large muscle.
Avoid subcutaneous injection.
• Oxymetazoline -✓✓Afrin
Dristan
Vicks Sinex
• Phenylephrine -✓✓Sudafed PE
Suphedrin PE
• Pseudoephedrine -✓✓Silfedrine
Sudafed
Suphedrin
• Nasal Decongestants -✓✓Decreases the effect of beta blockers.
Increased hypertension & dysrhymia risk when taken with MAOI's (bipolar and panic
disorder drug)
• Side effects of nasal decongestants -✓✓May cause initial reaction of restlessness,
nervousness, or jittery.
This will resolve after the body adjusts.
BP and blood glucose levels may increase with these meds
• Nasal decongestants mixed with caffeine can increase... -✓✓the possibility of
restlessness or palpitations
• Rebound nasal congestion -✓✓Caused by irritation of the nasal mucosa which results
in rebound vasodilation instead of constriction (could occur within use of 3 days)
, • Intranasal Glucocorticoids -✓✓Anti-inflammatory; decrease rhinorrhea, sneezing, and
congestion
May be used alone or in addition to antihistamines
• Intranasal glucocorticoids should be directed... -✓✓away from the septum.
Pt should sniff gently.
May result in nasal dryness if used too often.
• Antitussives -✓✓Act on the cough-control center in the medulla to suppress the cough
reflex
May be used if the pt has a non-productive cough that is irritating.
Hard candy is another option.
• Antitussives non-opioids -✓✓Benzonatate (tessalon pearls)
• Antitussives opioids -✓✓Codeine, guaifenesin and codeine
• Expectorants -✓✓Loosens bronchial secretions by reducing surface tension of
secretions.
Hydration is the best expectorant; Increase fluid intake to at least 8 glasses per day to
help loosen mucus.
• Guaifenesin -✓✓most commonly used expectorant.
• What is encouraged when a pt has a harsh non-productive cough -
✓✓dextromethorphan or codeine
Esp at night.
• yellow or green nasal drainage or a productive cough could indicate -✓✓that pt needs
an antibiotic
• Bronchial asthma signs and symptoms -✓✓bronchospasm, wheezing, mucus
secretions, dyspnea
• Bronchodilators -✓✓commonly used w/ diminished breath sounds.
Especially when a pt has wheezes
• Short acting adrenergic inhalers -✓✓should be followed by long acting adrenergic
inhalers
• Albuterol -✓✓causes bronchodilation
simply opens up the airway
does not decrease inflammation
