NURS 180 Pharmacology Exam 3 Study Guide 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes 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 during a meal
C. Immediately after finishing a meal
D. At bedtime with a snack
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes; it must be
administered close to or during mealtime to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is the most important for a nurse to monitor in a
patient receiving long-term treatment with Prednisone?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Glucose
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone commonly cause hyperglycemia due to
increased gluconeogenesis, requiring frequent blood glucose monitoring.
,3. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. Which diagnostic test
would require the nurse to withhold this medication for 48 hours?
A. Computed Tomography (CT) scan with IV contrast
B. Chest X-ray
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Ultrasound of the abdomen
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld 48 hours before and after IV contrast to prevent
the risk of lactic acidosis and acute renal failure.
4. A nurse is providing teaching for a patient prescribed Levothyroxine for
hypothyroidism. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. I will take this medication with my evening meal.
B. I can stop taking this once my energy levels return to normal.
C. I will take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. I should expect my heart rate to decrease while on this drug.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before
breakfast to ensure optimal absorption.
5. A patient with hyperthyroidism is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
A. Weight loss
B. Tachycardia
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Insomnia
Answer: C
, Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (severe reduction in white blood cells), making
the patient highly susceptible to infection.
6. Which medication is the drug of choice for the treatment of diabetes
insipidus?
A. Vasopressin
B. Spironolactone
C. Furosemide
D. Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Answer: D
Rationale: Desmopressin is the synthetic analog of ADH and is preferred for treating
diabetes insipidus due to its longer duration of action and fewer side effects than
vasopressin.
7. A patient is receiving Albuterol for an acute asthma attack. Which side effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart,
leading to tachycardia and tremors.
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes 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 during a meal
C. Immediately after finishing a meal
D. At bedtime with a snack
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes; it must be
administered close to or during mealtime to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is the most important for a nurse to monitor in a
patient receiving long-term treatment with Prednisone?
A. Serum Potassium
B. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Glucose
Answer: D
Rationale: Corticosteroids like Prednisone commonly cause hyperglycemia due to
increased gluconeogenesis, requiring frequent blood glucose monitoring.
,3. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. Which diagnostic test
would require the nurse to withhold this medication for 48 hours?
A. Computed Tomography (CT) scan with IV contrast
B. Chest X-ray
C. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D. Ultrasound of the abdomen
Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin must be withheld 48 hours before and after IV contrast to prevent
the risk of lactic acidosis and acute renal failure.
4. A nurse is providing teaching for a patient prescribed Levothyroxine for
hypothyroidism. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of
the teaching?
A. I will take this medication with my evening meal.
B. I can stop taking this once my energy levels return to normal.
C. I will take this medication on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. I should expect my heart rate to decrease while on this drug.
Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before
breakfast to ensure optimal absorption.
5. A patient with hyperthyroidism is prescribed Propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse should monitor for which serious adverse effect?
A. Weight loss
B. Tachycardia
C. Agranulocytosis
D. Insomnia
Answer: C
, Rationale: PTU can cause agranulocytosis (severe reduction in white blood cells), making
the patient highly susceptible to infection.
6. Which medication is the drug of choice for the treatment of diabetes
insipidus?
A. Vasopressin
B. Spironolactone
C. Furosemide
D. Desmopressin (DDAVP)
Answer: D
Rationale: Desmopressin is the synthetic analog of ADH and is preferred for treating
diabetes insipidus due to its longer duration of action and fewer side effects than
vasopressin.
7. A patient is receiving Albuterol for an acute asthma attack. Which side effect
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Bradycardia
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist that can stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart,
leading to tachycardia and tremors.
