NURS 180 | Pharmacology | Week 12 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
physiological indicator should the nurse prioritize to determine the
effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
B. Improved deep tendon reflexes
C. Weight gain and increased appetite
D. Serum TSH level within the reference range
Answer: D
Rationale: Serum TSH is the most sensitive indicator of thyroid function. In primary
hypothyroidism, TSH levels are elevated; effective Levothyroxine replacement results in
the normalization of TSH.
2. When administering Lispro (Humalog) insulin to a patient with Type 1
Diabetes, when is the risk for hypoglycemia highest?
A. 15 to 30 minutes after injection
B. 8 to 12 hours after injection
C. 4 to 6 hours after injection
D. 1 to 3 hours after injection
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin. It has an onset of 15-30 minutes and peaks
between 1 and 3 hours. Hypoglycemia risk is greatest during the peak action time.
,3. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous
contrast. Which medication must be withheld 48 hours before and after the
procedure?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Metformin
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and after contrast media administration to
prevent the risk of lactic acidosis if contrast-induced nephropathy occurs.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about Radioactive Iodine (I-131) for Graves’
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should avoid sharing utensils with my family for a few days.
B. It will take about a week for my hyperthyroid symptoms to disappear completely.
C. I will likely need thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life.
D. I should maintain a safe distance from pregnant women and children.
Answer: B
Rationale: I-131 has a delayed effect; it typically takes 2 to 3 months to achieve the full
therapeutic effect. Thyroid hormone replacement is often required afterward because the
thyroid gland is destroyed.
5. Which of the following is a critical adverse effect of Propylthiouracil (PTU)
that the nurse must monitor for?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
, Rationale: Agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threatening side effect of PTU. Patients should
report any signs of infection, such as fever or sore throat, immediately.
6. A patient is taking Glipizide (Glucotrol). The nurse knows this medication
lowers blood glucose by which mechanism?
A. Increasing glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. Decreasing insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Inhibiting glucose production in the liver
D. Stimulating the pancreas to release insulin
Answer: D
Rationale: Glipizide is a second-generation sulfonylurea that works by stimulating insulin
secretion from the beta cells of the pancreas.
7. A patient receiving Desmopressin (DDAVP) for Diabetes Insipidus is at risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin promotes water reabsorption. If water intake is not restricted,
water intoxication and dilutional hyponatremia can occur.
8. Which clinical finding would lead the nurse to withhold a scheduled dose of
Hydrocortisone?
A. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
B. White blood cell count of 12,000/mm3
C. Blood glucose of 160 mg/dL
D. Blood pressure of 145/90 mmHg
Answer: A
1. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which
physiological indicator should the nurse prioritize to determine the
effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
B. Improved deep tendon reflexes
C. Weight gain and increased appetite
D. Serum TSH level within the reference range
Answer: D
Rationale: Serum TSH is the most sensitive indicator of thyroid function. In primary
hypothyroidism, TSH levels are elevated; effective Levothyroxine replacement results in
the normalization of TSH.
2. When administering Lispro (Humalog) insulin to a patient with Type 1
Diabetes, when is the risk for hypoglycemia highest?
A. 15 to 30 minutes after injection
B. 8 to 12 hours after injection
C. 4 to 6 hours after injection
D. 1 to 3 hours after injection
Answer: D
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin. It has an onset of 15-30 minutes and peaks
between 1 and 3 hours. Hypoglycemia risk is greatest during the peak action time.
,3. A patient with Type 2 Diabetes is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous
contrast. Which medication must be withheld 48 hours before and after the
procedure?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Metformin
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and after contrast media administration to
prevent the risk of lactic acidosis if contrast-induced nephropathy occurs.
4. A nurse is teaching a patient about Radioactive Iodine (I-131) for Graves’
disease. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I should avoid sharing utensils with my family for a few days.
B. It will take about a week for my hyperthyroid symptoms to disappear completely.
C. I will likely need thyroid hormone replacement for the rest of my life.
D. I should maintain a safe distance from pregnant women and children.
Answer: B
Rationale: I-131 has a delayed effect; it typically takes 2 to 3 months to achieve the full
therapeutic effect. Thyroid hormone replacement is often required afterward because the
thyroid gland is destroyed.
5. Which of the following is a critical adverse effect of Propylthiouracil (PTU)
that the nurse must monitor for?
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
, Rationale: Agranulocytosis is a rare but life-threatening side effect of PTU. Patients should
report any signs of infection, such as fever or sore throat, immediately.
6. A patient is taking Glipizide (Glucotrol). The nurse knows this medication
lowers blood glucose by which mechanism?
A. Increasing glucose excretion through the kidneys
B. Decreasing insulin resistance in peripheral tissues
C. Inhibiting glucose production in the liver
D. Stimulating the pancreas to release insulin
Answer: D
Rationale: Glipizide is a second-generation sulfonylurea that works by stimulating insulin
secretion from the beta cells of the pancreas.
7. A patient receiving Desmopressin (DDAVP) for Diabetes Insipidus is at risk for
which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Desmopressin promotes water reabsorption. If water intake is not restricted,
water intoxication and dilutional hyponatremia can occur.
8. Which clinical finding would lead the nurse to withhold a scheduled dose of
Hydrocortisone?
A. Serum potassium of 2.8 mEq/L
B. White blood cell count of 12,000/mm3
C. Blood glucose of 160 mg/dL
D. Blood pressure of 145/90 mmHg
Answer: A
