NURS 180 Pharmacology Week 10 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. Which assessment
finding should the nurse prioritize as a sign of drug toxicity?
A. Weight gain and bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and chest pain
C. Fatigue and excessive sleep
D. Constipation and cold intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia, palpitations, and chest pain are signs of hyperthyroidism, which
indicates a levothyroxine dose that is too high (toxicity).
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about Methimazole for Grave’s disease. Which
symptom should the patient report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Sore throat and fever
C. Weight loss
D. Occasional headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Sore throat and fever are early signs of agranulocytosis, a rare but serious side
effect of antithyroid medications that requires immediate intervention.
,3. A patient receiving Radioactive Iodine (I-131) therapy should be instructed to
do which of the following for the first week?
A. Wash their laundry separately from other family members
B. Increase contact with pregnant women for emotional support
C. Share utensils to minimize the amount of contaminated items
D. Stop all fluid intake to prevent frequent urination
Answer: A
Rationale: Radioactive iodine is excreted in body fluids; patients should wash laundry
separately, avoid sharing utensils, and maintain distance from others to prevent radiation
exposure.
4. When administering Desmopressin (DDAVP) to a patient with Diabetes
Insipidus, which lab value is most critical to monitor?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum potassium
D. Hematocrit
Answer: B
Rationale: Desmopressin causes water retention which can lead to dilutional
hyponatremia; monitoring sodium levels is critical to prevent water intoxication and
seizures.
5. A patient is prescribed Fludrocortisone for Addison’s disease. The nurse
should monitor for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
, Rationale: Fludrocortisone acts as a mineralocorticoid, promoting sodium retention and
potassium excretion, which can lead to hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer Metformin to a patient scheduled for an IV
contrast-enhanced CT scan. What is the priority action?
A. Give the Metformin as scheduled before the scan
B. Hold the Metformin for 48 hours after the procedure
C. Double the Metformin dose after the scan
D. Administer the Metformin with a large glass of grapefruit juice
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held 48 hours after contrast studies to prevent lactic
acidosis in the event of contrast-induced renal failure.
7. Which type of insulin should the nurse instruct the patient NEVER to mix with
any other insulin in the same syringe?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. Insulin Lispro
C. Regular Insulin
D. NPH Insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: Long-acting insulins like Glargine and Detemir have a low pH and should never
be mixed with other insulins as it may alter the onset/duration or cause precipitation.
8. A patient taking Glipizide (a sulfonylurea) reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and
confused. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 1 unit of Regular insulin
B. Call the provider to increase the dose
C. Check the patient’s capillary blood glucose level
D. Provide a high-protein snack without carbohydrates
Answer: C
1. A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. Which assessment
finding should the nurse prioritize as a sign of drug toxicity?
A. Weight gain and bradycardia
B. Tachycardia and chest pain
C. Fatigue and excessive sleep
D. Constipation and cold intolerance
Answer: B
Rationale: Tachycardia, palpitations, and chest pain are signs of hyperthyroidism, which
indicates a levothyroxine dose that is too high (toxicity).
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about Methimazole for Grave’s disease. Which
symptom should the patient report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Sore throat and fever
C. Weight loss
D. Occasional headache
Answer: B
Rationale: Sore throat and fever are early signs of agranulocytosis, a rare but serious side
effect of antithyroid medications that requires immediate intervention.
,3. A patient receiving Radioactive Iodine (I-131) therapy should be instructed to
do which of the following for the first week?
A. Wash their laundry separately from other family members
B. Increase contact with pregnant women for emotional support
C. Share utensils to minimize the amount of contaminated items
D. Stop all fluid intake to prevent frequent urination
Answer: A
Rationale: Radioactive iodine is excreted in body fluids; patients should wash laundry
separately, avoid sharing utensils, and maintain distance from others to prevent radiation
exposure.
4. When administering Desmopressin (DDAVP) to a patient with Diabetes
Insipidus, which lab value is most critical to monitor?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum potassium
D. Hematocrit
Answer: B
Rationale: Desmopressin causes water retention which can lead to dilutional
hyponatremia; monitoring sodium levels is critical to prevent water intoxication and
seizures.
5. A patient is prescribed Fludrocortisone for Addison’s disease. The nurse
should monitor for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B
, Rationale: Fludrocortisone acts as a mineralocorticoid, promoting sodium retention and
potassium excretion, which can lead to hypokalemia.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer Metformin to a patient scheduled for an IV
contrast-enhanced CT scan. What is the priority action?
A. Give the Metformin as scheduled before the scan
B. Hold the Metformin for 48 hours after the procedure
C. Double the Metformin dose after the scan
D. Administer the Metformin with a large glass of grapefruit juice
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin must be held 48 hours after contrast studies to prevent lactic
acidosis in the event of contrast-induced renal failure.
7. Which type of insulin should the nurse instruct the patient NEVER to mix with
any other insulin in the same syringe?
A. Insulin Glargine
B. Insulin Lispro
C. Regular Insulin
D. NPH Insulin
Answer: A
Rationale: Long-acting insulins like Glargine and Detemir have a low pH and should never
be mixed with other insulins as it may alter the onset/duration or cause precipitation.
8. A patient taking Glipizide (a sulfonylurea) reports feeling shaky, sweaty, and
confused. What is the nurse’s first action?
A. Administer 1 unit of Regular insulin
B. Call the provider to increase the dose
C. Check the patient’s capillary blood glucose level
D. Provide a high-protein snack without carbohydrates
Answer: C
