NURS 180 | Pharmacology | Week 8 Quiz - Endocrine and
Psychotherapeutic Agents 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Insulin Lispro
(Humalog). When should the nurse instruct the patient to administer this
medication?
A. Immediately before or within 15 minutes of eating
B. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
C. Only when the blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
D. At bedtime to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It must be
administered in close proximity to a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder?
A. Serum Sodium levels
B. Serum Calcium levels
C. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Prothrombin Time (PT)
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels. Hyponatremia
can lead to decreased lithium excretion and subsequent toxicity.
,3. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) for depression is
admitted with a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. Which dietary indiscretion
most likely caused this?
A. Consuming a bowl of oatmeal with honey
B. Drinking a glass of orange juice
C. Eating a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
D. Eating fresh strawberries
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese and fermented
meats in pepperoni), leading to a hypertensive crisis.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient starting Levothyroxine
(Synthroid). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I can take my calcium supplement at the same time as this pill.
B. I will call my doctor if I feel my heart racing.
C. I should take this medicine on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. I should not switch brands without consulting my provider.
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium supplements, antacids, and iron can significantly interfere with the
absorption of Levothyroxine; they should be taken at least 4 hours apart.
5. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. The patient is
scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Ensure the patient stays NPO for 12 hours.
B. Administer the Metformin with a sip of water before the scan.
C. Hold the Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Increase the dose of Metformin to prevent hyperglycemia from stress.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Metformin must be held before and after contrast dye procedures to prevent
acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
6. A patient taking Clozapine (Clozaril) must have which laboratory test
performed weekly for the first six months?
A. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Platelet count
D. Serum Albumin
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular
monitoring of the WBC and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Haloperidol (Haldol) should the
nurse report immediately as a potential sign of Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Dry mouth and blurred vision
B. Restlessness and pacing
C. Muscle rigidity and high fever
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by high fever,
muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status.
Psychotherapeutic Agents 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Insulin Lispro
(Humalog). When should the nurse instruct the patient to administer this
medication?
A. Immediately before or within 15 minutes of eating
B. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
C. Only when the blood glucose is above 200 mg/dL
D. At bedtime to prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It must be
administered in close proximity to a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving Lithium Carbonate for Bipolar Disorder?
A. Serum Sodium levels
B. Serum Calcium levels
C. Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Prothrombin Time (PT)
Answer: A
Rationale: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels. Hyponatremia
can lead to decreased lithium excretion and subsequent toxicity.
,3. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) for depression is
admitted with a blood pressure of 210/120 mmHg. Which dietary indiscretion
most likely caused this?
A. Consuming a bowl of oatmeal with honey
B. Drinking a glass of orange juice
C. Eating a large pepperoni pizza with extra cheese
D. Eating fresh strawberries
Answer: C
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (like aged cheese and fermented
meats in pepperoni), leading to a hypertensive crisis.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient starting Levothyroxine
(Synthroid). Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A. I can take my calcium supplement at the same time as this pill.
B. I will call my doctor if I feel my heart racing.
C. I should take this medicine on an empty stomach in the morning.
D. I should not switch brands without consulting my provider.
Answer: A
Rationale: Calcium supplements, antacids, and iron can significantly interfere with the
absorption of Levothyroxine; they should be taken at least 4 hours apart.
5. A patient is prescribed Metformin for Type 2 Diabetes. The patient is
scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Ensure the patient stays NPO for 12 hours.
B. Administer the Metformin with a sip of water before the scan.
C. Hold the Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure.
D. Increase the dose of Metformin to prevent hyperglycemia from stress.
Answer: C
, Rationale: Metformin must be held before and after contrast dye procedures to prevent
acute renal failure and lactic acidosis.
6. A patient taking Clozapine (Clozaril) must have which laboratory test
performed weekly for the first six months?
A. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
B. White Blood Cell (WBC) count
C. Platelet count
D. Serum Albumin
Answer: B
Rationale: Clozapine carries a black box warning for agranulocytosis; therefore, regular
monitoring of the WBC and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is mandatory.
7. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Haloperidol (Haldol) should the
nurse report immediately as a potential sign of Neuroleptic Malignant
Syndrome (NMS)?
A. Dry mouth and blurred vision
B. Restlessness and pacing
C. Muscle rigidity and high fever
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: C
Rationale: NMS is a life-threatening reaction to antipsychotics characterized by high fever,
muscle rigidity, autonomic instability, and altered mental status.
