NURS 180 Pharmacology Week 5 Quiz 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro 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 with a meal
C. Immediately after a meal
D. At bedtime on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes, necessitating
administration immediately before or during meals to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving Metformin?
A. Serum amylase
B. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
C. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
D. Prothrombin Time
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin is excreted renally; impaired renal function (low GFR) increases the
risk of lactic acidosis, a potentially fatal complication.
,3. A patient on Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism reports palpitations and
insomnia. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Reassure the patient these are normal side effects
B. Encourage the patient to drink more water
C. Suggest taking the medication at bedtime
D. Hold the dose and notify the provider of potential toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Palpitations and insomnia are signs of hyperthyroidism, indicating the dose
may be too high (toxicity).
4. What is the mechanism of action of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
A. It destroys thyroid tissue via radiation
B. It inhibits the synthesis of thyroid hormones
C. It stimulates the release of TSH
D. It blocks the conversion of T4 to T3 only
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU treats hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the synthesis of new thyroid
hormones and preventing the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
5. A patient is taking Prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. The nurse
should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone increase glucose production and decrease
glucose uptake, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
, 6. What is the priority teaching point for a patient using a Beclomethasone
MDI?
A. Take the medication only during an acute attack
B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day
C. Rinse your mouth after use to prevent candidiasis
D. Use the steroid inhaler before the bronchodilator
Answer: C
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral thrush; rinsing the mouth after use
reduces this risk.
7. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for acute bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for immediate relief of
bronchoconstriction.
8. A patient has a Theophylline level of 25 mcg/mL. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Document the finding as therapeutic
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Assess for signs of toxicity such as seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10-20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
indicate toxicity, which can cause arrhythmias and seizures.
1. A patient is prescribed Lispro 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 with a meal
C. Immediately after a meal
D. At bedtime on an empty stomach
Answer: B
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes, necessitating
administration immediately before or during meals to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which laboratory value is most critical for a nurse to monitor in a patient
receiving Metformin?
A. Serum amylase
B. Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
C. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
D. Prothrombin Time
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin is excreted renally; impaired renal function (low GFR) increases the
risk of lactic acidosis, a potentially fatal complication.
,3. A patient on Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism reports palpitations and
insomnia. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Reassure the patient these are normal side effects
B. Encourage the patient to drink more water
C. Suggest taking the medication at bedtime
D. Hold the dose and notify the provider of potential toxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Palpitations and insomnia are signs of hyperthyroidism, indicating the dose
may be too high (toxicity).
4. What is the mechanism of action of Propylthiouracil (PTU)?
A. It destroys thyroid tissue via radiation
B. It inhibits the synthesis of thyroid hormones
C. It stimulates the release of TSH
D. It blocks the conversion of T4 to T3 only
Answer: B
Rationale: PTU treats hyperthyroidism by inhibiting the synthesis of new thyroid
hormones and preventing the peripheral conversion of T4 to T3.
5. A patient is taking Prednisone for an acute asthma exacerbation. The nurse
should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: A
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone increase glucose production and decrease
glucose uptake, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
, 6. What is the priority teaching point for a patient using a Beclomethasone
MDI?
A. Take the medication only during an acute attack
B. Limit fluid intake to 1 liter per day
C. Rinse your mouth after use to prevent candidiasis
D. Use the steroid inhaler before the bronchodilator
Answer: C
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids can cause oral thrush; rinsing the mouth after use
reduces this risk.
7. Which medication is considered a ‘rescue’ inhaler for acute bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Tiotropium
D. Fluticasone
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for immediate relief of
bronchoconstriction.
8. A patient has a Theophylline level of 25 mcg/mL. What is the nurse’s priority
action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Document the finding as therapeutic
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Assess for signs of toxicity such as seizures
Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for Theophylline is 10-20 mcg/mL. Levels above 20
indicate toxicity, which can cause arrhythmias and seizures.
