NURS 180 Pharmacology Week 4 Quiz - Endocrine and Respiratory
Systems 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is prescribed Insulin Lispro (Humalog) for postprandial glucose
control. When should the nurse instruct the patient to administer this
medication?
A. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
B. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
C. 2 hours after a meal
D. Once daily at bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
given within 15 minutes of a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Levothyroxine (Synthroid) would
indicate that the dose is too high?
A. Bradycardia and weight gain
B. Cold intolerance and lethargy
C. Tachycardia and palpitations
D. Constipation and dry skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms of toxicity or excessive dosing of Levothyroxine mimic
hyperthyroidism, including tachycardia, tremors, and palpitations.
,3. A patient is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous iodinated contrast.
Which medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Metformin
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast studies to
prevent renal failure and subsequent lactic acidosis.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
B. Check blood glucose level and administer Glucagon IM
C. Provide a glass of orange juice
D. Administer oral glucose gel
Answer: B
Rationale: In an unconscious patient with suspected hypoglycemia, Glucagon IM or IV
Dextrose is indicated since the patient cannot safely swallow oral glucose.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about the use of Beclomethasone (QVAR) and
Albuterol (ProAir) inhalers. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
B. Use the Beclomethasone first, then the Albuterol.
C. Mix both medications in a nebulizer for faster relief.
D. Only use the Beclomethasone during an acute asthma attack.
Answer: A
Rationale: The bronchodilator (Albuterol) should be used first to open the airways,
allowing the corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
, 6. What is the primary mechanism of action of the drug Montelukast (Singulair)?
A. Beta-2 adrenergic receptor stimulation
B. Suppression of the adrenal cortex
C. Blocking of cholinergic receptors
D. Inhibition of leukotriene receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for long-term asthma
prophylaxis and allergic rhinitis.
7. A patient taking Prednisone for an acute exacerbation of COPD should be
monitored for which side effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone increase blood glucose levels by promoting
gluconeogenesis and decreasing glucose uptake.
8. Which medication is considered a Long-Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) and should
not be used for rescue?
A. Ipratropium
B. Albuterol
C. Levalbuterol
D. Salmeterol
Answer: D
Rationale: Salmeterol is a LABA used for maintenance therapy; it has a slow onset and is
never used for acute bronchospasm.
Systems 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is prescribed Insulin Lispro (Humalog) for postprandial glucose
control. When should the nurse instruct the patient to administer this
medication?
A. 15 minutes before or immediately after a meal
B. 30 to 60 minutes before a meal
C. 2 hours after a meal
D. Once daily at bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Insulin Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes. It should be
given within 15 minutes of a meal to prevent hypoglycemia.
2. Which assessment finding in a patient taking Levothyroxine (Synthroid) would
indicate that the dose is too high?
A. Bradycardia and weight gain
B. Cold intolerance and lethargy
C. Tachycardia and palpitations
D. Constipation and dry skin
Answer: C
Rationale: Symptoms of toxicity or excessive dosing of Levothyroxine mimic
hyperthyroidism, including tachycardia, tremors, and palpitations.
,3. A patient is scheduled for a CT scan with intravenous iodinated contrast.
Which medication must be held for 48 hours after the procedure?
A. Glyburide
B. Pioglitazone
C. Metformin
D. Sitagliptin
Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after contrast studies to
prevent renal failure and subsequent lactic acidosis.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
B. Check blood glucose level and administer Glucagon IM
C. Provide a glass of orange juice
D. Administer oral glucose gel
Answer: B
Rationale: In an unconscious patient with suspected hypoglycemia, Glucagon IM or IV
Dextrose is indicated since the patient cannot safely swallow oral glucose.
5. The nurse is teaching a patient about the use of Beclomethasone (QVAR) and
Albuterol (ProAir) inhalers. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
B. Use the Beclomethasone first, then the Albuterol.
C. Mix both medications in a nebulizer for faster relief.
D. Only use the Beclomethasone during an acute asthma attack.
Answer: A
Rationale: The bronchodilator (Albuterol) should be used first to open the airways,
allowing the corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
, 6. What is the primary mechanism of action of the drug Montelukast (Singulair)?
A. Beta-2 adrenergic receptor stimulation
B. Suppression of the adrenal cortex
C. Blocking of cholinergic receptors
D. Inhibition of leukotriene receptors
Answer: D
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used for long-term asthma
prophylaxis and allergic rhinitis.
7. A patient taking Prednisone for an acute exacerbation of COPD should be
monitored for which side effect?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypotension
Answer: C
Rationale: Glucocorticoids like Prednisone increase blood glucose levels by promoting
gluconeogenesis and decreasing glucose uptake.
8. Which medication is considered a Long-Acting Beta Agonist (LABA) and should
not be used for rescue?
A. Ipratropium
B. Albuterol
C. Levalbuterol
D. Salmeterol
Answer: D
Rationale: Salmeterol is a LABA used for maintenance therapy; it has a slow onset and is
never used for acute bronchospasm.
