Page 1 of 98
PHARMACOLOGY SSE 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM 2026-2027
ALL QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST
EDITION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
The nurse is monitoring a patient on Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. The
nurse notes absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and a respiratory rate of 10.
What is the immediate action?
A. Stop the infusion immediately.
B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and reassess in 15 minutes.
C. Continue the infusion and notify the provider in the morning.
D. Administer a dose of Vitamin K.
A. Stop the infusion immediately.
Stopping the infusion is the absolute first step when toxicity is suspected.
When reflexes go 'bye-bye', the infusion must 'die-die' (stop).
A patient is prescribed Alendronate (Fosamax) for osteoporosis. Which
instruction is vital for the nurse to provide?
A. Take the medication right before going to sleep at night.
B. Sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
C. Take the medication with a small snack or yogurt.
D. Wait at least 15 minutes before taking any other medications.
B. Sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
Remaining upright prevents the medication from refluxing into the esophagus and
causing ulcers.
A patient with heart failure is receiving an IV infusion of Dopamine at a high
dose (15 mcg/kg/min). What is the primary intended effect of this medication at
this dose?
, Page 2 of 98
A.
To increase blood pressure and cardiac contractility.
B.
To cause profound sedation and analgesia.
C.
To lower the systemic vascular resistance (SVR).
D.
To increase urine output through renal artery dilation.
A. To increase blood pressure and cardiac contractility.
High doses make the heart pump harder and the vessels squeeze tighter. At
medium-to-high doses, dopamine stimulates beta and alpha receptors to increase
HR and BP.
High-dose dopamine actually increases systemic vascular resistance (SVR) through
vasoconstriction.
The nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list and notes they are taking
Ginkgo Biloba. The patient is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. Why is this a
concern?
A. It may lead to a hypertensive crisis under anesthesia.
B. It can cause a rapid drop in blood glucose levels.
C. It can cause severe postoperative nausea.
D. It significantly increases the risk of bleeding.
D. It significantly increases the risk of bleeding.
Ginkgo (and other 'G' herbs) has antiplatelet properties and must be stopped 2
weeks before surgery. Remember the 'G' herbs and their effect on 'clumping'.
A patient is taking Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement
indicates they understand the correct way to take this med?
A. I take it with my breakfast every morning.
B. I take it at bedtime so it can work while I sleep.
C. I only take it when I start feeling tired or cold.
D. I take it first thing in the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating.
D. I take it first thing in the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating.
Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach early in the morning.
Empty stomach + morning = best absorption.
, Page 3 of 98
A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T-waves on
their ECG. Which medication should the nurse expect to give FIRST to
stabilize the heart?
A. Insulin and Dextrose
B. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. IV Calcium Gluconate
D. Furosemide
C. IV Calcium Gluconate
Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium, but it protects the heart muscle from
the lethal effects of high K+ while other meds work to lower the level.
While Furosemide does waste potassium, it is not fast or reliable enough for an
emergency hyperkalemia crisis.
A patient is taking Clozapine for schizophrenia. Which symptom must be
reported to the provider immediately?
A. Dizziness when standing up too fast.
B. Weight gain of 5 lbs over two weeks.
C. Dry mouth and blurred vision.
D. Sore throat, fever, and malaise.
D. Sore throat, fever, and malaise.
Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis (severe drop in WBCs), making the
patient unable to fight infection.
Clozapine = check the 'soldiers' (white blood cells).
A patient on Spironolactone presents with tall, peaked T-waves on the monitor.
Which lab value should the nurse check first?
A. Serum Calcium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Magnesium
B. Serum Potassium
Peaked T-waves are the classic ECG sign of hyperkalemia (higher than 5.0)
A nurse is preparing to administer Enoxaparin to a patient after surgery. Which
action is correct?
, Page 4 of 98
A. Expel the air bubble in the pre-filled syringe before use.
B. Massage the site vigorously after injection.
C. Inject into the abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
D. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
C. Inject into the abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
The 'love handles' area of the abdomen is the preferred site for LMWH to ensure
proper absorption and safety.
A patient taking Phenazopyridine for UTI symptoms is distressed because
their urine has turned bright orange. What is the nurse's best response?
A. I will call the doctor; this indicates a severe kidney reaction.
B. Stop taking the medicine immediately and come to the clinic.
C. It means you are severely dehydrated and need to drink 3 liters of water.
D. This is a normal and harmless side effect of the medication.
D. This is a normal and harmless side effect of the medication.
Azo is a urinary analgesic (dye) that naturally turns urine (and sometimes tears)
bright orange.
A patient is prescribed both Albuterol (a bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (a
steroid) inhalers. How should the nurse teach the patient to take them?
A. Mix both medications together in a nebulizer machine.
B. Take the steroid first, then the Albuterol.
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the steroid.
D. Take them together at the same time for convenience.
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the steroid.
Opening the airway with Albuterol allows the steroid to penetrate deeper into the
lungs for better effectiveness.
Open the door (bronchodilator) before you bring in the furniture (steroid).
A patient with heart failure is receiving an infusion of Milrinone. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Checking for peripheral edema.
B. Monitoring urine output hourly.
C. Continuous Blood Pressure monitoring.
PHARMACOLOGY SSE 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM 2026-2027
ALL QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS EXAM 2026 LATEST
EDITION SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
The nurse is monitoring a patient on Magnesium Sulfate for preeclampsia. The
nurse notes absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and a respiratory rate of 10.
What is the immediate action?
A. Stop the infusion immediately.
B. Encourage the patient to take deep breaths and reassess in 15 minutes.
C. Continue the infusion and notify the provider in the morning.
D. Administer a dose of Vitamin K.
A. Stop the infusion immediately.
Stopping the infusion is the absolute first step when toxicity is suspected.
When reflexes go 'bye-bye', the infusion must 'die-die' (stop).
A patient is prescribed Alendronate (Fosamax) for osteoporosis. Which
instruction is vital for the nurse to provide?
A. Take the medication right before going to sleep at night.
B. Sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
C. Take the medication with a small snack or yogurt.
D. Wait at least 15 minutes before taking any other medications.
B. Sit or stand upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it.
Remaining upright prevents the medication from refluxing into the esophagus and
causing ulcers.
A patient with heart failure is receiving an IV infusion of Dopamine at a high
dose (15 mcg/kg/min). What is the primary intended effect of this medication at
this dose?
, Page 2 of 98
A.
To increase blood pressure and cardiac contractility.
B.
To cause profound sedation and analgesia.
C.
To lower the systemic vascular resistance (SVR).
D.
To increase urine output through renal artery dilation.
A. To increase blood pressure and cardiac contractility.
High doses make the heart pump harder and the vessels squeeze tighter. At
medium-to-high doses, dopamine stimulates beta and alpha receptors to increase
HR and BP.
High-dose dopamine actually increases systemic vascular resistance (SVR) through
vasoconstriction.
The nurse is reviewing a patient's medication list and notes they are taking
Ginkgo Biloba. The patient is scheduled for surgery tomorrow. Why is this a
concern?
A. It may lead to a hypertensive crisis under anesthesia.
B. It can cause a rapid drop in blood glucose levels.
C. It can cause severe postoperative nausea.
D. It significantly increases the risk of bleeding.
D. It significantly increases the risk of bleeding.
Ginkgo (and other 'G' herbs) has antiplatelet properties and must be stopped 2
weeks before surgery. Remember the 'G' herbs and their effect on 'clumping'.
A patient is taking Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement
indicates they understand the correct way to take this med?
A. I take it with my breakfast every morning.
B. I take it at bedtime so it can work while I sleep.
C. I only take it when I start feeling tired or cold.
D. I take it first thing in the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating.
D. I take it first thing in the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating.
Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach early in the morning.
Empty stomach + morning = best absorption.
, Page 3 of 98
A patient has a serum potassium level of 6.8 mEq/L and peaked T-waves on
their ECG. Which medication should the nurse expect to give FIRST to
stabilize the heart?
A. Insulin and Dextrose
B. Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate (Kayexalate)
C. IV Calcium Gluconate
D. Furosemide
C. IV Calcium Gluconate
Calcium gluconate does not lower potassium, but it protects the heart muscle from
the lethal effects of high K+ while other meds work to lower the level.
While Furosemide does waste potassium, it is not fast or reliable enough for an
emergency hyperkalemia crisis.
A patient is taking Clozapine for schizophrenia. Which symptom must be
reported to the provider immediately?
A. Dizziness when standing up too fast.
B. Weight gain of 5 lbs over two weeks.
C. Dry mouth and blurred vision.
D. Sore throat, fever, and malaise.
D. Sore throat, fever, and malaise.
Clozapine carries a high risk for agranulocytosis (severe drop in WBCs), making the
patient unable to fight infection.
Clozapine = check the 'soldiers' (white blood cells).
A patient on Spironolactone presents with tall, peaked T-waves on the monitor.
Which lab value should the nurse check first?
A. Serum Calcium
B. Serum Potassium
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Magnesium
B. Serum Potassium
Peaked T-waves are the classic ECG sign of hyperkalemia (higher than 5.0)
A nurse is preparing to administer Enoxaparin to a patient after surgery. Which
action is correct?
, Page 4 of 98
A. Expel the air bubble in the pre-filled syringe before use.
B. Massage the site vigorously after injection.
C. Inject into the abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
D. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
C. Inject into the abdomen, 2 inches away from the umbilicus.
The 'love handles' area of the abdomen is the preferred site for LMWH to ensure
proper absorption and safety.
A patient taking Phenazopyridine for UTI symptoms is distressed because
their urine has turned bright orange. What is the nurse's best response?
A. I will call the doctor; this indicates a severe kidney reaction.
B. Stop taking the medicine immediately and come to the clinic.
C. It means you are severely dehydrated and need to drink 3 liters of water.
D. This is a normal and harmless side effect of the medication.
D. This is a normal and harmless side effect of the medication.
Azo is a urinary analgesic (dye) that naturally turns urine (and sometimes tears)
bright orange.
A patient is prescribed both Albuterol (a bronchodilator) and Fluticasone (a
steroid) inhalers. How should the nurse teach the patient to take them?
A. Mix both medications together in a nebulizer machine.
B. Take the steroid first, then the Albuterol.
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the steroid.
D. Take them together at the same time for convenience.
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the steroid.
Opening the airway with Albuterol allows the steroid to penetrate deeper into the
lungs for better effectiveness.
Open the door (bronchodilator) before you bring in the furniture (steroid).
A patient with heart failure is receiving an infusion of Milrinone. Which
assessment is the priority?
A. Checking for peripheral edema.
B. Monitoring urine output hourly.
C. Continuous Blood Pressure monitoring.
