NUR 2474 Pharmacology Final Exam 2026–2027 | NCLEX-
Style Practice Questions & Verified Correct Answers |
Complete Pharmacology Nursing Exam Review with
Rationales | Comprehensive RN Nursing Success Study
Guide & Final Exam Prep Bundle
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• Comprehensive NCLEX-style pharmacology practice questions
• Verified correct answers with detailed rationales
• Drug classifications and mechanisms of action
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics review
• Safe medication administration principles
• Dosage calculations and medication math practice
• Adverse effects, side effects, and contraindications
,NUR 2474 Pharmacology Final Exam Test Bank
Question 1
The nurse working on a high-acuity medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four
patients who were just admitted. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
a. The NPO patient with a blood glucose level of 80 mg/dL who just received 20 units of
70/30 Novolin insulin
b. The patient with a pulse of 58 beats per minute who is about to receive digoxin
(Lanoxin)
c. The patient with a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg who complains of having a
headache
d. The patient with an allergy to penicillin who is receiving an infusion of vancomycin
(Vancocin)
Correct Answer: a
Rationale: The patient who is NPO and just received 70/30 Novolin insulin (which
contains both rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin) is at highest risk for
hypoglycemia, especially without food intake. Hypoglycemia can lead to
unconsciousness, seizures, or death if not treated promptly. The other patients have
stable vital signs or non-urgent issues.
Question 2
A patient with type 1 diabetes is eating breakfast at 7:30 AM. Blood sugars are on a
sliding scale and are ordered before a meal and at bedtime. The patient's blood sugar
level is 317 mg/dL. Which formulation of insulin should the nurse prepare to administer?
a. No insulin should be administered.
b. NPH
c. 70/30 mix
d. Lispro (Humalog)
Correct Answer: d
,Rationale: Lispro (Humalog) is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of about 15 minutes,
making it ideal to cover mealtime glucose spikes. NPH and 70/30 mix are intermediate-
acting and not appropriate for immediate correction before a meal. Withholding insulin
is incorrect for a blood glucose of 317 mg/dL.
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes recently became pregnant. The nurse plans a blood
glucose testing schedule for her. What is the recommended monitoring schedule?
a. Before each meal and before bed
b. In the morning for a fasting level and at 4 PM for the peak level
c. Six or seven times a day
d. Three times a day, along with urine glucose testing
Correct Answer: c
Rationale: During pregnancy, tight glucose control is critical to prevent fetal
complications. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing 6–7 times daily
(fasting, before each meal, 1–2 hours postprandial, and bedtime) to achieve strict
glycemic targets.
Question 4
An adolescent patient recently attended a health fair and had a serum glucose test. The
patient telephones the nurse and says, "My level was 125 mg/dL. Does that mean I have
diabetes?" What is the nurse's most accurate response?
a. "Unless you were fasting for longer than 8 hours, this does not necessarily mean you
have diabetes."
b. "At this level, you probably have diabetes. You will need an oral glucose tolerance test
this week."
c. "This level is conclusive evidence that you have diabetes."
d. "This level is conclusive evidence that you do not have diabetes."
, Correct Answer: a
Rationale: A random glucose of 125 mg/dL is above normal but not diagnostic for
diabetes. A fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL (after 8+ hours of fasting) is diagnostic. Without
knowing if the patient was fasting, this result is inconclusive.
Question 5
Insulin glargine is prescribed for a hospitalized patient who is diabetic. When will the
nurse administer this drug?
a. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes before each meal
b. In the morning and at 4 PM
c. Once daily at bedtime
d. After meals and at bedtime
Correct Answer: c
Rationale: Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting, peakless basal insulin typically
given once daily at the same time each day (often bedtime) to provide 24-hour glucose
control. It should not be mixed with other insulins.
Question 6
A patient with type 1 diabetes who takes insulin reports taking propranolol for
hypertension. Why is the nurse concerned?
a. The beta blocker can cause insulin resistance.
b. Using the two agents together increases the risk of ketoacidosis.
c. Propranolol increases insulin requirements because of receptor blocking.
d. The beta blocker can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer: d
Style Practice Questions & Verified Correct Answers |
Complete Pharmacology Nursing Exam Review with
Rationales | Comprehensive RN Nursing Success Study
Guide & Final Exam Prep Bundle
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• Comprehensive NCLEX-style pharmacology practice questions
• Verified correct answers with detailed rationales
• Drug classifications and mechanisms of action
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics review
• Safe medication administration principles
• Dosage calculations and medication math practice
• Adverse effects, side effects, and contraindications
,NUR 2474 Pharmacology Final Exam Test Bank
Question 1
The nurse working on a high-acuity medical-surgical unit is prioritizing care for four
patients who were just admitted. Which patient should the nurse assess first?
a. The NPO patient with a blood glucose level of 80 mg/dL who just received 20 units of
70/30 Novolin insulin
b. The patient with a pulse of 58 beats per minute who is about to receive digoxin
(Lanoxin)
c. The patient with a blood pressure of 136/92 mm Hg who complains of having a
headache
d. The patient with an allergy to penicillin who is receiving an infusion of vancomycin
(Vancocin)
Correct Answer: a
Rationale: The patient who is NPO and just received 70/30 Novolin insulin (which
contains both rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin) is at highest risk for
hypoglycemia, especially without food intake. Hypoglycemia can lead to
unconsciousness, seizures, or death if not treated promptly. The other patients have
stable vital signs or non-urgent issues.
Question 2
A patient with type 1 diabetes is eating breakfast at 7:30 AM. Blood sugars are on a
sliding scale and are ordered before a meal and at bedtime. The patient's blood sugar
level is 317 mg/dL. Which formulation of insulin should the nurse prepare to administer?
a. No insulin should be administered.
b. NPH
c. 70/30 mix
d. Lispro (Humalog)
Correct Answer: d
,Rationale: Lispro (Humalog) is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of about 15 minutes,
making it ideal to cover mealtime glucose spikes. NPH and 70/30 mix are intermediate-
acting and not appropriate for immediate correction before a meal. Withholding insulin
is incorrect for a blood glucose of 317 mg/dL.
Question 3
A patient with type 1 diabetes recently became pregnant. The nurse plans a blood
glucose testing schedule for her. What is the recommended monitoring schedule?
a. Before each meal and before bed
b. In the morning for a fasting level and at 4 PM for the peak level
c. Six or seven times a day
d. Three times a day, along with urine glucose testing
Correct Answer: c
Rationale: During pregnancy, tight glucose control is critical to prevent fetal
complications. The American Diabetes Association recommends testing 6–7 times daily
(fasting, before each meal, 1–2 hours postprandial, and bedtime) to achieve strict
glycemic targets.
Question 4
An adolescent patient recently attended a health fair and had a serum glucose test. The
patient telephones the nurse and says, "My level was 125 mg/dL. Does that mean I have
diabetes?" What is the nurse's most accurate response?
a. "Unless you were fasting for longer than 8 hours, this does not necessarily mean you
have diabetes."
b. "At this level, you probably have diabetes. You will need an oral glucose tolerance test
this week."
c. "This level is conclusive evidence that you have diabetes."
d. "This level is conclusive evidence that you do not have diabetes."
, Correct Answer: a
Rationale: A random glucose of 125 mg/dL is above normal but not diagnostic for
diabetes. A fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL (after 8+ hours of fasting) is diagnostic. Without
knowing if the patient was fasting, this result is inconclusive.
Question 5
Insulin glargine is prescribed for a hospitalized patient who is diabetic. When will the
nurse administer this drug?
a. Approximately 15 to 30 minutes before each meal
b. In the morning and at 4 PM
c. Once daily at bedtime
d. After meals and at bedtime
Correct Answer: c
Rationale: Insulin glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting, peakless basal insulin typically
given once daily at the same time each day (often bedtime) to provide 24-hour glucose
control. It should not be mixed with other insulins.
Question 6
A patient with type 1 diabetes who takes insulin reports taking propranolol for
hypertension. Why is the nurse concerned?
a. The beta blocker can cause insulin resistance.
b. Using the two agents together increases the risk of ketoacidosis.
c. Propranolol increases insulin requirements because of receptor blocking.
d. The beta blocker can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Correct Answer: d
