1
NR 566 Midterm Exam Study Guide Advanced
Pharmacology for Care of the Family
Chamberlain University | 2025/2026 Update
Questions 1-200 with Rationales
SECTION 1: WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PHARMACOLOGY (Q1-Q40)
Q1. Which of the following medications are classified as non-amphetamines that are FDA-
approved for weight loss and are associated with a lower risk of abuse?
☑ Correct Answer: C) Phentermine and Diethylpropion
Rationale: Phentermine and diethylpropion are non-amphetamine CNS stimulants
approved for short-term weight loss (≤12 weeks). They have lower abuse potential compared to
amphetamines but are still Schedule IV controlled substances .
Q2. A patient has been prescribed Phentermine for weight loss. They ask how this medication
will help them lose weight. What is the primary mechanism of action you should explain?
☑ Correct Answer: C) It is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that decreases
appetite
Rationale: Phentermine promotes weight loss by decreasing appetite through CNS
stimulation. It works by increasing the availability of norepinephrine at receptors in the brain,
specifically the hypothalamus, which regulates hunger .
, 2
Q3. What is the maximum recommended duration of therapy for non-amphetamine weight
loss medications like Phentermine and Diethylpropion?
☑ Correct Answer: C) 3 months or less
Rationale: These medications are FDA-approved only for short-term use (up to 12 weeks)
due to concerns about tolerance, dependence, and potential for abuse. Long-term weight
management requires lifestyle modifications .
Q4. Under which drug schedule are Phentermine and Diethylpropion classified?
☑ Correct Answer: C) Schedule IV
Rationale: Both phentermine and diethylpropion are Schedule IV controlled substances,
indicating lower abuse potential than Schedule II-III drugs but still requiring monitoring .
Q5. What BMI range classifies a patient as overweight?
☑ Correct Answer: 25-29.9 kg/m²
Rationale: Overweight is defined as BMI 25-29.9. Obesity Class I is BMI 30-34.9, Class II is
35-39.9, and Class III (severe) is ≥40 .
, 3
Q6. A patient with BMI 28 and hypertension asks about weight loss medication. According to
obesity staging, what is the appropriate next step?
☑ Correct Answer: Obesity Stage 1 - lifestyle modifications plus consider
pharmacotherapy
Rationale: Obesity Stage 1 is defined as BMI ≥25 with one or more mild/moderate
complications. Pharmacotherapy may be considered when BMI ≥27 with complications or after
lifestyle modification failure .
Q7. What baseline data is needed before prescribing Liraglutide for weight loss?
☑ Correct Answer: HbA1C (every 6 months), renal and lipid values as needed, and assess
patient's ability to tolerate injections
Rationale: Liraglutide (Saxenda) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Baseline A1C helps establish
glycemic status, and renal function monitoring is important as GLP-1 agonists can affect renal
function in susceptible patients .
Q8. What ongoing monitoring is required for a patient taking Liraglutide?
☑ Correct Answer: Monitor for signs of cholecystitis, pancreatitis, depression, and
suicidal thoughts
, 4
Rationale: GLP-1 agonists carry black box warnings for thyroid C-cell tumors (medullary
thyroid cancer). Clinical monitoring includes assessment for abdominal pain (pancreatitis),
gallbladder disease, and neuropsychiatric symptoms .
Q9. What would happen if Lorcaserin is given concurrently with a CYP2D6 substrate?
☑ Correct Answer: Increased serum levels of the CYP2D6 substrate; prescribe the
substrate at lower doses
Rationale: Lorcaserin is a CYP2D6 inhibitor. When given with drugs metabolized by CYP2D6
(e.g., metoprolol, fluoxetine, dextromethorphan), it can increase their concentrations, requiring
dose adjustment .
Q10. Which weight loss drug could cause hypothyroidism in a patient taking levothyroxine?
☑ Correct Answer: Orlistat
Rationale: Orlistat reduces absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D, and can
also reduce absorption of levothyroxine. Patients should take levothyroxine and orlistat at least
4 hours apart .
Q11. What baseline data is needed before prescribing Naltrexone/Bupropion (Contrave)?
NR 566 Midterm Exam Study Guide Advanced
Pharmacology for Care of the Family
Chamberlain University | 2025/2026 Update
Questions 1-200 with Rationales
SECTION 1: WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PHARMACOLOGY (Q1-Q40)
Q1. Which of the following medications are classified as non-amphetamines that are FDA-
approved for weight loss and are associated with a lower risk of abuse?
☑ Correct Answer: C) Phentermine and Diethylpropion
Rationale: Phentermine and diethylpropion are non-amphetamine CNS stimulants
approved for short-term weight loss (≤12 weeks). They have lower abuse potential compared to
amphetamines but are still Schedule IV controlled substances .
Q2. A patient has been prescribed Phentermine for weight loss. They ask how this medication
will help them lose weight. What is the primary mechanism of action you should explain?
☑ Correct Answer: C) It is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that decreases
appetite
Rationale: Phentermine promotes weight loss by decreasing appetite through CNS
stimulation. It works by increasing the availability of norepinephrine at receptors in the brain,
specifically the hypothalamus, which regulates hunger .
, 2
Q3. What is the maximum recommended duration of therapy for non-amphetamine weight
loss medications like Phentermine and Diethylpropion?
☑ Correct Answer: C) 3 months or less
Rationale: These medications are FDA-approved only for short-term use (up to 12 weeks)
due to concerns about tolerance, dependence, and potential for abuse. Long-term weight
management requires lifestyle modifications .
Q4. Under which drug schedule are Phentermine and Diethylpropion classified?
☑ Correct Answer: C) Schedule IV
Rationale: Both phentermine and diethylpropion are Schedule IV controlled substances,
indicating lower abuse potential than Schedule II-III drugs but still requiring monitoring .
Q5. What BMI range classifies a patient as overweight?
☑ Correct Answer: 25-29.9 kg/m²
Rationale: Overweight is defined as BMI 25-29.9. Obesity Class I is BMI 30-34.9, Class II is
35-39.9, and Class III (severe) is ≥40 .
, 3
Q6. A patient with BMI 28 and hypertension asks about weight loss medication. According to
obesity staging, what is the appropriate next step?
☑ Correct Answer: Obesity Stage 1 - lifestyle modifications plus consider
pharmacotherapy
Rationale: Obesity Stage 1 is defined as BMI ≥25 with one or more mild/moderate
complications. Pharmacotherapy may be considered when BMI ≥27 with complications or after
lifestyle modification failure .
Q7. What baseline data is needed before prescribing Liraglutide for weight loss?
☑ Correct Answer: HbA1C (every 6 months), renal and lipid values as needed, and assess
patient's ability to tolerate injections
Rationale: Liraglutide (Saxenda) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Baseline A1C helps establish
glycemic status, and renal function monitoring is important as GLP-1 agonists can affect renal
function in susceptible patients .
Q8. What ongoing monitoring is required for a patient taking Liraglutide?
☑ Correct Answer: Monitor for signs of cholecystitis, pancreatitis, depression, and
suicidal thoughts
, 4
Rationale: GLP-1 agonists carry black box warnings for thyroid C-cell tumors (medullary
thyroid cancer). Clinical monitoring includes assessment for abdominal pain (pancreatitis),
gallbladder disease, and neuropsychiatric symptoms .
Q9. What would happen if Lorcaserin is given concurrently with a CYP2D6 substrate?
☑ Correct Answer: Increased serum levels of the CYP2D6 substrate; prescribe the
substrate at lower doses
Rationale: Lorcaserin is a CYP2D6 inhibitor. When given with drugs metabolized by CYP2D6
(e.g., metoprolol, fluoxetine, dextromethorphan), it can increase their concentrations, requiring
dose adjustment .
Q10. Which weight loss drug could cause hypothyroidism in a patient taking levothyroxine?
☑ Correct Answer: Orlistat
Rationale: Orlistat reduces absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D, and can
also reduce absorption of levothyroxine. Patients should take levothyroxine and orlistat at least
4 hours apart .
Q11. What baseline data is needed before prescribing Naltrexone/Bupropion (Contrave)?
