NUR 210 Exam 1 Principles of Pharmacology Question
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
Total Questions: 60
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes
Passing Score: 80%
Instructions: Select the BEST answer for each question based on pharmacology
principles and nursing responsibilities. For SATA questions, select all that apply.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY CONCEPTS
Questions 1–12
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a medication order that reads: "Lisinopril 10 mg PO daily." Which
component of this order represents the generic name?
A. Lisinopril
B. 10 mg
C. PO
D. Daily
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: The generic name (nonproprietary name) is the official, non-trademarked
name assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council; "lisinopril" is the
generic name for this ACE inhibitor. Option B is the dose. Option C is the route of
administration. Option D is the frequency.
Question 2
A patient asks the nurse why a newly prescribed medication has three different names
on the pharmacy label. Which response by the nurse is MOST accurate?
A. "The chemical name describes the drug's molecular structure, the generic name is
the official nonproprietary name, and the brand name is the manufacturer's trademarked
name."
B. "All three names are interchangeable and refer to different doses of the same drug."
C. "The chemical name is for research only, the generic name is outdated, and the brand
name is the only name you need to know."
D. "The three names represent three different drugs that work together."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug nomenclature includes three names: chemical name (describes
molecular structure, e.g., N-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline), generic name
(official nonproprietary name, e.g., lisinopril), and brand/trade name (manufacturer's
trademark, e.g., Prinivil, Zestril). Option B is incorrect as the names are not
interchangeable doses. Option C is incorrect because all names serve distinct
purposes. Option D is incorrect as they refer to the same drug entity.
Question 3
A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a postoperative patient. Under which
controlled substance schedule is morphine classified?
A. Schedule I
,B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under the
Controlled Substances Act; it has a high potential for abuse, currently accepted medical
use in the United States, and abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence. Option A (Schedule I) has no accepted medical use. Option C (Schedule III)
has moderate abuse potential. Option D (Schedule IV) has low abuse potential.
Question 4
Which of the following are requirements for safe medication administration? Select all
that apply.
A. Right patient
B. Right drug
C. Right dose
D. Right route
E. Right time
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The "Five Rights" of medication administration (patient, drug, dose, route,
time) are foundational safety requirements; additional rights include right
documentation, right reason, right response, and right to refuse. All listed options are
essential components of safe medication administration per The Joint Commission
National Patient Safety Goals.
Question 5
, A nurse discovers that a patient received metformin 1000 mg instead of the ordered
500 mg. The patient is asymptomatic. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Document the error in the patient's chart without notifying anyone
B. Notify the provider and complete an incident report per facility policy
C. Wait to see if the patient develops symptoms before reporting
D. Administer a dose of activated charcoal prophylactically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication errors must be reported immediately to the provider and
documented through the facility's incident reporting system; this supports a "just
culture" approach focused on system improvement rather than blame. Option A violates
reporting requirements and patient safety standards. Option C delays necessary
intervention and monitoring. Option D is inappropriate without toxic ingestion and
provider order.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing the FDA pregnancy categories for medications. A newly pregnant
patient is taking a medication classified as Pregnancy Category D. Which statement by
the nurse is MOST accurate?
A. "This drug has no risk in pregnancy and is completely safe."
B. "There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but benefits may outweigh risks in
certain situations."
C. "This drug has been proven safe in animal studies but has not been tested in
humans."
D. "This drug is contraindicated in all women of childbearing age."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FDA Pregnancy Category D indicates positive evidence of human fetal risk
based on adverse reaction data, but the drug may still be used in pregnant women if the
Bank (Latest 2026/2027 Edition) – 100% Correct Questions,
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Galen College of Nursing
Total Questions: 60
Time Allowed: 90 Minutes
Passing Score: 80%
Instructions: Select the BEST answer for each question based on pharmacology
principles and nursing responsibilities. For SATA questions, select all that apply.
SECTION 1: FOUNDATIONAL PHARMACOLOGY CONCEPTS
Questions 1–12
Question 1
A nurse is reviewing a medication order that reads: "Lisinopril 10 mg PO daily." Which
component of this order represents the generic name?
A. Lisinopril
B. 10 mg
C. PO
D. Daily
Correct Answer: A
,Rationale: The generic name (nonproprietary name) is the official, non-trademarked
name assigned by the United States Adopted Names (USAN) Council; "lisinopril" is the
generic name for this ACE inhibitor. Option B is the dose. Option C is the route of
administration. Option D is the frequency.
Question 2
A patient asks the nurse why a newly prescribed medication has three different names
on the pharmacy label. Which response by the nurse is MOST accurate?
A. "The chemical name describes the drug's molecular structure, the generic name is
the official nonproprietary name, and the brand name is the manufacturer's trademarked
name."
B. "All three names are interchangeable and refer to different doses of the same drug."
C. "The chemical name is for research only, the generic name is outdated, and the brand
name is the only name you need to know."
D. "The three names represent three different drugs that work together."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Drug nomenclature includes three names: chemical name (describes
molecular structure, e.g., N-(1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl)-L-lysyl-L-proline), generic name
(official nonproprietary name, e.g., lisinopril), and brand/trade name (manufacturer's
trademark, e.g., Prinivil, Zestril). Option B is incorrect as the names are not
interchangeable doses. Option C is incorrect because all names serve distinct
purposes. Option D is incorrect as they refer to the same drug entity.
Question 3
A nurse is administering morphine sulfate to a postoperative patient. Under which
controlled substance schedule is morphine classified?
A. Schedule I
,B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Morphine is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance under the
Controlled Substances Act; it has a high potential for abuse, currently accepted medical
use in the United States, and abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical
dependence. Option A (Schedule I) has no accepted medical use. Option C (Schedule III)
has moderate abuse potential. Option D (Schedule IV) has low abuse potential.
Question 4
Which of the following are requirements for safe medication administration? Select all
that apply.
A. Right patient
B. Right drug
C. Right dose
D. Right route
E. Right time
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D, E
Rationale: The "Five Rights" of medication administration (patient, drug, dose, route,
time) are foundational safety requirements; additional rights include right
documentation, right reason, right response, and right to refuse. All listed options are
essential components of safe medication administration per The Joint Commission
National Patient Safety Goals.
Question 5
, A nurse discovers that a patient received metformin 1000 mg instead of the ordered
500 mg. The patient is asymptomatic. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Document the error in the patient's chart without notifying anyone
B. Notify the provider and complete an incident report per facility policy
C. Wait to see if the patient develops symptoms before reporting
D. Administer a dose of activated charcoal prophylactically
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Medication errors must be reported immediately to the provider and
documented through the facility's incident reporting system; this supports a "just
culture" approach focused on system improvement rather than blame. Option A violates
reporting requirements and patient safety standards. Option C delays necessary
intervention and monitoring. Option D is inappropriate without toxic ingestion and
provider order.
Question 6
A nurse is reviewing the FDA pregnancy categories for medications. A newly pregnant
patient is taking a medication classified as Pregnancy Category D. Which statement by
the nurse is MOST accurate?
A. "This drug has no risk in pregnancy and is completely safe."
B. "There is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but benefits may outweigh risks in
certain situations."
C. "This drug has been proven safe in animal studies but has not been tested in
humans."
D. "This drug is contraindicated in all women of childbearing age."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: FDA Pregnancy Category D indicates positive evidence of human fetal risk
based on adverse reaction data, but the drug may still be used in pregnant women if the
