ICHS PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM/ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS/GRADE A+ ASSURED(REAL DEAL)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes insipidus who is receiving intravenous (IV)
vasopressin. What is the most crucial nursing action to ensure patient safety?
A) Make a note of the fluid intake.
B) Assess for signs of dehydration.
C) Watch the IV site closely for infiltration.
D) Measure the patient's urine output regularly.
Correct Answer: C) Watch the IV site closely for infiltration.
Rationale: IV vasopressin is a potent vasoconstrictor. If it infiltrates into the surrounding
tissue, it can cause severe vasoconstriction and lead to tissue necrosis. Therefore, vigilant
monitoring of the IV site is the top priority for safe administration.
Question 2
A pediatric patient is prescribed somatropin for a growth hormone deficiency. Which
parameters are essential for the nurse to monitor during follow-up visits? (Select all that apply.)
A) Height
B) Weight
C) Skin turgor
D) Motor skills
E) Visual acuity
Correct Answer: A, B, D) Height, Weight, Motor skills.
Rationale: The primary goal of somatropin is to promote linear growth, so monitoring height
and weight is essential. Additionally, assessing motor skills is important as growth hormone
influences overall development.
Question 3
A patient with diabetes insipidus is being treated with desmopressin. To assess the effectiveness
of the treatment, which questions should the nurse ask? (Select all that apply.)
A) "Do you feel very thirsty lately?"
,B) "How many times do you urinate in a day?"
C) "Is there any change in the color of your urine?"
D) "Is there any change in the color of your sputum?"
E) "Do you have excessive bleeding due to minor injuries?"
Correct Answer: A, B) "Do you feel very thirsty lately?"; "How many times do you urinate in a
day?"
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyuria
(excessive urination). A decrease in these symptoms indicates that the desmopressin (an
antidiuretic) is working effectively.
Question 4
Somatropin is indicated for the treatment of primary growth failure. In which other situations is
it also used therapeutically? (Select all that apply.)
A) Growth failure caused by chronic renal failure
B) Cachexia or wasting associated with AIDS
C) Growth failure caused by thyroid hormone deficiency
D) As an anti-aging drug
E) For muscle building and athletic performance enhancement
F) Growth enhancement in children with Turner syndrome
Correct Answer: A, B, F) Growth failure caused by chronic renal failure; Cachexia or wasting
associated with AIDS; Growth enhancement in children with Turner syndrome.
Rationale: Somatropin is FDA-approved for these specific conditions in addition to primary
growth failure. It is not approved as an anti-aging drug or for athletic performance
enhancement.
Question 5
A nurse administers a dose of intravenous desmopressin at 0730. The duration of action for IV
desmopressin is typically 8-12 hours. During which time frame would the nurse anticipate giving
the next dose?
A) 0830 to 1030
B) 1000 to 1200
,C) 1530 to 1930
D) 0730 the next day
Correct Answer: C) 1530 to 1930
Rationale: Desmopressin given intravenously has a duration of action of 8 to 12 hours.
Therefore, the next dose would be scheduled 8 to 12 hours after the 0730 dose, which falls
within the 1530 to 1930 time frame.
Question 6
Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue and should be used with caution in patients with which
pre-existing conditions? (Select all that apply.)
A) Asthma
B) Heart failure
C) Thyroid deficiency
D) Hepatic impairment
E) Psychiatric disorders
F) Chronic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B, D, F) Heart failure, Hepatic impairment, Chronic kidney disease.
Rationale: Octreotide can affect fluid balance, cardiac conduction, and is
metabolized/excreted by the liver and kidneys. Therefore, caution is required in patients with
heart failure, hepatic impairment, and chronic kidney disease.
Question 7
A child is receiving somatropin for growth failure. Which data should the nurse monitor during
follow-up visits? (Select all that apply.)
A) Blood glucose level for hypoglycemia
B) Serial changes in height and weight
C) Blood calcium levels for hypocalcemia
D) Presence of antirecombinant human growth hormone (anti-rhGH) antibodies
E) Thyroid levels for hypothyroidism
F) Side effects of therapy reported by the family
Correct Answer: B, D, E, F) Serial changes in height and weight; Presence of antirecombinant
, human growth hormone (anti-rhGH) antibodies; Thyroid levels for hypothyroidism; Side
effects of therapy reported by the family.
Rationale: Monitoring height and weight tracks efficacy. Antibody formation can reduce
effectiveness. Hypothyroidism can develop as a side effect and can also impair growth, so
thyroid levels must be monitored. Subjective reports of side effects from the family are also
important.
Question 8
The adolescent sibling of a child receiving growth hormone (GH) for a deficiency asks if he can
also take it to become taller for basketball. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "We'll need to draw labs first to see if you need growth hormones."
B) "That is a possibility, but you need to see the health care provider."
C) "Growth hormones may not help your height and have side effects."
D) "Once your growth plates have closed, growth hormone is no longer effective for increasing
height."
Correct Answer: D) "Once your growth plates have closed, growth hormone is no longer
effective for increasing height."
Rationale: Somatropin promotes linear growth only before the epiphyseal plates (growth
plates) of the long bones have fused. In an adolescent who has completed puberty, the
growth plates are closed, and the hormone will not increase height.
Question 9
The spouse of a patient taking desmopressin reports that her husband is nauseated and
confused. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the spouse that these symptoms are temporary and should resolve soon.
B) Instruct the spouse to bring the patient to the clinic for further evaluation.
C) Tell the spouse to hold the medication for a day and then resume therapy.
D) Encourage the spouse to have the patient drink orange juice or an electrolyte solution and
rest.
Correct Answer: B) Instruct the spouse to bring the patient to the clinic for further evaluation.
Rationale: Nausea and confusion are signs of hyponatremia, a potential and serious side
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS/GRADE A+ ASSURED(REAL DEAL)
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes insipidus who is receiving intravenous (IV)
vasopressin. What is the most crucial nursing action to ensure patient safety?
A) Make a note of the fluid intake.
B) Assess for signs of dehydration.
C) Watch the IV site closely for infiltration.
D) Measure the patient's urine output regularly.
Correct Answer: C) Watch the IV site closely for infiltration.
Rationale: IV vasopressin is a potent vasoconstrictor. If it infiltrates into the surrounding
tissue, it can cause severe vasoconstriction and lead to tissue necrosis. Therefore, vigilant
monitoring of the IV site is the top priority for safe administration.
Question 2
A pediatric patient is prescribed somatropin for a growth hormone deficiency. Which
parameters are essential for the nurse to monitor during follow-up visits? (Select all that apply.)
A) Height
B) Weight
C) Skin turgor
D) Motor skills
E) Visual acuity
Correct Answer: A, B, D) Height, Weight, Motor skills.
Rationale: The primary goal of somatropin is to promote linear growth, so monitoring height
and weight is essential. Additionally, assessing motor skills is important as growth hormone
influences overall development.
Question 3
A patient with diabetes insipidus is being treated with desmopressin. To assess the effectiveness
of the treatment, which questions should the nurse ask? (Select all that apply.)
A) "Do you feel very thirsty lately?"
,B) "How many times do you urinate in a day?"
C) "Is there any change in the color of your urine?"
D) "Is there any change in the color of your sputum?"
E) "Do you have excessive bleeding due to minor injuries?"
Correct Answer: A, B) "Do you feel very thirsty lately?"; "How many times do you urinate in a
day?"
Rationale: Diabetes insipidus is characterized by polydipsia (excessive thirst) and polyuria
(excessive urination). A decrease in these symptoms indicates that the desmopressin (an
antidiuretic) is working effectively.
Question 4
Somatropin is indicated for the treatment of primary growth failure. In which other situations is
it also used therapeutically? (Select all that apply.)
A) Growth failure caused by chronic renal failure
B) Cachexia or wasting associated with AIDS
C) Growth failure caused by thyroid hormone deficiency
D) As an anti-aging drug
E) For muscle building and athletic performance enhancement
F) Growth enhancement in children with Turner syndrome
Correct Answer: A, B, F) Growth failure caused by chronic renal failure; Cachexia or wasting
associated with AIDS; Growth enhancement in children with Turner syndrome.
Rationale: Somatropin is FDA-approved for these specific conditions in addition to primary
growth failure. It is not approved as an anti-aging drug or for athletic performance
enhancement.
Question 5
A nurse administers a dose of intravenous desmopressin at 0730. The duration of action for IV
desmopressin is typically 8-12 hours. During which time frame would the nurse anticipate giving
the next dose?
A) 0830 to 1030
B) 1000 to 1200
,C) 1530 to 1930
D) 0730 the next day
Correct Answer: C) 1530 to 1930
Rationale: Desmopressin given intravenously has a duration of action of 8 to 12 hours.
Therefore, the next dose would be scheduled 8 to 12 hours after the 0730 dose, which falls
within the 1530 to 1930 time frame.
Question 6
Octreotide is a somatostatin analogue and should be used with caution in patients with which
pre-existing conditions? (Select all that apply.)
A) Asthma
B) Heart failure
C) Thyroid deficiency
D) Hepatic impairment
E) Psychiatric disorders
F) Chronic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B, D, F) Heart failure, Hepatic impairment, Chronic kidney disease.
Rationale: Octreotide can affect fluid balance, cardiac conduction, and is
metabolized/excreted by the liver and kidneys. Therefore, caution is required in patients with
heart failure, hepatic impairment, and chronic kidney disease.
Question 7
A child is receiving somatropin for growth failure. Which data should the nurse monitor during
follow-up visits? (Select all that apply.)
A) Blood glucose level for hypoglycemia
B) Serial changes in height and weight
C) Blood calcium levels for hypocalcemia
D) Presence of antirecombinant human growth hormone (anti-rhGH) antibodies
E) Thyroid levels for hypothyroidism
F) Side effects of therapy reported by the family
Correct Answer: B, D, E, F) Serial changes in height and weight; Presence of antirecombinant
, human growth hormone (anti-rhGH) antibodies; Thyroid levels for hypothyroidism; Side
effects of therapy reported by the family.
Rationale: Monitoring height and weight tracks efficacy. Antibody formation can reduce
effectiveness. Hypothyroidism can develop as a side effect and can also impair growth, so
thyroid levels must be monitored. Subjective reports of side effects from the family are also
important.
Question 8
The adolescent sibling of a child receiving growth hormone (GH) for a deficiency asks if he can
also take it to become taller for basketball. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "We'll need to draw labs first to see if you need growth hormones."
B) "That is a possibility, but you need to see the health care provider."
C) "Growth hormones may not help your height and have side effects."
D) "Once your growth plates have closed, growth hormone is no longer effective for increasing
height."
Correct Answer: D) "Once your growth plates have closed, growth hormone is no longer
effective for increasing height."
Rationale: Somatropin promotes linear growth only before the epiphyseal plates (growth
plates) of the long bones have fused. In an adolescent who has completed puberty, the
growth plates are closed, and the hormone will not increase height.
Question 9
The spouse of a patient taking desmopressin reports that her husband is nauseated and
confused. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Reassure the spouse that these symptoms are temporary and should resolve soon.
B) Instruct the spouse to bring the patient to the clinic for further evaluation.
C) Tell the spouse to hold the medication for a day and then resume therapy.
D) Encourage the spouse to have the patient drink orange juice or an electrolyte solution and
rest.
Correct Answer: B) Instruct the spouse to bring the patient to the clinic for further evaluation.
Rationale: Nausea and confusion are signs of hyponatremia, a potential and serious side
