NUR2407 / NUR 2407 Pharmacology Exam 1
(Latest 2024/2025) – Rasmussen
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
1. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Stomach
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The liver contains cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for drug metabolism.
2. Which term refers to the time required for half of a drug to be eliminated from the body?
A. Onset
B. Peak
C. Half-life
D. Duration
Answer: C. Half-life
Rationale: Half-life determines dosing intervals and drug accumulation.
3. What factor can impair absorption of oral medications?
A. Empty stomach
B. Presence of food
C. Increased blood flow
D. Sublingual route
Answer: B. Presence of food
Rationale: Food may delay or reduce drug absorption.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient on lithium therapy?
A. Monitor potassium
B. Monitor fluid and sodium intake
C. Restrict fluids
D. Encourage caffeine
Answer: B. Monitor fluid and sodium intake
Rationale: Sodium imbalance increases lithium toxicity risk.
,5. A lithium level of 2.4 mEq/L indicates what complication?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Mild sedation
C. Toxicity with neurologic symptoms
D. Renal failure
Answer: C. Toxicity with neurologic symptoms
Rationale: High levels cause ataxia, seizures, and clonic movements.
6. What adverse effect is commonly associated with haloperidol?
A. Hypertension
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics cause EPS (tremors, rigidity).
7. Which antipsychotic has fewer extrapyramidal side effects?
A. Haloperidol
B. Chlorpromazine
C. Clozapine
D. Fluphenazine
Answer: C. Clozapine
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics reduce EPS and improve negative symptoms.
8. Clozapine requires monitoring for which life-threatening condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: Severe reaction with fever, rigidity, and instability.
9. Parkinson’s disease is caused by deficiency of which neurotransmitter?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons leads to symptoms.
, 10. What is a key teaching point for levodopa therapy?
A. Take with vitamin B6
B. Avoid protein
C. Avoid vitamin B6
D. Take on empty stomach only
Answer: C. Avoid vitamin B6
Rationale: Vitamin B6 reduces effectiveness of levodopa.
11. Why is carbidopa given with levodopa?
A. Increase metabolism
B. Reduce side effects
C. Increase absorption
D. Prevent excretion
Answer: B. Reduce side effects
Rationale: It allows more levodopa to reach the brain.
12. What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin?
A. 1–5 mcg/mL
B. 5–10 mcg/mL
C. 10–20 mcg/mL
D. 20–30 mcg/mL
Answer: C. 10–20 mcg/mL
Rationale: Levels above this increase toxicity risk.
13. What is a serious adverse effect of phenytoin?
A. Rash
B. Constipation
C. Weight gain
D. Dry mouth
Answer: A. Rash
Rationale: Can indicate severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
14. Abrupt withdrawal of antiseizure drugs may cause:
A. Hypertension
B. Status epilepticus
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Status epilepticus
Rationale: Sudden withdrawal triggers severe seizures.
(Latest 2024/2025) – Rasmussen
Practice Questions & Verified Answers
1. What is the primary organ responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Stomach
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Answer: C. Liver
Rationale: The liver contains cytochrome P450 enzymes responsible for drug metabolism.
2. Which term refers to the time required for half of a drug to be eliminated from the body?
A. Onset
B. Peak
C. Half-life
D. Duration
Answer: C. Half-life
Rationale: Half-life determines dosing intervals and drug accumulation.
3. What factor can impair absorption of oral medications?
A. Empty stomach
B. Presence of food
C. Increased blood flow
D. Sublingual route
Answer: B. Presence of food
Rationale: Food may delay or reduce drug absorption.
4. What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient on lithium therapy?
A. Monitor potassium
B. Monitor fluid and sodium intake
C. Restrict fluids
D. Encourage caffeine
Answer: B. Monitor fluid and sodium intake
Rationale: Sodium imbalance increases lithium toxicity risk.
,5. A lithium level of 2.4 mEq/L indicates what complication?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Mild sedation
C. Toxicity with neurologic symptoms
D. Renal failure
Answer: C. Toxicity with neurologic symptoms
Rationale: High levels cause ataxia, seizures, and clonic movements.
6. What adverse effect is commonly associated with haloperidol?
A. Hypertension
B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Tachycardia
Answer: B. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Rationale: Typical antipsychotics cause EPS (tremors, rigidity).
7. Which antipsychotic has fewer extrapyramidal side effects?
A. Haloperidol
B. Chlorpromazine
C. Clozapine
D. Fluphenazine
Answer: C. Clozapine
Rationale: Atypical antipsychotics reduce EPS and improve negative symptoms.
8. Clozapine requires monitoring for which life-threatening condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Hyperlipidemia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rationale: Severe reaction with fever, rigidity, and instability.
9. Parkinson’s disease is caused by deficiency of which neurotransmitter?
A. Serotonin
B. Dopamine
C. Acetylcholine
D. GABA
Answer: B. Dopamine
Rationale: Degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons leads to symptoms.
, 10. What is a key teaching point for levodopa therapy?
A. Take with vitamin B6
B. Avoid protein
C. Avoid vitamin B6
D. Take on empty stomach only
Answer: C. Avoid vitamin B6
Rationale: Vitamin B6 reduces effectiveness of levodopa.
11. Why is carbidopa given with levodopa?
A. Increase metabolism
B. Reduce side effects
C. Increase absorption
D. Prevent excretion
Answer: B. Reduce side effects
Rationale: It allows more levodopa to reach the brain.
12. What is the therapeutic range for phenytoin?
A. 1–5 mcg/mL
B. 5–10 mcg/mL
C. 10–20 mcg/mL
D. 20–30 mcg/mL
Answer: C. 10–20 mcg/mL
Rationale: Levels above this increase toxicity risk.
13. What is a serious adverse effect of phenytoin?
A. Rash
B. Constipation
C. Weight gain
D. Dry mouth
Answer: A. Rash
Rationale: Can indicate severe reactions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
14. Abrupt withdrawal of antiseizure drugs may cause:
A. Hypertension
B. Status epilepticus
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: B. Status epilepticus
Rationale: Sudden withdrawal triggers severe seizures.
