NCLEX Pharmacology Practice Questions
2026 | NCLEX RN Pharmacology Exam
Questions and Answers | Pharmacology
Review with Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed amiodarone.
Which assessment finding requires immediate attention?
A. Heart rate 52/min
B. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Temperature 98.6°F
Answer: A. Heart rate 52/min
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause significant bradycardia and cardiac dysrhythmias.
2. Which medication is commonly used to treat glaucoma?
A. Timolol eye drops
B. Metformin
C. Lorazepam
D. Heparin
Answer: A. Timolol eye drops
Rationale: Timolol reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
3. A client taking carbamazepine should be monitored for:
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypertension
D. Polyuria
Answer: A. Agranulocytosis
Page 1 of 22
,Rationale: Carbamazepine can suppress bone marrow function.
4. Which medication should be avoided with alcohol due to a
disulfiram-like reaction?
A. Metronidazole
B. Amoxicillin
C. Digoxin
D. Aspirin
Answer: A. Metronidazole
Rationale: Combining metronidazole with alcohol causes severe nausea and vomiting.
5. A nurse is administering epoetin alfa. Which laboratory
value indicates effectiveness?
A. Increased hemoglobin
B. Elevated potassium
C. Increased INR
D. Low calcium
Answer: A. Increased hemoglobin
Rationale: Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production.
6. Which medication is used to prevent organ transplant
rejection?
A. Cyclosporine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
Answer: A. Cyclosporine
Rationale: Cyclosporine suppresses the immune response.
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, 7. A nurse should monitor for which side effect in a client
taking niacin?
A. Flushing
B. Bradycardia
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Flushing
Rationale: Flushing is a common adverse effect of niacin therapy.
8. Which instruction should be given to a client taking
sucralfate?
A. Take with antacids immediately
B. Take on an empty stomach
C. Crush sustained-release tablets
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B. Take on an empty stomach
Rationale: Sucralfate works best when taken before meals.
9. A client taking allopurinol should increase intake of:
A. Fluids
B. Sodium
C. Caffeine
D. Alcohol
Answer: A. Fluids
Rationale: Increased fluids help prevent kidney stone formation.
Page 3 of 22
2026 | NCLEX RN Pharmacology Exam
Questions and Answers | Pharmacology
Review with Rationales
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed amiodarone.
Which assessment finding requires immediate attention?
A. Heart rate 52/min
B. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
C. Respiratory rate 18/min
D. Temperature 98.6°F
Answer: A. Heart rate 52/min
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause significant bradycardia and cardiac dysrhythmias.
2. Which medication is commonly used to treat glaucoma?
A. Timolol eye drops
B. Metformin
C. Lorazepam
D. Heparin
Answer: A. Timolol eye drops
Rationale: Timolol reduces intraocular pressure in glaucoma.
3. A client taking carbamazepine should be monitored for:
A. Agranulocytosis
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypertension
D. Polyuria
Answer: A. Agranulocytosis
Page 1 of 22
,Rationale: Carbamazepine can suppress bone marrow function.
4. Which medication should be avoided with alcohol due to a
disulfiram-like reaction?
A. Metronidazole
B. Amoxicillin
C. Digoxin
D. Aspirin
Answer: A. Metronidazole
Rationale: Combining metronidazole with alcohol causes severe nausea and vomiting.
5. A nurse is administering epoetin alfa. Which laboratory
value indicates effectiveness?
A. Increased hemoglobin
B. Elevated potassium
C. Increased INR
D. Low calcium
Answer: A. Increased hemoglobin
Rationale: Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production.
6. Which medication is used to prevent organ transplant
rejection?
A. Cyclosporine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Pantoprazole
D. Furosemide
Answer: A. Cyclosporine
Rationale: Cyclosporine suppresses the immune response.
Page 2 of 22
, 7. A nurse should monitor for which side effect in a client
taking niacin?
A. Flushing
B. Bradycardia
C. Constipation
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Flushing
Rationale: Flushing is a common adverse effect of niacin therapy.
8. Which instruction should be given to a client taking
sucralfate?
A. Take with antacids immediately
B. Take on an empty stomach
C. Crush sustained-release tablets
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B. Take on an empty stomach
Rationale: Sucralfate works best when taken before meals.
9. A client taking allopurinol should increase intake of:
A. Fluids
B. Sodium
C. Caffeine
D. Alcohol
Answer: A. Fluids
Rationale: Increased fluids help prevent kidney stone formation.
Page 3 of 22
