Practice quiz · by a Quizcard user

Nursing Pharmacology: Common Drug Classes — quiz

18 multiple-choice questions covering Insulin pharmacokinetics, Thyroid replacement, Hypoglycemia management, Anticonvulsants, Lithium toxicity. One answer each; you get a score at the end and the explanation for every question. No account needed.

Updated 2026-10-24. Keys 1–4 pick an answer, Enter moves on. Redo it any time, in order or shuffled.

The questions

Answers and explanations are shown after you finish.

1. Insulin pharmacokinetics

   A patient receives NPH insulin at 7:00 AM. Based on its pharmacokinetics, during which time period should the nurse monitor most closely for hypoglycemia?

   • 9:00 PM onward
   • 9:00–10:00 AM
   • 8:00–8:15 AM
   • 11:00 AM–7:00 PM
2. Thyroid replacement

   A nurse is teaching a patient newly prescribed levothyroxine. Which statement indicates correct understanding?

   • nothing
   • "I'll take it with my breakfast each morning."
   • "I'll take it at bedtime with a snack."
   • "I'll take it at the same time as my calcium supplement."
   • "I'll take it first thing in the morning, 30–60 minutes before eating."
3. Hypoglycemia management

   A conscious diabetic patient reports shakiness and sweating; fingerstick glucose is 58 mg/dL. What should the nurse do next?

   • Administer IV dextrose 50% push
   • Give 15 g of fast-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose in 15 minutes
   • Give glucagon intramuscularly
   • Administer the scheduled dose of regular insulin
4. Anticonvulsants

   A patient on long-term phenytoin therapy develops which combination of findings suggesting toxicity?

   • Coarse tremor and diarrhea
   • Dry cough and hyperkalemia
   • Flushing and rash during infusion
   • Nystagmus and ataxia
5. Lithium toxicity

   A patient stable on lithium develops vomiting and diarrhea from a GI illness and reduces fluid intake. What is the nurse's priority concern?

   • Increased renal clearance that protects against toxicity
   • Dehydration leading to lithium toxicity
   • Decreased lithium levels requiring a dose increase
   • No concern, since lithium levels are unaffected by fluid status
6. Serotonin syndrome

   A patient taking sertraline (an SSRI) is newly prescribed tramadol for pain. What is the nurse's priority concern?

   • Nephrotoxicity from additive renal injury
   • QT prolongation from drug interaction
   • Hypertensive crisis from a tyramine interaction
   • Serotonin syndrome from combined serotonergic effects
7. Antibiotics — metronidazole

   A patient prescribed metronidazole asks if it's okay to have wine at a dinner party during treatment. What should the nurse say?

   • "Alcohol is fine as long as it's taken with food."
   • "Only wine is a problem; beer is safe."
   • "Avoid alcohol during treatment and for 48–72 hours after due to a disulfiram-like reaction."
   • "Yes, a small amount is fine."
8. Antibiotics — vancomycin

   A patient receiving IV vancomycin develops facial flushing and a rash during a rapid infusion. How should the nurse respond?

   • Increase the infusion rate to finish dosing faster
   • Slow the infusion rate to at least 60 minutes
   • Stop the drug permanently and switch antibiotics
   • Administer epinephrine for anaphylaxis
9. Aminoglycosides

   When should a trough level be drawn for a patient receiving gentamicin?

   • Immediately after the infusion completes
   • One hour after the infusion starts
   • Just before the next scheduled dose
   • At the midpoint between doses
10. Opioid safety

    A patient receiving IV morphine has a respiratory rate of 6/min and is difficult to arouse. What is the nurse's priority action?

    • Administer naloxone
    • Give acetylcysteine
    • Increase the opioid infusion rate
    • Administer a stool softener
11. Acetaminophen safety

    A patient with a history of chronic alcohol use is taking acetaminophen for pain. What teaching is most important?

    • "Take it with alcohol to reduce stomach upset."
    • "Limit your daily dose below the usual maximum because of increased liver risk."
    • "Acetaminophen isn't metabolized by the liver, so it's safe."
    • "You can safely take up to 4 g/day since you don't have liver disease."
12. Pharmacologic principles

    Why do drugs like digoxin, lithium, and warfarin require close monitoring of blood levels?

    • They are not metabolized by the liver
    • They have a wide therapeutic index allowing flexible dosing
    • They carry no risk of toxicity
    • They have a narrow therapeutic index where toxic and effective doses are close
13. Medication safety principles

    Before administering any medication, which action best reflects adherence to the 'rights' of medication administration?

    • Administering based on the previous nurse's verbal report alone
    • Checking only the drug name on the label
    • Documenting administration before giving the dose
    • Checking two patient identifiers before giving the medication
14. Respiratory — bronchodilators

    A patient uses an albuterol inhaler during an acute asthma attack. What is its mechanism of action?

    • Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle through beta-2 agonism
    • Reduces airway inflammation via corticosteroid activity
    • Blocks histamine release from mast cells
    • Decreases mucus production in the airways
15. Cardiac glycosides

    A patient on digoxin reports nausea and seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What should the nurse do first?

    • Increase the dose to compensate for a presumed low level
    • Give the next dose as scheduled since nausea is a common side effect
    • Administer protamine sulfate immediately
    • Check apical pulse, hold the dose, and notify the provider
16. Beta blockers

    Before administering metoprolol, the nurse should assess which parameter and hold the dose if it falls below the cutoff?

    • Respiratory rate below 16/min
    • Systolic blood pressure below 140 mmHg
    • Blood glucose below 70 mg/dL
    • Apical pulse below 60 bpm
17. Anticoagulants

    A patient on long-term warfarin therapy presents with an INR of 6.5 and active bleeding. Which medication should the nurse anticipate administering?

    • Acetylcysteine
    • Protamine sulfate
    • Naloxone
    • Vitamin K
18. ACE inhibitors

    A patient started on lisinopril returns with a persistent dry cough. What should the nurse explain?

    • This is a common side effect related to the drug's mechanism
    • This is a sign of angioedema requiring immediate discontinuation
    • This indicates hyperkalemia requiring potassium restriction
    • This is unrelated and likely a viral infection