All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers

• A. Shake the vial vigorously before withdrawing insulin
• B. Roll the vial gently between the palms to mix it
• C. Warm the vial in hot water before drawing the dose
• D. Leave the vial undisturbed because NPH must remain clear

Explanation: NPH insulin is a cloudy suspension, so the vial is gently rolled to resuspend the particles.

• A. NPH insulin, because it is longer acting
• B. Regular insulin, because it is clear insulin
• C. NPH insulin, because it prevents hypoglycaemia
• D. Regular insulin, because it has the longest duration

Explanation: When regular insulin is mixed with NPH, the clear regular insulin is drawn up before the cloudy NPH insulin.

• A. Give the usual dose of NPH insulin
• B. Check the blood glucose and notify the prescriber
• C. Encourage the patient to walk before breakfast
• D. Administer another dose of rapid-acting insulin

Explanation: Insulin lispro acts rapidly, and giving it without food can cause hypoglycaemia.

• A. Take the medicine just before the planned meal
• B. Take the medicine only when glucose is above normal
• C. Skip meals after taking the medicine to reduce weight
• D. Stop checking glucose when the medicine is started

Explanation: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that increases pancreatic insulin release and is taken before a meal.

• A. Mild hunger before the evening meal
• B. A slight metallic taste after tablets
• C. New ankle swelling with rapid weight gain
• D. A blood glucose level within the prescribed target

Explanation: Pioglitazone can cause fluid retention and may worsen or precipitate heart failure.

• A. The patient reports increased appetite
• B. The patient is taking a daily calcium supplement
• C. The patient may be pregnant
• D. The patient has mild heat intolerance

Explanation: Radioactive iodine can damage the fetal thyroid and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

• A. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level
• B. Serum alanine aminotransferase level
• C. Serum amylase level
• D. Serum prothrombin time

Explanation: In primary hypothyroidism, thyroid-stimulating hormone is monitored to assess the response to levothyroxine replacement.

• A. Blood glucose monitoring at prescribed intervals
• B. Hearing assessment after every dose
• C. Visual acuity testing before each dose
• D. Urine specific gravity after every meal

Explanation: Corticosteroids increase blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing insulin sensitivity.

• A. Acute adrenal insufficiency
• B. Excess thyroid hormone activity
• C. Acute iron toxicity
• D. Uncomplicated drug tolerance

Explanation: Long-term corticosteroids suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and illness with poor absorption can precipitate adrenal…

• A. Report possible hypercalcaemia and review the supplements
• B. Give an additional calcium tablet with fruit juice
• C. Tell the patient these symptoms prove treatment is working
• D. Replace vitamin D with an extra dose of levothyroxine

Explanation: Excess calcium or vitamin D can produce hypercalcaemia, with constipation, nausea, thirst and polyuria among possible findings.

• A. Insulin regular
• B. Insulin NPH
• C. Insulin lispro
• D. Insulin detemir

Explanation: Insulin detemir is a long-acting basal insulin with a relatively steady action and little or no pronounced peak.

• A. Whether the patient has eaten the planned meal
• B. Whether the patient has passed urine recently
• C. Whether the patient has taken calcium tablets
• D. Whether the patient has used sunscreen today

Explanation: Regular insulin can lower blood glucose during the meal period, so the nurse should confirm that food is available and the patient can…

• A. Genital or urinary tract infection
• B. Severe bradycardia after meals
• C. Black discoloration of the tongue
• D. Permanent hearing loss

Explanation: Empagliflozin increases urinary glucose excretion, which can promote genital fungal infections and urinary tract infections.

• A. It delays intestinal carbohydrate digestion
• B. It stimulates insulin release during fasting
• C. It replaces the body's missing thyroid hormone
• D. It prevents glucose formation in the liver

Explanation: Acarbose inhibits intestinal alpha-glucosidase enzymes and slows carbohydrate breakdown, reducing the rise in blood glucose after meals.

• A. Tachycardia and tremors
• B. Thyroid hormone production
• C. Thyroid gland enlargement
• D. Low serum calcium levels

Explanation: Propranolol reduces adrenergic symptoms of hyperthyroidism, especially tachycardia, palpitations and tremors.

• A. I will report yellowing of my skin or eyes
• B. I will stop the medicine when my pulse improves
• C. I will attend scheduled thyroid blood tests
• D. I will report unusual bruising or bleeding

Explanation: Propylthiouracil should not be stopped simply because symptoms improve, unless the prescriber gives that instruction.

• A. Administer it immediately after breakfast
• B. Check the prescription with the prescriber
• C. Give an extra corticosteroid dose first
• D. Replace it with an insulin injection

Explanation: Long-term or high-dose corticosteroid therapy can suppress immunity, making live vaccines unsafe or less effective.

• A. Rinse the mouth after each use
• B. Drink grapefruit juice after each dose
• C. Take the inhaler only when fever occurs
• D. Lie flat for thirty minutes after use

Explanation: Rinsing and spitting after inhaled corticosteroid use helps reduce local effects such as oral candidiasis and hoarseness.

• A. Massage the affected calf gently
• B. Encourage vigorous walking
• C. Report the finding promptly
• D. Apply a tight elastic bandage

Explanation: Unilateral calf swelling and tenderness may indicate deep vein thrombosis, a serious thromboembolic complication associated with oestrogen…

• A. Serum calcium
• B. Serum amylase
• C. Haemoglobin level
• D. Prothrombin time

Explanation: Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and can cause hypercalcaemia if the dose is excessive.