All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers
Every Nursing Pharmacology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
450 questions · page 15 of 23
281. Which insulin preparation is commonly administered by the intravenous route in a hospital setting?
- A. Insulin regular
- B. Insulin NPH
- C. Insulin glargine
- D. Insulin degludec
Explanation: Regular insulin is the standard insulin preparation used intravenously for situations such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Correct answer: Insulin regular- A. Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate
- B. Serum amylase and lipase levels
- C. Total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase
- D. Haemoglobin and platelet count
Explanation: Metformin is cleared mainly by the kidneys, so renal function must be assessed before and during treatment.
Correct answer: Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate- A. Notify the provider urgently and prepare for ketone testing
- B. Give the next dose with food to prevent gastric irritation
- C. Reassure the patient because the glucose level is not elevated
- D. Give a rapid-acting carbohydrate and recheck glucose later
Explanation: SGLT2 inhibitors can rarely cause diabetic ketoacidosis with only a mildly raised or near-normal glucose level.
Correct answer: Notify the provider urgently and prepare for ketone testing- A. It reduces thyroid hormone synthesis and peripheral conversion of thyroxine
- B. It replaces deficient thyroid hormone and raises the metabolic rate
- C. It destroys thyroid tissue by delivering radioactive iodine
- D. It blocks calcium absorption and lowers the serum calcium level
Explanation: Propylthiouracil inhibits thyroid hormone synthesis and also reduces peripheral conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine.
Correct answer: It reduces thyroid hormone synthesis and peripheral conversion of thyroxine- A. The dose may be excessive and needs clinical review
- B. The medicine is not being absorbed and needs doubling
- C. The patient is developing an allergic reaction to iodine
- D. The symptoms show that hypothyroidism is worsening
Explanation: Palpitations, heat intolerance and weight loss suggest excessive thyroid hormone replacement or thyrotoxicosis.
Correct answer: The dose may be excessive and needs clinical review- A. Follow the prescribed sick-day plan and contact the provider
- B. Stop hydrocortisone until the fever has completely settled
- C. Take the usual dose only and avoid reporting the illness
- D. Replace hydrocortisone with levothyroxine during the fever
Explanation: Fever increases the body's need for cortisol, so a patient with adrenal insufficiency may require prescribed stress dosing and prompt…
Correct answer: Follow the prescribed sick-day plan and contact the provider- A. Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk
- B. Permanent protection from bacterial infection
- C. Markedly increased insulin sensitivity
- D. Rapid healing of gastric ulcers
Explanation: Long-term corticosteroids reduce bone formation and increase bone loss, leading to osteoporosis and fractures.
Correct answer: Osteoporosis and increased fracture risk- A. Headache, confusion and a falling serum sodium level
- B. Mild thirst with clear urine during the first treatment day
- C. A pulse rate of 78 beats per minute while resting
- D. A serum potassium level within the reference range
Explanation: Desmopressin reduces excessive urine loss, but excessive water retention can cause dilutional hyponatraemia.
Correct answer: Headache, confusion and a falling serum sodium level- A. It inhibits osteoclast activity and lowers release of calcium from bone
- B. It increases intestinal calcium absorption and raises serum calcium
- C. It replaces parathyroid hormone and increases bone breakdown
- D. It prevents renal excretion of calcium and retains it in blood
Explanation: Calcitonin lowers serum calcium mainly by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and increasing renal calcium excretion.
Correct answer: It inhibits osteoclast activity and lowers release of calcium from bone- A. Reduced oestrogen can accelerate bone loss and increase fracture risk
- B. Increased oestrogen causes excessive calcium deposition in the arteries
- C. The medicine directly blocks calcium absorption in the intestine
- D. The medicine commonly causes parathyroid hormone deficiency
Explanation: Aromatase inhibitors reduce oestrogen production, and low oestrogen promotes bone resorption.
Correct answer: Reduced oestrogen can accelerate bone loss and increase fracture risk- A. Administer intravenous dextrose as prescribed
- B. Give a glass of fruit juice by mouth
- C. Administer the next dose of rapid-acting insulin
- D. Place the patient in a sitting position
Explanation: An unconscious patient cannot safely swallow, so intravenous dextrose is the priority treatment when access is available.
Correct answer: Administer intravenous dextrose as prescribed- A. Keep it refrigerated and prevent it from freezing
- B. Keep it in direct sunlight to maintain its temperature
- C. Store it beside a heater when room temperature falls
- D. Shake it vigorously before every administration
Explanation: Unopened insulin is generally stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C and must not be frozen.
Correct answer: Keep it refrigerated and prevent it from freezing- A. It prolongs incretin activity and increases glucose-dependent insulin release
- B. It replaces basal insulin and provides glucose control for 24 hours
- C. It blocks intestinal glucose absorption before carbohydrates enter the blood
- D. It increases urinary glucose loss by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption
Explanation: Sitagliptin inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase-4, which prolongs incretin activity and promotes glucose-dependent insulin release.
Correct answer: It prolongs incretin activity and increases glucose-dependent insulin release- A. Hold the medicine and report possible pancreatitis
- B. Give the medicine with extra food to reduce irritation
- C. Reassure the patient that this is expected appetite loss
- D. Administer an additional dose to improve glucose control
Explanation: Severe persistent abdominal pain radiating to the back may indicate pancreatitis, a serious adverse effect requiring prompt assessment.
Correct answer: Hold the medicine and report possible pancreatitis- A. Take calcium at least four hours apart from levothyroxine
- B. Take both medicines together after the evening meal
- C. Stop levothyroxine whenever calcium is prescribed
- D. Crush both medicines and mix them in fruit juice
Explanation: Calcium can bind levothyroxine in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce its absorption, so the medicines should be separated by at least…
Correct answer: Take calcium at least four hours apart from levothyroxine- A. Contact the prescriber about temporarily withholding metformin
- B. Take an extra dose to prevent stress-related hyperglycaemia
- C. Continue the medicine and restrict all oral fluids
- D. Replace metformin with a bedtime dose of insulin without advice
Explanation: Dehydration and acute illness can increase the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis, so the patient should seek advice about…
Correct answer: Contact the prescriber about temporarily withholding metformin- A. Haemoglobin and haematocrit
- B. Serum amylase and lipase
- C. White cell differential only
- D. Serum bilirubin after every dose
Explanation: Testosterone can stimulate erythropoiesis and cause erythrocytosis, increasing blood viscosity and thrombotic risk.
Correct answer: Haemoglobin and haematocrit- A. Previous deep-vein thrombosis
- B. Occasional tension headaches
- C. Mild seasonal allergic rhinitis
- D. A healed wrist fracture from childhood
Explanation: Raloxifene can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism and is generally avoided in patients with a history of thromboembolic disease.
Correct answer: Previous deep-vein thrombosis- A. It increases calcium-sensing receptor sensitivity and lowers parathyroid hormone release
- B. It directly replaces calcitonin and rapidly deposits calcium into bone
- C. It blocks thyroid hormone production and reduces basal metabolism
- D. It increases intestinal calcium absorption by activating vitamin D receptors
Explanation: Cinacalcet is a calcimimetic that increases the sensitivity of calcium-sensing receptors, reducing parathyroid hormone secretion and…
Correct answer: It increases calcium-sensing receptor sensitivity and lowers parathyroid hormone release- A. I will follow the prescribed fluid limit and report headache or confusion
- B. I will drink unlimited water to prevent every possible complication
- C. I will stop desmopressin whenever my urine becomes less frequent
- D. I will take extra doses if I develop mild ankle swelling
Explanation: Desmopressin reduces urine production, so excessive fluid intake can cause water retention and hyponatraemia.
Correct answer: I will follow the prescribed fluid limit and report headache or confusion