NCLEX : Pharmacology
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Endocrine Pharmacology
The home health nurse reviews the types of insulin prescribed to the client diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 1. Which of the following insulins experiences peak action between 6-12 hours?
Regular
Lispro
Isophane (NPH)
Aspart
Glargine
Isophane (NPH)
It is essential for the nurse to know the onset, peak, and duration of actions for all types of insulin. Rapid-acting insulins lispro and aspart have an onset between 10-30 minutes, peak between 30 min to 3 hours, and have a duration of 3-6 hours. Regular insulin has an onset between 30-60 min, peaks between 1-5 hours, and lasts 6-10 hours. Intermediate-acting insulins isophane (NPH) has an onset between 1-2 hours, peaks between 6-12 hours, and lasts 16-24 hours. Very long-acting insulin glargine has an onset between 3-4 hours, does not peak because it works continuously, and lasts 24 hours.
Example Question #1 : Respiratory Pharmacology
All of the following are examples of adrenergic agonists except __________.
tiotropium
salmeterol
albuterol
terbutaline
tiotropium
Albuterol, terbutaline, and salmeterol are all beta-2 adrenergic agonists. Beta-2 adrenergic agonists stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors, causing smooth muscle relaxation in the bronchial passages.
Tiotropium (trade name Spiriva) is an anticholinergic bronchodilators.
Example Question #2 : Respiratory Pharmacology
Which of the following is an example of an inhaled steroid used in the treatment of asthma?
Ipratropium
Fluticasone
Salmeterol
Fluticasone
Fluticasone (trade name Flovent) is a synthetic glucocorticoid used in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis.
Example Question #3 : Respiratory Pharmacology
What class of drug is montelukast?
Anticholinergic bronchodilator
Corticosteroid
Long acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
Leukotriene inhibitor
Leukotriene inhibitor
Montelukast is a leukotriene inhibitor. It acts by antagonism of the leukotriene receptor sites in bronchial wall smooth muscle to prevent wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing caused by asthma, and to treat other respiratory issues to promote proper ventilation.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Each of the following antibiotics works by inhibition of the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes except __________.
clindamycin
macrolides
tetracyclines
streptogramin
tetracyclines
Macrolides, streptogramins, and clindamycin all work by inhibition of the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes. Tetracyclines have a similar mechanism of action, but instead affect the 30S unit of bacterial ribosomes.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Polymyxin antibiotics target what part of the bacterial cellular anatomy?
Ribosomes
Cell membrane
Cell wall
Nucleic acids
Cell membrane
Polymyxin antibiotics function by interfering with phospholipid function in bacterial cell membranes. After binding to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the outer membrane, polymyxins' hydrophobic tail causes damage to both the inner and outer membranes of Gram-negative bacteria.
Example Question #2 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
What is the mechanism of action of amoxicillin?
Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Interference with the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Suppression of folate synthesis
Interference with the 50S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Inhibition of bacterial cell wall synthesis
Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by interfering with the formation of cross-links between peptidoglycan polymer chains.
Example Question #1 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
Which of the following class of antibiotics is associated with ototoxicity and hearing loss?
Glycopeptides
Beta-lactam antibiotics
Quinolones
Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as streptomycin and gentamicin have been associated with vestibular toxicity and hearing loss. Aminoglycosides remain in inner ear fluids longer than serum and can have a latent ototoxic effect, causing hearing loss even after the antibiotic has been discontinued. None of the other antibiotics listed are associated with ototoxicity.
Example Question #134 : Nclex
Ciprofloxacin belongs to what class of antibiotic?
Beta lactams
Tetracyclines
Macrolides
Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones
Ciprofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics. Other antibiotics in this class include norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and nadifloxacin.
Example Question #2 : Antimicrobial Pharmacology
What is rifampin's mechanism of action?
Disruption of cell membranes
Inhibition of the 30S subunit of bacterial ribosomes
Inhibition of RNA polymerase
Inhibition of DNA gyrase
Inhibition of RNA polymerase
Rifampin inhibits bacterial RNA synthesis by inhibiting RNA polymerase. This prevents the transcription of proteins within the bacterial cell, leading to cell death.
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