NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology 101-105

Take our 5-item NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology to test how vast your knowledge about this topic..
21. The nurse is teaching a client how to mix regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe. Which action, if performed by the client, indicates the need for further teaching?

a) Withdraws the NPH insulin first
b) Withdraws the regular insulin first
c) Injects air into NPH insulin vial first
d) Injects an amount of air equal to the desired dose of insulin into each vial

22. The home care nurse visits a client recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily. The client asks the nurse how to store the unopened vials of insulin. The nurse should tell the client to take which action?

a) Freeze the insulin.
b) Refrigerate the insulin.
c) Store the insulin in a dark, dry place.
d) Keep the insulin at room temperature.

23. NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology about Glimepiride (Amaryl) that is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus. The nurse instructs the client to avoid consuming which food while taking this medication?

a) Alcohol
b) Organ meats
c) Whole-grain cereals
d) Carbonated beverages

24. Sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed to treat a client with erectile dysfunction. The nurse reviews the client’s medical record and should question the prescription if which data is noted in the client’s history?

a) Insomnia
b) Neuralgia
c) Use of nitroglycerin
d) Use of multivitamins

25. The health care provider (HCP) prescribes exenatide (Byetta) for a client with type 1 diabetes mellitus who takes insulin. The nurse should plan to take which most appropriate intervention?

a) Withhold the medication and call the HCP, questioning the prescription for the client.
b) Administer the medication within 60 minutes before the morning and evening meal.
c) Monitor the client for gastrointestinal side effects after administering the medication.
d) Withdraw the insulin from the prefilled pen into an insulin syringe to prepare for administration.





NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology
Answers and Rationale

21) A
- Rationale: When preparing a mixture of short-acting insulin such as regular insulin with another insulin preparation, the short-acting short-acting insulin is drawn into the syringe first. This sequence will avoid contaminating the vial of short-acting insulin with insulin of another type. Options B, C, and D identify correct actions for preparing NPH and short-acting insulin.

- Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words need for further teaching. These words indicate a negative event query and ask you to select an option that is an incorrect action. Remember RN— draw up the Regular (short-acting) insulin before the NPH insulin.

22) B
- Rationale: Insulin in unopened vials should be stored under refrigeration until needed. Vials should not be frozen. When stored unopened under refrigeration, insulin can be used up to the expiration date on the vial. Options A, C, and D are incorrect.

- NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology Test-Taking Strategy: Note the subject, how to store unopened vials. Options C and D are comparable or alike and should be eliminated. Remembering that insulin should not be frozen will assist in eliminating option A.

23) A
- Rationale: When alcohol is combined with glimepiride (Amaryl), a disulfiram-like reaction may occur. This syndrome includes flushing, palpitations, and nausea. Alcohol can also potentiate the hypoglycemic effects of the medication. Clients need to be instructed to avoid alcohol consumption while taking this medication. The items in options B, C, and D do not need to be avoided.

- Test-Taking Strategy: Eliminate options B, C, and D because they are comparable or alike in that these food items are allowed in a diabetic diet. Remembering that alcohol can affect the action of many medications will assist in directing you to the correct option.

24) C
- Rationale: Sildenafil (Viagra) enhances the vasodilating effect of nitric oxide in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, thus sustaining an erection. Because of the effect of the medication, it is contraindicated with concurrent use of organic nitrates and nitroglycerin. Sildenafil is not contraindicated with the use of vitamins. Insomnia and neuralgia are side effects of the medication.

- Test-Taking Strategy: Focus on the subject, the need to question the prescription. Recalling the action of the medication and that it enhances vasodilation will direct you to the correct option.

25) A
- Rationale: Exenatide (Byetta) is an incretin mimetic used for type 2 diabetes mellitus only. It is not recommended for clients taking insulin. Hence, the nurse should withhold the medication and question the HCP regarding this prescription. Although options B and C are correct statements about the medication, in this situation the medication should not be administered. The medication is packaged in prefilled pens ready for injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe.

- Test-Taking Strategy: Note the strategic words most appropriate. Focus on the name of the medication, recalling that it is used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Eliminate option D because the medication is packaged in prefilled pens ready for injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe. From the remaining options, focus on the data in the question. Although options B and C are appropriate when administering this medication, this client should not receive this medication.


After you reviewed your answers through its rationale, you can also go back to the first page to start from the beginning:

NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology 1-5


Or proceed to the next set of questions:

NCLEX Questions for Pharmacology 106-110