NUR 378 EXAM 1 PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE
QUESTIONS 2026
◉ Digoxin mechanism of action. Answer: 1. Inhibits
sodium/potassium pump, thereby increasing intracellular calcium
levels
2. Positive inotropic effect, increases cardiac output
3. Decreases chronotropy and dromotropy; slows AV conduction
◉ indications for digoxin. Answer: systolic heart failure, atrial
fibrillation
◉ adverse effects of digoxin. Answer: Dysrhythmias, cardiotoxicity,
hypotension, bradycardia, GI effects (nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain), CNS effects including fatigue, weakness, vision
changes.
◉ interactions of digoxin. Answer: Amiodarone, quinidine,
cyclosporine, diltiazem, and verapamil increase serum levels
Diuretic-induced hypokalemia increases effects and toxicity
,◉ What drug class is losartan?. Answer: Angiotensin II Receptor
Blocker (ARB)
◉ mechanism of action for losartan. Answer: It inhibits angiotensin
IIs vasoconstrictive and aldosterone-secreting actions by blocking
angiotensin II receptor on the surface of vascular smooth
muscle/other tissue cells
◉ indications for losartan. Answer: hypertension, heart failure
◉ adverse effects of losartan. Answer: chest pain, fatigue,
hypoglycemia, diarrhea, UTI, hyperkalemia (less likely than
ACE),angioedema, fetal harm, renal failure
FETAL TOXICITY
◉ interactions with losartan. Answer: NSAIDS (decreased ARB
effect, potential for renal failure); Lithium (lithium toxicity);
Rifampin (decreased ARB effect); K+ supplements/K+ sparing
diuretics (hyperkalemia)
◉ What drug class is hydralazine?. Answer: vasodilator
,◉ mechanism of action for hydralazine. Answer: directly acts on
arteriolar and/or venous smooth muscle to cause
relaxation/vasodilation.
◉ indications for hydralazine. Answer: hypertension
◉ adverse effects of hydralazine. Answer: dizziness, HA, anxiety,
tachycardia, edema, dyspnea, N/V, SLE, rash, B6 deficiency, hepatitis
◉ interactions of hydralazine. Answer: - •Beta Blockers (good)
•Diuretics (good - blood volume)
•Isosorbide (good - HF pt)
Other anti hypertensive agents
◉ What drug class if doxazosin?. Answer: Alpha-1 blocker
◉ mechanism of action of doxazosin. Answer: Selective for Alpha1-
adrenergic receptors, thus causes vasodilation; also cause relaxation
of smooth muscle around prostate gland
◉ indications for doxazosin. Answer: HTN, BPH, and severe CHF
, ◉ adverse effects of doxazosin. Answer: dizziness, dyspnea,
asthenia, headache, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension,
somnolence
◉ interactions of doxazosin. Answer: Pregnancy Category C, drug
hypersensitivity
◉ what drug class is amlodipine?. Answer: calcium channel blocker
◉ mechanism of action for amlodipine. Answer: cause smooth
muscle relaxation by blocking the binding of calcium to its receptors
and prevents contraction
◉ indications for amlodipine. Answer: hypertension, angina,
sometimes Raynaud's and.or migraine
◉ adverse effects of amlodipine. Answer: edema, flushing, headache,
fatigue, abdominal pain
◉ Beta blocker mechanism of action. Answer: By blocking
sympathetic stimulation of heart at Beta receptors, reduce heart rate
and contractility, thus decreasing the metabolic demands on the
heart and reducing risk of ischemia
QUESTIONS 2026
◉ Digoxin mechanism of action. Answer: 1. Inhibits
sodium/potassium pump, thereby increasing intracellular calcium
levels
2. Positive inotropic effect, increases cardiac output
3. Decreases chronotropy and dromotropy; slows AV conduction
◉ indications for digoxin. Answer: systolic heart failure, atrial
fibrillation
◉ adverse effects of digoxin. Answer: Dysrhythmias, cardiotoxicity,
hypotension, bradycardia, GI effects (nausea, vomiting, and
abdominal pain), CNS effects including fatigue, weakness, vision
changes.
◉ interactions of digoxin. Answer: Amiodarone, quinidine,
cyclosporine, diltiazem, and verapamil increase serum levels
Diuretic-induced hypokalemia increases effects and toxicity
,◉ What drug class is losartan?. Answer: Angiotensin II Receptor
Blocker (ARB)
◉ mechanism of action for losartan. Answer: It inhibits angiotensin
IIs vasoconstrictive and aldosterone-secreting actions by blocking
angiotensin II receptor on the surface of vascular smooth
muscle/other tissue cells
◉ indications for losartan. Answer: hypertension, heart failure
◉ adverse effects of losartan. Answer: chest pain, fatigue,
hypoglycemia, diarrhea, UTI, hyperkalemia (less likely than
ACE),angioedema, fetal harm, renal failure
FETAL TOXICITY
◉ interactions with losartan. Answer: NSAIDS (decreased ARB
effect, potential for renal failure); Lithium (lithium toxicity);
Rifampin (decreased ARB effect); K+ supplements/K+ sparing
diuretics (hyperkalemia)
◉ What drug class is hydralazine?. Answer: vasodilator
,◉ mechanism of action for hydralazine. Answer: directly acts on
arteriolar and/or venous smooth muscle to cause
relaxation/vasodilation.
◉ indications for hydralazine. Answer: hypertension
◉ adverse effects of hydralazine. Answer: dizziness, HA, anxiety,
tachycardia, edema, dyspnea, N/V, SLE, rash, B6 deficiency, hepatitis
◉ interactions of hydralazine. Answer: - •Beta Blockers (good)
•Diuretics (good - blood volume)
•Isosorbide (good - HF pt)
Other anti hypertensive agents
◉ What drug class if doxazosin?. Answer: Alpha-1 blocker
◉ mechanism of action of doxazosin. Answer: Selective for Alpha1-
adrenergic receptors, thus causes vasodilation; also cause relaxation
of smooth muscle around prostate gland
◉ indications for doxazosin. Answer: HTN, BPH, and severe CHF
, ◉ adverse effects of doxazosin. Answer: dizziness, dyspnea,
asthenia, headache, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension,
somnolence
◉ interactions of doxazosin. Answer: Pregnancy Category C, drug
hypersensitivity
◉ what drug class is amlodipine?. Answer: calcium channel blocker
◉ mechanism of action for amlodipine. Answer: cause smooth
muscle relaxation by blocking the binding of calcium to its receptors
and prevents contraction
◉ indications for amlodipine. Answer: hypertension, angina,
sometimes Raynaud's and.or migraine
◉ adverse effects of amlodipine. Answer: edema, flushing, headache,
fatigue, abdominal pain
◉ Beta blocker mechanism of action. Answer: By blocking
sympathetic stimulation of heart at Beta receptors, reduce heart rate
and contractility, thus decreasing the metabolic demands on the
heart and reducing risk of ischemia
