Saunders: Pharmacology/Cardiovascular Exam Questions and
Answers
Question 1
A client who has developed atrial fibrillation that is not responding to medication therapy has begun taking warfarin
(Coumadin). The nurse is reinforcing dietary discharge teaching with the client. The nurse should plan to teach the client to
avoid which food while taking this medication?
Correct Answer
Broccoli
Question 2
A child is being sent home on digoxin (Lanoxin) after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. The medication
needs to be given once a day. Which should the nurse reinforce in the teaching plan for the family?
Correct Answer
"Give the medication in the morning 20 to 30 minutes before a feeding."
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
The nurse should anticipate the use of which medications in the treatment of the client with heart failure?
Select all that apply.
Correct Answer
-Diuretics
-Cardiac glycosides
-Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors
-Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Question 4
A health care provider (HCP) writes a prescription for digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.25 mg daily. The nurse teaches the client about
the medication and tells the client that it is important to do which?
Correct Answer
Withhold the medication and call the HCP if the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute.
Question 5
A client with angina pectoris who was given a first dose of newly prescribed nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) sublingual tablet
complains of slight dizziness and headache. The nurse takes which action first
Correct Answer
Takes the client's blood pressure
Page 2 of 34
,Question 6
The nurse is collecting data from a client with hypertension being treated with diuretic therapy. The nurse should monitor
the client for hypokalemia if the client is receiving which diuretic?
Correct Answer
Bumetanide
Question 7
Heparin sodium is prescribed for the client. Which laboratory result indicates that the heparin is prescribed at a therapeutic
level?
Correct Answer
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 55 seconds
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescription sheet for the preoperative client, which states that the client
must be on nothing by mouth (NPO) status after midnight. The nurse should clarify whether which medication should be
given to the client rather than withheld?
Correct Answer
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Page 3 of 34
, Question 9
A client who is taking hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, HCTZ) has been started on triamterene (Dyrenium) as well. The
client asks the nurse why both medications are required. Which response is the most accurate to give to the client?
Correct Answer
Triamterene is a potassium-retaining diuretic, whereas hydrochlorothiazide is a potassium-excreting diuretic.
Question 10
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.125 mg orally, to a client with heart failure. Which vital sign is
most important for the nurse to check before administering the medication?
Correct Answer
Heart rate
Question 11
A client is at risk for pulmonary embolism and is on anticoagulant therapy with warfarin sodium (Coumadin). The nurse is
told that the client's prothrombin time is 18 seconds with a control of 11 seconds. Which action should the nurse plan?
Correct Answer
Administer the next dose of warfarin sodium.
Page 4 of 34
Answers
Question 1
A client who has developed atrial fibrillation that is not responding to medication therapy has begun taking warfarin
(Coumadin). The nurse is reinforcing dietary discharge teaching with the client. The nurse should plan to teach the client to
avoid which food while taking this medication?
Correct Answer
Broccoli
Question 2
A child is being sent home on digoxin (Lanoxin) after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. The medication
needs to be given once a day. Which should the nurse reinforce in the teaching plan for the family?
Correct Answer
"Give the medication in the morning 20 to 30 minutes before a feeding."
Page 1 of 34
,Question 3
The nurse should anticipate the use of which medications in the treatment of the client with heart failure?
Select all that apply.
Correct Answer
-Diuretics
-Cardiac glycosides
-Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors
-Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Question 4
A health care provider (HCP) writes a prescription for digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.25 mg daily. The nurse teaches the client about
the medication and tells the client that it is important to do which?
Correct Answer
Withhold the medication and call the HCP if the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute.
Question 5
A client with angina pectoris who was given a first dose of newly prescribed nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) sublingual tablet
complains of slight dizziness and headache. The nurse takes which action first
Correct Answer
Takes the client's blood pressure
Page 2 of 34
,Question 6
The nurse is collecting data from a client with hypertension being treated with diuretic therapy. The nurse should monitor
the client for hypokalemia if the client is receiving which diuretic?
Correct Answer
Bumetanide
Question 7
Heparin sodium is prescribed for the client. Which laboratory result indicates that the heparin is prescribed at a therapeutic
level?
Correct Answer
Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) of 55 seconds
Question 8
The nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescription sheet for the preoperative client, which states that the client
must be on nothing by mouth (NPO) status after midnight. The nurse should clarify whether which medication should be
given to the client rather than withheld?
Correct Answer
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Page 3 of 34
, Question 9
A client who is taking hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, HCTZ) has been started on triamterene (Dyrenium) as well. The
client asks the nurse why both medications are required. Which response is the most accurate to give to the client?
Correct Answer
Triamterene is a potassium-retaining diuretic, whereas hydrochlorothiazide is a potassium-excreting diuretic.
Question 10
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin), 0.125 mg orally, to a client with heart failure. Which vital sign is
most important for the nurse to check before administering the medication?
Correct Answer
Heart rate
Question 11
A client is at risk for pulmonary embolism and is on anticoagulant therapy with warfarin sodium (Coumadin). The nurse is
told that the client's prothrombin time is 18 seconds with a control of 11 seconds. Which action should the nurse plan?
Correct Answer
Administer the next dose of warfarin sodium.
Page 4 of 34
