Pharmacology Fundamentals Test Bank
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download
Pdf
1. Which of the following is the therapeutic effect of an
antihypertensive medication?
A) Increase blood pressure
B) Decrease blood pressure
C) Increase heart rate
D) Decrease urine output
Rationale: Antihypertensives are designed to lower blood
pressure to reduce cardiovascular risk.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide. The nurse monitors for
which major adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypernatremia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases
potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia.
3. What is the primary action of beta-blockers?
A) Increase heart rate
B) Decrease heart rate and blood pressure
C) Increase cardiac contractility
D) Promote diuresis
Rationale: Beta-blockers reduce sympathetic stimulation of the
heart, lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
,4. Which route of medication administration has the fastest
onset?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
C) Intravenous (IV)
D) Intramuscular
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into
the bloodstream for immediate effect.
5. A patient reports a rash and itching after taking penicillin.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document and continue therapy
B) Stop the medication and notify the provider
C) Administer an antihypertensive
D) Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Rash and itching indicate a possible allergic reaction;
the drug should be stopped immediately.
6. Which is an example of a medication that requires peak and
trough monitoring?
A) Vancomycin
B) Acetaminophen
C) Aspirin
D) Metformin
Rationale: Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index,
requiring serum level monitoring.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which sign indicates
toxicity?
A) Increased appetite
B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances
C) Hypertension
D) Diarrhea
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia, nausea, and
visual changes (yellow halos).
, 8. Which lab value should be monitored when a patient is on
heparin therapy?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Serum potassium
D) Creatinine
Rationale: Heparin prolongs aPTT, so this is monitored to ensure
therapeutic anticoagulation.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) “I do not need to check my diet while on this medication.”
B) “I can take aspirin whenever I want.”
C) “I will have regular blood tests to monitor my INR.”
D) “I should stop the medication if I feel fine.”
Rationale: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring due to
bleeding risk.
10. Which drug class reduces gastric acid secretion?
A) Laxatives
B) Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
C) Beta-blockers
D) Antihistamines
Rationale: PPIs block the proton pump in the stomach lining,
reducing acid secretion.
11. A patient on opioid therapy reports constipation. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A) Reduce fluid intake
B) Administer a stool softener or laxative
C) Decrease fiber intake
D) Encourage bed rest
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation, so stool
softeners and hydration are recommended.
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. Which of the following is the therapeutic effect of an
antihypertensive medication?
A) Increase blood pressure
B) Decrease blood pressure
C) Increase heart rate
D) Decrease urine output
Rationale: Antihypertensives are designed to lower blood
pressure to reduce cardiovascular risk.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide. The nurse monitors for
which major adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Hypokalemia
D) Hypernatremia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases
potassium excretion, risking hypokalemia.
3. What is the primary action of beta-blockers?
A) Increase heart rate
B) Decrease heart rate and blood pressure
C) Increase cardiac contractility
D) Promote diuresis
Rationale: Beta-blockers reduce sympathetic stimulation of the
heart, lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
,4. Which route of medication administration has the fastest
onset?
A) Oral
B) Subcutaneous
C) Intravenous (IV)
D) Intramuscular
Rationale: IV administration delivers medication directly into
the bloodstream for immediate effect.
5. A patient reports a rash and itching after taking penicillin.
What is the priority nursing action?
A) Document and continue therapy
B) Stop the medication and notify the provider
C) Administer an antihypertensive
D) Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Rash and itching indicate a possible allergic reaction;
the drug should be stopped immediately.
6. Which is an example of a medication that requires peak and
trough monitoring?
A) Vancomycin
B) Acetaminophen
C) Aspirin
D) Metformin
Rationale: Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index,
requiring serum level monitoring.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which sign indicates
toxicity?
A) Increased appetite
B) Bradycardia and visual disturbances
C) Hypertension
D) Diarrhea
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia, nausea, and
visual changes (yellow halos).
, 8. Which lab value should be monitored when a patient is on
heparin therapy?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Serum potassium
D) Creatinine
Rationale: Heparin prolongs aPTT, so this is monitored to ensure
therapeutic anticoagulation.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which
statement indicates understanding?
A) “I do not need to check my diet while on this medication.”
B) “I can take aspirin whenever I want.”
C) “I will have regular blood tests to monitor my INR.”
D) “I should stop the medication if I feel fine.”
Rationale: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring due to
bleeding risk.
10. Which drug class reduces gastric acid secretion?
A) Laxatives
B) Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
C) Beta-blockers
D) Antihistamines
Rationale: PPIs block the proton pump in the stomach lining,
reducing acid secretion.
11. A patient on opioid therapy reports constipation. Which
intervention is appropriate?
A) Reduce fluid intake
B) Administer a stool softener or laxative
C) Decrease fiber intake
D) Encourage bed rest
Rationale: Opioids commonly cause constipation, so stool
softeners and hydration are recommended.
