PHARM NURS 210 GALEN EXAM 3 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Principles of Pharmacology and Drug Classifications*
*- Cardiovascular Medications: Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers*
*- Antihypertensive Agents: ACE Inhibitors and ARBs*
*- Diuretics: Loop, Thiazide, and Potassium-Sparing*
*- Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy*
*- Digoxin and Cardiac Glycosides*
*- Nursing Assessments and Medication Safety*
*- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics*
*- Patient Teaching and Medication Administration*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Standards in Pharmacology*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for
safe and effective pharmacology practice in nursing. The exam focuses on cardiovascular medications,
diuretics, anticoagulants, and related drug classes commonly encountered in clinical settings. Students will
demonstrate understanding of drug mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, side effects,
monitoring parameters, and appropriate nursing interventions. The multiple-choice and scenario-based
structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring critical thinking for patient care prioritization and
medication safety decisions. Success on this exam indicates readiness for clinical practice and professional
responsibility in medication administration.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is administering hydrochlorothiazide to a patient with hypertension. What laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum sodium
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that causes potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia. Nurses must monitor serum potassium levels closely to prevent complications such as cardiac
arrhythmias.
Question 2
Which medication is classified as a beta-1 selective blocker?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Verapamil
D. Lisinopril
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Metoprolol is a selective Beta-1 blocker that decreases heart rate and force of contraction to
reduce blood pressure, while propranolol is nonselective and inhibits both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors.
Question 3
A patient taking captopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Administer an antihistamine
B. Document as expected side effect and notify provider
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Increase the dose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors often cause dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. This is an expected
side effect that should be documented and reported to the provider for possible medication change to an ARB.
Question 4
Which diuretic is classified as a "high-ceiling" diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Loop diuretics like furosemide are called "high-ceiling" diuretics because they have the
greatest efficacy for sodium and water excretion, acting on the thick ascending limb of the nephron.
Question 5
A patient on warfarin therapy has a PT/INR of 4.5. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Give vitamin K immediately
D. Increase the next dose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic INR range for warfarin is typically 2.0-3.0. An INR of 4.5 indicates excessive
anticoagulation, so the nurse must hold the dose and notify the provider to prevent bleeding complications.
Question 6
What is the primary mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?
A. Block angiotensin II receptors
B. Inhibit conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
C. Block calcium channels
D. Increase beta-adrenergic activity
🟢 Correct answer: B
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Principles of Pharmacology and Drug Classifications*
*- Cardiovascular Medications: Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers*
*- Antihypertensive Agents: ACE Inhibitors and ARBs*
*- Diuretics: Loop, Thiazide, and Potassium-Sparing*
*- Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy*
*- Digoxin and Cardiac Glycosides*
*- Nursing Assessments and Medication Safety*
*- Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics*
*- Patient Teaching and Medication Administration*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Ethical Standards in Pharmacology*
Introduction
This comprehensive assessment evaluates essential knowledge and clinical decision-making skills required for
safe and effective pharmacology practice in nursing. The exam focuses on cardiovascular medications,
diuretics, anticoagulants, and related drug classes commonly encountered in clinical settings. Students will
demonstrate understanding of drug mechanisms of action, indications, contraindications, side effects,
monitoring parameters, and appropriate nursing interventions. The multiple-choice and scenario-based
structure emphasizes real-world application, requiring critical thinking for patient care prioritization and
medication safety decisions. Success on this exam indicates readiness for clinical practice and professional
responsibility in medication administration.
Section One: Questions 1–100
,Question 1
A nurse is administering hydrochlorothiazide to a patient with hypertension. What laboratory value should the
nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum magnesium
D. Serum sodium
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that causes potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia. Nurses must monitor serum potassium levels closely to prevent complications such as cardiac
arrhythmias.
Question 2
Which medication is classified as a beta-1 selective blocker?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Verapamil
D. Lisinopril
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Metoprolol is a selective Beta-1 blocker that decreases heart rate and force of contraction to
reduce blood pressure, while propranolol is nonselective and inhibits both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors.
Question 3
A patient taking captopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Administer an antihistamine
B. Document as expected side effect and notify provider
C. Stop the medication immediately
D. Increase the dose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors often cause dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. This is an expected
side effect that should be documented and reported to the provider for possible medication change to an ARB.
Question 4
Which diuretic is classified as a "high-ceiling" diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Furosemide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Loop diuretics like furosemide are called "high-ceiling" diuretics because they have the
greatest efficacy for sodium and water excretion, acting on the thick ascending limb of the nephron.
Question 5
A patient on warfarin therapy has a PT/INR of 4.5. What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Give vitamin K immediately
D. Increase the next dose
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The therapeutic INR range for warfarin is typically 2.0-3.0. An INR of 4.5 indicates excessive
anticoagulation, so the nurse must hold the dose and notify the provider to prevent bleeding complications.
Question 6
What is the primary mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?
A. Block angiotensin II receptors
B. Inhibit conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
C. Block calcium channels
D. Increase beta-adrenergic activity
🟢 Correct answer: B
