Master exam practice with these nursing revision notes and practice
questions for student success. Compiled from student notes and
practice resources — not an official exam.
---
## 🏆 Pharmacology Study Guide – Pass on First Attempt | 2025/2026
Complete NCLEX-Style Prep & Revision Notes
---
1. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for and report which
early sign of toxicity?
A. Constipation.
B. Anorexia and nausea.
C. Tachycardia.
D. Hyperglycemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are among the earliest signs of digoxin toxicity. This
is a critical safety consideration in pharmacology. "Gastrointestinal upset? Think digoxin toxicity!" is a
helpful mnemonic for nursing exam prep. Constipation is not a typical sign, and tachycardia is not a
primary symptom.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
A. aPTT.
B. INR.
C. Platelet count.
D. Bleeding time.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standardized test used to monitor
warfarin therapy. aPTT monitors heparin. This is a fundamental nursing study guide question for student
success in anticoagulation therapy. The INR should typically be between 2.0 and 3.0.
3. A client is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should monitor for which side effect?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hyponatremia.
D. Hypercalcemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia by decreasing aldosterone secretion. This is a
key side effect to monitor, especially in clients with renal impairment. "ACE-I keeps K+ high" is a simple
mnemonic for pharmacology revision notes. The other options are not typical side effects.
4. A client is prescribed metformin. The nurse should instruct the client to report which symptom
immediately?
A. Nausea.
B. Diarrhea.
C. Muscle pain.
D. Abdominal bloating.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue can be signs of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious
side effect of metformin. This is a critical safety teaching point for this medication. GI upset is common
and often resolves, but muscle pain requires immediate medical attention. This nursing exam prep
question emphasizes the importance of recognizing serious adverse effects.
5. A client is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is most common?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hyponatremia.
,D. Hypocalcemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
This is a key pharmacology concept and a frequent topic in nursing study guides. "Furosemide flushes
potassium" is a helpful mnemonic for student success.
6. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which side effect is the nurse's priority to monitor?
A. Constipation.
B. Respiratory depression.
C. Nausea.
D. Sedation.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Respiratory depression is the most serious and life-threatening side effect of opioid
analgesics. This is a critical assessment for pain management. The other side effects, while
uncomfortable, are not immediately life-threatening. This is a key safety concept in pharmacology.
7. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tachycardia.
B. Bronchospasm.
C. Hypoglycemia.
D. Diarrhea.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Beta-blockers can cause bronchospasm, especially in clients with asthma or COPD.
They can also cause bradycardia and hypotension. This is a key side effect to remember for
pharmacology revision notes. "Beta-blockers block the lungs" is a helpful mnemonic.
8. A client is prescribed a benzodiazepine. The nurse should include which warning in the teaching plan?
A. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
B. "This medication is not habit-forming."
C. "You can stop taking this medication at any time."
, D. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Concurrent use of alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause severe central nervous
system depression and respiratory depression. This is a critical safety teaching point. Benzodiazepines
are habit-forming and should be tapered off. This is a key concept in psychiatric pharmacology.
9. A client is prescribed an SSRI. The nurse should instruct the client that therapeutic effects may be
seen in:
A. 1 to 2 days.
B. 1 to 3 weeks.
C. 4 to 6 weeks.
D. 24 hours.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: SSRIs typically take 1 to 3 weeks to begin showing therapeutic effects, with full
benefits often taking 4 to 8 weeks. This is a crucial teaching point for clients to prevent early
discontinuation. This nursing study guide emphasizes medication adherence for student success in
psychiatric nursing.
10. A client is prescribed lithium. Which serum lithium level indicates toxicity?
A. 0.6 mEq/L.
B. 0.9 mEq/L.
C. 1.2 mEq/L.
D. 1.8 mEq/L.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.8 mEq/L is in the
toxic range and can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, tremors, and confusion. This is a critical
safety parameter in psychiatric pharmacology. The other options are within or at the upper limit of the
therapeutic range.
11. A client is prescribed an MAOI. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid which food?
A. Aged cheese.
B. Fresh fruit.
questions for student success. Compiled from student notes and
practice resources — not an official exam.
---
## 🏆 Pharmacology Study Guide – Pass on First Attempt | 2025/2026
Complete NCLEX-Style Prep & Revision Notes
---
1. A client is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should instruct the client to monitor for and report which
early sign of toxicity?
A. Constipation.
B. Anorexia and nausea.
C. Tachycardia.
D. Hyperglycemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are among the earliest signs of digoxin toxicity. This
is a critical safety consideration in pharmacology. "Gastrointestinal upset? Think digoxin toxicity!" is a
helpful mnemonic for nursing exam prep. Constipation is not a typical sign, and tachycardia is not a
primary symptom.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of this
medication?
A. aPTT.
B. INR.
C. Platelet count.
D. Bleeding time.
,💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standardized test used to monitor
warfarin therapy. aPTT monitors heparin. This is a fundamental nursing study guide question for student
success in anticoagulation therapy. The INR should typically be between 2.0 and 3.0.
3. A client is prescribed an ACE inhibitor. The nurse should monitor for which side effect?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hyponatremia.
D. Hypercalcemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia by decreasing aldosterone secretion. This is a
key side effect to monitor, especially in clients with renal impairment. "ACE-I keeps K+ high" is a simple
mnemonic for pharmacology revision notes. The other options are not typical side effects.
4. A client is prescribed metformin. The nurse should instruct the client to report which symptom
immediately?
A. Nausea.
B. Diarrhea.
C. Muscle pain.
D. Abdominal bloating.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: C
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Muscle pain, weakness, or fatigue can be signs of lactic acidosis, a rare but serious
side effect of metformin. This is a critical safety teaching point for this medication. GI upset is common
and often resolves, but muscle pain requires immediate medical attention. This nursing exam prep
question emphasizes the importance of recognizing serious adverse effects.
5. A client is prescribed furosemide. Which electrolyte imbalance is most common?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypokalemia.
C. Hyponatremia.
,D. Hypocalcemia.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia.
This is a key pharmacology concept and a frequent topic in nursing study guides. "Furosemide flushes
potassium" is a helpful mnemonic for student success.
6. A client is prescribed an opioid analgesic. Which side effect is the nurse's priority to monitor?
A. Constipation.
B. Respiratory depression.
C. Nausea.
D. Sedation.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Respiratory depression is the most serious and life-threatening side effect of opioid
analgesics. This is a critical assessment for pain management. The other side effects, while
uncomfortable, are not immediately life-threatening. This is a key safety concept in pharmacology.
7. A client is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which side effect should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tachycardia.
B. Bronchospasm.
C. Hypoglycemia.
D. Diarrhea.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Beta-blockers can cause bronchospasm, especially in clients with asthma or COPD.
They can also cause bradycardia and hypotension. This is a key side effect to remember for
pharmacology revision notes. "Beta-blockers block the lungs" is a helpful mnemonic.
8. A client is prescribed a benzodiazepine. The nurse should include which warning in the teaching plan?
A. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
B. "This medication is not habit-forming."
C. "You can stop taking this medication at any time."
, D. "Take this medication with a high-fat meal."
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: A
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: Concurrent use of alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause severe central nervous
system depression and respiratory depression. This is a critical safety teaching point. Benzodiazepines
are habit-forming and should be tapered off. This is a key concept in psychiatric pharmacology.
9. A client is prescribed an SSRI. The nurse should instruct the client that therapeutic effects may be
seen in:
A. 1 to 2 days.
B. 1 to 3 weeks.
C. 4 to 6 weeks.
D. 24 hours.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: B
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: SSRIs typically take 1 to 3 weeks to begin showing therapeutic effects, with full
benefits often taking 4 to 8 weeks. This is a crucial teaching point for clients to prevent early
discontinuation. This nursing study guide emphasizes medication adherence for student success in
psychiatric nursing.
10. A client is prescribed lithium. Which serum lithium level indicates toxicity?
A. 0.6 mEq/L.
B. 0.9 mEq/L.
C. 1.2 mEq/L.
D. 1.8 mEq/L.
💫ANSWER✔️✔️: D
💫RATIONALE✔️✔️: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6 to 1.2 mEq/L. A level of 1.8 mEq/L is in the
toxic range and can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, tremors, and confusion. This is a critical
safety parameter in psychiatric pharmacology. The other options are within or at the upper limit of the
therapeutic range.
11. A client is prescribed an MAOI. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid which food?
A. Aged cheese.
B. Fresh fruit.
