NU 578 EXAM /ACTUAL NU 578 EXAM 2 LATEST 2026/2027
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND A
NEW UPDATED STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM REAL
QUESTIONS WITH WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS AND
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NEW!) FULL REVISED NU 578 APPROVED EXAM 2 |GUARANTEED
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Question 1
A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic for heart failure. The NP knows that the
primary site of action for this medication is the:
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: B. Loop of Henle
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) act on the ascending limb of the loop
of Henle, where they inhibit the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter. This leads to a
significant increase in urine output by preventing the reabsorption of these ions.
Other diuretics act at different nephron sites: thiazides act on the distal convoluted
tubule, and potassium-sparing diuretics act on the collecting duct.
Question 2
A patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the NP monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypercalcemia
,Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics promote potassium excretion in the distal convoluted
tubule. This can lead to hypokalemia, which may cause muscle weakness, cardiac
arrhythmias, and other complications. Electrolyte monitoring is essential in
patients taking thiazides .
Question 3
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that acts by:
A. Blocking aldosterone receptors
B. Inhibiting carbonic anhydrase
C. Blocking the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter
D. Inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
Correct Answer: A. Blocking aldosterone receptors
Rationale: Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that competes with
aldosterone for receptor sites in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct.
This prevents sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, making it a
potassium-sparing diuretic. It is used in heart failure, hypertension, and ascites.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which of the following is the most
important monitoring parameter?
A. Serum magnesium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
,Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. Digoxin toxicity is potentiated by low potassium levels because
hypokalemia enhances the binding of digoxin to cardiac Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase.
Potassium levels should be monitored closely and maintained within normal range.
Question 5
A patient with heart failure is prescribed a combination of hydralazine and
isosorbide dinitrate. This combination is particularly beneficial for which patient
population?
A. Caucasian patients
B. African American patients
C. Asian patients
D. Hispanic patients
Correct Answer: B. African American patients
Rationale: The combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate has been
shown to significantly improve outcomes in African American patients with heart
failure. The A-HeFT trial demonstrated reduced mortality and hospitalization in
this population. This combination is recommended as an adjunct to standard
therapy.
Question 6
Which of the following beta-blockers is most cardioselective?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Carvedilol
D. Labetalol
Correct Answer: B. Metoprolol
, Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, meaning it primarily
blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart with less effect on beta-2 receptors in the lungs.
Propranolol is non-selective, and carvedilol and labetalol are non-selective with
alpha-blocking activity .
Question 7
A patient with asthma is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which beta-blocker should be
avoided?
A. Atenolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Propranolol
D. Bisoprolol
Correct Answer: C. Propranolol
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that blocks both beta-1 and
beta-2 receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause
bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous in patients with asthma. Cardioselective
agents are preferred but should still be used with caution.
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who is prescribed carvedilol.
The NP should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bronchodilation
Correct Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale: Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker with alpha-blocking
properties. It can cause significant hypotension, especially upon initiation or dose
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND A
NEW UPDATED STUDY GUIDE COMPLETE ACCURATE EXAM REAL
QUESTIONS WITH WELL ELABORATED ANSWERS AND
RATIONALES (100% CORRECT VERIFIED SOLUTIONS) NEWEST
UPDATED VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED PASS A+ (BRAND
NEW!) FULL REVISED NU 578 APPROVED EXAM 2 |GUARANTEED
PASS A+ |JUST RELEASED
Question 1
A patient is prescribed a loop diuretic for heart failure. The NP knows that the
primary site of action for this medication is the:
A. Proximal convoluted tubule
B. Loop of Henle
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Collecting duct
Correct Answer: B. Loop of Henle
Rationale: Loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide) act on the ascending limb of the loop
of Henle, where they inhibit the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter. This leads to a
significant increase in urine output by preventing the reabsorption of these ions.
Other diuretics act at different nephron sites: thiazides act on the distal convoluted
tubule, and potassium-sparing diuretics act on the collecting duct.
Question 2
A patient with hypertension is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the NP monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypercalcemia
,Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics promote potassium excretion in the distal convoluted
tubule. This can lead to hypokalemia, which may cause muscle weakness, cardiac
arrhythmias, and other complications. Electrolyte monitoring is essential in
patients taking thiazides .
Question 3
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that acts by:
A. Blocking aldosterone receptors
B. Inhibiting carbonic anhydrase
C. Blocking the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter
D. Inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
Correct Answer: A. Blocking aldosterone receptors
Rationale: Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist that competes with
aldosterone for receptor sites in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct.
This prevents sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion, making it a
potassium-sparing diuretic. It is used in heart failure, hypertension, and ascites.
Question 4
A patient is prescribed furosemide and digoxin. Which of the following is the most
important monitoring parameter?
A. Serum magnesium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum sodium
D. Serum calcium
Correct Answer: B. Serum potassium
,Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. Digoxin toxicity is potentiated by low potassium levels because
hypokalemia enhances the binding of digoxin to cardiac Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase.
Potassium levels should be monitored closely and maintained within normal range.
Question 5
A patient with heart failure is prescribed a combination of hydralazine and
isosorbide dinitrate. This combination is particularly beneficial for which patient
population?
A. Caucasian patients
B. African American patients
C. Asian patients
D. Hispanic patients
Correct Answer: B. African American patients
Rationale: The combination of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate has been
shown to significantly improve outcomes in African American patients with heart
failure. The A-HeFT trial demonstrated reduced mortality and hospitalization in
this population. This combination is recommended as an adjunct to standard
therapy.
Question 6
Which of the following beta-blockers is most cardioselective?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Carvedilol
D. Labetalol
Correct Answer: B. Metoprolol
, Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, meaning it primarily
blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart with less effect on beta-2 receptors in the lungs.
Propranolol is non-selective, and carvedilol and labetalol are non-selective with
alpha-blocking activity .
Question 7
A patient with asthma is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which beta-blocker should be
avoided?
A. Atenolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Propranolol
D. Bisoprolol
Correct Answer: C. Propranolol
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that blocks both beta-1 and
beta-2 receptors. Blockade of beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause
bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous in patients with asthma. Cardioselective
agents are preferred but should still be used with caution.
Question 8
The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who is prescribed carvedilol.
The NP should monitor for which adverse effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Hypotension
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bronchodilation
Correct Answer: B. Hypotension
Rationale: Carvedilol is a non-selective beta-blocker with alpha-blocking
properties. It can cause significant hypotension, especially upon initiation or dose
