Medical-Surgical Pharmacology Exam Prep
(2026/2027) Questions with Verified Answers | 100%
Accuracy | Nursing Pharmacology Certification |
Graded A+
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding
indicates a potential toxic effect of this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachycardia
C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
D. Hyperkalemia
2. A nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with pulmonary edema.
Which electrolyte imbalance is a primary concern with this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia (While possible, hypokalemia is the most common and dangerous with
loop diuretics)
D. Hypercalcemia
3. A patient is prescribed lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Which adverse effect requires
the patient to be educated to report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Angioedema (swelling of the face/lips/tongue)
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dizziness
4. A patient on amlodipine (Norvasc) reports swelling in their ankles. The nurse
understands this is a common side effect of which classification?
,A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Nitrates
5. A patient with angina is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. The nurse instructs
the patient to take the medication at the onset of chest pain and to call 911 if pain
is not relieved after:
A. 1 tablet in 5 minutes
B. 3 tablets in 5 minutes
C. 1 tablet in 5 minutes, up to 3 tablets total
D. 2 tablets in 10 minutes
6. A patient taking metoprolol (Lopressor) has an apical pulse of 52 bpm. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Administer atropine to increase heart rate
C. Hold the dose and contact the healthcare provider
D. Give half the dose
7. A patient is started on clopidogrel (Plavix) after a stent placement. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. To dissolve existing clots
B. To prevent platelet aggregation
C. To vasodilate coronary arteries
D. To lower LDL cholesterol
8. A patient on warfarin (Coumadin) has an INR of 4.5. The nurse should anticipate
an order for:
A. An increased dose of warfarin
B. Vitamin K (phytonadione)
, C. Protamine sulfate
D. Heparin infusion
9. A patient with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which
baseline lab value is most important to assess before starting this medication?
A. BUN and Creatinine
B. Liver function tests (AST, ALT)
C. Complete blood count (CBC)
D. Serum Potassium
10. The antidote for heparin overdose is:
A. Vitamin K
B. Activated charcoal
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Naloxone
11. A patient is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone), a potassium-sparing
diuretic. Which finding indicates a desired therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased potassium levels
B. Reduction in edema without severe potassium loss
C. Increased calcium excretion
D. Decreased urination
12. A patient receiving IV dopamine for cardiogenic shock should be monitored
for which adverse effect?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Cardiac arrhythmias
D. Hypoglycemia
13. A patient with heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg). The nurse
understands this medication is a:
A. Alpha-1 blocker
(2026/2027) Questions with Verified Answers | 100%
Accuracy | Nursing Pharmacology Certification |
Graded A+
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding
indicates a potential toxic effect of this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Tachycardia
C. Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
D. Hyperkalemia
2. A nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with pulmonary edema.
Which electrolyte imbalance is a primary concern with this medication?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia (While possible, hypokalemia is the most common and dangerous with
loop diuretics)
D. Hypercalcemia
3. A patient is prescribed lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor. Which adverse effect requires
the patient to be educated to report immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Angioedema (swelling of the face/lips/tongue)
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Dizziness
4. A patient on amlodipine (Norvasc) reports swelling in their ankles. The nurse
understands this is a common side effect of which classification?
,A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta-blockers
C. Calcium channel blockers
D. Nitrates
5. A patient with angina is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin. The nurse instructs
the patient to take the medication at the onset of chest pain and to call 911 if pain
is not relieved after:
A. 1 tablet in 5 minutes
B. 3 tablets in 5 minutes
C. 1 tablet in 5 minutes, up to 3 tablets total
D. 2 tablets in 10 minutes
6. A patient taking metoprolol (Lopressor) has an apical pulse of 52 bpm. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer the medication as ordered
B. Administer atropine to increase heart rate
C. Hold the dose and contact the healthcare provider
D. Give half the dose
7. A patient is started on clopidogrel (Plavix) after a stent placement. What is the
primary purpose of this medication?
A. To dissolve existing clots
B. To prevent platelet aggregation
C. To vasodilate coronary arteries
D. To lower LDL cholesterol
8. A patient on warfarin (Coumadin) has an INR of 4.5. The nurse should anticipate
an order for:
A. An increased dose of warfarin
B. Vitamin K (phytonadione)
, C. Protamine sulfate
D. Heparin infusion
9. A patient with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which
baseline lab value is most important to assess before starting this medication?
A. BUN and Creatinine
B. Liver function tests (AST, ALT)
C. Complete blood count (CBC)
D. Serum Potassium
10. The antidote for heparin overdose is:
A. Vitamin K
B. Activated charcoal
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Naloxone
11. A patient is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone), a potassium-sparing
diuretic. Which finding indicates a desired therapeutic effect?
A. Decreased potassium levels
B. Reduction in edema without severe potassium loss
C. Increased calcium excretion
D. Decreased urination
12. A patient receiving IV dopamine for cardiogenic shock should be monitored
for which adverse effect?
A. Hypotension
B. Bradycardia
C. Cardiac arrhythmias
D. Hypoglycemia
13. A patient with heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg). The nurse
understands this medication is a:
A. Alpha-1 blocker
