, NUR 210 Exam 4 – Pharmacology –
Actual Questions & Answers (GCN) 100%
Guarantee Pass
Q1. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
patient with heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates an increased risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
C. Heart rate 72 bpm
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L)
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Signs of digoxin
toxicity include nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances
(yellow-green halos), and cardiac arrhythmias. Electrolyte
imbalances must be corrected before administration.
,Q2. A patient with symptomatic bradycardia is given
atropine. What is the mechanism of action?
A. Beta-1 receptor stimulation
B. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor blockade
C. Alpha-1 receptor stimulation
D. Beta-2 receptor stimulation
Correct Answer: B. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
blockade
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that
blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing
parasympathetic (vagal) tone on the heart. This increases
heart rate. It does not stimulate beta or alpha receptors.
Q3. A patient with asthma is prescribed a non-selective
beta-blocker for hypertension. The nurse should question
this order because non-selective beta-blockers can cause:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bronchospasm
C. Increased heart rate
D. Diarrhea
, Correct Answer: B. Bronchospasm
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol)
block beta-2 receptors in the lungs, causing
bronchoconstriction. This is dangerous in patients with
asthma or COPD. Cardioselective beta-blockers (e.g.,
metoprolol) are preferred but still used with caution.
Q4. A patient receiving an albuterol nebulizer treatment
reports feeling shaky and having a rapid heartbeat. The
nurse explains these effects are due to:
A. Allergic reaction
B. Beta-2 agonist activity with some beta-1 stimulation
C. Parasympathetic activation
D. Histamine release
Correct Answer: B. Beta-2 agonist activity with some
beta-1 stimulation
Rationale: Albuterol is primarily a beta-2 agonist causing
bronchodilation, but it is not completely selective. At
Actual Questions & Answers (GCN) 100%
Guarantee Pass
Q1. The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
patient with heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates an increased risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum sodium 140 mEq/L
C. Heart rate 72 bpm
D. Blood pressure 118/76 mmHg
Correct Answer: A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (potassium <3.5 mEq/L)
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Signs of digoxin
toxicity include nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances
(yellow-green halos), and cardiac arrhythmias. Electrolyte
imbalances must be corrected before administration.
,Q2. A patient with symptomatic bradycardia is given
atropine. What is the mechanism of action?
A. Beta-1 receptor stimulation
B. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor blockade
C. Alpha-1 receptor stimulation
D. Beta-2 receptor stimulation
Correct Answer: B. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor
blockade
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that
blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing
parasympathetic (vagal) tone on the heart. This increases
heart rate. It does not stimulate beta or alpha receptors.
Q3. A patient with asthma is prescribed a non-selective
beta-blocker for hypertension. The nurse should question
this order because non-selective beta-blockers can cause:
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bronchospasm
C. Increased heart rate
D. Diarrhea
, Correct Answer: B. Bronchospasm
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol)
block beta-2 receptors in the lungs, causing
bronchoconstriction. This is dangerous in patients with
asthma or COPD. Cardioselective beta-blockers (e.g.,
metoprolol) are preferred but still used with caution.
Q4. A patient receiving an albuterol nebulizer treatment
reports feeling shaky and having a rapid heartbeat. The
nurse explains these effects are due to:
A. Allergic reaction
B. Beta-2 agonist activity with some beta-1 stimulation
C. Parasympathetic activation
D. Histamine release
Correct Answer: B. Beta-2 agonist activity with some
beta-1 stimulation
Rationale: Albuterol is primarily a beta-2 agonist causing
bronchodilation, but it is not completely selective. At
