NEW RELIAS RN PHARMACOLOGY – TEST A EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
Question 1
A patient receiving IV morphine develops a respiratory rate of 8/min. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Apply oxygen
B. Stop the infusion
C. Administer naloxone
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is the
priority intervention.
Question 2
Which medication requires monitoring of INR levels?
A. Heparin
B. Apixaban
C. Warfarin
D. Enoxaparin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using INR to assess anticoagulation
effectiveness and bleeding risk.
,Question 3
A patient taking lisinopril develops facial swelling and difficulty breathing. What
is the cause?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Angioedema
C. Fluid overload
D. Allergic dermatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema, a life-threatening adverse effect
requiring immediate intervention.
Question 4
Which medication should be held if the patient’s potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L?
A. Furosemide
B. Spironolactone
C. Insulin
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing and can worsen hyperkalemia.
Question 5
A patient on digoxin reports nausea and blurred yellow vision. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Administer antiemetic
B. Check serum digoxin level
C. Hold next dose and notify provider
D. Encourage oral fluids
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances and GI symptoms indicate digoxin toxicity and
require holding the medication.
Question 6
Which medication requires continuous ECG monitoring during IV
administration?
A. Metoprolol
B. Amiodarone
C. Furosemide
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IV amiodarone can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias and QT
prolongation.
Question 7
A patient receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and hypotension. What is the
cause?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C. Red man syndrome
D. Nephrotoxicity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid vancomycin infusion can cause histamine-mediated red man
syndrome.
, Question 8
Which lab value must be monitored closely in a patient receiving heparin?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, requiring
platelet monitoring.
Question 9
Which medication is an antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepine effects.
Question 10
A patient taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with contrast. What is the
priority action?
A. Continue metformin
B. Increase fluid intake only
C. Hold metformin before and after procedure
D. Administer insulin instead
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held due to risk of lactic acidosis with contrast
exposure.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
Question 1
A patient receiving IV morphine develops a respiratory rate of 8/min. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Apply oxygen
B. Stop the infusion
C. Administer naloxone
D. Notify the provider
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is the
priority intervention.
Question 2
Which medication requires monitoring of INR levels?
A. Heparin
B. Apixaban
C. Warfarin
D. Enoxaparin
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using INR to assess anticoagulation
effectiveness and bleeding risk.
,Question 3
A patient taking lisinopril develops facial swelling and difficulty breathing. What
is the cause?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Angioedema
C. Fluid overload
D. Allergic dermatitis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema, a life-threatening adverse effect
requiring immediate intervention.
Question 4
Which medication should be held if the patient’s potassium level is 5.8 mEq/L?
A. Furosemide
B. Spironolactone
C. Insulin
D. Albuterol
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing and can worsen hyperkalemia.
Question 5
A patient on digoxin reports nausea and blurred yellow vision. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Administer antiemetic
B. Check serum digoxin level
C. Hold next dose and notify provider
D. Encourage oral fluids
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Visual disturbances and GI symptoms indicate digoxin toxicity and
require holding the medication.
Question 6
Which medication requires continuous ECG monitoring during IV
administration?
A. Metoprolol
B. Amiodarone
C. Furosemide
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IV amiodarone can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias and QT
prolongation.
Question 7
A patient receiving IV vancomycin develops flushing and hypotension. What is the
cause?
A. Anaphylaxis
B. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
C. Red man syndrome
D. Nephrotoxicity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rapid vancomycin infusion can cause histamine-mediated red man
syndrome.
, Question 8
Which lab value must be monitored closely in a patient receiving heparin?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Sodium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Heparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, requiring
platelet monitoring.
Question 9
Which medication is an antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Flumazenil reverses benzodiazepine effects.
Question 10
A patient taking metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with contrast. What is the
priority action?
A. Continue metformin
B. Increase fluid intake only
C. Hold metformin before and after procedure
D. Administer insulin instead
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Metformin must be held due to risk of lactic acidosis with contrast
exposure.
