NUR 378 Exam 2 V3 | NUR 378
Pharmacology in Nursing | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NUR378 Exam 2) |
Concordia
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is starting lisinopril for hypertension. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. A persistent, dry cough
B. Occasional nausea
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor which often causes a persistent, non-productive cough due
to the accumulation of bradykinin. This is a common reason for clients to discontinue the
medication and should be reported to the provider. The nurse should explain that this
effect does not typically resolve on its own and may require a switch to an ARB.
2. Before administering digoxin to a client with heart failure, which action must the nurse
perform?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Check the client’s blood pressure
,C. Administer the medication with a high-calcium snack
D. Monitor the client’s respiratory rate
Correct Answer: A
Digoxin has a negative chronotropic effect and can significantly slow the heart rate. The
nurse must assess the apical pulse for 60 seconds and withhold the dose if the heart rate is
below 60 beats per minute in an adult. This safety measure prevents the administration of
the drug during potential bradycardic toxicity.
3. A client is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for stable angina. Which instruction is vital for
the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?
A. Keep the tablets in their original dark glass bottle
B. Take one tablet every 15 minutes up to 5 doses
C. Discard the medication if it causes a tingling sensation
D. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
Correct Answer: A
Nitroglycerin is highly sensitive to light and heat and must be kept in its original dark
glass container to maintain potency. Clients should be taught to take one tablet every 5
minutes for chest pain, up to a maximum of 3 doses. A tingling sensation under the tongue
actually indicates that the medication is fresh and active.
, 4. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client taking atorvastatin. Which lab value is the
priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: C
Statins like atorvastatin are metabolized in the liver and can cause hepatotoxicity.
Baseline and periodic liver function tests, such as ALT and AST, are essential for monitoring
the client’s safety. The nurse should also instruct the client to report any unexplained
muscle pain or tea-colored urine.
5. A client with a history of heart failure is taking metoprolol. Which of the following is a
primary goal of this therapy?
A. To reduce the workload on the heart
B. To increase the heart rate during exercise
C. To increase the force of myocardial contraction
D. To promote the excretion of excess fluid
Correct Answer: A
Pharmacology in Nursing | Actual Q&A
with Rationale (NUR378 Exam 2) |
Concordia
1. A nurse is caring for a client who is starting lisinopril for hypertension. Which of the
following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. A persistent, dry cough
B. Occasional nausea
C. Increased appetite
D. Decreased heart rate
Correct Answer: A
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor which often causes a persistent, non-productive cough due
to the accumulation of bradykinin. This is a common reason for clients to discontinue the
medication and should be reported to the provider. The nurse should explain that this
effect does not typically resolve on its own and may require a switch to an ARB.
2. Before administering digoxin to a client with heart failure, which action must the nurse
perform?
A. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute
B. Check the client’s blood pressure
,C. Administer the medication with a high-calcium snack
D. Monitor the client’s respiratory rate
Correct Answer: A
Digoxin has a negative chronotropic effect and can significantly slow the heart rate. The
nurse must assess the apical pulse for 60 seconds and withhold the dose if the heart rate is
below 60 beats per minute in an adult. This safety measure prevents the administration of
the drug during potential bradycardic toxicity.
3. A client is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for stable angina. Which instruction is vital for
the nurse to include in the discharge teaching?
A. Keep the tablets in their original dark glass bottle
B. Take one tablet every 15 minutes up to 5 doses
C. Discard the medication if it causes a tingling sensation
D. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
Correct Answer: A
Nitroglycerin is highly sensitive to light and heat and must be kept in its original dark
glass container to maintain potency. Clients should be taught to take one tablet every 5
minutes for chest pain, up to a maximum of 3 doses. A tingling sensation under the tongue
actually indicates that the medication is fresh and active.
, 4. A nurse is reviewing the lab results of a client taking atorvastatin. Which lab value is the
priority for the nurse to monitor?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: C
Statins like atorvastatin are metabolized in the liver and can cause hepatotoxicity.
Baseline and periodic liver function tests, such as ALT and AST, are essential for monitoring
the client’s safety. The nurse should also instruct the client to report any unexplained
muscle pain or tea-colored urine.
5. A client with a history of heart failure is taking metoprolol. Which of the following is a
primary goal of this therapy?
A. To reduce the workload on the heart
B. To increase the heart rate during exercise
C. To increase the force of myocardial contraction
D. To promote the excretion of excess fluid
Correct Answer: A
