,NUR210/NUR 210 Exam 3 | Principles of Pharmacology
| Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks the nurse about lifestyle modifications to help
control blood pressure. Which response by the nurse is correct?**
A) "Increase your intake of saturated fats to help lower cholesterol."
B) "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
C) "Drinking alcohol will help you relax and lower your blood pressure."
D) "You only need to take medication; lifestyle changes are not effective."
Correct Answer: "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
Rationale: Non-pharmacologic management of hypertension includes salt restriction, exercise, stress
reduction techniques, decreased alcohol ingestion, and smoking cessation. A low-sodium diet and
regular physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure.
**2. The nurse is teaching a patient about antihypertensive therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?**
A) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C) "I can skip my medication if I don't have any symptoms."
D) "I can take over-the-counter cold medications without consulting my provider."
Correct Answer: "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications should not be stopped abruptly, as this can cause rebound
hypertension. Patients should be taught to taper off the medication under the supervision of their
healthcare provider.
**3. The nurse is teaching a patient about ACE inhibitors. Which statement by the patient indicates
correct understanding?**
,A) "I should avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
B) "I can use salt substitutes freely while taking this medication."
C) "I should increase my potassium intake."
D) "I can take this medication with NSAIDs."
Correct Answer: "I should avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia. Patients should avoid salt substitutes containing
potassium and potassium supplements. Potassium levels should be monitored regularly.
**4. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse teach the patient to report?**
A) Dry cough
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Dry cough
Rationale: A persistent, dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) due to
the accumulation of bradykinin. If the cough becomes bothersome, the provider may switch to an ARB.
**5. A patient is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that this medication is
classified as a:**
A) Beta-1 selective blocker
B) Nonselective beta-blocker
C) Alpha-1 blocker
D) Calcium channel blocker
Correct Answer: Beta-1 selective blocker
, Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker that primarily affects the heart (beta-1
receptors). Beta-blockers typically end in "-olol".
**6. Which assessment finding in a patient taking propranolol would the nurse report immediately?**
A) Heart rate of 60 beats/min
B) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
C) Wheezing and shortness of breath
D) Mild headache
Correct Answer: Wheezing and shortness of breath
Rationale: Nonselective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, which
can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs. Wheezing and shortness of
breath indicate bronchospasm and require immediate intervention.
**7. Which of the following is a potassium-wasting diuretic?**
A) Spironolactone
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Triamterene
D) Amiloride
Correct Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that causes potassium wasting (hypokalemia).
Spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride are potassium-sparing diuretics.
**8. A patient taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?**
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
| Galen College | Q & A | 2026/2027 Edition (PDF)
**1. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks the nurse about lifestyle modifications to help
control blood pressure. Which response by the nurse is correct?**
A) "Increase your intake of saturated fats to help lower cholesterol."
B) "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
C) "Drinking alcohol will help you relax and lower your blood pressure."
D) "You only need to take medication; lifestyle changes are not effective."
Correct Answer: "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
Rationale: Non-pharmacologic management of hypertension includes salt restriction, exercise, stress
reduction techniques, decreased alcohol ingestion, and smoking cessation. A low-sodium diet and
regular physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure.
**2. The nurse is teaching a patient about antihypertensive therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?**
A) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C) "I can skip my medication if I don't have any symptoms."
D) "I can take over-the-counter cold medications without consulting my provider."
Correct Answer: "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications should not be stopped abruptly, as this can cause rebound
hypertension. Patients should be taught to taper off the medication under the supervision of their
healthcare provider.
**3. The nurse is teaching a patient about ACE inhibitors. Which statement by the patient indicates
correct understanding?**
,A) "I should avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
B) "I can use salt substitutes freely while taking this medication."
C) "I should increase my potassium intake."
D) "I can take this medication with NSAIDs."
Correct Answer: "I should avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia. Patients should avoid salt substitutes containing
potassium and potassium supplements. Potassium levels should be monitored regularly.
**4. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. Which side effect should the nurse teach the patient to report?**
A) Dry cough
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Dry cough
Rationale: A persistent, dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) due to
the accumulation of bradykinin. If the cough becomes bothersome, the provider may switch to an ARB.
**5. A patient is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that this medication is
classified as a:**
A) Beta-1 selective blocker
B) Nonselective beta-blocker
C) Alpha-1 blocker
D) Calcium channel blocker
Correct Answer: Beta-1 selective blocker
, Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker that primarily affects the heart (beta-1
receptors). Beta-blockers typically end in "-olol".
**6. Which assessment finding in a patient taking propranolol would the nurse report immediately?**
A) Heart rate of 60 beats/min
B) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
C) Wheezing and shortness of breath
D) Mild headache
Correct Answer: Wheezing and shortness of breath
Rationale: Nonselective beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol) block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, which
can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2 receptors in the lungs. Wheezing and shortness of
breath indicate bronchospasm and require immediate intervention.
**7. Which of the following is a potassium-wasting diuretic?**
A) Spironolactone
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Triamterene
D) Amiloride
Correct Answer: Hydrochlorothiazide
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that causes potassium wasting (hypokalemia).
Spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride are potassium-sparing diuretics.
**8. A patient taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?**
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
