PHARMACOLOGY CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS
NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAMINATION
PREPARATION, REVIEW, PRACTICE, AND
SUCCESS
QUESTION:
A newly admitted client takes digoxin 0.25 mg/day. The nurse knows that which is
the serum therapeutic range for digoxin?
Answer: b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL -
a. 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
c. 1.0 to 2.5 ng/mL
d. 2.0 to 4.0 ng/mL
QUESTION:
The client's serum digoxin level is 3.0 ng/mL. What does the nurse know about this
serum digoxin level?
Answer: a. It is in the high (elevated) range. -
a. It is in the high (elevated) range.
b. It is in the low (decreased) range.
c. It is within the normal range.
d. It is in the low average range.
QUESTION:
The nurse is assessing the client for possible evidence of digitalis toxicity. The nurse
acknowledges that which is included in the signs and symptoms for digitalis toxicity?
Answer: d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate -
a. Pulse (heart) rate of 100 beats/min
b. Pulse of 72 with an irregular rate
c. Pulse greater than 60 beats/min and irregular rate
,d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
QUESTION:
The client is also taking a diuretic that decreases her potassium level. The nurse
expects that a low potassium level (hypokalemia) could have what effect on the
digoxin?
Answer: a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level -
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
b. Decrease the serum digoxin sensitivity level
c. Not have any effect on the serum digoxin sensitivity level
d. Cause a low average serum digoxin sensitivity level
QUESTION:
When a client first takes a nitrate, the nurse expects which symptom that often
occurs?
Answer: b. Headaches -
a. Nausea and vomiting
b. Headaches
c. Stomach cramps
d. Irregular pulse rate
QUESTION:
The nurse acknowledges that beta blockers are as effective as antianginals because
they do what?
Answer: c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contractility. -
a. Increase oxygen to the systemic circulation.
b. Maintain heart rate and blood pressure.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contractility.
d. Decrease heart rate and increase myocardial contractility.
QUESTION:
The health care provider is planning to discontinue a client's beta blocker. What
instruction should the nurse give the client regarding the beta blocker?
,Answer: b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered
down. -
a. The beta blocker should be abruptly stopped when another cardiac drug is prescribed.
b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered down.
c. The beta blocker dose should be maintained while taking another antianginal drug.
d. Half the beta blocker dose should be taken for the next several weeks.
QUESTION:
The beta blocker acebutolol (Sectral) is prescribed for dysrhythmias. The nurse
knows that what is the primary purpose of the drug?
Answer: c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues -
a. To increase the beta1 and beta2 receptors in the cardiac tissues
b. To increase the flow of oxygen to the cardiac tissues
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues
d. To block the beta2-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues
QUESTION:
A client is to be discharged home with a transdermal nitroglycerin patch. Which
instruction will the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
Answer: a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso or arm." -
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso or arm."
b. "Apply the patch to the same site each day."
c. "If you have a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours and then reapply."
d. "If you have chest pain, apply a second patch next to the first patch."
QUESTION:
A nurse is monitoring a client with angina for therapeutic effects of nitroglycerin.
Which assessment finding indicates that the nitroglycerin has been effective?
Answer: d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10 -
a. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
b. Heart rate 70 beats per minute
c. ECG without evidence of ST changes
, d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
QUESTION:
The nurse is monitoring a client during IV nitroglycerin infusion. Which assessment
finding will cause the nurse to take action?
Answer: d. Chest pain -
a. Blood pressure 110/90 mm Hg
b. Flushing
c. Headache
d. Chest pain
QUESTION:
Which statement made by the client demonstrates a need for further instruction
regarding the use of nitroglycerin?
Answer: d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for chest pain if necessary." -
a. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking nitroglycerin and use Tylenol for pain relief."
b. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting dizzy."
d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for chest pain if necessary."
QUESTION:
Which client assessment would assist the nurse in evaluating therapeutic effects of a
calcium channel blocker?
Answer: a. Client states that she has no chest pain. -
a. Client states that she has no chest pain.
b. Client states that the swelling in her feet is reduced.
c. Client states the she does not feel dizzy.
d. Client states that she feels stronger.
QUESTION:
What statement is the most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan for
a client who has started on a transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
Answer: d. "This medication will work for 24 hours and you will need to change the patch
daily." -
NCLEX QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR
COMPREHENSIVE NURSING EXAMINATION
PREPARATION, REVIEW, PRACTICE, AND
SUCCESS
QUESTION:
A newly admitted client takes digoxin 0.25 mg/day. The nurse knows that which is
the serum therapeutic range for digoxin?
Answer: b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL -
a. 0.1 to 1.5 ng/mL
b. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
c. 1.0 to 2.5 ng/mL
d. 2.0 to 4.0 ng/mL
QUESTION:
The client's serum digoxin level is 3.0 ng/mL. What does the nurse know about this
serum digoxin level?
Answer: a. It is in the high (elevated) range. -
a. It is in the high (elevated) range.
b. It is in the low (decreased) range.
c. It is within the normal range.
d. It is in the low average range.
QUESTION:
The nurse is assessing the client for possible evidence of digitalis toxicity. The nurse
acknowledges that which is included in the signs and symptoms for digitalis toxicity?
Answer: d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate -
a. Pulse (heart) rate of 100 beats/min
b. Pulse of 72 with an irregular rate
c. Pulse greater than 60 beats/min and irregular rate
,d. Pulse below 60 beats/min and irregular rate
QUESTION:
The client is also taking a diuretic that decreases her potassium level. The nurse
expects that a low potassium level (hypokalemia) could have what effect on the
digoxin?
Answer: a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level -
a. Increase the serum digoxin sensitivity level
b. Decrease the serum digoxin sensitivity level
c. Not have any effect on the serum digoxin sensitivity level
d. Cause a low average serum digoxin sensitivity level
QUESTION:
When a client first takes a nitrate, the nurse expects which symptom that often
occurs?
Answer: b. Headaches -
a. Nausea and vomiting
b. Headaches
c. Stomach cramps
d. Irregular pulse rate
QUESTION:
The nurse acknowledges that beta blockers are as effective as antianginals because
they do what?
Answer: c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contractility. -
a. Increase oxygen to the systemic circulation.
b. Maintain heart rate and blood pressure.
c. Decrease heart rate and decrease myocardial contractility.
d. Decrease heart rate and increase myocardial contractility.
QUESTION:
The health care provider is planning to discontinue a client's beta blocker. What
instruction should the nurse give the client regarding the beta blocker?
,Answer: b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered
down. -
a. The beta blocker should be abruptly stopped when another cardiac drug is prescribed.
b. The beta blocker should NOT be abruptly stopped; the dose should be tapered down.
c. The beta blocker dose should be maintained while taking another antianginal drug.
d. Half the beta blocker dose should be taken for the next several weeks.
QUESTION:
The beta blocker acebutolol (Sectral) is prescribed for dysrhythmias. The nurse
knows that what is the primary purpose of the drug?
Answer: c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues -
a. To increase the beta1 and beta2 receptors in the cardiac tissues
b. To increase the flow of oxygen to the cardiac tissues
c. To block the beta1-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues
d. To block the beta2-adrenergic receptors in the cardiac tissues
QUESTION:
A client is to be discharged home with a transdermal nitroglycerin patch. Which
instruction will the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
Answer: a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso or arm." -
a. "Apply the patch to a nonhairy area of the upper torso or arm."
b. "Apply the patch to the same site each day."
c. "If you have a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours and then reapply."
d. "If you have chest pain, apply a second patch next to the first patch."
QUESTION:
A nurse is monitoring a client with angina for therapeutic effects of nitroglycerin.
Which assessment finding indicates that the nitroglycerin has been effective?
Answer: d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10 -
a. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
b. Heart rate 70 beats per minute
c. ECG without evidence of ST changes
, d. Client stating that pain is 0 out of 10
QUESTION:
The nurse is monitoring a client during IV nitroglycerin infusion. Which assessment
finding will cause the nurse to take action?
Answer: d. Chest pain -
a. Blood pressure 110/90 mm Hg
b. Flushing
c. Headache
d. Chest pain
QUESTION:
Which statement made by the client demonstrates a need for further instruction
regarding the use of nitroglycerin?
Answer: d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for chest pain if necessary." -
a. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking nitroglycerin and use Tylenol for pain relief."
b. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting dizzy."
d. "I can take up to five tablets at 3-minute intervals for chest pain if necessary."
QUESTION:
Which client assessment would assist the nurse in evaluating therapeutic effects of a
calcium channel blocker?
Answer: a. Client states that she has no chest pain. -
a. Client states that she has no chest pain.
b. Client states that the swelling in her feet is reduced.
c. Client states the she does not feel dizzy.
d. Client states that she feels stronger.
QUESTION:
What statement is the most important for the nurse to include in the teaching plan for
a client who has started on a transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
Answer: d. "This medication will work for 24 hours and you will need to change the patch
daily." -
