PHARMACOLOGY NURS 251 MODULE 1-
10 ADVANCED COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
1. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the following
beta-adrenergic blockers should the nurse anticipate being contraindicated for this patient?
A. Propranolol
B. Atenolol
C. Metoprolol
D. Esmolol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that antagonizes
both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors. Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause
bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for patients with asthma. Metoprolol and Atenolol
are cardioselective (Beta-1).
2. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If a patient receives a single dose of 400 mg at 08:00,
approximately how much of the drug will remain in the patient’s system at 08:00 the
following day?
A. 100 mg
, B. 50 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: 24 hours constitutes 4 half-lives (24/6 = 4). After 1st half-life:
200mg; 2nd: 100mg; 3rd: 50mg; 4th: 25mg.
3. When administering the cardiac glycoside Digoxin, the nurse must monitor for toxicity.
Which electrolyte imbalance significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity because digoxin normally competes with potassium for the same binding site on
the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
10 ADVANCED COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
1. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which of the following
beta-adrenergic blockers should the nurse anticipate being contraindicated for this patient?
A. Propranolol
B. Atenolol
C. Metoprolol
D. Esmolol
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that antagonizes
both Beta-1 and Beta-2 receptors. Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs can cause
bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for patients with asthma. Metoprolol and Atenolol
are cardioselective (Beta-1).
2. A drug has a half-life of 6 hours. If a patient receives a single dose of 400 mg at 08:00,
approximately how much of the drug will remain in the patient’s system at 08:00 the
following day?
A. 100 mg
, B. 50 mg
C. 25 mg
D. 12.5 mg
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: 24 hours constitutes 4 half-lives (24/6 = 4). After 1st half-life:
200mg; 2nd: 100mg; 3rd: 50mg; 4th: 25mg.
3. When administering the cardiac glycoside Digoxin, the nurse must monitor for toxicity.
Which electrolyte imbalance significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity because digoxin normally competes with potassium for the same binding site on
the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
