PHARM 102 Final Exam Questions and
Answers
The nurse is teaching a patient about taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
"I may need extra sodium while taking this drug."
"I should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while taking this medication."
"I should get up from a bed or chair slowly when I'm on this medication."
"I will take the medication in the morning." - ANS-"I may need extra sodium while taking
this drug"
Which laboratory value will the nurse report to the health care provider as a potential
adverse response to hydrochlorothiazide?
Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL
Elevated creatinine
Potassium 5.5 mEq/L - ANS-Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin. Which
potential electrolyte imbalance will the nurse monitor for in this patient?
Hyperkalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia - ANS-Hypokalemia
The nurse is preparing to administer doses of hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin to a
patient who has heart failure.. The nurse notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute. The
patient reports nausea and visual disturbances. Which action will the nurse take?
Administer the medications and request an order for serum electrolytes.
Give both medications and evaluate serum blood glucose frequently.
Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
Hold the hydrochlorothiazide and notify the provider - ANS-Hold digoxin and notify the
provider
The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg to a
patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg. The nurse notes that the patient
,had a urine output in the past 12 hours that is below normal. The nurse will perform
which action?
Administer the medication as ordered.
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine.
Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication. - ANS-Hold the
medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving furosemide (Lasix) and an
aminoglycoside antibiotic. The nurse will be most concerned if the patient reports which
symptom?
Dry mouth
Dysuria
Nausea
Tinnitus - ANS-Tinnitus
A patient with acute pulmonary edema is receiving furosemide (Lasix). What
assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the intervention is working?
Potassium level decreased from 4.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Improvement in mental status
Normal lung sounds and decrease in dyspnea
Urine output 30 ml/hour - ANS-Normal lung sounds and decrease in dyspnea
Which statement will the nurse include when teaching a patient about loop (high-ceiling)
diuretics?
Take the medication at bedtime.
Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rise slowly from a lying or sitting to standing position to prevent dizziness.
Avoid excessive fruit and vegetables in the diet. - ANS-Rise slowly from a lying or sitting
to a standing position to prevent dizziness
A patient has been taking spironolactone to treat heart failure. The nurse will monitor for
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypoglycemia - ANS-Hyperkalemia
What is the best information for the nurse to provide to the patient who is receiving
spironolactone and furosemide (Lasix) therapy?
"Moderate doses of two different diuretics are more effective than a large dose of one."
, "This combination prevents dehydration."
"Using two drugs is necessary to increase your urine output sufficiently.""
"This combination promotes diuresis but decreases the risk of hypokalemia." -
ANS-"This combination promotes diuresis but decreases the risk of hypokalemia"
What intervention will the nurse perform when monitoring a patient receiving
spironolactone?
Assess urinary output every other day.
Monitor for the adverse effect of hypoglycemia.
Assess sodium levels.
Monitor for hyperkalemia. - ANS-Monitor for hyperkalemia
Which assessment indicates to the nurse the therapeutic effect of mannitol has been
achieved?
Decrease intracranial pressure
Decrease urine output
Increased urine concentration
Decrease blood pressure - ANS-Decrease intracranial pressure
The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient who will begin taking metoprolol to
treat hypertension. The nurse learns that the patient has a history of asthma and
diabetes. The nurse will take which action?
Administer the medication and monitor the patient's serum glucose.
Contact the provider to discuss another type antihypertensive medication.
Request an order for spirometry testing prior to administering this drug.
Teach the patient about stress reduction techniques. - ANS-Contact the provider to
discuss another type of antihypertensive medication
A patient has recently begun taking captopril to treat hypertension. Which adverse
effects should the nurse be aware of and assess for?
Bradycardia
Hypertension
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia - ANS-Hyperkalemia
A patient reports that they have stopped taking one of their blood pressure medications
because of side effects. Which class of medication should the nurse be concerned
about because of the risk of rebound hypertension?
Calcium channel blocker
ACE inhibitor
Alpha blocker
Answers
The nurse is teaching a patient about taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
"I may need extra sodium while taking this drug."
"I should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables while taking this medication."
"I should get up from a bed or chair slowly when I'm on this medication."
"I will take the medication in the morning." - ANS-"I may need extra sodium while taking
this drug"
Which laboratory value will the nurse report to the health care provider as a potential
adverse response to hydrochlorothiazide?
Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL
Elevated creatinine
Potassium 5.5 mEq/L - ANS-Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin. Which
potential electrolyte imbalance will the nurse monitor for in this patient?
Hyperkalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia - ANS-Hypokalemia
The nurse is preparing to administer doses of hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin to a
patient who has heart failure.. The nurse notes a heart rate of 60 beats per minute. The
patient reports nausea and visual disturbances. Which action will the nurse take?
Administer the medications and request an order for serum electrolytes.
Give both medications and evaluate serum blood glucose frequently.
Hold the digoxin and notify the provider
Hold the hydrochlorothiazide and notify the provider - ANS-Hold digoxin and notify the
provider
The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg to a
patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mm Hg. The nurse notes that the patient
,had a urine output in the past 12 hours that is below normal. The nurse will perform
which action?
Administer the medication as ordered.
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine.
Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication. - ANS-Hold the
medication and request an order for serum BUN and creatinine
The nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving furosemide (Lasix) and an
aminoglycoside antibiotic. The nurse will be most concerned if the patient reports which
symptom?
Dry mouth
Dysuria
Nausea
Tinnitus - ANS-Tinnitus
A patient with acute pulmonary edema is receiving furosemide (Lasix). What
assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the intervention is working?
Potassium level decreased from 4.5 to 3.5 mEq/L
Improvement in mental status
Normal lung sounds and decrease in dyspnea
Urine output 30 ml/hour - ANS-Normal lung sounds and decrease in dyspnea
Which statement will the nurse include when teaching a patient about loop (high-ceiling)
diuretics?
Take the medication at bedtime.
Take the medication on an empty stomach.
Rise slowly from a lying or sitting to standing position to prevent dizziness.
Avoid excessive fruit and vegetables in the diet. - ANS-Rise slowly from a lying or sitting
to a standing position to prevent dizziness
A patient has been taking spironolactone to treat heart failure. The nurse will monitor for
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypoglycemia - ANS-Hyperkalemia
What is the best information for the nurse to provide to the patient who is receiving
spironolactone and furosemide (Lasix) therapy?
"Moderate doses of two different diuretics are more effective than a large dose of one."
, "This combination prevents dehydration."
"Using two drugs is necessary to increase your urine output sufficiently.""
"This combination promotes diuresis but decreases the risk of hypokalemia." -
ANS-"This combination promotes diuresis but decreases the risk of hypokalemia"
What intervention will the nurse perform when monitoring a patient receiving
spironolactone?
Assess urinary output every other day.
Monitor for the adverse effect of hypoglycemia.
Assess sodium levels.
Monitor for hyperkalemia. - ANS-Monitor for hyperkalemia
Which assessment indicates to the nurse the therapeutic effect of mannitol has been
achieved?
Decrease intracranial pressure
Decrease urine output
Increased urine concentration
Decrease blood pressure - ANS-Decrease intracranial pressure
The nurse is performing an assessment on a patient who will begin taking metoprolol to
treat hypertension. The nurse learns that the patient has a history of asthma and
diabetes. The nurse will take which action?
Administer the medication and monitor the patient's serum glucose.
Contact the provider to discuss another type antihypertensive medication.
Request an order for spirometry testing prior to administering this drug.
Teach the patient about stress reduction techniques. - ANS-Contact the provider to
discuss another type of antihypertensive medication
A patient has recently begun taking captopril to treat hypertension. Which adverse
effects should the nurse be aware of and assess for?
Bradycardia
Hypertension
Hypokalemia
Hyperkalemia - ANS-Hyperkalemia
A patient reports that they have stopped taking one of their blood pressure medications
because of side effects. Which class of medication should the nurse be concerned
about because of the risk of rebound hypertension?
Calcium channel blocker
ACE inhibitor
Alpha blocker
