Geneva College NURS 251 Module 3 Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Portage Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. A 70-year-old patient with diabetes has a blood pressure reading of 148/92
mm Hg. According to the classification guidelines, how should this be
categorized?
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated Blood Pressure
C) Stage 1 Hypertension
D) Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 Hypertension
Rationale: For patients with diabetes or kidney disease, hypertension is
defined as a systolic reading greater than 140 mm Hg and diastolic greater
than 90 mm Hg. A reading of 148/92 falls into this category. Stage 1 is 140-
159/90-99 for the general population, but comorbidities lower the threshold
for treatment.
2. The nurse is preparing to take a patient's blood pressure. Which artery is
temporarily occluded by the blood pressure cuff?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Brachial artery
C) Radial artery
D) Carotid artery
Correct Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude the brachial artery in
the arm. The provider then releases the pressure while listening with a
,stethoscope for the Korotkoff sounds. The pulmonary artery is not used for
routine blood pressure measurement.
3. A patient's blood pressure is being measured. The first Korotkoff sound
heard corresponds to which value?
A) Diastolic pressure
B) Mean arterial pressure
C) Systolic pressure
D) Pulse pressure
Correct Answer: Systolic pressure
Rationale: The first Korotkoff sound, heard as the pressure in the cuff is
released, indicates the point at which blood is able to flow through the artery
again. This sound corresponds to the systolic pressure (the top number).
4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between cardiac
output and blood pressure?
A) Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by systemic
vascular resistance
B) Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output divided by systemic
vascular resistance
C) Cardiac output is the only factor that determines blood pressure
D) Cardiac output and blood pressure are unrelated
Correct Answer: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by
systemic vascular resistance
Rationale: Blood pressure is the product of cardiac output (the amount of
blood pumped by the heart) and systemic vascular resistance (the resistance
,to blood flow in the vessels). An increase in either factor will result in a rise in
blood pressure.
5. A patient asks the nurse why their blood pressure is high. The nurse
explains that the kidneys play a role in long-term blood pressure regulation.
Which enzyme do the kidneys release in response to decreased blood flow?
A) Angiotensin II
B) Aldosterone
C) Renin
D) Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
Correct Answer: Renin
Rationale: When blood flow to the kidney decreases, the kidney releases the
enzyme renin. Renin initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS), leading to vasoconstriction and sodium retention, which ultimately
raises blood pressure.
6. Which of the following is a first-line treatment option for hypertension,
according to current guidelines?
A) Beta-blockers
B) ACE inhibitors
C) Alpha agonists
D) Direct vasodilators
Correct Answer: ACE inhibitors
Rationale: First-line treatment options for hypertension include ACE
inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Beta-blockers are
, not considered first-line for the general hypertensive population unless there
is a compelling indication.
7. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should monitor the patient for
which common side effect that is specific to ACE inhibitors?
A) Dry cough
B) Hypokalemia
C) Tachycardia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Dry cough
Rationale: A persistent, dry cough is a hallmark side effect of ACE inhibitors,
resulting from the accumulation of bradykinin. This side effect is not seen
with ARBs, making them a suitable alternative for patients who develop a
cough.
8. A patient is started on a new blood pressure medication. The nurse
explains that the drug works by stimulating receptors in the brain to lower
blood pressure. Which drug class is the nurse describing?
A) Beta-blockers
B) Calcium channel blockers
C) Alpha agonists
D) Diuretics
Correct Answer: Alpha agonists
Rationale: Alpha agonists, such as clonidine, work by stimulating alpha-2
receptors in the brain. This reduces sympathetic outflow from the central
Portage Learning Q&A | Pharmacology
1. A 70-year-old patient with diabetes has a blood pressure reading of 148/92
mm Hg. According to the classification guidelines, how should this be
categorized?
A) Normotensive
B) Elevated Blood Pressure
C) Stage 1 Hypertension
D) Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: Stage 2 Hypertension
Rationale: For patients with diabetes or kidney disease, hypertension is
defined as a systolic reading greater than 140 mm Hg and diastolic greater
than 90 mm Hg. A reading of 148/92 falls into this category. Stage 1 is 140-
159/90-99 for the general population, but comorbidities lower the threshold
for treatment.
2. The nurse is preparing to take a patient's blood pressure. Which artery is
temporarily occluded by the blood pressure cuff?
A) Pulmonary artery
B) Brachial artery
C) Radial artery
D) Carotid artery
Correct Answer: Brachial artery
Rationale: The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude the brachial artery in
the arm. The provider then releases the pressure while listening with a
,stethoscope for the Korotkoff sounds. The pulmonary artery is not used for
routine blood pressure measurement.
3. A patient's blood pressure is being measured. The first Korotkoff sound
heard corresponds to which value?
A) Diastolic pressure
B) Mean arterial pressure
C) Systolic pressure
D) Pulse pressure
Correct Answer: Systolic pressure
Rationale: The first Korotkoff sound, heard as the pressure in the cuff is
released, indicates the point at which blood is able to flow through the artery
again. This sound corresponds to the systolic pressure (the top number).
4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between cardiac
output and blood pressure?
A) Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by systemic
vascular resistance
B) Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output divided by systemic
vascular resistance
C) Cardiac output is the only factor that determines blood pressure
D) Cardiac output and blood pressure are unrelated
Correct Answer: Blood pressure is determined by cardiac output multiplied by
systemic vascular resistance
Rationale: Blood pressure is the product of cardiac output (the amount of
blood pumped by the heart) and systemic vascular resistance (the resistance
,to blood flow in the vessels). An increase in either factor will result in a rise in
blood pressure.
5. A patient asks the nurse why their blood pressure is high. The nurse
explains that the kidneys play a role in long-term blood pressure regulation.
Which enzyme do the kidneys release in response to decreased blood flow?
A) Angiotensin II
B) Aldosterone
C) Renin
D) Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
Correct Answer: Renin
Rationale: When blood flow to the kidney decreases, the kidney releases the
enzyme renin. Renin initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS), leading to vasoconstriction and sodium retention, which ultimately
raises blood pressure.
6. Which of the following is a first-line treatment option for hypertension,
according to current guidelines?
A) Beta-blockers
B) ACE inhibitors
C) Alpha agonists
D) Direct vasodilators
Correct Answer: ACE inhibitors
Rationale: First-line treatment options for hypertension include ACE
inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, and calcium channel blockers. Beta-blockers are
, not considered first-line for the general hypertensive population unless there
is a compelling indication.
7. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should monitor the patient for
which common side effect that is specific to ACE inhibitors?
A) Dry cough
B) Hypokalemia
C) Tachycardia
D) Constipation
Correct Answer: Dry cough
Rationale: A persistent, dry cough is a hallmark side effect of ACE inhibitors,
resulting from the accumulation of bradykinin. This side effect is not seen
with ARBs, making them a suitable alternative for patients who develop a
cough.
8. A patient is started on a new blood pressure medication. The nurse
explains that the drug works by stimulating receptors in the brain to lower
blood pressure. Which drug class is the nurse describing?
A) Beta-blockers
B) Calcium channel blockers
C) Alpha agonists
D) Diuretics
Correct Answer: Alpha agonists
Rationale: Alpha agonists, such as clonidine, work by stimulating alpha-2
receptors in the brain. This reduces sympathetic outflow from the central
