NUR 2474 PHARM EXAM 2 - PHARMACOLOGY FOR
PROFESSIONAL NURSING EXAM 2 | {LATEST 2026/
2027 UPDATE} COMPLETE ACTUAL AND
AUTHENTIC EXAM | BRAND NEW!
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of
breath, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal
retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will
expect to administer which drug?
a.Furosemide (Lasix)
b.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c.Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
a.Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization
of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart
failure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs
immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema, because their diuretic effects are
less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial
pressure and must be discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary
congestion or heart failure occur.
A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment
of congestive heart failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide
(Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, a
respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 130/82
mm Hg. The nurse auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory
value causes the nurse the most concern?
,a.Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b.Oxygen saturation of 90%
c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d.Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a
dysrhythmia. This patient's serum potassium level is low, which can
trigger fatal dysrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin.
Furosemide contributes to loss of potassium through its effects on the
distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics often are used in conjunction
with furosemide to prevent this complication. This patient's serum
glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no concern at this point,
although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with
diuresis.
A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum
potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?
a.Bumetanide (Bumex)
b.Furosemide (Lasix)
c.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the
patient has a serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia,
an order for this drug should be questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and
hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics and would be
appropriate to administer in a patient with hyperkalemia.
,A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient
with a history of hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten) concurrently with
spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning laboratory results reveal a serum
sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a
blood glucose level of 128 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
a.Administer the medications as ordered.
b.Ask the patient about the use of salt substitutes.
c.Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
d.Request an order for furosemide (Lasix).
c.Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
Spironolactone should not be administered with ACE inhibitors, which can
also elevate potassium levels. Because the potassium level is elevated,
the nurse should not administer the medication and should obtain
clarification of the order. There is no need to repeat the potassium level
test that was just done this morning. Requesting an order for furosemide
is appropriate only after the provider has been notified of the laboratory
values.
A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive
heart failure. The prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac
output. What other medication will the nurse expect to be ordered for
this patient?
a.Bumetanide (Bumex)
b.Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
c.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is used in conjunction with furosemide because of its
potassium-sparing effects. Furosemide can contribute to hypokalemia,
, which can increase the risk of fatal dysrhythmias, especially with digoxin
administration. The other diuretics listed are all potassium-wasting
diuretics.
A patient is taking gentamicin (Garamycin) and furosemide (Lasix). The
nurse should counsel this patient to report which symptom?
a.Frequent nocturia
b.Headaches
c.Ringing in the ears
d.Urinary retention
c.Ringing in the ears
Patients taking furosemide should be advised that the risk of furosemide-
induced hearing loss can be increased when other ototoxic drugs, such as
gentamicin, are also taken. Patients should be told to report tinnitus or
dizziness or hearing loss. Nocturia may be an expected effect of
furosemide. Headaches are not likely to occur with concomitant use of
gentamicin and furosemide. Urinary retention is not an expected side
effect.
An older adult patient with congestive heart failure develops crackles in
both lungs and pitting edema of all extremities. The physician orders
hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL). Before administering this medication,
the nurse reviews the patient's chart. Which laboratory value causes the
nurse the most concern?
a.Elevated creatinine clearance
b.Elevated serum potassium level
c.Normal blood glucose level
d.Low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
a.Elevated creatinine clearance
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to patients with severe renal
PROFESSIONAL NURSING EXAM 2 | {LATEST 2026/
2027 UPDATE} COMPLETE ACTUAL AND
AUTHENTIC EXAM | BRAND NEW!
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of
breath, a respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal
retractions, and frothy, pink sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will
expect to administer which drug?
a.Furosemide (Lasix)
b.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c.Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
a.Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization
of fluids is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart
failure with respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs
immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
are not indicated for pulmonary edema, because their diuretic effects are
less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial
pressure and must be discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary
congestion or heart failure occur.
A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment
of congestive heart failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide
(Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, a
respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 130/82
mm Hg. The nurse auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory
value causes the nurse the most concern?
,a.Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b.Oxygen saturation of 90%
c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d.Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
c.Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a
dysrhythmia. This patient's serum potassium level is low, which can
trigger fatal dysrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin.
Furosemide contributes to loss of potassium through its effects on the
distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics often are used in conjunction
with furosemide to prevent this complication. This patient's serum
glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no concern at this point,
although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with
diuresis.
A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally.
Auscultation of the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum
potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?
a.Bumetanide (Bumex)
b.Furosemide (Lasix)
c.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the
patient has a serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia,
an order for this drug should be questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and
hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics and would be
appropriate to administer in a patient with hyperkalemia.
,A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient
with a history of hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-
converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten) concurrently with
spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning laboratory results reveal a serum
sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a
blood glucose level of 128 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
a.Administer the medications as ordered.
b.Ask the patient about the use of salt substitutes.
c.Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
d.Request an order for furosemide (Lasix).
c.Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
Spironolactone should not be administered with ACE inhibitors, which can
also elevate potassium levels. Because the potassium level is elevated,
the nurse should not administer the medication and should obtain
clarification of the order. There is no need to repeat the potassium level
test that was just done this morning. Requesting an order for furosemide
is appropriate only after the provider has been notified of the laboratory
values.
A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive
heart failure. The prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac
output. What other medication will the nurse expect to be ordered for
this patient?
a.Bumetanide (Bumex)
b.Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
c.Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d.Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is used in conjunction with furosemide because of its
potassium-sparing effects. Furosemide can contribute to hypokalemia,
, which can increase the risk of fatal dysrhythmias, especially with digoxin
administration. The other diuretics listed are all potassium-wasting
diuretics.
A patient is taking gentamicin (Garamycin) and furosemide (Lasix). The
nurse should counsel this patient to report which symptom?
a.Frequent nocturia
b.Headaches
c.Ringing in the ears
d.Urinary retention
c.Ringing in the ears
Patients taking furosemide should be advised that the risk of furosemide-
induced hearing loss can be increased when other ototoxic drugs, such as
gentamicin, are also taken. Patients should be told to report tinnitus or
dizziness or hearing loss. Nocturia may be an expected effect of
furosemide. Headaches are not likely to occur with concomitant use of
gentamicin and furosemide. Urinary retention is not an expected side
effect.
An older adult patient with congestive heart failure develops crackles in
both lungs and pitting edema of all extremities. The physician orders
hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL). Before administering this medication,
the nurse reviews the patient's chart. Which laboratory value causes the
nurse the most concern?
a.Elevated creatinine clearance
b.Elevated serum potassium level
c.Normal blood glucose level
d.Low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
a.Elevated creatinine clearance
Hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to patients with severe renal
