NR 293 FINAL EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS | COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOLOGY
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is a normal aPTT time for someone on continuous heparin infusion? - correct answer ✔✔60-100
seconds
What are serious side effects of propranolol (Inderal)? - correct answer ✔✔Hypotension
Bradycardia
Hypoglycemia
Expiratory wheezing
Shortness of breath
What foods should be limited with Spironolactone (Aldactone) therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Foods high
in potassium
What medications can be used for C. diff related diarrhea? - correct answer ✔✔Fidaxomicin
Florastor
Vancomycyn
Patients taking cholesterol medications such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should get which lab frequently
checked? - correct answer ✔✔Live enzymes/liver tests.
Can cause hepatotoxicity.
Patients on diuretics therapy should report...? - correct answer ✔✔Signs and symptoms of dehydration
(dizziness, weakness, etc), weight gain, difficulty breathing, crackles, etc.
Patients can exhibit symptoms of dehydration but also symptoms of fluid overload if diuretic isn't
working.
What are some things that decrease patients compliance with medication in general? - correct answer
✔✔Lack of education
Side effects
Large/difficult to swallow pills
Long duration/course of medication
ACE inhibitors such as Lisinopril and captopril are safe for liver dysfunction patients, but other ACE
inhibitors are not. Why? - correct answer ✔✔Lisinopril and captopril are not pro drug and are not
metabolized by the liver..
What do you need to know about sublingual nitroglycerin? - correct answer ✔✔Used for angina.
You can take up to three doses, five minutes apart. If chest pain persists, go to the hospital
Can not be taken with Viagra.
, Frequently causes headaches.
What drug is used as the first line treatment for a newly diagnosed diabetic type 2 patient? - correct
answer ✔✔Metformin
Which foods should patients on Warfarin (coumadin) avoid? - correct answer ✔✔Foods high in Vitamin
K.
Ex - Kale, spinach, Brussel sprouts, collards, mustard greens, chard, broccoli, asparagus
Which lab value is most important with diuretic therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Potassium.
Sodium is also important, but potassium is the most important.
Which lab value is most important with digoxin therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Digoxin Lab Value - 0.5-2
Potassium. (Digoxin can cause dysrhythmias, and digoxin toxicity causes potassium deficiency. Cardiac
drugs in general, potassium lab values are important)
What lab values should the nurse watch for a patient on gentamicin (garamycin) therapy? - correct
answer ✔✔Kidney related labs.
BUN and creatinine.
Gentamicin (garamycin) can cause nephrotoxicity
What medication would be the first choice to treat genital Herpes? - correct answer ✔✔Acyclovir
(Zovirax)
Dobutamine for heart failure is an adrenergic agonist. What does adrenergic agonist mean? - correct
answer ✔✔Positive ionotropic
Positive chronotropic
Positive dromotropic.
Stimulates heartbeat, maintains electrical conduction, improves pumping.
List four symptoms of hypoglycemia. - correct answer ✔✔Dizziness
Shaking
Sweating
Heart Palpitations
List four symptoms of hyperglycemia. - correct answer ✔✔Fruity smelling breath
Shortness of breath
Dry mouth
Confusion
What is a side effect of high doses of steroids? - correct answer ✔✔Masculization - Weigh gain (puffy,
like a balloon), moon face, etc.
STUDY GUIDE, PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026/2027
What is a normal aPTT time for someone on continuous heparin infusion? - correct answer ✔✔60-100
seconds
What are serious side effects of propranolol (Inderal)? - correct answer ✔✔Hypotension
Bradycardia
Hypoglycemia
Expiratory wheezing
Shortness of breath
What foods should be limited with Spironolactone (Aldactone) therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Foods high
in potassium
What medications can be used for C. diff related diarrhea? - correct answer ✔✔Fidaxomicin
Florastor
Vancomycyn
Patients taking cholesterol medications such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should get which lab frequently
checked? - correct answer ✔✔Live enzymes/liver tests.
Can cause hepatotoxicity.
Patients on diuretics therapy should report...? - correct answer ✔✔Signs and symptoms of dehydration
(dizziness, weakness, etc), weight gain, difficulty breathing, crackles, etc.
Patients can exhibit symptoms of dehydration but also symptoms of fluid overload if diuretic isn't
working.
What are some things that decrease patients compliance with medication in general? - correct answer
✔✔Lack of education
Side effects
Large/difficult to swallow pills
Long duration/course of medication
ACE inhibitors such as Lisinopril and captopril are safe for liver dysfunction patients, but other ACE
inhibitors are not. Why? - correct answer ✔✔Lisinopril and captopril are not pro drug and are not
metabolized by the liver..
What do you need to know about sublingual nitroglycerin? - correct answer ✔✔Used for angina.
You can take up to three doses, five minutes apart. If chest pain persists, go to the hospital
Can not be taken with Viagra.
, Frequently causes headaches.
What drug is used as the first line treatment for a newly diagnosed diabetic type 2 patient? - correct
answer ✔✔Metformin
Which foods should patients on Warfarin (coumadin) avoid? - correct answer ✔✔Foods high in Vitamin
K.
Ex - Kale, spinach, Brussel sprouts, collards, mustard greens, chard, broccoli, asparagus
Which lab value is most important with diuretic therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Potassium.
Sodium is also important, but potassium is the most important.
Which lab value is most important with digoxin therapy? - correct answer ✔✔Digoxin Lab Value - 0.5-2
Potassium. (Digoxin can cause dysrhythmias, and digoxin toxicity causes potassium deficiency. Cardiac
drugs in general, potassium lab values are important)
What lab values should the nurse watch for a patient on gentamicin (garamycin) therapy? - correct
answer ✔✔Kidney related labs.
BUN and creatinine.
Gentamicin (garamycin) can cause nephrotoxicity
What medication would be the first choice to treat genital Herpes? - correct answer ✔✔Acyclovir
(Zovirax)
Dobutamine for heart failure is an adrenergic agonist. What does adrenergic agonist mean? - correct
answer ✔✔Positive ionotropic
Positive chronotropic
Positive dromotropic.
Stimulates heartbeat, maintains electrical conduction, improves pumping.
List four symptoms of hypoglycemia. - correct answer ✔✔Dizziness
Shaking
Sweating
Heart Palpitations
List four symptoms of hyperglycemia. - correct answer ✔✔Fruity smelling breath
Shortness of breath
Dry mouth
Confusion
What is a side effect of high doses of steroids? - correct answer ✔✔Masculization - Weigh gain (puffy,
like a balloon), moon face, etc.
