ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
NURS 6521 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIOINS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to Digoxin, increasing
the risk of toxicity even within therapeutic serum levels.
2. When administering Warfarin, the provider knows that its mechanism involves the
inhibition of which enzyme?
A. Cyclooxygenase-1
B. Vitamin K epoxide reductase
,C. HMG-CoA reductase
D. Phosphodiesterase-5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Warfarin inhibits Vitamin K epoxide reductase, which prevents
the regeneration of active Vitamin K, thereby reducing the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX,
and X.
3. A patient is started on an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. The patient develops a dry,
hacking cough. This is most likely caused by the accumulation of:
A. Angiotensin II
B. Renin
C. Bradykinin
D. Aldosterone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to
its accumulation in the lungs, which triggers the characteristic dry cough.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute asthma attack due to
its rapid onset?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
, C. Fluticasone
D. Montelukast
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) providing
rapid bronchodilation for acute symptoms.
5. A patient taking Spironolactone should be monitored closely for which adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypouricemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can lead to
life-threatening hyperkalemia, especially if taken with ACE inhibitors.
6. The therapeutic range for Lithium is narrow. Which of the following serum levels is
considered within the maintenance therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
NURS 6521 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIOINS
AND ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to Digoxin, increasing
the risk of toxicity even within therapeutic serum levels.
2. When administering Warfarin, the provider knows that its mechanism involves the
inhibition of which enzyme?
A. Cyclooxygenase-1
B. Vitamin K epoxide reductase
,C. HMG-CoA reductase
D. Phosphodiesterase-5
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Warfarin inhibits Vitamin K epoxide reductase, which prevents
the regeneration of active Vitamin K, thereby reducing the synthesis of factors II, VII, IX,
and X.
3. A patient is started on an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. The patient develops a dry,
hacking cough. This is most likely caused by the accumulation of:
A. Angiotensin II
B. Renin
C. Bradykinin
D. Aldosterone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to
its accumulation in the lungs, which triggers the characteristic dry cough.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for an acute asthma attack due to
its rapid onset?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
, C. Fluticasone
D. Montelukast
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) providing
rapid bronchodilation for acute symptoms.
5. A patient taking Spironolactone should be monitored closely for which adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypouricemia
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can lead to
life-threatening hyperkalemia, especially if taken with ACE inhibitors.
6. The therapeutic range for Lithium is narrow. Which of the following serum levels is
considered within the maintenance therapeutic range?
A. 0.2 - 0.5 mEq/L
B. 2.5 - 3.0 mEq/L
C. 1.5 - 2.0 mEq/L
