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RASMUSSEN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 - 2026 QUESTIONS
LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
RASMUSSEN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 – QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS – ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient who has been newly prescribed lisinopril for the
management of hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of the most important side effect to monitor while taking this ACE
inhibitor medication?
A) "I should monitor for increased heart rate and report it to my provider immediately"
B) "I should monitor for a persistent dry cough and report it to my provider if it becomes
bothersome"
C) "I should monitor for weight gain and report any increase of more than 2 pounds in a
week"
D) "I should monitor for increased urination and report it if it becomes excessive"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a persistent dry cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin. Patients should be educated about this side effect and
instructed to report it if it becomes bothersome, as it may require medication change.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer losartan to a patient with hypertension. The
nurse recognizes that losartan belongs to which class of antihypertensive
medications and works through which primary mechanism of action?
A) ACE inhibitors; blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs); blocks angiotensin II from binding to its
receptors
C) Calcium channel blockers; inhibits calcium influx into cardiac and smooth muscle
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cells
D) Beta-blockers; blocks beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and blood vessels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs block angiotensin
II from binding to its receptors, causing vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.
Unlike ACE inhibitors, ARBs do not cause a persistent cough.
3. A patient with hypertension is prescribed metoprolol, a beta-blocker. The nurse
should instruct the patient to monitor for which adverse effect that is commonly
associated with this class of medications?
A) Tachycardia and palpitations
B) Bradycardia and fatigue
C) Hypertension and headache
D) Bronchodilation and wheezing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers like metoprolol decrease heart rate and cardiac output.
Common adverse effects include bradycardia, fatigue, and dizziness. Patients should
be instructed to monitor their pulse and report significant decreases.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking nifedipine, a calcium channel
blocker, along with metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that
metoprolol was added to the medication regimen primarily for which reason?
A) To reduce flushing caused by nifedipine
B) To minimize gingival hyperplasia
C) To prevent reflex tachycardia
D) To prevent constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, can cause reflex
tachycardia due to peripheral vasodilation. Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, is added to
prevent this reflex tachycardia by decreasing heart rate.
5. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. The nurse should
include which instruction in the patient teaching regarding this thiazide diuretic
medication?
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A) "Take this medication at bedtime to prevent daytime urination"
B) "Take this medication in the morning to prevent nighttime urination"
C) "Take this medication with a high-potassium supplement"
D) "Take this medication on an empty stomach for best absorption"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that increases urine output. Patients
should take it in the morning to prevent frequent urination during the night, which would
disrupt sleep.
6. The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient taking spironolactone, a
potassium-sparing diuretic. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most
closely due to the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Serum sodium levels
B) Serum potassium levels
C) Serum calcium levels
D) Serum magnesium levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely, especially in
patients with renal impairment or those taking other potassium-increasing medications.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should monitor the
patient's serum digoxin level closely because the therapeutic range for digoxin is
narrow. What is the therapeutic range for digoxin?
A) 0.5-0.8 ng/mL
B) 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
C) 2.5-3.5 ng/mL
D) 4.0-5.0 ng/mL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-0.8 ng/mL. Levels above this range
can cause digoxin toxicity, which presents with nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances
(yellow-green halos), and cardiac arrhythmias.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a serum digoxin level of 0.4 ng/mL. The
patient's heart rate is 68 beats per minute and blood pressure is 120/78 mmHg. The
nurse should anticipate which action based on these findings?
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A) The patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity and the medication should be held
B) The digoxin level is below the therapeutic range and the dose may need to be
increased
C) The digoxin level is within the therapeutic range and no change is needed
D) The digoxin level is above the therapeutic range and the dose should be decreased
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A digoxin level of 0.4 ng/mL is below the therapeutic range of 0.5-0.8 ng/mL.
The patient is not receiving a therapeutic dose and may require an increase in dosage.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin for the management of
angina. Which instruction should the nurse include regarding the sublingual
administration of nitroglycerin?
A) "Swallow the tablet immediately with a full glass of water"
B) "Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve completely; do not
swallow"
C) "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing"
D) "Place the tablet between your cheek and gum and leave it there for 30 minutes"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue and allowed to
dissolve completely. It should not be swallowed, as this would reduce its effectiveness
due to first-pass metabolism.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed amiodarone for the
management of cardiac dysrhythmias. Which adverse effect is most concerning
and should be monitored closely in a patient taking this medication?
A) Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and pulmonary toxicity
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Weight gain and hyperglycemia
D) Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine and can cause thyroid dysfunction
(hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) and pulmonary toxicity (pulmonary fibrosis).
Patients require regular monitoring of thyroid function and pulmonary status.
11. A patient is prescribed clonidine for hypertension. The nurse should include
which important instruction in the patient teaching regarding this medication?
RASMUSSEN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 - 2026 QUESTIONS
LATEST 2026 – 2027 VERSION SOLVED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
RASMUSSEN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2 – QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS – ANTIHYPERTENSIVES (Questions 1-
30)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient who has been newly prescribed lisinopril for the
management of hypertension. Which statement by the patient indicates a correct
understanding of the most important side effect to monitor while taking this ACE
inhibitor medication?
A) "I should monitor for increased heart rate and report it to my provider immediately"
B) "I should monitor for a persistent dry cough and report it to my provider if it becomes
bothersome"
C) "I should monitor for weight gain and report any increase of more than 2 pounds in a
week"
D) "I should monitor for increased urination and report it if it becomes excessive"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, commonly causes a persistent dry cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin. Patients should be educated about this side effect and
instructed to report it if it becomes bothersome, as it may require medication change.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer losartan to a patient with hypertension. The
nurse recognizes that losartan belongs to which class of antihypertensive
medications and works through which primary mechanism of action?
A) ACE inhibitors; blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
B) Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs); blocks angiotensin II from binding to its
receptors
C) Calcium channel blockers; inhibits calcium influx into cardiac and smooth muscle
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cells
D) Beta-blockers; blocks beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and blood vessels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). ARBs block angiotensin
II from binding to its receptors, causing vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.
Unlike ACE inhibitors, ARBs do not cause a persistent cough.
3. A patient with hypertension is prescribed metoprolol, a beta-blocker. The nurse
should instruct the patient to monitor for which adverse effect that is commonly
associated with this class of medications?
A) Tachycardia and palpitations
B) Bradycardia and fatigue
C) Hypertension and headache
D) Bronchodilation and wheezing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers like metoprolol decrease heart rate and cardiac output.
Common adverse effects include bradycardia, fatigue, and dizziness. Patients should
be instructed to monitor their pulse and report significant decreases.
4. The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking nifedipine, a calcium channel
blocker, along with metoprolol for hypertension. The nurse understands that
metoprolol was added to the medication regimen primarily for which reason?
A) To reduce flushing caused by nifedipine
B) To minimize gingival hyperplasia
C) To prevent reflex tachycardia
D) To prevent constipation
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, can cause reflex
tachycardia due to peripheral vasodilation. Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, is added to
prevent this reflex tachycardia by decreasing heart rate.
5. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension. The nurse should
include which instruction in the patient teaching regarding this thiazide diuretic
medication?
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A) "Take this medication at bedtime to prevent daytime urination"
B) "Take this medication in the morning to prevent nighttime urination"
C) "Take this medication with a high-potassium supplement"
D) "Take this medication on an empty stomach for best absorption"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that increases urine output. Patients
should take it in the morning to prevent frequent urination during the night, which would
disrupt sleep.
6. The nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a patient taking spironolactone, a
potassium-sparing diuretic. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most
closely due to the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Serum sodium levels
B) Serum potassium levels
C) Serum calcium levels
D) Serum magnesium levels
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium levels closely, especially in
patients with renal impairment or those taking other potassium-increasing medications.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should monitor the
patient's serum digoxin level closely because the therapeutic range for digoxin is
narrow. What is the therapeutic range for digoxin?
A) 0.5-0.8 ng/mL
B) 1.0-2.0 ng/mL
C) 2.5-3.5 ng/mL
D) 4.0-5.0 ng/mL
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5-0.8 ng/mL. Levels above this range
can cause digoxin toxicity, which presents with nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances
(yellow-green halos), and cardiac arrhythmias.
8. The nurse is caring for a patient who has a serum digoxin level of 0.4 ng/mL. The
patient's heart rate is 68 beats per minute and blood pressure is 120/78 mmHg. The
nurse should anticipate which action based on these findings?
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A) The patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity and the medication should be held
B) The digoxin level is below the therapeutic range and the dose may need to be
increased
C) The digoxin level is within the therapeutic range and no change is needed
D) The digoxin level is above the therapeutic range and the dose should be decreased
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A digoxin level of 0.4 ng/mL is below the therapeutic range of 0.5-0.8 ng/mL.
The patient is not receiving a therapeutic dose and may require an increase in dosage.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin for the management of
angina. Which instruction should the nurse include regarding the sublingual
administration of nitroglycerin?
A) "Swallow the tablet immediately with a full glass of water"
B) "Place the tablet under your tongue and allow it to dissolve completely; do not
swallow"
C) "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing"
D) "Place the tablet between your cheek and gum and leave it there for 30 minutes"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue and allowed to
dissolve completely. It should not be swallowed, as this would reduce its effectiveness
due to first-pass metabolism.
10. The nurse is caring for a patient who is prescribed amiodarone for the
management of cardiac dysrhythmias. Which adverse effect is most concerning
and should be monitored closely in a patient taking this medication?
A) Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and pulmonary toxicity
B) Hypertension and tachycardia
C) Weight gain and hyperglycemia
D) Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine and can cause thyroid dysfunction
(hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) and pulmonary toxicity (pulmonary fibrosis).
Patients require regular monitoring of thyroid function and pulmonary status.
11. A patient is prescribed clonidine for hypertension. The nurse should include
which important instruction in the patient teaching regarding this medication?
