NSG 1540 PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS FINAL PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Questions 1-50
Question 1
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding would indicate the
client is at risk for digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium level 3.0 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D) Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
,Answer
Answer B: Serum potassium level 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Normal
potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. ---
Question 2
2. A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The
nurse should monitor which laboratory value to evaluate
therapeutic effectiveness?
A) Platelet count
B) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Answer
Answer B: International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale
,INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy. Target INR is
typically 2-3 for atrial fibrillation. ---
Question 3
3. A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart
failure. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer
Answer B: Hypokalemia
Rationale
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Monitor serum potassium levels. ---
Question 4
, 4. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes.
Which instruction should the nurse include in patient
teaching?
A) Take metformin on an empty stomach
B) Take metformin with meals to reduce gastrointestinal
upset
C) Monitor blood glucose only once weekly
D) Discontinue metformin if weight loss occurs
Answer
Answer B: Take metformin with meals to reduce
gastrointestinal upset
Rationale
Metformin commonly causes GI distress. Taking with meals
reduces these side effects. ---
Question 5
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic.
Which medication should be available to reverse
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Questions 1-50
Question 1
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with
heart failure. Which assessment finding would indicate the
client is at risk for digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium level 3.0 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
D) Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
,Answer
Answer B: Serum potassium level 3.0 mEq/L
Rationale
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Normal
potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. ---
Question 2
2. A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. The
nurse should monitor which laboratory value to evaluate
therapeutic effectiveness?
A) Platelet count
B) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Answer
Answer B: International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale
,INR is used to monitor warfarin therapy. Target INR is
typically 2-3 for atrial fibrillation. ---
Question 3
3. A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with heart
failure. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypermagnesemia
Answer
Answer B: Hypokalemia
Rationale
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting.
Monitor serum potassium levels. ---
Question 4
, 4. A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes.
Which instruction should the nurse include in patient
teaching?
A) Take metformin on an empty stomach
B) Take metformin with meals to reduce gastrointestinal
upset
C) Monitor blood glucose only once weekly
D) Discontinue metformin if weight loss occurs
Answer
Answer B: Take metformin with meals to reduce
gastrointestinal upset
Rationale
Metformin commonly causes GI distress. Taking with meals
reduces these side effects. ---
Question 5
5. A nurse is preparing to administer an opioid analgesic.
Which medication should be available to reverse
