NUR 210
Exam 3 Study Guide
Principles of Pharmacology
Galen College
Questions & Answers Plus
Rationales (PDF) 2026
Instant Pdf Download
,SECTION A: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. What is
the therapeutic range for digoxin?
A. 0.8-2.0 ng/mL
B. 2.0-3.0 ng/mL
C. 3.0-4.0 ng/mL
D. 4.0-5.0 ng/mL
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.8-2.0 ng/mL.
Levels above this increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin
has a narrow therapeutic index requiring close monitoring .
2. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and
visual disturbances (yellow-green halos). What should the
nurse suspect?
A. Digoxin toxicity
B. Therapeutic effect
C. Allergic reaction
D. Drug interaction
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should assess the digoxin level and notify the provider .
,3. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
because low potassium levels enhance digoxin's effect on the
heart. Potassium levels should be monitored closely in patients
taking digoxin .
4. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin?
A. Inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump
B. Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors
C. Blocks calcium channels
D. Inhibits ACE
Rationale: Digoxin inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase
pump, increasing intracellular calcium and improving cardiac
contractility (positive inotrope). It also has negative
chronotropic effects .
, 5. A patient is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which
condition is this medication primarily used to treat?
A. Hypertension and angina
B. Heart failure only
C. Atrial fibrillation only
D. Hyperlipidemia
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers are used to treat
hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias. Examples include
amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil .
6. What is the mechanism of action of amlodipine?
A. Blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
B. Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors
C. Inhibits ACE
D. Blocks angiotensin II receptors
Rationale: Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel
blocker that blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle,
causing vasodilation and lowering blood pressure .
7. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril).
Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
Exam 3 Study Guide
Principles of Pharmacology
Galen College
Questions & Answers Plus
Rationales (PDF) 2026
Instant Pdf Download
,SECTION A: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
1. A patient with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. What is
the therapeutic range for digoxin?
A. 0.8-2.0 ng/mL
B. 2.0-3.0 ng/mL
C. 3.0-4.0 ng/mL
D. 4.0-5.0 ng/mL
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.8-2.0 ng/mL.
Levels above this increase the risk of digoxin toxicity. Digoxin
has a narrow therapeutic index requiring close monitoring .
2. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and
visual disturbances (yellow-green halos). What should the
nurse suspect?
A. Digoxin toxicity
B. Therapeutic effect
C. Allergic reaction
D. Drug interaction
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should assess the digoxin level and notify the provider .
,3. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
because low potassium levels enhance digoxin's effect on the
heart. Potassium levels should be monitored closely in patients
taking digoxin .
4. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin?
A. Inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump
B. Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors
C. Blocks calcium channels
D. Inhibits ACE
Rationale: Digoxin inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase
pump, increasing intracellular calcium and improving cardiac
contractility (positive inotrope). It also has negative
chronotropic effects .
, 5. A patient is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which
condition is this medication primarily used to treat?
A. Hypertension and angina
B. Heart failure only
C. Atrial fibrillation only
D. Hyperlipidemia
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers are used to treat
hypertension, angina, and certain arrhythmias. Examples include
amlodipine, diltiazem, and verapamil .
6. What is the mechanism of action of amlodipine?
A. Blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle
B. Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors
C. Inhibits ACE
D. Blocks angiotensin II receptors
Rationale: Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel
blocker that blocks calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle,
causing vasodilation and lowering blood pressure .
7. A patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor (lisinopril).
Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for?
