Pharmacology for Canadian
Health Care Practice (5th
Edition) by Sealock Complete
Guide with Answers and
Rationales GRADED A+
Question 1
A patient taking warfarin is prescribed an antibiotic. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hemoglobin
B. INR
C. Potassium
D. Creatinine
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International
Normalized Ratio (INR). Many antibiotics can increase or decrease the
effects of warfarin, making INR monitoring essential to prevent bleeding
or clotting complications.
Question 2
,Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with opioid
analgesics?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Constipation
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: C. Constipation
Rationale: Opioids decrease gastrointestinal motility, making
constipation one of the most common and persistent adverse effects.
Patients often require preventive bowel management while receiving
opioid therapy.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin tablets for angina.
Which statement by the patient indicates correct understanding?
A. “I will swallow the tablet with water.”
B. “I will place the tablet under my tongue.”
C. “I will chew the tablet immediately.”
D. “I will take the tablet only at bedtime.”
Answer: B. “I will place the tablet under my tongue.”
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is absorbed rapidly through the oral
mucosa, providing quick relief of angina symptoms. Swallowing the
tablet delays absorption and reduces effectiveness.
Question 4
,Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely in a patient taking loop
diuretics?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase the excretion of potassium through
the kidneys, placing patients at risk for hypokalemia. Monitoring serum
potassium levels is important during therapy.
Question 5
A patient receives insulin lispro before meals. When does this
medication typically begin to work?
A. 5–15 minutes
B. 1–2 hours
C. 4–6 hours
D. 12–24 hours
Answer: A. 5–15 minutes
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working
within minutes. Patients should be prepared to eat shortly after
administration to avoid hypoglycemia.
Question 6
Which assessment finding would require immediate intervention in a
patient receiving digoxin?
, A. Heart rate of 54 beats/minute
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute
C. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
D. Temperature of 37°C
Answer: A. Heart rate of 54 beats/minute
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. A pulse below the prescribed
threshold should be reported and the medication withheld until further
assessment is completed.
Question 7
Which statement best describes the action of beta-blockers?
A. Increase heart rate and contractility
B. Block beta-adrenergic receptors
C. Stimulate sympathetic nervous activity
D. Increase sodium retention
Answer: B. Block beta-adrenergic receptors
Rationale: Beta-blockers reduce the effects of catecholamines on the
heart by blocking beta receptors, resulting in decreased heart rate,
blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.
Question 8
A patient taking metformin should be monitored for which rare but
serious adverse effect?
A. Lactic acidosis
B. Hypercalcemia