NSG 402 — Advanced Pharmacology exam
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Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
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1. A patient receiving a beta-adrenergic blocker for hypertension
should be monitored most closely for which adverse effect?
A. Severe hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Urinary retention
D. Excessive salivation
Rationale: Beta blockers decrease sympathetic stimulation of the
heart, which can reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility.
Bradycardia and hypotension are important adverse effects requiring
monitoring. Beta blockers can also mask symptoms of hypoglycemia,
particularly tachycardia.
, 2. A patient taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Place the patient in a supine position
C. Discontinue the medication and assess the airway immediately
D. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Rationale: Facial, lip, or tongue swelling may indicate ACE inhibitor–
induced angioedema, which can rapidly compromise the airway. The
medication should be stopped and the patient's airway and breathing
assessed immediately.
3. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a patient
receiving long-term warfarin therapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Serum amylase
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting factors, and
its therapeutic effect is monitored using the INR. Excessively high INR
values indicate increased bleeding risk, while low values may indicate
inadequate anticoagulation.
, 4. A patient receiving digoxin reports nausea, weakness, and seeing
yellow-green halos around lights. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Acute renal failure
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Opioid withdrawal
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, weakness, visual disturbances such as
yellow or green halos, and dysrhythmias are classic manifestations of
digoxin toxicity. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify
the healthcare provider while assessing the patient's cardiac status.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Low serum potassium increases the binding of digoxin to
cardiac sodium-potassium ATPase receptors, increasing the risk of
toxicity. Patients taking digoxin and diuretics therefore require careful
potassium monitoring.
, 6. A patient prescribed furosemide should be monitored closely for
which electrolyte abnormality?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes significant
urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. Hypokalemia can develop
and may contribute to muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
7. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient taking
spironolactone?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
B. Take potassium supplements daily
C. Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes unless prescribed
D. Consume large amounts of grapefruit juice
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and can
cause hyperkalemia. Potassium supplements and potassium-
containing salt substitutes may further increase serum potassium and
should generally be avoided unless specifically prescribed.
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. A patient receiving a beta-adrenergic blocker for hypertension
should be monitored most closely for which adverse effect?
A. Severe hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Urinary retention
D. Excessive salivation
Rationale: Beta blockers decrease sympathetic stimulation of the
heart, which can reduce heart rate and myocardial contractility.
Bradycardia and hypotension are important adverse effects requiring
monitoring. Beta blockers can also mask symptoms of hypoglycemia,
particularly tachycardia.
, 2. A patient taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What is the nurse's
priority action?
A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Place the patient in a supine position
C. Discontinue the medication and assess the airway immediately
D. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
Rationale: Facial, lip, or tongue swelling may indicate ACE inhibitor–
induced angioedema, which can rapidly compromise the airway. The
medication should be stopped and the patient's airway and breathing
assessed immediately.
3. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a patient
receiving long-term warfarin therapy?
A. Serum sodium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Serum amylase
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting factors, and
its therapeutic effect is monitored using the INR. Excessively high INR
values indicate increased bleeding risk, while low values may indicate
inadequate anticoagulation.
, 4. A patient receiving digoxin reports nausea, weakness, and seeing
yellow-green halos around lights. What should the nurse suspect?
A. Acute renal failure
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Opioid withdrawal
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, weakness, visual disturbances such as
yellow or green halos, and dysrhythmias are classic manifestations of
digoxin toxicity. The nurse should withhold the medication and notify
the healthcare provider while assessing the patient's cardiac status.
5. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Low serum potassium increases the binding of digoxin to
cardiac sodium-potassium ATPase receptors, increasing the risk of
toxicity. Patients taking digoxin and diuretics therefore require careful
potassium monitoring.
, 6. A patient prescribed furosemide should be monitored closely for
which electrolyte abnormality?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hyperphosphatemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes significant
urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. Hypokalemia can develop
and may contribute to muscle weakness and cardiac dysrhythmias.
7. Which instruction is most appropriate for a patient taking
spironolactone?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods
B. Take potassium supplements daily
C. Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes unless prescribed
D. Consume large amounts of grapefruit juice
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and can
cause hyperkalemia. Potassium supplements and potassium-
containing salt substitutes may further increase serum potassium and
should generally be avoided unless specifically prescribed.
