NUR 2474 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed Metoprolol. Which assessment finding
would require the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
B. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Presence of a mild non-productive cough
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beta-blockers like Metoprolol decrease heart rate and
contractility. A heart rate below 60 bpm (bradycardia) is a common contraindication for
administering a beta-blocker.
2. A patient is receiving Digoxin for heart failure. The nurse notes the patient is complaining
of yellow-green halos around lights. Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
,D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity, even if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic range (0.5-2.0 ng/mL). Visual
disturbances are classic signs of toxicity.
3. Which mechanism of action best describes how ACE Inhibitors like Lisinopril lower blood
pressure?
A. Promoting the excretion of calcium in the distal tubule
B. Directly relaxing vascular smooth muscle
C. Blocking Beta-1 receptors in the heart
D. Blocking the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors inhibit the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme,
preventing the production of Angiotensin II, which is a potent vasoconstrictor.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone for asthma management. How
should the nurse instruct the patient to take these medications?
A. Take the Beclomethasone first, wait 5 minutes, then take the Albuterol
B. Take them simultaneously to increase efficacy
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the Beclomethasone
, D. Only take the Albuterol if the Beclomethasone does not work
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The bronchodilator (Albuterol) should be taken first to open the
airways, allowing better penetration of the corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) into the lungs.
5. What is the primary side effect the nurse must monitor for in a patient taking
Spironolactone?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Ototoxicity
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It blocks
aldosterone, leading to sodium excretion and potassium retention, which can cause life-
threatening hyperkalemia.
6. A patient is admitted with a hypertensive emergency and is started on Sodium
Nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor for which specific toxicity during prolonged
infusion?
A. Cyanide toxicity
B. Digoxin toxicity
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS |
100% CORRECT | GRADE A+
1. A patient with chronic heart failure is prescribed Metoprolol. Which assessment finding
would require the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
B. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
C. Presence of a mild non-productive cough
D. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Beta-blockers like Metoprolol decrease heart rate and
contractility. A heart rate below 60 bpm (bradycardia) is a common contraindication for
administering a beta-blocker.
2. A patient is receiving Digoxin for heart failure. The nurse notes the patient is complaining
of yellow-green halos around lights. Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
C. Digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
,D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity, even if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic range (0.5-2.0 ng/mL). Visual
disturbances are classic signs of toxicity.
3. Which mechanism of action best describes how ACE Inhibitors like Lisinopril lower blood
pressure?
A. Promoting the excretion of calcium in the distal tubule
B. Directly relaxing vascular smooth muscle
C. Blocking Beta-1 receptors in the heart
D. Blocking the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors inhibit the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme,
preventing the production of Angiotensin II, which is a potent vasoconstrictor.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone for asthma management. How
should the nurse instruct the patient to take these medications?
A. Take the Beclomethasone first, wait 5 minutes, then take the Albuterol
B. Take them simultaneously to increase efficacy
C. Take the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then take the Beclomethasone
, D. Only take the Albuterol if the Beclomethasone does not work
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The bronchodilator (Albuterol) should be taken first to open the
airways, allowing better penetration of the corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) into the lungs.
5. What is the primary side effect the nurse must monitor for in a patient taking
Spironolactone?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Ototoxicity
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It blocks
aldosterone, leading to sodium excretion and potassium retention, which can cause life-
threatening hyperkalemia.
6. A patient is admitted with a hypertensive emergency and is started on Sodium
Nitroprusside. The nurse should monitor for which specific toxicity during prolonged
infusion?
A. Cyanide toxicity
B. Digoxin toxicity
