ARIZONA COLLEGE OF NURSING NUR 354 PHARMACOLOGY II
EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW | 100% ANSWERED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Lipid-Lowering Agents and Cardiovascular Risk Management
Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy
Antiarrhythmic Drugs and Dysrhythmia Management
Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, and Coagulation Modifiers
Diuretics and Fluid-Electrolyte Balance
Antihypertensives and Vasodilators
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Principles
Medication Safety, Monitoring, and Patient Education
Clinical Decision-Making and Prioritization
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the pharmacology
knowledge required for NUR 354 Pharmacology II Exam 3 at
Arizona College of Nursing. It evaluates lipid-lowering agents, heart
failure medications, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, diuretics, and
antihypertensives. Items emphasize pharmacokinetic principles,
medication safety, patient monitoring, and evidence-based clinical
decision-making. The exam integrates multiple-choice, scenario-
based, and prioritization questions to prepare nursing students for
safe pharmacotherapeutic practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which lipoprotein contains the highest amount of cholesterol
and transports it from the liver to tissues, causing plaque
buildup in coronary arteries?
A. Chylomicrons
B. Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
C. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
D. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
🟢 Correct answer: C. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
🔴 RATIONALE: LDL (bad cholesterol) carries the highest amount
of cholesterol from the liver to tissues and organs, causing plaque
buildup and increasing coronary artery disease risk. Normal level
is less than 100 mg/dL.
2. A nurse is providing education to a patient newly prescribed
atorvastatin. Which statement by the patient demonstrates
understanding of administration guidelines?
A. "I should stop the drug immediately if I do not notice
cholesterol changes in 3 days."
B. "I should drink a glass of fresh grapefruit juice every morning
with my pill."
C. "I should take this medication in the evening with food to
reduce stomach upset."
D. "I can continue taking red yeast rice supplements to boost the
medication effect."
🟢 Correct answer: C. "I should take this medication in the
evening with food to reduce stomach upset."
🔴 RATIONALE: Statins are preferred at bedtime/nighttime
because cholesterol synthesis peaks at night. Atorvastatin should
,be taken with food to decrease GI discomfort. Grapefruit juice
inhibits metabolism leading to toxicity, and red yeast rice adds
unmonitored natural statins.
3. A patient taking rosuvastatin reports new-onset muscle pain,
muscle weakness, and dark-colored urine. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Advise the patient that muscle fatigue is normal and will resolve
in 4 weeks.
B. Notify the healthcare provider and request a Creatine Kinase
(CK) lab level.
C. Administer an over-the-counter NSAID and instruct the patient
to rest.
D. Encourage the patient to perform heavy leg stretching
exercises.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider and request
a Creatine Kinase (CK) lab level.
🔴 RATIONALE: New-onset muscle pain and dark urine are signs
of rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal breakdown of skeletal
muscle tissue. Creatine kinase (CK) levels must be checked
immediately to confirm muscle damage.
4. Which lipid component accounts for approximately 90% of
total energy storage in the body?
A. Phospholipids
B. Triglycerides
C. Steroids
D. Apoproteins
🟢 Correct answer: B. Triglycerides
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Triglycerides are neutral fats that serve as the
major energy source, accounting for 90% of stored energy in the
human body.
5. Which lab finding meets the diagnostic criteria for Metabolic
Syndrome when assessing cardiovascular risk?
A. Serum LDL cholesterol >190 mg/dL as an isolated finding
B. Serum potassium level <3.2 mEq/L and elevated creatinine
C. Fasting blood glucose elevated, low HDL, large waistline, high
blood pressure, and high triglycerides (3 or more present)
D. Total serum cholesterol level of 180 mg/dL
🟢 Correct answer: C. Fasting blood glucose elevated, low HDL,
large waistline, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides (3 or
more present)
🔴 RATIONALE: Metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at
least 3 of the following 5 factors: large waistline, high blood
pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low
HDL.
6. Which additional neurologic assessment is emphasized for a
client receiving lidocaine?
A. New yellow-green halos only
B. Blue-gray skin discoloration
C. Blurred vision and new numbness or tingling around the mouth
or fingers
D. Loss of taste only
🟢 Correct answer: C. Blurred vision and new numbness or
tingling around the mouth or fingers
🔴 RATIONALE: The lidocaine section highlights orientation,
blurred vision, and perioral/finger numbness or tingling as key
EXAM 3 COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW | 100% ANSWERED
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | UPDATED 2026 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Lipid-Lowering Agents and Cardiovascular Risk Management
Heart Failure Pharmacotherapy
Antiarrhythmic Drugs and Dysrhythmia Management
Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, and Coagulation Modifiers
Diuretics and Fluid-Electrolyte Balance
Antihypertensives and Vasodilators
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Principles
Medication Safety, Monitoring, and Patient Education
Clinical Decision-Making and Prioritization
Introduction
This comprehensive examination assesses the pharmacology
knowledge required for NUR 354 Pharmacology II Exam 3 at
Arizona College of Nursing. It evaluates lipid-lowering agents, heart
failure medications, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, diuretics, and
antihypertensives. Items emphasize pharmacokinetic principles,
medication safety, patient monitoring, and evidence-based clinical
decision-making. The exam integrates multiple-choice, scenario-
based, and prioritization questions to prepare nursing students for
safe pharmacotherapeutic practice.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. Which lipoprotein contains the highest amount of cholesterol
and transports it from the liver to tissues, causing plaque
buildup in coronary arteries?
A. Chylomicrons
B. Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
C. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
D. High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
🟢 Correct answer: C. Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
🔴 RATIONALE: LDL (bad cholesterol) carries the highest amount
of cholesterol from the liver to tissues and organs, causing plaque
buildup and increasing coronary artery disease risk. Normal level
is less than 100 mg/dL.
2. A nurse is providing education to a patient newly prescribed
atorvastatin. Which statement by the patient demonstrates
understanding of administration guidelines?
A. "I should stop the drug immediately if I do not notice
cholesterol changes in 3 days."
B. "I should drink a glass of fresh grapefruit juice every morning
with my pill."
C. "I should take this medication in the evening with food to
reduce stomach upset."
D. "I can continue taking red yeast rice supplements to boost the
medication effect."
🟢 Correct answer: C. "I should take this medication in the
evening with food to reduce stomach upset."
🔴 RATIONALE: Statins are preferred at bedtime/nighttime
because cholesterol synthesis peaks at night. Atorvastatin should
,be taken with food to decrease GI discomfort. Grapefruit juice
inhibits metabolism leading to toxicity, and red yeast rice adds
unmonitored natural statins.
3. A patient taking rosuvastatin reports new-onset muscle pain,
muscle weakness, and dark-colored urine. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Advise the patient that muscle fatigue is normal and will resolve
in 4 weeks.
B. Notify the healthcare provider and request a Creatine Kinase
(CK) lab level.
C. Administer an over-the-counter NSAID and instruct the patient
to rest.
D. Encourage the patient to perform heavy leg stretching
exercises.
🟢 Correct answer: B. Notify the healthcare provider and request
a Creatine Kinase (CK) lab level.
🔴 RATIONALE: New-onset muscle pain and dark urine are signs
of rhabdomyolysis, a potentially fatal breakdown of skeletal
muscle tissue. Creatine kinase (CK) levels must be checked
immediately to confirm muscle damage.
4. Which lipid component accounts for approximately 90% of
total energy storage in the body?
A. Phospholipids
B. Triglycerides
C. Steroids
D. Apoproteins
🟢 Correct answer: B. Triglycerides
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Triglycerides are neutral fats that serve as the
major energy source, accounting for 90% of stored energy in the
human body.
5. Which lab finding meets the diagnostic criteria for Metabolic
Syndrome when assessing cardiovascular risk?
A. Serum LDL cholesterol >190 mg/dL as an isolated finding
B. Serum potassium level <3.2 mEq/L and elevated creatinine
C. Fasting blood glucose elevated, low HDL, large waistline, high
blood pressure, and high triglycerides (3 or more present)
D. Total serum cholesterol level of 180 mg/dL
🟢 Correct answer: C. Fasting blood glucose elevated, low HDL,
large waistline, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides (3 or
more present)
🔴 RATIONALE: Metabolic syndrome requires the presence of at
least 3 of the following 5 factors: large waistline, high blood
pressure, high fasting blood sugar, high triglycerides, and low
HDL.
6. Which additional neurologic assessment is emphasized for a
client receiving lidocaine?
A. New yellow-green halos only
B. Blue-gray skin discoloration
C. Blurred vision and new numbness or tingling around the mouth
or fingers
D. Loss of taste only
🟢 Correct answer: C. Blurred vision and new numbness or
tingling around the mouth or fingers
🔴 RATIONALE: The lidocaine section highlights orientation,
blurred vision, and perioral/finger numbness or tingling as key
