NR 293 Final Exam Review Questions and Correct
Answers | Latest Update 2026-2027
1. What is a normal aPTT time for someone on continuous heparin infusion?
A) 25–35 seconds
B) 40–50 seconds
C) 60–100 seconds
D) 120–150 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 60–100 seconds
Rationale: Normal aPTT is roughly 25–35 seconds. For continuous heparin
therapy, the therapeutic target is typically 1.5–2.5 times normal, corresponding to
about 60–80 seconds (many institutions use 60–100 seconds).
2. What are serious side effects of propranolol (Inderal)?
Answer: Hypotension, bradycardia, hypoglycemia, expiratory wheezing, shortness
of breath.
Rationale: Propranolol is a nonselective beta-blocker. Blockade of beta-1
receptors causes bradycardia and hypotension; beta-2 blockade can cause
bronchospasm (wheezing, dyspnea) and mask hypoglycemia symptoms.
Hypoglycemia can occur because beta-blockade impairs glycogenolysis and
warning signs.
3. What foods should be limited with Spironolactone (Aldactone) therapy?
A) Foods high in potassium
B) Foods high in sodium
C) Foods high in calcium
D) Foods high in vitamin K
Correct Answer: A) Foods high in potassium
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (aldosterone
antagonist). It increases serum potassium, so patients should avoid potassium-rich
foods and salt substitutes (which contain potassium chloride) to prevent
hyperkalemia.
, 4. What medications can be used for C. diff related diarrhea?
Answer: Fidaxomicin, Florastor (Saccharomyces boulardii), vancomycin.
Rationale: First-line treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection includes oral
vancomycin or fidaxomicin. Florastor is a probiotic adjunct that may help restore
gut flora and reduce recurrence. Metronidazole is used only when first-line agents
are unavailable.
5. Patients taking cholesterol medications such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should
get which lab frequently checked?
A) Liver enzymes/liver function tests
B) Kidney function tests
C) Complete blood count
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: A) Liver enzymes/liver function tests
Rationale: Statins such as atorvastatin can cause hepatotoxicity. Baseline and
periodic liver enzyme monitoring are recommended, especially if symptoms of
liver injury occur.
6. Patients on diuretics therapy should report...?
Answer: Signs and symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, weakness), weight gain,
difficulty breathing, crackles.
Rationale: Diuretics can cause excessive fluid loss (dehydration, hypotension,
dizziness) or inadequate effect (fluid overload with weight gain, dyspnea,
crackles). Patients should report both extremes.
7. What are some things that decrease patients compliance with medication in
general?
Answer: Lack of education, side effects, large/difficult-to-swallow pills, long
duration/course of medication.
Rationale: These are common barriers to adherence. Other factors include cost,
complex regimens, forgetfulness, and poor health literacy.
8. ACE inhibitors such as Lisinopril and captopril are safe for liver dysfunction
patients, but other ACE inhibitors are not. Why?
Answer: Lisinopril and captopril are not prodrugs and are not metabolized by the
liver.
Rationale: Most ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) are prodrugs requiring hepatic
Answers | Latest Update 2026-2027
1. What is a normal aPTT time for someone on continuous heparin infusion?
A) 25–35 seconds
B) 40–50 seconds
C) 60–100 seconds
D) 120–150 seconds
Correct Answer: C) 60–100 seconds
Rationale: Normal aPTT is roughly 25–35 seconds. For continuous heparin
therapy, the therapeutic target is typically 1.5–2.5 times normal, corresponding to
about 60–80 seconds (many institutions use 60–100 seconds).
2. What are serious side effects of propranolol (Inderal)?
Answer: Hypotension, bradycardia, hypoglycemia, expiratory wheezing, shortness
of breath.
Rationale: Propranolol is a nonselective beta-blocker. Blockade of beta-1
receptors causes bradycardia and hypotension; beta-2 blockade can cause
bronchospasm (wheezing, dyspnea) and mask hypoglycemia symptoms.
Hypoglycemia can occur because beta-blockade impairs glycogenolysis and
warning signs.
3. What foods should be limited with Spironolactone (Aldactone) therapy?
A) Foods high in potassium
B) Foods high in sodium
C) Foods high in calcium
D) Foods high in vitamin K
Correct Answer: A) Foods high in potassium
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (aldosterone
antagonist). It increases serum potassium, so patients should avoid potassium-rich
foods and salt substitutes (which contain potassium chloride) to prevent
hyperkalemia.
, 4. What medications can be used for C. diff related diarrhea?
Answer: Fidaxomicin, Florastor (Saccharomyces boulardii), vancomycin.
Rationale: First-line treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection includes oral
vancomycin or fidaxomicin. Florastor is a probiotic adjunct that may help restore
gut flora and reduce recurrence. Metronidazole is used only when first-line agents
are unavailable.
5. Patients taking cholesterol medications such as Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should
get which lab frequently checked?
A) Liver enzymes/liver function tests
B) Kidney function tests
C) Complete blood count
D) Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: A) Liver enzymes/liver function tests
Rationale: Statins such as atorvastatin can cause hepatotoxicity. Baseline and
periodic liver enzyme monitoring are recommended, especially if symptoms of
liver injury occur.
6. Patients on diuretics therapy should report...?
Answer: Signs and symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, weakness), weight gain,
difficulty breathing, crackles.
Rationale: Diuretics can cause excessive fluid loss (dehydration, hypotension,
dizziness) or inadequate effect (fluid overload with weight gain, dyspnea,
crackles). Patients should report both extremes.
7. What are some things that decrease patients compliance with medication in
general?
Answer: Lack of education, side effects, large/difficult-to-swallow pills, long
duration/course of medication.
Rationale: These are common barriers to adherence. Other factors include cost,
complex regimens, forgetfulness, and poor health literacy.
8. ACE inhibitors such as Lisinopril and captopril are safe for liver dysfunction
patients, but other ACE inhibitors are not. Why?
Answer: Lisinopril and captopril are not prodrugs and are not metabolized by the
liver.
Rationale: Most ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) are prodrugs requiring hepatic
