Cardiovascular Pharmacology
A patient develops supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is hypotensive. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate will be administered?
A. Lidocaine [Xylocaine]
B. Adenosine [Adenocard]
C. Amiodarone [Cordarone]
D. Phenytoin [Dilantin] - questions and answers-B
A patient in a hypertensive crisis is being started on a continuous sodium nitroprusside [Nipride]
infusion. What interventions are essential before the nurse administers nitroprusside [Nipride]?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Obtain a baseline weight and weigh daily.
B. Prepare for arterial line insertion.
C. Discontinue the infusion when blood pressure is controlled.
D. Observe for signs of hypertrichosis during the infusion.
E. Cover the solution with an opaque bag. - questions and answers-A B E
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of hypertension. The nurse understands
that which medication works by preventing angiotensin II from binding with its receptor sites?
A. Quinapril [Accupril]
B. Aliskiren [Tekturna]
C. Eplerenone [Inspra]
D. Candesartan [Atacand] - questions and answers-D
A patient is admitted to the unit in a hypertensive emergency and examination reveals
papilledema. The nurse should expect which IV medications to be administered to achieve
rapid, controlled reduction of the patient's blood pressure?
A. Furosemide [Lasix]
B. Sodium nitroprusside [Nitropress]
C. Metoprolol [Lopressor]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem] - questions and answers-B
A patient is prescribed hydralazine [Apresoline] for the treatment of essential hypertension.
Which expected adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Nausea
B. Fatigue
C. Dizziness
D. Headache
E. Joint pain - questions and answers-B C D
,A patient is prescribed lisinopril [Prinivil] 40 mg by mouth once a day for hypertension. For which
therapeutic effect will the nurse monitor?
A. Slowing of the heart rate
B. Decrease in blood pressure
C. Symptoms such as dizziness and fainting
D. Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation of 100% - questions and answers-B
A patient is prescribed lisinopril [Prinvil] as part of the treatment plan for heart failure. Which
finding indicates the patient is experiencing the therapeutic effect of this drug?
A. + 2 edema of the lower extremities
B. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
C. Crackles in the lungs are no longer heard
D. Jugular vein distention - questions and answers-C
A patient with a deep vein thrombosis receiving an intravenous (IV) heparin infusion asks the
nurse how this medication works. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Heparin prevents the activation of vitamin K and thus blocks synthesis of some clotting
factors.
B. Heparin suppresses coagulation by helping antithrombin perform its natural functions.
C. Heparin works by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn dissolves the clot matrix.
D. Heparin inhibits the enzyme responsible for platelet activation and aggregation within
vessels. - questions and answers-B
A patient with an elevated triglyceride level is prescribed a sustained-release form of nicotinic
acid [Slo-Niacin]. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor for in this
patient?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Creatine kinase (CK) - questions and answers-C
A patient with angina pectoris has been prescribed nifedipine [Procardia].Which possible
adverse effects should the nurse expect with this medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Headache
B. Constipation
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Edema of ankles and feet
E. Overgrowth of gum tissue - questions and answers-A D E
A patient with cardiovascular disease is taking rosuvastatin [Crestor]. The nurse is monitoring
for potential adverse effects. Which finding indicates a potential adverse effect of this drug?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
B. Wheezing and shortness of breath
C. Platelet count of 100 × 103/mm3
, D. Muscle pain and tenderness - questions and answers-D
A patient with heart failure has developed a cough while taking an angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The health care provider discontinued the ACE inhibitor and prescribed
an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) as an alternative to the ACE inhibitor. The patient
continues to have symptoms of heart failure despite using an ARB. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate will be prescribed?
A. Eplerenone [Inspra]
B. Triamterene [Dyrenium]
C. Hydrochlorothiazide [Microzide]
D. BiDil [Isosorbide Dinitrate and Hydralazine] - questions and answers-D
A patient with hypertensive emergency is admitted to the hospital. Which medication should the
nurse be prepared to administer to this patient?
A. Minoxidil [Loniten]
B. Hydralazine [Apresoline]
C. Sodium nitroprusside [Nipride]
D. Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate [BiDil] - questions and answers-C
About which patient should the nurse notify the healthcare provider immediately?
A. A patient who takes digoxin [Lanoxin] 0.125 mg orally daily with a serum digoxin level of 0.8
ng/mL
B. A patient who takes oral spironolactone [Aldactone] 25 mg daily and enalapril [Vasotec] 5 mg
daily with a serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L
C. A patient who takes digoxin [Lanoxin] 0.25 mg orally daily with a serum potassium level of
4.0 mEq/L
D. A patient who takes oral lisinopril [Zestril] 5 mg daily and digoxin 0.125 mg daily with a serum
digoxin level of 0.5 ng/mL - questions and answers-B
An adult male patient is taking medication for blood pressure management. The patient states to
the nurse, "I'm not going to take these drugs anymore, because they are interfering with my sex
life." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. "It is unfortunate these drugs can cause erectile dysfunction but managing your blood
pressure is more important than your sexual performance."
B. "I understand how discouraging it must be to live with this adverse effect, but you could have
a stroke if you do not take your blood pressure medications."
C. "Let's discuss this effect with your prescriber. There are other drugs available to manage your
blood pressure that may not have the same adverse effect."
D. "I am glad you told me about your experience with this common side effect. Sexual
performance can be a difficult subject to discuss." - questions and answers-C
Calcium channel blockers work by reducing calcium influx into the cells of the heart and blood
vessels. Calcium channels are coupled to which type of autonomic nervous system receptors?
A. Alpha1
A patient develops supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is hypotensive. Which medication
should the nurse anticipate will be administered?
A. Lidocaine [Xylocaine]
B. Adenosine [Adenocard]
C. Amiodarone [Cordarone]
D. Phenytoin [Dilantin] - questions and answers-B
A patient in a hypertensive crisis is being started on a continuous sodium nitroprusside [Nipride]
infusion. What interventions are essential before the nurse administers nitroprusside [Nipride]?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Obtain a baseline weight and weigh daily.
B. Prepare for arterial line insertion.
C. Discontinue the infusion when blood pressure is controlled.
D. Observe for signs of hypertrichosis during the infusion.
E. Cover the solution with an opaque bag. - questions and answers-A B E
A patient is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of hypertension. The nurse understands
that which medication works by preventing angiotensin II from binding with its receptor sites?
A. Quinapril [Accupril]
B. Aliskiren [Tekturna]
C. Eplerenone [Inspra]
D. Candesartan [Atacand] - questions and answers-D
A patient is admitted to the unit in a hypertensive emergency and examination reveals
papilledema. The nurse should expect which IV medications to be administered to achieve
rapid, controlled reduction of the patient's blood pressure?
A. Furosemide [Lasix]
B. Sodium nitroprusside [Nitropress]
C. Metoprolol [Lopressor]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem] - questions and answers-B
A patient is prescribed hydralazine [Apresoline] for the treatment of essential hypertension.
Which expected adverse effects should the nurse discuss with the patient? (Select all that
apply.)
A. Nausea
B. Fatigue
C. Dizziness
D. Headache
E. Joint pain - questions and answers-B C D
,A patient is prescribed lisinopril [Prinivil] 40 mg by mouth once a day for hypertension. For which
therapeutic effect will the nurse monitor?
A. Slowing of the heart rate
B. Decrease in blood pressure
C. Symptoms such as dizziness and fainting
D. Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation of 100% - questions and answers-B
A patient is prescribed lisinopril [Prinvil] as part of the treatment plan for heart failure. Which
finding indicates the patient is experiencing the therapeutic effect of this drug?
A. + 2 edema of the lower extremities
B. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
C. Crackles in the lungs are no longer heard
D. Jugular vein distention - questions and answers-C
A patient with a deep vein thrombosis receiving an intravenous (IV) heparin infusion asks the
nurse how this medication works. What is the nurse's best response?
A. Heparin prevents the activation of vitamin K and thus blocks synthesis of some clotting
factors.
B. Heparin suppresses coagulation by helping antithrombin perform its natural functions.
C. Heparin works by converting plasminogen to plasmin, which in turn dissolves the clot matrix.
D. Heparin inhibits the enzyme responsible for platelet activation and aggregation within
vessels. - questions and answers-B
A patient with an elevated triglyceride level is prescribed a sustained-release form of nicotinic
acid [Slo-Niacin]. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to monitor for in this
patient?
A. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
D. Creatine kinase (CK) - questions and answers-C
A patient with angina pectoris has been prescribed nifedipine [Procardia].Which possible
adverse effects should the nurse expect with this medication? (Select all that apply.)
A. Headache
B. Constipation
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Edema of ankles and feet
E. Overgrowth of gum tissue - questions and answers-A D E
A patient with cardiovascular disease is taking rosuvastatin [Crestor]. The nurse is monitoring
for potential adverse effects. Which finding indicates a potential adverse effect of this drug?
A. Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
B. Wheezing and shortness of breath
C. Platelet count of 100 × 103/mm3
, D. Muscle pain and tenderness - questions and answers-D
A patient with heart failure has developed a cough while taking an angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The health care provider discontinued the ACE inhibitor and prescribed
an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) as an alternative to the ACE inhibitor. The patient
continues to have symptoms of heart failure despite using an ARB. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate will be prescribed?
A. Eplerenone [Inspra]
B. Triamterene [Dyrenium]
C. Hydrochlorothiazide [Microzide]
D. BiDil [Isosorbide Dinitrate and Hydralazine] - questions and answers-D
A patient with hypertensive emergency is admitted to the hospital. Which medication should the
nurse be prepared to administer to this patient?
A. Minoxidil [Loniten]
B. Hydralazine [Apresoline]
C. Sodium nitroprusside [Nipride]
D. Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate [BiDil] - questions and answers-C
About which patient should the nurse notify the healthcare provider immediately?
A. A patient who takes digoxin [Lanoxin] 0.125 mg orally daily with a serum digoxin level of 0.8
ng/mL
B. A patient who takes oral spironolactone [Aldactone] 25 mg daily and enalapril [Vasotec] 5 mg
daily with a serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L
C. A patient who takes digoxin [Lanoxin] 0.25 mg orally daily with a serum potassium level of
4.0 mEq/L
D. A patient who takes oral lisinopril [Zestril] 5 mg daily and digoxin 0.125 mg daily with a serum
digoxin level of 0.5 ng/mL - questions and answers-B
An adult male patient is taking medication for blood pressure management. The patient states to
the nurse, "I'm not going to take these drugs anymore, because they are interfering with my sex
life." What is the most appropriate response by the nurse?
A. "It is unfortunate these drugs can cause erectile dysfunction but managing your blood
pressure is more important than your sexual performance."
B. "I understand how discouraging it must be to live with this adverse effect, but you could have
a stroke if you do not take your blood pressure medications."
C. "Let's discuss this effect with your prescriber. There are other drugs available to manage your
blood pressure that may not have the same adverse effect."
D. "I am glad you told me about your experience with this common side effect. Sexual
performance can be a difficult subject to discuss." - questions and answers-C
Calcium channel blockers work by reducing calcium influx into the cells of the heart and blood
vessels. Calcium channels are coupled to which type of autonomic nervous system receptors?
A. Alpha1
