1. Which of the following medications is classified as an opioid analgesic?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen
C) Morphine
D) Aspirin
Answer: C) Morphine
Rationale: Morphine is a strong opioid analgesic used for the management of
severe pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are non-opioid analgesics, and aspirin
is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
2. A patient is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which of the following should the
nurse monitor for adverse effects?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Increased respiratory rate
Answer: B) Decreased blood pressure
Rationale: Beta-blockers, such as atenolol, work by blocking beta-adrenergic
receptors, leading to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. Nurses should
monitor for hypotension and bradycardia.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed a statin for
hyperlipidemia. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I will avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication."
B) "I should take my medication in the morning."
C) "I need to report any muscle pain to my doctor."
D) "I will follow a low-fat diet to help manage my cholesterol."
Answer: B) "I should take my medication in the morning."
,Rationale: Statins should be taken in the evening because cholesterol production
is highest during the night. The other statements are correct: grapefruit juice
should be avoided, muscle pain can indicate a serious side effect
(rhabdomyolysis), and a low-fat diet is important for managing cholesterol.
4. Which of the following medications is used to treat an acute asthma
exacerbation?
A) Fluticasone
B) Albuterol
C) Montelukast
D) Theophylline
Answer: B) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used for immediate
relief during an acute asthma exacerbation. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid used for
long-term asthma control, montelukast is a leukotriene modifier, and theophylline
is a bronchodilator but not commonly used for acute exacerbations.
5. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which of the following should be
assessed before administering the medication?
A) Serum potassium levels
B) Serum calcium levels
C) Blood pressure
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: A) Serum potassium levels
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and its effects can be
potentiated by low potassium levels, leading to toxicity. Monitoring potassium is
essential before administering digoxin. Blood pressure and respiratory rate may
also be monitored, but they are not directly related to digoxin administration.
, 6. Which of the following is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors?
A) Constipation
B) Cough
C) Weight gain
D) Blurred vision
Answer: B) Cough
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors,
such as enalapril. Constipation, weight gain, and blurred vision are not typical side
effects of ACE inhibitors.
7. A client is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory test is used to monitor
the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) White blood cell count
C) Serum creatinine
D) Blood glucose level
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin affects clotting factors and is monitored using the PT and
international normalized ratio (INR). A prolonged PT/INR indicates that the blood
is taking longer to clot. White blood cell count, serum creatinine, and blood
glucose are not used to monitor warfarin effectiveness.
8. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypokalemia
Answer: D) Hypokalemia
A) Acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen
C) Morphine
D) Aspirin
Answer: C) Morphine
Rationale: Morphine is a strong opioid analgesic used for the management of
severe pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are non-opioid analgesics, and aspirin
is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
2. A patient is prescribed a beta-blocker. Which of the following should the
nurse monitor for adverse effects?
A) Increased heart rate
B) Decreased blood pressure
C) Hyperglycemia
D) Increased respiratory rate
Answer: B) Decreased blood pressure
Rationale: Beta-blockers, such as atenolol, work by blocking beta-adrenergic
receptors, leading to decreased heart rate and blood pressure. Nurses should
monitor for hypotension and bradycardia.
3. A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed a statin for
hyperlipidemia. Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I will avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medication."
B) "I should take my medication in the morning."
C) "I need to report any muscle pain to my doctor."
D) "I will follow a low-fat diet to help manage my cholesterol."
Answer: B) "I should take my medication in the morning."
,Rationale: Statins should be taken in the evening because cholesterol production
is highest during the night. The other statements are correct: grapefruit juice
should be avoided, muscle pain can indicate a serious side effect
(rhabdomyolysis), and a low-fat diet is important for managing cholesterol.
4. Which of the following medications is used to treat an acute asthma
exacerbation?
A) Fluticasone
B) Albuterol
C) Montelukast
D) Theophylline
Answer: B) Albuterol
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used for immediate
relief during an acute asthma exacerbation. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid used for
long-term asthma control, montelukast is a leukotriene modifier, and theophylline
is a bronchodilator but not commonly used for acute exacerbations.
5. A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which of the following should be
assessed before administering the medication?
A) Serum potassium levels
B) Serum calcium levels
C) Blood pressure
D) Respiratory rate
Answer: A) Serum potassium levels
Rationale: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, and its effects can be
potentiated by low potassium levels, leading to toxicity. Monitoring potassium is
essential before administering digoxin. Blood pressure and respiratory rate may
also be monitored, but they are not directly related to digoxin administration.
, 6. Which of the following is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors?
A) Constipation
B) Cough
C) Weight gain
D) Blurred vision
Answer: B) Cough
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors,
such as enalapril. Constipation, weight gain, and blurred vision are not typical side
effects of ACE inhibitors.
7. A client is receiving warfarin therapy. Which laboratory test is used to monitor
the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) White blood cell count
C) Serum creatinine
D) Blood glucose level
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin affects clotting factors and is monitored using the PT and
international normalized ratio (INR). A prolonged PT/INR indicates that the blood
is taking longer to clot. White blood cell count, serum creatinine, and blood
glucose are not used to monitor warfarin effectiveness.
8. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor for?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hyponatremia
C) Hypercalcemia
D) Hypokalemia
Answer: D) Hypokalemia
