1. Which of the following is the primary action of beta-blockers?
a) Increase heart rate
b) Decrease blood pressure
c) Increase blood sugar levels
d) Dilate blood vessels
Answer: b) Decrease blood pressure
Rationale: Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of epinephrine and
norepinephrine on beta receptors. This results in a decrease in heart rate and
blood pressure, making them useful for managing hypertension and other
cardiovascular conditions.
2. A patient is prescribed warfarin. What lab test should the nurse monitor
regularly to assess the therapeutic effect of this medication?
a) Complete blood count (CBC)
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
c) Serum creatinine
d) Blood glucose levels
Answer: b) International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effect is monitored using the INR,
which measures the blood's tendency to clot. A therapeutic INR for most
conditions is typically between 2.0 and 3.0.
3. Which medication is commonly prescribed to manage an acute asthma
attack?
a) Fluticasone
b) Albuterol
c) Montelukast
d) Theophylline
Answer: b) Albuterol
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used for the quick relief
of acute asthma symptoms. It works by relaxing bronchial muscles and dilating the
airways, making it effective during asthma attacks.
4. A patient receiving digoxin should be monitored for which potential adverse
effect?
a) Tachycardia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Digoxin toxicity
d) Hyperglycemia
Answer: c) Digoxin toxicity
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
confusion, and visual disturbances. Monitoring serum levels, electrolytes
(especially potassium), and clinical signs is essential.
5. What is the primary use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
like lisinopril?
a) Decrease blood pressure
b) Increase blood volume
c) Promote platelet aggregation
d) Inhibit gastric acid secretion
Answer: a) Decrease blood pressure
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation, thereby
lowering blood pressure and reducing the strain on the heart.
6. Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
a) Constipation
b) Diarrhea
, c) Insomnia
d) Tachycardia
Answer: a) Constipation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics commonly cause constipation by reducing
gastrointestinal motility. It is important to monitor for this side effect and provide
appropriate interventions like stool softeners.
7. A patient on lithium therapy needs monitoring for which condition?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Renal impairment
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Hepatic toxicity
Answer: b) Renal impairment
Rationale: Lithium is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and its therapeutic range
is narrow. Renal impairment can lead to lithium toxicity, so kidney function should
be closely monitored.
8. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient. Which of the following would be
an indication for giving rapid-acting insulin?
a) When the blood glucose is elevated before meals
b) To prevent ketoacidosis
c) During periods of severe hypoglycemia
d) As a long-term insulin therapy
Answer: a) When the blood glucose is elevated before meals
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin is typically administered shortly before or after
meals to control the postprandial rise in blood glucose levels. It has a quick onset
and a short duration of action.
9. Which of the following medications is used to treat hyperthyroidism?
a) Increase heart rate
b) Decrease blood pressure
c) Increase blood sugar levels
d) Dilate blood vessels
Answer: b) Decrease blood pressure
Rationale: Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of epinephrine and
norepinephrine on beta receptors. This results in a decrease in heart rate and
blood pressure, making them useful for managing hypertension and other
cardiovascular conditions.
2. A patient is prescribed warfarin. What lab test should the nurse monitor
regularly to assess the therapeutic effect of this medication?
a) Complete blood count (CBC)
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
c) Serum creatinine
d) Blood glucose levels
Answer: b) International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effect is monitored using the INR,
which measures the blood's tendency to clot. A therapeutic INR for most
conditions is typically between 2.0 and 3.0.
3. Which medication is commonly prescribed to manage an acute asthma
attack?
a) Fluticasone
b) Albuterol
c) Montelukast
d) Theophylline
Answer: b) Albuterol
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used for the quick relief
of acute asthma symptoms. It works by relaxing bronchial muscles and dilating the
airways, making it effective during asthma attacks.
4. A patient receiving digoxin should be monitored for which potential adverse
effect?
a) Tachycardia
b) Hypokalemia
c) Digoxin toxicity
d) Hyperglycemia
Answer: c) Digoxin toxicity
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting,
confusion, and visual disturbances. Monitoring serum levels, electrolytes
(especially potassium), and clinical signs is essential.
5. What is the primary use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
like lisinopril?
a) Decrease blood pressure
b) Increase blood volume
c) Promote platelet aggregation
d) Inhibit gastric acid secretion
Answer: a) Decrease blood pressure
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to
angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. This leads to vasodilation, thereby
lowering blood pressure and reducing the strain on the heart.
6. Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
a) Constipation
b) Diarrhea
, c) Insomnia
d) Tachycardia
Answer: a) Constipation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics commonly cause constipation by reducing
gastrointestinal motility. It is important to monitor for this side effect and provide
appropriate interventions like stool softeners.
7. A patient on lithium therapy needs monitoring for which condition?
a) Hyperkalemia
b) Renal impairment
c) Hypercalcemia
d) Hepatic toxicity
Answer: b) Renal impairment
Rationale: Lithium is primarily excreted by the kidneys, and its therapeutic range
is narrow. Renal impairment can lead to lithium toxicity, so kidney function should
be closely monitored.
8. A nurse is administering insulin to a patient. Which of the following would be
an indication for giving rapid-acting insulin?
a) When the blood glucose is elevated before meals
b) To prevent ketoacidosis
c) During periods of severe hypoglycemia
d) As a long-term insulin therapy
Answer: a) When the blood glucose is elevated before meals
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin is typically administered shortly before or after
meals to control the postprandial rise in blood glucose levels. It has a quick onset
and a short duration of action.
9. Which of the following medications is used to treat hyperthyroidism?
