Question 1
A client is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Ototoxicity
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypernatremia
Answer: b. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause ototoxicity, particularly when
administered at high doses or too rapidly via IV. Hyperkalemia is incorrect as
furosemide can lead to hypokalemia.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client about the use of warfarin. Which food should the
client limit due to its effect on the medication?
a. Spinach
b. Chicken
c. Bananas
d. Whole grain bread
Answer: a. Spinach
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which can decrease the effectiveness of
warfarin by promoting clotting. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K
intake.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which of the following findings
should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
a. Heart rate of 55 bpm
b. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
c. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
d. Digoxin level of 0.8 ng/mL
,Answer: a. Heart rate of 55 bpm
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the medication should be withheld if
the heart rate is less than 60 bpm. The other findings are within normal limits.
Question 4
Which lab value should the nurse monitor for a client receiving heparin therapy?
a. INR
b. aPTT
c. Platelet count
d. Serum creatinine
Answer: b. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin's effectiveness and risk for bleeding are monitored using the
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). INR is used for warfarin therapy.
Question 5
A client is receiving morphine for pain management. Which of the following is
the nurse's priority assessment?
a. Pain level
b. Respiratory rate
c. Bowel function
d. Urine output
Answer: b. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, which is life-threatening.
While pain level and bowel function are important, respiratory rate is the priority.
Question 6
What should the nurse include in teaching about the side effects of atorvastatin?
a. "Report muscle pain or weakness to your provider immediately."
b. "This medication may cause frequent urination."
, c. "You may experience an increase in blood pressure."
d. "This medication commonly causes drowsiness."
Answer: a. "Report muscle pain or weakness to your provider immediately."
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause myopathy, which may progress to
rhabdomyolysis. Clients should report muscle pain or weakness.
Question 7
A nurse is administering lisinopril to a client. Which adverse effect should be
reported immediately?
a. Dry cough
b. Angioedema
c. Drowsiness
d. Headache
Answer: b. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening reaction that can occur with ACE
inhibitors like lisinopril and requires immediate intervention.
Question 8
A client with diabetes is prescribed prednisone. What should the nurse monitor?
a. Decreased blood glucose levels
b. Increased blood glucose levels
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hypercalcemia
Answer: b. Increased blood glucose levels
Rationale: Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can cause hyperglycemia. Clients with
diabetes may require adjustments to their antidiabetic medications.
Question 9
A client is prescribed albuterol for asthma. What is the most common side effect
of this medication?
A client is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which adverse effect should
the nurse monitor for?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Ototoxicity
c. Bradycardia
d. Hypernatremia
Answer: b. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause ototoxicity, particularly when
administered at high doses or too rapidly via IV. Hyperkalemia is incorrect as
furosemide can lead to hypokalemia.
Question 2
A nurse is teaching a client about the use of warfarin. Which food should the
client limit due to its effect on the medication?
a. Spinach
b. Chicken
c. Bananas
d. Whole grain bread
Answer: a. Spinach
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which can decrease the effectiveness of
warfarin by promoting clotting. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K
intake.
Question 3
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which of the following findings
should prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
a. Heart rate of 55 bpm
b. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
c. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
d. Digoxin level of 0.8 ng/mL
,Answer: a. Heart rate of 55 bpm
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; the medication should be withheld if
the heart rate is less than 60 bpm. The other findings are within normal limits.
Question 4
Which lab value should the nurse monitor for a client receiving heparin therapy?
a. INR
b. aPTT
c. Platelet count
d. Serum creatinine
Answer: b. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin's effectiveness and risk for bleeding are monitored using the
activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). INR is used for warfarin therapy.
Question 5
A client is receiving morphine for pain management. Which of the following is
the nurse's priority assessment?
a. Pain level
b. Respiratory rate
c. Bowel function
d. Urine output
Answer: b. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression, which is life-threatening.
While pain level and bowel function are important, respiratory rate is the priority.
Question 6
What should the nurse include in teaching about the side effects of atorvastatin?
a. "Report muscle pain or weakness to your provider immediately."
b. "This medication may cause frequent urination."
, c. "You may experience an increase in blood pressure."
d. "This medication commonly causes drowsiness."
Answer: a. "Report muscle pain or weakness to your provider immediately."
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause myopathy, which may progress to
rhabdomyolysis. Clients should report muscle pain or weakness.
Question 7
A nurse is administering lisinopril to a client. Which adverse effect should be
reported immediately?
a. Dry cough
b. Angioedema
c. Drowsiness
d. Headache
Answer: b. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening reaction that can occur with ACE
inhibitors like lisinopril and requires immediate intervention.
Question 8
A client with diabetes is prescribed prednisone. What should the nurse monitor?
a. Decreased blood glucose levels
b. Increased blood glucose levels
c. Hypokalemia
d. Hypercalcemia
Answer: b. Increased blood glucose levels
Rationale: Prednisone, a corticosteroid, can cause hyperglycemia. Clients with
diabetes may require adjustments to their antidiabetic medications.
Question 9
A client is prescribed albuterol for asthma. What is the most common side effect
of this medication?
