NUR 378 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1, 2, 3 & FINAL EXAM 2026 –
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT, ALREADY
GRADED A+
1.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The
patient’s potassium level is 2.9 mEq/L.
Which action should the nurse take before giving the medication?
A. Administer the dose as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Give potassium supplements after digoxin
D. Increase the next dose of digoxin
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases digoxin toxicity risk. The nurse should
hold digoxin and report the low potassium to the provider.
2.
A patient on lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. The nurse explains that
this effect occurs because:
A. Lisinopril increases sodium retention
B. Lisinopril causes potassium loss
C. Lisinopril increases bradykinin levels
D. Lisinopril blocks beta receptors in the lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block bradykinin breakdown, leading to
accumulation that irritates airway tissue and causes a dry cough.
,3.
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient prescribed propranolol for
hypertension. Which complication is most concerning?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Masked symptoms of hypoglycemia
C. Increased urine output
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms (like
tachycardia), delaying recognition and treatment.
4.
A patient on furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. The nurse
suspects which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss, leading to
muscle weakness, cramps, and arrhythmias.
5.
A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. “I can eat as much spinach as I want.”
B. “I will have regular blood tests to check my INR.”
C. “Warfarin works immediately to thin my blood.”
D. “I should take aspirin daily with this medication.”
Answer: B
,Rationale: INR monitoring ensures therapeutic anticoagulation. Vitamin K–
rich foods and aspirin can interfere with warfarin.
6.
A patient receiving IV heparin develops bleeding gums. What should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds and neutralizes heparin, reversing its
anticoagulant effect.
7.
A nurse gives insulin lispro to a diabetic patient at 7:30 AM. The breakfast
tray arrives at 8:15 AM. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the insulin as scheduled
B. Hold the insulin until the meal is available
C. Give the insulin with the next dose
D. Notify the provider to reduce the dose
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin peaks quickly; giving it without food risks
severe hypoglycemia.
8.
A nurse is caring for a patient taking metformin. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Mild diarrhea
B. Nausea after meals
, C. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
D. Blood glucose of 140 mg/dL
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates renal impairment, increasing
metformin-related lactic acidosis risk.
9.
A patient on morphine for postoperative pain becomes drowsy and
respirations drop to 6/min. What should the nurse administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression by
displacing opioids from μ-receptors.
10.
A nurse is educating a patient starting nitroglycerin. Which statement shows
a need for further teaching?
A. “I’ll keep the tablets in a dark container.”
B. “If I have chest pain, I’ll take one pill every 5 minutes up to three times.”
C. “I’ll swallow the tablet with water.”
D. “I may feel a headache or flushing.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually, not swallowed, for
rapid absorption.
11.
ACTUAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | 100% CORRECT, ALREADY
GRADED A+
1.
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The
patient’s potassium level is 2.9 mEq/L.
Which action should the nurse take before giving the medication?
A. Administer the dose as prescribed
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Give potassium supplements after digoxin
D. Increase the next dose of digoxin
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases digoxin toxicity risk. The nurse should
hold digoxin and report the low potassium to the provider.
2.
A patient on lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. The nurse explains that
this effect occurs because:
A. Lisinopril increases sodium retention
B. Lisinopril causes potassium loss
C. Lisinopril increases bradykinin levels
D. Lisinopril blocks beta receptors in the lungs
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors block bradykinin breakdown, leading to
accumulation that irritates airway tissue and causes a dry cough.
,3.
A nurse is caring for a diabetic patient prescribed propranolol for
hypertension. Which complication is most concerning?
A. Orthostatic hypotension
B. Masked symptoms of hypoglycemia
C. Increased urine output
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms (like
tachycardia), delaying recognition and treatment.
4.
A patient on furosemide reports muscle cramps and weakness. The nurse
suspects which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide cause potassium loss, leading to
muscle weakness, cramps, and arrhythmias.
5.
A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which statement
indicates correct understanding?
A. “I can eat as much spinach as I want.”
B. “I will have regular blood tests to check my INR.”
C. “Warfarin works immediately to thin my blood.”
D. “I should take aspirin daily with this medication.”
Answer: B
,Rationale: INR monitoring ensures therapeutic anticoagulation. Vitamin K–
rich foods and aspirin can interfere with warfarin.
6.
A patient receiving IV heparin develops bleeding gums. What should the
nurse prepare to administer?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds and neutralizes heparin, reversing its
anticoagulant effect.
7.
A nurse gives insulin lispro to a diabetic patient at 7:30 AM. The breakfast
tray arrives at 8:15 AM. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer the insulin as scheduled
B. Hold the insulin until the meal is available
C. Give the insulin with the next dose
D. Notify the provider to reduce the dose
Answer: B
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin peaks quickly; giving it without food risks
severe hypoglycemia.
8.
A nurse is caring for a patient taking metformin. Which finding requires
immediate action?
A. Mild diarrhea
B. Nausea after meals
, C. Serum creatinine of 2.5 mg/dL
D. Blood glucose of 140 mg/dL
Answer: C
Rationale: Elevated creatinine indicates renal impairment, increasing
metformin-related lactic acidosis risk.
9.
A patient on morphine for postoperative pain becomes drowsy and
respirations drop to 6/min. What should the nurse administer?
A. Naloxone
B. Atropine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression by
displacing opioids from μ-receptors.
10.
A nurse is educating a patient starting nitroglycerin. Which statement shows
a need for further teaching?
A. “I’ll keep the tablets in a dark container.”
B. “If I have chest pain, I’ll take one pill every 5 minutes up to three times.”
C. “I’ll swallow the tablet with water.”
D. “I may feel a headache or flushing.”
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually, not swallowed, for
rapid absorption.
11.
