NURS 1150 Exam 2 Actual Exam V2 | NURS 1150 Nurse Pharmacology
I (NURS1150 Exam 2) | Northwest College (NWC)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment is the priority before giving this medication?
A. Monitor daily weight
B. Check for peripheral edema
C. Measure blood pressure in both arms
D. Assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases contractility but decreases the
heart rate. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute to ensure the rate is
at least 60 beats per minute. If the heart rate is below 60, the medication should be
withheld and the physician notified to prevent further bradycardia.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance should a nurse monitor for in a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of water, sodium, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a common and potentially dangerous side effect that can lead to
cardiac dysrhythmias. Nurses should monitor serum potassium levels and encourage the
intake of potassium-rich foods or supplements.
3. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the medication’s effectiveness?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Serum creatinine
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
,Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the Prothrombin Time (PT) and the
International Normalized Ratio (INR). The goal for most patients is an INR between 2.0 and
3.0 to prevent blood clots while minimizing bleeding risk. Frequent lab testing is required
to adjust the dosage based on these results.
4. A patient taking Lisinopril for hypertension complains of a persistent, dry cough. What is
the most likely cause of this symptom?
A. A common side effect of ACE inhibitors
B. An upper respiratory infection
C. Development of heart failure
D. An allergic reaction to the medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, which can lead to an accumulation of bradykinin
in the lungs. This buildup frequently causes a persistent, non-productive dry cough in many
patients. If the cough becomes intolerable, the healthcare provider may switch the patient
to an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB).
5. A nurse is educating a patient about the side effects of Metoprolol. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I can take this medication if my heart rate is 50.’
B. ‘I will check my pulse before taking this drug.’
C. ‘I should not stop this medication abruptly.’
D. ‘I should change positions slowly to avoid dizziness.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and reduces blood
pressure. Patients should be taught to withhold the medication if their pulse is below 60
beats per minute. Taking the medication with a pulse of 50 could lead to dangerous
bradycardia and reduced cardiac output.
6. What is the antidote for a patient experiencing a Heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Glucagon
Answer: B
, Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin.
It works by binding to heparin to form a stable salt, neutralizing its anticoagulant
properties. This is critical for patients who experience severe bleeding while on heparin
therapy.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Spironolactone. Which laboratory result would be
most concerning to the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone,
leading to the retention of potassium. A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse must
monitor potassium levels closely and advise the patient to avoid potassium supplements or
salt substitutes.
8. A patient is instructed to take Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. ‘Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.’
B. ‘If pain persists after the first dose, wait 10 minutes before the second.’
C. ‘Chew the tablet thoroughly for faster absorption.’
D. ‘Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue to bypass the first-
pass metabolism of the liver for rapid effect. Patients should be instructed to take one dose
every 5 minutes for up to three doses if chest pain persists. If pain is not relieved after the
first dose, they should also seek emergency medical services.
9. A patient is starting Atorvastatin (Lipitor) to treat hyperlipidemia. The nurse should instruct
the patient to report which serious side effect?
A. Mild headache
B. Muscle pain or tenderness
C. Dry mouth
D. Increased appetite
I (NURS1150 Exam 2) | Northwest College (NWC)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer Digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment is the priority before giving this medication?
A. Monitor daily weight
B. Check for peripheral edema
C. Measure blood pressure in both arms
D. Assess the apical pulse for 1 full minute
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases contractility but decreases the
heart rate. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute to ensure the rate is
at least 60 beats per minute. If the heart rate is below 60, the medication should be
withheld and the physician notified to prevent further bradycardia.
2. Which electrolyte imbalance should a nurse monitor for in a patient taking Furosemide
(Lasix)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of water, sodium, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a common and potentially dangerous side effect that can lead to
cardiac dysrhythmias. Nurses should monitor serum potassium levels and encourage the
intake of potassium-rich foods or supplements.
3. A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the medication’s effectiveness?
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Serum creatinine
D. PT/INR
Answer: D
,Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the Prothrombin Time (PT) and the
International Normalized Ratio (INR). The goal for most patients is an INR between 2.0 and
3.0 to prevent blood clots while minimizing bleeding risk. Frequent lab testing is required
to adjust the dosage based on these results.
4. A patient taking Lisinopril for hypertension complains of a persistent, dry cough. What is
the most likely cause of this symptom?
A. A common side effect of ACE inhibitors
B. An upper respiratory infection
C. Development of heart failure
D. An allergic reaction to the medication
Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, which can lead to an accumulation of bradykinin
in the lungs. This buildup frequently causes a persistent, non-productive dry cough in many
patients. If the cough becomes intolerable, the healthcare provider may switch the patient
to an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB).
5. A nurse is educating a patient about the side effects of Metoprolol. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I can take this medication if my heart rate is 50.’
B. ‘I will check my pulse before taking this drug.’
C. ‘I should not stop this medication abruptly.’
D. ‘I should change positions slowly to avoid dizziness.’
Answer: A
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and reduces blood
pressure. Patients should be taught to withhold the medication if their pulse is below 60
beats per minute. Taking the medication with a pulse of 50 could lead to dangerous
bradycardia and reduced cardiac output.
6. What is the antidote for a patient experiencing a Heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Glucagon
Answer: B
, Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin.
It works by binding to heparin to form a stable salt, neutralizing its anticoagulant
properties. This is critical for patients who experience severe bleeding while on heparin
therapy.
7. A patient with heart failure is prescribed Spironolactone. Which laboratory result would be
most concerning to the nurse?
A. Sodium 138 mEq/L
B. Potassium 5.8 mEq/L
C. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone,
leading to the retention of potassium. A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse must
monitor potassium levels closely and advise the patient to avoid potassium supplements or
salt substitutes.
8. A patient is instructed to take Nitroglycerin sublingually for chest pain. Which instruction
should the nurse include?
A. ‘Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.’
B. ‘If pain persists after the first dose, wait 10 minutes before the second.’
C. ‘Chew the tablet thoroughly for faster absorption.’
D. ‘Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve.’
Answer: D
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be dissolved under the tongue to bypass the first-
pass metabolism of the liver for rapid effect. Patients should be instructed to take one dose
every 5 minutes for up to three doses if chest pain persists. If pain is not relieved after the
first dose, they should also seek emergency medical services.
9. A patient is starting Atorvastatin (Lipitor) to treat hyperlipidemia. The nurse should instruct
the patient to report which serious side effect?
A. Mild headache
B. Muscle pain or tenderness
C. Dry mouth
D. Increased appetite
