1
NURS 5334 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM STUDY SET |
200 VERIFIED FNP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | 2025 UPDATED
NURSING TEST BANK
1. ACE inhibitors are widely used for hypertension and heart failure management.
However, they are known to cause adverse fetal outcomes when taken during
pregnancy.
Which of the following patient populations should never receive ACE inhibitors?
A. Postmenopausal women
B. Pregnant women
C. Older adults
D. Patients with diabetes
Answer: B. Pregnant women
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause fetal renal failure, growth restriction, and death;
contraindicated in all trimesters.
2. Beta blockers differ in receptor selectivity and can be dangerous for individuals
with chronic respiratory conditions.
Which of the following beta blockers should be avoided in a patient with asthma?
A. Atenolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Bisoprolol
D. Propranolol
Answer: D. Propranolol
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that blocks β2 receptors in
the lungs, causing bronchoconstriction.
3. Antibiotic selection during pregnancy must consider fetal safety and drug class
teratogenicity.
, 2
Which of the following antibiotics is considered safe for use during pregnancy?
A. Doxycycline
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Answer: C. Amoxicillin
Rationale: Penicillins are safe in pregnancy; tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones
are contraindicated.
4. In diabetic patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitors are often the first-line
treatment due to renal protective effects.
What is the main renal benefit of ACE inhibitors in diabetic patients?
A. Increase sodium reabsorption
B. Reduce proteinuria and slow nephropathy
C. Stimulate erythropoietin production
D. Promote potassium excretion
Answer: B. Reduce proteinuria and slow nephropathy
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce glomerular pressure and prevent progression of
diabetic kidney disease.
5. A patient on warfarin develops a urinary tract infection and is prescribed
antibiotics.
Which antibiotic can dangerously increase INR and bleeding risk when combined
with warfarin?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
C. Nitrofurantoin
D. Azithromycin
Answer: B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Rationale: This antibiotic inhibits warfarin metabolism, significantly increasing
bleeding risk.
, 3
6. A 60-year-old male taking amiodarone for atrial fibrillation presents for follow-
up.
Which adverse effect is most important to monitor with long-term amiodarone use?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Renal impairment
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause irreversible pulmonary toxicity; baseline and
periodic chest imaging are required.
7. A female patient on isotretinoin for severe acne presents for contraceptive
counseling.
What is the most critical reason pregnancy must be avoided during therapy?
A. It reduces the drug’s absorption
B. It increases maternal blood pressure
C. It causes severe fetal malformations
D. It increases acne flare-ups
Answer: C. It causes severe fetal malformations
Rationale: Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic; two reliable forms of contraception
are required during treatment.
8. When prescribing levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, patient education is
essential for optimal absorption.
What is the best way to take this medication?
A. With breakfast and coffee
B. With iron and calcium supplements
C. On an empty stomach in the morning
D. At night after dinner
Answer: C. On an empty stomach in the morning
Rationale: Food, calcium, and iron interfere with levothyroxine absorption; take
30–60 minutes before meals.
, 4
9. A 55-year-old man taking simvastatin complains of new-onset muscle pain and
weakness.
Which laboratory test should be ordered to confirm a suspected adverse effect?
A. ALT and AST
B. Serum creatinine
C. Creatine kinase (CK)
D. Serum calcium
Answer: C. Creatine kinase (CK)
Rationale: Elevated CK indicates statin-induced myopathy; discontinue the drug if
levels are high.
10. A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension develops fatigue and
muscle weakness.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely responsible?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase potassium loss, which can cause weakness
and arrhythmias.
11. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, blurred vision, and yellow halos
around lights.
What should the provider check to confirm the cause?
A. Serum digoxin level
B. Serum sodium level
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: A. Serum digoxin level
Rationale: These are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can be life-threatening if
levels are elevated.
NURS 5334 ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM STUDY SET |
200 VERIFIED FNP QUESTIONS & ANSWERS | 2025 UPDATED
NURSING TEST BANK
1. ACE inhibitors are widely used for hypertension and heart failure management.
However, they are known to cause adverse fetal outcomes when taken during
pregnancy.
Which of the following patient populations should never receive ACE inhibitors?
A. Postmenopausal women
B. Pregnant women
C. Older adults
D. Patients with diabetes
Answer: B. Pregnant women
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause fetal renal failure, growth restriction, and death;
contraindicated in all trimesters.
2. Beta blockers differ in receptor selectivity and can be dangerous for individuals
with chronic respiratory conditions.
Which of the following beta blockers should be avoided in a patient with asthma?
A. Atenolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Bisoprolol
D. Propranolol
Answer: D. Propranolol
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker that blocks β2 receptors in
the lungs, causing bronchoconstriction.
3. Antibiotic selection during pregnancy must consider fetal safety and drug class
teratogenicity.
, 2
Which of the following antibiotics is considered safe for use during pregnancy?
A. Doxycycline
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Answer: C. Amoxicillin
Rationale: Penicillins are safe in pregnancy; tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones
are contraindicated.
4. In diabetic patients with hypertension, ACE inhibitors are often the first-line
treatment due to renal protective effects.
What is the main renal benefit of ACE inhibitors in diabetic patients?
A. Increase sodium reabsorption
B. Reduce proteinuria and slow nephropathy
C. Stimulate erythropoietin production
D. Promote potassium excretion
Answer: B. Reduce proteinuria and slow nephropathy
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce glomerular pressure and prevent progression of
diabetic kidney disease.
5. A patient on warfarin develops a urinary tract infection and is prescribed
antibiotics.
Which antibiotic can dangerously increase INR and bleeding risk when combined
with warfarin?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
C. Nitrofurantoin
D. Azithromycin
Answer: B. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Rationale: This antibiotic inhibits warfarin metabolism, significantly increasing
bleeding risk.
, 3
6. A 60-year-old male taking amiodarone for atrial fibrillation presents for follow-
up.
Which adverse effect is most important to monitor with long-term amiodarone use?
A. Pulmonary fibrosis
B. Renal impairment
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Pulmonary fibrosis
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause irreversible pulmonary toxicity; baseline and
periodic chest imaging are required.
7. A female patient on isotretinoin for severe acne presents for contraceptive
counseling.
What is the most critical reason pregnancy must be avoided during therapy?
A. It reduces the drug’s absorption
B. It increases maternal blood pressure
C. It causes severe fetal malformations
D. It increases acne flare-ups
Answer: C. It causes severe fetal malformations
Rationale: Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic; two reliable forms of contraception
are required during treatment.
8. When prescribing levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, patient education is
essential for optimal absorption.
What is the best way to take this medication?
A. With breakfast and coffee
B. With iron and calcium supplements
C. On an empty stomach in the morning
D. At night after dinner
Answer: C. On an empty stomach in the morning
Rationale: Food, calcium, and iron interfere with levothyroxine absorption; take
30–60 minutes before meals.
, 4
9. A 55-year-old man taking simvastatin complains of new-onset muscle pain and
weakness.
Which laboratory test should be ordered to confirm a suspected adverse effect?
A. ALT and AST
B. Serum creatinine
C. Creatine kinase (CK)
D. Serum calcium
Answer: C. Creatine kinase (CK)
Rationale: Elevated CK indicates statin-induced myopathy; discontinue the drug if
levels are high.
10. A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide for hypertension develops fatigue and
muscle weakness.
Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely responsible?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics increase potassium loss, which can cause weakness
and arrhythmias.
11. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, blurred vision, and yellow halos
around lights.
What should the provider check to confirm the cause?
A. Serum digoxin level
B. Serum sodium level
C. Hemoglobin A1c
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
Answer: A. Serum digoxin level
Rationale: These are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can be life-threatening if
levels are elevated.
