NR293 Exam 3 Actual Exam Style V2 | NR
293 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice |
Chamberlain
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium in
the urine. Hypokalemia is a major risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity.
The nurse must monitor electrolyte levels frequently and encourage the intake of
potassium-rich foods or supplements as ordered.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin). Which of the following assessment
findings would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Apical heart rate 52 beats/minute
C. Respiratory rate 12 breaths/minute
,D. Oxygen saturation 94% on room air
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate and increases the force
of contraction. An apical pulse should be measured for a full minute before administration.
If the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the dose should be held and the
provider notified.
3. Which medication is considered the ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid
bronchodilation. It is the drug of choice for acute symptoms and bronchospasms. Long-
acting agonists and corticosteroids are used for maintenance and do not work fast enough
for emergencies.
4. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. What
instruction should the nurse include regarding storage?
A. Keep the tablets in a clear plastic container for easy viewing.
, B. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle away from light.
C. The tablets should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
D. Place the tablets in a weekly pill organizer for convenience.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is highly sensitive to light and heat, which can cause it to lose its
effectiveness. It must be kept in the original dark glass bottle with the cap tightly closed.
Failure to store it properly may lead to the medication not working during an anginal
attack.
5. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a heparin infusion. Which laboratory test is used to
adjust the dose of heparin?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard test used to monitor the effectiveness of
unfractionated heparin therapy. The therapeutic goal is typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the
normal control value. While PT/INR is used for warfarin, heparin specifically affects the
intrinsic pathway monitored by aPTT.
293 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice |
Chamberlain
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium in
the urine. Hypokalemia is a major risk factor for cardiac arrhythmias and digoxin toxicity.
The nurse must monitor electrolyte levels frequently and encourage the intake of
potassium-rich foods or supplements as ordered.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin (Lanoxin). Which of the following assessment
findings would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Apical heart rate 52 beats/minute
C. Respiratory rate 12 breaths/minute
,D. Oxygen saturation 94% on room air
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate and increases the force
of contraction. An apical pulse should be measured for a full minute before administration.
If the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the dose should be held and the
provider notified.
3. Which medication is considered the ‘rescue’ inhaler for a patient experiencing an acute
asthma attack?
A. Albuterol
B. Salmeterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Tiotropium
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid
bronchodilation. It is the drug of choice for acute symptoms and bronchospasms. Long-
acting agonists and corticosteroids are used for maintenance and do not work fast enough
for emergencies.
4. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin. What
instruction should the nurse include regarding storage?
A. Keep the tablets in a clear plastic container for easy viewing.
, B. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle away from light.
C. The tablets should be stored in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
D. Place the tablets in a weekly pill organizer for convenience.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is highly sensitive to light and heat, which can cause it to lose its
effectiveness. It must be kept in the original dark glass bottle with the cap tightly closed.
Failure to store it properly may lead to the medication not working during an anginal
attack.
5. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a heparin infusion. Which laboratory test is used to
adjust the dose of heparin?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard test used to monitor the effectiveness of
unfractionated heparin therapy. The therapeutic goal is typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the
normal control value. While PT/INR is used for warfarin, heparin specifically affects the
intrinsic pathway monitored by aPTT.
