BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and Verified Answers|100% Correct|
Grade A- Nightingale
1. A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a patient with heart failure. Which lab value is
most important to monitor before giving this medication?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: A. Serum potassium
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Nurses should check potassium
levels before administration.
2. Which of the following is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause a persistent, dry cough due to increased bradykinin levels.
3. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte imbalance is the nurse most
concerned about?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, putting patients at risk for hypokalemia.
,4. A patient taking amlodipine (Norvasc) should be taught to:
A. Avoid foods high in potassium
B. Rise slowly from sitting to standing
C. Limit intake of vitamin K-rich foods
D. Avoid dairy products
Answer: B. Rise slowly from sitting to standing
Rationale: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that may cause orthostatic hypotension.
Patient safety education is essential.
5. Which of the following medications is used as a first-line therapy for hypertension in a
pregnant patient?
A. Lisinopril
B. Methyldopa
C. Atenolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: B. Methyldopa
Rationale: Methyldopa is safe in pregnancy and is commonly used to manage hypertension.
6. A patient is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. The nurse instructs the patient to:
A. Take the medication orally with food
B. Place the tablet under the tongue at the first sign of chest pain
C. Take the medication at bedtime
D. Avoid all forms of exercise while on the medication
Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue at the first sign of chest pain
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin acts rapidly to relieve anginal pain.
7. Which class of medications is used to lower LDL cholesterol?
A. Statins
B. Beta-blockers
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: A. Statins
Rationale: Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, lowering cholesterol synthesis and LDL levels.
, 8. The nurse should monitor a patient taking warfarin (Coumadin) for:
A. Liver function tests only
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Serum potassium
Answer: C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and adjust dosing.
9. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Bleeding and platelet count
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Respiratory depression
Answer: B. Bleeding and platelet count
Rationale: Heparin increases the risk of bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
10. Which medication is used as an antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate neutralizes the anticoagulant effect of heparin.
11. A patient on propranolol for hypertension reports shortness of breath. The nurse should:
A. Reassure the patient this is a common side effect
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Encourage deep breathing exercises
D. Increase the dose
Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker and can exacerbate asthma or cause
bronchospasm.
(Latest 2025/ 2026 Update) Questions
and Verified Answers|100% Correct|
Grade A- Nightingale
1. A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a patient with heart failure. Which lab value is
most important to monitor before giving this medication?
A. Serum potassium
B. Serum sodium
C. Serum calcium
D. Serum magnesium
Answer: A. Serum potassium
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. Nurses should check potassium
levels before administration.
2. Which of the following is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause a persistent, dry cough due to increased bradykinin levels.
3. A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte imbalance is the nurse most
concerned about?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase potassium excretion, putting patients at risk for hypokalemia.
,4. A patient taking amlodipine (Norvasc) should be taught to:
A. Avoid foods high in potassium
B. Rise slowly from sitting to standing
C. Limit intake of vitamin K-rich foods
D. Avoid dairy products
Answer: B. Rise slowly from sitting to standing
Rationale: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that may cause orthostatic hypotension.
Patient safety education is essential.
5. Which of the following medications is used as a first-line therapy for hypertension in a
pregnant patient?
A. Lisinopril
B. Methyldopa
C. Atenolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: B. Methyldopa
Rationale: Methyldopa is safe in pregnancy and is commonly used to manage hypertension.
6. A patient is prescribed nitroglycerin for angina. The nurse instructs the patient to:
A. Take the medication orally with food
B. Place the tablet under the tongue at the first sign of chest pain
C. Take the medication at bedtime
D. Avoid all forms of exercise while on the medication
Answer: B. Place the tablet under the tongue at the first sign of chest pain
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin acts rapidly to relieve anginal pain.
7. Which class of medications is used to lower LDL cholesterol?
A. Statins
B. Beta-blockers
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: A. Statins
Rationale: Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, lowering cholesterol synthesis and LDL levels.
, 8. The nurse should monitor a patient taking warfarin (Coumadin) for:
A. Liver function tests only
B. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Serum potassium
Answer: C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Rationale: INR is used to monitor the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and adjust dosing.
9. A patient on heparin therapy should be monitored for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Bleeding and platelet count
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Respiratory depression
Answer: B. Bleeding and platelet count
Rationale: Heparin increases the risk of bleeding and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
10. Which medication is used as an antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate neutralizes the anticoagulant effect of heparin.
11. A patient on propranolol for hypertension reports shortness of breath. The nurse should:
A. Reassure the patient this is a common side effect
B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
C. Encourage deep breathing exercises
D. Increase the dose
Answer: B. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker and can exacerbate asthma or cause
bronchospasm.
