NUR 354 Exam 3: Pharmacology II V3 - Arizona College
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient with heart failure. Which laboratory value
should the nurse prioritize checking before administration?
A. Serum sodium levels
B. Serum glucose levels
C. Serum calcium levels
D. Serum potassium levels
Ans: D
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through the urine.
Hypokalemia is a dangerous side effect that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse must ensure
potassium levels are within a safe range before giving the medication. If the level is too low, the dose may
need to be held and the provider notified. This monitoring is essential for patient safety during diuretic
therapy.
2. A patient taking lisinopril for hypertension reports a persistent, dry, nonproductive cough. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. This is a normal side effect that will resolve in a week.
B. This cough is caused by the medication and should be reported to your provider.
C. You should take an over-the-counter cough suppressant.
D. Increase your fluid intake to thin the secretions causing the cough.
Ans: B
,Explanation: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs. This
frequently results in a dry, hacking cough that does not go away on its own. It is a specific adverse effect
that often requires switching to an ARB. The nurse should explain that this is a known reaction to the
drug class. Reporting it to the provider allows for a safe medication adjustment.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of digoxin toxicity that the nurse should educate the patient
about?
A. Increased appetite and weight gain
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Extreme hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
Ans: D
Explanation: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, making toxicity a common clinical concern.
Patients often report seeing yellow or green halos around lights when levels are too high. Other signs
include nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia rather than tachycardia. It is vital for patients to recognize
these early warning signs. Education ensures the patient seeks medical attention before serious
complications occur.
4. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin for hyperlipidemia. The nurse should instruct the patient to report
which symptom immediately?
A. Muscle pain or tenderness
B. Mild headache
C. Occasional dry mouth
D. A slightly decreased appetite
, Ans: A
Explanation: Statins carry a risk of causing myopathy, which can progress to rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue. This
breakdown can lead to acute renal failure due to myoglobin release. Muscle pain or weakness is an early
indicator that requires immediate investigation. Patients must be warned to report these symptoms to
prevent permanent organ damage.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin therapy. Which lab test is used to monitor the effectiveness
and safety of this medication?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B. Platelet count
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Bleeding time
Ans: A
Explanation: Warfarin works by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors to prevent clot
formation. The PT and INR are the standard metrics used to titrate the dosage correctly. A therapeutic
INR for most conditions is typically between 2.0 and 3.0. Frequent monitoring is necessary to avoid the
risks of thrombosis or excessive bleeding. The nurse uses these values to ensure the patient stays within
the therapeutic window.
6. A patient receives an overdose of heparin. Which medication should the nurse have available as the
antidote?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
Updated and Latest Questions and Correct Answers with
Rationale
1. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient with heart failure. Which laboratory value
should the nurse prioritize checking before administration?
A. Serum sodium levels
B. Serum glucose levels
C. Serum calcium levels
D. Serum potassium levels
Ans: D
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through the urine.
Hypokalemia is a dangerous side effect that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse must ensure
potassium levels are within a safe range before giving the medication. If the level is too low, the dose may
need to be held and the provider notified. This monitoring is essential for patient safety during diuretic
therapy.
2. A patient taking lisinopril for hypertension reports a persistent, dry, nonproductive cough. What is the
nurse’s best response?
A. This is a normal side effect that will resolve in a week.
B. This cough is caused by the medication and should be reported to your provider.
C. You should take an over-the-counter cough suppressant.
D. Increase your fluid intake to thin the secretions causing the cough.
Ans: B
,Explanation: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs. This
frequently results in a dry, hacking cough that does not go away on its own. It is a specific adverse effect
that often requires switching to an ARB. The nurse should explain that this is a known reaction to the
drug class. Reporting it to the provider allows for a safe medication adjustment.
3. Which assessment finding is a hallmark sign of digoxin toxicity that the nurse should educate the patient
about?
A. Increased appetite and weight gain
B. Hypertension and tachycardia
C. Extreme hyperactivity and insomnia
D. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
Ans: D
Explanation: Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, making toxicity a common clinical concern.
Patients often report seeing yellow or green halos around lights when levels are too high. Other signs
include nausea, vomiting, and bradycardia rather than tachycardia. It is vital for patients to recognize
these early warning signs. Education ensures the patient seeks medical attention before serious
complications occur.
4. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin for hyperlipidemia. The nurse should instruct the patient to report
which symptom immediately?
A. Muscle pain or tenderness
B. Mild headache
C. Occasional dry mouth
D. A slightly decreased appetite
, Ans: A
Explanation: Statins carry a risk of causing myopathy, which can progress to rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis is a life-threatening condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue. This
breakdown can lead to acute renal failure due to myoglobin release. Muscle pain or weakness is an early
indicator that requires immediate investigation. Patients must be warned to report these symptoms to
prevent permanent organ damage.
5. A nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin therapy. Which lab test is used to monitor the effectiveness
and safety of this medication?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B. Platelet count
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Bleeding time
Ans: A
Explanation: Warfarin works by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors to prevent clot
formation. The PT and INR are the standard metrics used to titrate the dosage correctly. A therapeutic
INR for most conditions is typically between 2.0 and 3.0. Frequent monitoring is necessary to avoid the
risks of thrombosis or excessive bleeding. The nurse uses these values to ensure the patient stays within
the therapeutic window.
6. A patient receives an overdose of heparin. Which medication should the nurse have available as the
antidote?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
