LPN Licensed Practical Nurse Final Exam - Med-Surg Systems &
Pharmacology 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving Digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a primary sign of Digoxin
toxicity?
A. Tachycardia and hypertension
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Increased urinary output
D. Anorexia, nausea, and visual disturbances
Answer: D
Rationale: Early signs of Digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal upset (anorexia, nausea,
vomiting) and neurological symptoms like visual changes (yellow-green halos).
2. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s first priority action?
A. Administer glucagon or 50% dextrose IV
B. Check the patient’s hemoglobin A1C
C. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
D. Provide a high-fiber snack
Answer: A
Rationale: An unconscious patient with suspected hypoglycemia requires immediate
glucose elevation via glucagon or IV dextrose to prevent brain damage.
,3. Which of the following lab values should a nurse monitor for a patient
receiving Heparin therapy via continuous IV infusion?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Glycosylated hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and
safety of heparin therapy.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). What is
the primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Reduction of airway inflammation
B. Bronchodilation to relieve acute shortness of breath
C. Thinning of pulmonary secretions
D. Suppression of the cough reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler to
provide rapid bronchodilation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide to a patient with congestive
heart failure. Which electrolyte should the nurse check before administration?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss
(hypokalemia), which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide to the patient?
A. Massage the affected leg daily to improve circulation
B. Ambulate frequently without assistance
C. Apply cold packs to the calf area
D. Maintain bed rest and elevate the affected extremity
Answer: D
Rationale: Standard care for DVT includes elevation of the extremity to promote venous
return and bed rest until anticoagulation is established to prevent embolization.
7. A patient is taking Warfarin. Which of the following foods should the nurse
instruct the patient to keep consistent in their diet?
A. Citrus fruits
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Red meat
D. Dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in Vitamin K, which is the antagonist to
Warfarin. Consuming inconsistent amounts can fluctuate the INR levels.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected bowel obstruction. Which
finding is characteristic of a small bowel obstruction?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds above the obstruction
C. Bright red rectal bleeding
D. Ribbon-like stools
Answer: B
Rationale: In bowel obstructions, the bowel above the site of the blockage often exhibits
hyperactive, high-pitched sounds as it attempts to move contents forward.
Pharmacology 2026/2027 UPDATE
1. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving Digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings should the nurse identify as a primary sign of Digoxin
toxicity?
A. Tachycardia and hypertension
B. Dry, persistent cough
C. Increased urinary output
D. Anorexia, nausea, and visual disturbances
Answer: D
Rationale: Early signs of Digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal upset (anorexia, nausea,
vomiting) and neurological symptoms like visual changes (yellow-green halos).
2. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes is found unconscious and clammy. What is the
nurse’s first priority action?
A. Administer glucagon or 50% dextrose IV
B. Check the patient’s hemoglobin A1C
C. Administer 10 units of regular insulin
D. Provide a high-fiber snack
Answer: A
Rationale: An unconscious patient with suspected hypoglycemia requires immediate
glucose elevation via glucagon or IV dextrose to prevent brain damage.
,3. Which of the following lab values should a nurse monitor for a patient
receiving Heparin therapy via continuous IV infusion?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Glycosylated hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: aPTT is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the effectiveness and
safety of heparin therapy.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol via a metered-dose inhaler (MDI). What is
the primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Reduction of airway inflammation
B. Bronchodilation to relieve acute shortness of breath
C. Thinning of pulmonary secretions
D. Suppression of the cough reflex
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler to
provide rapid bronchodilation.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide to a patient with congestive
heart failure. Which electrolyte should the nurse check before administration?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant potassium loss
(hypokalemia), which can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias.
, 6. A patient is diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which of the
following instructions should the nurse provide to the patient?
A. Massage the affected leg daily to improve circulation
B. Ambulate frequently without assistance
C. Apply cold packs to the calf area
D. Maintain bed rest and elevate the affected extremity
Answer: D
Rationale: Standard care for DVT includes elevation of the extremity to promote venous
return and bed rest until anticoagulation is established to prevent embolization.
7. A patient is taking Warfarin. Which of the following foods should the nurse
instruct the patient to keep consistent in their diet?
A. Citrus fruits
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Red meat
D. Dairy products
Answer: B
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in Vitamin K, which is the antagonist to
Warfarin. Consuming inconsistent amounts can fluctuate the INR levels.
8. A nurse is assessing a patient with a suspected bowel obstruction. Which
finding is characteristic of a small bowel obstruction?
A. Projectile vomiting
B. Hyperactive bowel sounds above the obstruction
C. Bright red rectal bleeding
D. Ribbon-like stools
Answer: B
Rationale: In bowel obstructions, the bowel above the site of the blockage often exhibits
hyperactive, high-pitched sounds as it attempts to move contents forward.
