BIOL3080 NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
Week 3/5: CARDIAC
• A patient is prescribed Lisinopril as part of the treatment plan for
heart failure. Which finding indicates the patient is experiencing the
therapeutic effect of this drug?
a. +2 edema of the lower extremeties
b. Potassium level of 3.5mEq/L
c. Crackles in the lungs are no longer heard
d. Jugular vein distention
RATIONALE: Because ACE inhibitors promote venous dilation, they
provide the therapeutic effect of reducing pulmonary congestion and
peripheral edema. Absence of previously heard crackles would be an
indicator of effectiveness. Edema and jugular vein distention are
manifestations of heart failure. A potassium level of 3.5 is a normal value.
• The nurse is caring for a patient with bipolar disorder treated with
lithium. The patient as a new prescription for captopril for
hypertension. The combination of these two drugs makes which
assessment particularly important?
a. Potassium level
b. Lithium level
pg. 1
, BIOL3080 NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
c. Creatinine level
d. Blood pressure
RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors, such as captopril, can cause lithium
accumulation. Lithium levels should be monitored on a regular basis. ACE
inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, renal insufficiency in some patients and
hypotension. However, the combination of lithium and captopril would not
increase the risk of these effects
• A patient is discharge from the hospital on warfarin for DVT
prevention. Which instructions should the nurse include in the
patient’s discharge teaching plan? Select all that apply.
a. Wear a medical alert bracelet
b. Check all urine and stool for discoloration
c. Do not start any new medication without first talking to your HCP
d. Enteric-coated aspirin and any aspirin products can be used
unless they cause a GI ulcer
e. No laboratory or home monitoring of INR is required after 6 months.
RATIONALE: Advise the patient to wear some form of ID to alert emergency
personnel to warfarin use. Bleeding is a major complication of warfarin
therapy. Inform pts about the signs of bleeding. Inform patients that warfarin
is subject to a large number of potentially dangerous drug interactions.
pg. 2
, BIOL3080 NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
Instruct them to avoid all prescription and non-prescription drugs that have
nor been specifically approved by the prescriber. Aspirin and aspirin products
should be avoided (Increase effects). ING should be determined frequently
• The nurse is preparing to administer a daily dose of digoxin. What is
the priority nursing intervention?
a. Analyze HR and rhythm
b. Assess for Homan’s sign
c. Check BP
d. Palpate the pedal pulses
RATIONALE: Before giving digoxin, the nurse will assess the HR and
rhythm. The dosage will be held and the prescriber notified if the HR is below
60bpm or if the cardiac rhythm has changes. Digoxin can cause bradycardia
and electrical changes in the heart.
• Which patient symptoms should cause the nurse to be concerned about
digoxin toxicity?
Select all that apply
a. Fatigue
b. Vomiting
c. Dizziness
pg. 3
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
Week 3/5: CARDIAC
• A patient is prescribed Lisinopril as part of the treatment plan for
heart failure. Which finding indicates the patient is experiencing the
therapeutic effect of this drug?
a. +2 edema of the lower extremeties
b. Potassium level of 3.5mEq/L
c. Crackles in the lungs are no longer heard
d. Jugular vein distention
RATIONALE: Because ACE inhibitors promote venous dilation, they
provide the therapeutic effect of reducing pulmonary congestion and
peripheral edema. Absence of previously heard crackles would be an
indicator of effectiveness. Edema and jugular vein distention are
manifestations of heart failure. A potassium level of 3.5 is a normal value.
• The nurse is caring for a patient with bipolar disorder treated with
lithium. The patient as a new prescription for captopril for
hypertension. The combination of these two drugs makes which
assessment particularly important?
a. Potassium level
b. Lithium level
pg. 1
, BIOL3080 NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
c. Creatinine level
d. Blood pressure
RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors, such as captopril, can cause lithium
accumulation. Lithium levels should be monitored on a regular basis. ACE
inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, renal insufficiency in some patients and
hypotension. However, the combination of lithium and captopril would not
increase the risk of these effects
• A patient is discharge from the hospital on warfarin for DVT
prevention. Which instructions should the nurse include in the
patient’s discharge teaching plan? Select all that apply.
a. Wear a medical alert bracelet
b. Check all urine and stool for discoloration
c. Do not start any new medication without first talking to your HCP
d. Enteric-coated aspirin and any aspirin products can be used
unless they cause a GI ulcer
e. No laboratory or home monitoring of INR is required after 6 months.
RATIONALE: Advise the patient to wear some form of ID to alert emergency
personnel to warfarin use. Bleeding is a major complication of warfarin
therapy. Inform pts about the signs of bleeding. Inform patients that warfarin
is subject to a large number of potentially dangerous drug interactions.
pg. 2
, BIOL3080 NCLEX STYLE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS NCLEX
STYLE PRACTICE QUESTIONS FOR
PHARM EXAM WEEKS 3-8- ANSWERS
Instruct them to avoid all prescription and non-prescription drugs that have
nor been specifically approved by the prescriber. Aspirin and aspirin products
should be avoided (Increase effects). ING should be determined frequently
• The nurse is preparing to administer a daily dose of digoxin. What is
the priority nursing intervention?
a. Analyze HR and rhythm
b. Assess for Homan’s sign
c. Check BP
d. Palpate the pedal pulses
RATIONALE: Before giving digoxin, the nurse will assess the HR and
rhythm. The dosage will be held and the prescriber notified if the HR is below
60bpm or if the cardiac rhythm has changes. Digoxin can cause bradycardia
and electrical changes in the heart.
• Which patient symptoms should cause the nurse to be concerned about
digoxin toxicity?
Select all that apply
a. Fatigue
b. Vomiting
c. Dizziness
pg. 3
