KAPLAN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Drug Classes and Mechanisms of Action
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Dosage Calculations and Administration
adverse Effects and Drug Interactions
Clinical Therapeutics and Evidence-Based Practice
Patient Safety and Medication Error Prevention
Regulatory Guidelines and Legal Compliance
Ethical Standards in Pharmacotherapy
Introduction
This exam assesses comprehensive pharmacology knowledge essential for competent nursing practice. It evaluates mastery of drug classes,
mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosage calculations, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical therapeutics. The multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making in medication management.
Candidates will demonstrate ability to prioritize patient safety, recognize adverse reactions, calculate accurate dosages, and apply evidence-based
guidelines. This assessment prepares nursing professionals for high-stakes licensing examinations and clinical practice excellence.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is administering digoxin 0.25 mg PO to a patient with heart failure. Before administration, the nurse should prioritize checking which vital
sign?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin decreases heart rate by increasing vagal tone. Administering digoxin to a patient with heart rate below 60 bpm can cause
dangerous bradycardia. The nurse must check heart rate before administration and withhold the medication if HR < 60 bpm.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in patients with unilateral pulmonary edema?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D. Calcium channel blockers
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: NSAIDs can cause pulmonary edema, particularly in patients with underlying respiratory conditions. They inhibit prostaglandin
synthesis, which can lead to increased capillary permeability and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Question 3
A patient taking warfarin for deep vein thrombosis should avoid which food?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Rice
D. Chicken
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Patients on warfarin should maintain consistent
vitamin K intake and avoid sudden increases in vitamin K-rich foods like spinach, kale, and broccoli.
Question 4
Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving heparin therapy?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Platelet count
C. Anti-Xa level
D. Liver enzymes
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Anti-Xa (anti-factor Xa) level measures heparin's anticoagulant effect and ensures therapeutic dosing. The target range is typically
0.3-0.7 IU/mL. Monitoring prevents underdosing (risk of thrombosis) and overdosing (risk of bleeding).
Question 5
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which condition requires withholding metformin?
A. Hypertension
B. Renal failure
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Asthma
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in renal failure (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²) due to increased risk of metformin-associated lactic
acidosis. The drug accumulates when renal clearance is impaired.
Question 6
Which antihypertensive medication can cause hyperkalemia?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Metoprolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that reduces aldosterone secretion, decreasing potassium excretion and causing hyperkalemia.
Patients require regular potassium monitoring.
Question 7
A patient receiving morphine for pain management develops respiratory depression. Which medication should the nurse administer?
A. Fentanyl
B. Naloxone
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression by competing with opioids at receptor
sites. It is the standard emergency treatment for opioid overdose.
Question 8
Which drug interaction increases the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Levothyroxine
C. Metformin
D. Amlodipine
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen (an NSAID) and aspirin both inhibit platelet function and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Concurrent use
significantly increases bleeding risk through additive antiplatelet effects and GI mucosal damage.
Question 9
A patient with hypothyroidism is taking levothyroxine. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take with food
B. Take at bedtime
C. Take on an empty stomach
D. Take with calcium supplements
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Levothyroxine absorption is significantly reduced by food, calcium, and iron. It should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30-
60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption.
Question 10
Which medication is the first-line treatment for acute status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Valproic acid
D. Carbamazepine
🟢 Correct answer: B
Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
Drug Classes and Mechanisms of Action
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Dosage Calculations and Administration
adverse Effects and Drug Interactions
Clinical Therapeutics and Evidence-Based Practice
Patient Safety and Medication Error Prevention
Regulatory Guidelines and Legal Compliance
Ethical Standards in Pharmacotherapy
Introduction
This exam assesses comprehensive pharmacology knowledge essential for competent nursing practice. It evaluates mastery of drug classes,
mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, dosage calculations, adverse effects, drug interactions, and clinical therapeutics. The multiple-choice and
scenario-based structure emphasizes real-world application, critical thinking, and clinical decision-making in medication management.
Candidates will demonstrate ability to prioritize patient safety, recognize adverse reactions, calculate accurate dosages, and apply evidence-based
guidelines. This assessment prepares nursing professionals for high-stakes licensing examinations and clinical practice excellence.
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
A nurse is administering digoxin 0.25 mg PO to a patient with heart failure. Before administration, the nurse should prioritize checking which vital
sign?
A. Blood pressure
B. Heart rate
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
🟢 Correct answer: B
,🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin decreases heart rate by increasing vagal tone. Administering digoxin to a patient with heart rate below 60 bpm can cause
dangerous bradycardia. The nurse must check heart rate before administration and withhold the medication if HR < 60 bpm.
Question 2
Which medication class is contraindicated in patients with unilateral pulmonary edema?
A. Beta-blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
D. Calcium channel blockers
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: NSAIDs can cause pulmonary edema, particularly in patients with underlying respiratory conditions. They inhibit prostaglandin
synthesis, which can lead to increased capillary permeability and fluid accumulation in the lungs.
Question 3
A patient taking warfarin for deep vein thrombosis should avoid which food?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Rice
D. Chicken
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Patients on warfarin should maintain consistent
vitamin K intake and avoid sudden increases in vitamin K-rich foods like spinach, kale, and broccoli.
Question 4
Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving heparin therapy?
A. Serum creatinine
B. Platelet count
C. Anti-Xa level
D. Liver enzymes
🟢 Correct answer: C
,🔴 RATIONALE: Anti-Xa (anti-factor Xa) level measures heparin's anticoagulant effect and ensures therapeutic dosing. The target range is typically
0.3-0.7 IU/mL. Monitoring prevents underdosing (risk of thrombosis) and overdosing (risk of bleeding).
Question 5
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which condition requires withholding metformin?
A. Hypertension
B. Renal failure
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Asthma
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in renal failure (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²) due to increased risk of metformin-associated lactic
acidosis. The drug accumulates when renal clearance is impaired.
Question 6
Which antihypertensive medication can cause hyperkalemia?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Metoprolol
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that reduces aldosterone secretion, decreasing potassium excretion and causing hyperkalemia.
Patients require regular potassium monitoring.
Question 7
A patient receiving morphine for pain management develops respiratory depression. Which medication should the nurse administer?
A. Fentanyl
B. Naloxone
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression by competing with opioids at receptor
sites. It is the standard emergency treatment for opioid overdose.
Question 8
Which drug interaction increases the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Levothyroxine
C. Metformin
D. Amlodipine
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Ibuprofen (an NSAID) and aspirin both inhibit platelet function and can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Concurrent use
significantly increases bleeding risk through additive antiplatelet effects and GI mucosal damage.
Question 9
A patient with hypothyroidism is taking levothyroxine. Which instruction is most important?
A. Take with food
B. Take at bedtime
C. Take on an empty stomach
D. Take with calcium supplements
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Levothyroxine absorption is significantly reduced by food, calcium, and iron. It should be taken on an empty stomach, typically 30-
60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption.
Question 10
Which medication is the first-line treatment for acute status epilepticus?
A. Phenytoin
B. Lorazepam
C. Valproic acid
D. Carbamazepine
🟢 Correct answer: B
