NURS 572 EXAM RESPIRATORY MEDS QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
Which medication is considered the first-line rescue inhaler for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. ipratropium
B. salmeterol
C. albuterol
D. levalbuterol - ANSWER-C
Which side effect is more commonly associated with albuterol compared to
levalbuterol? - ANSWER-Albuterol can cause more tachycardia and tremors due
to less selective beta2 activity.
A patient with atrial fibrillation needs a rescue inhaler. Which medication is
preferred?
A. salmeterol
B. levalbuterol
C. albuterol
D. montelukast - ANSWER-B. levalbuterol
Levalbuterol is more beta2 selective and causes fewer cardiac side effects.
A patient with asthma reports feeling "shaky" and having a fast heartbeat after
using their rescue albuterol. Which medication would be the better alternative? -
,ANSWER-Levalbuterol because it causes fewer beta-1 side effects (tachycardia,
tremors).
Which drug interaction reduces the effectiveness of albuterol?
A. furosemide
B. propranolol
C. azithromycin
D. prednisone - ANSWER-B. propranolol
Propranolol is a nonselective beta-blocker that blocks beta2 receptors, reducing
bronchodilation.
A patient taking amitriptyline (a TCA) is prescribed albuterol. What interaction
risk should the nurse monitor for? - ANSWER-Hypertension and tachycardia
A patient taking phenelzine (an MAOI) begins using albuterol more frequently.
What is the primary concern? - ANSWER-Hypertensive crisis
Which medication combination increases the risk of hypokalemia when used with
albuterol?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Potassium-sparing diuretics
C. Calcium chanel blockers
D. Loop diuretics - ANSWER-D. Loop diuretics (cause potassium loss, and
albuterol can shift potassium intracellularly, increasing hypokalemia risk)
A patient taking furosemide and albuterol reports muscle cramps. What is the
likely cause?
, A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia - ANSWER-A. Hypokalemia
Both furosemide and albuterol can lower potassium, leading to muscle cramps.
A patient taking pseudoephedrine is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary
concern?
A. Additive CNS depression
B. Severe diarrhea
C. Additive adrenergic stimulation
D. Reduced bronchodilation - ANSWER-C. Additive adrenergic stimulation
Pseudoephedrine and albuterol both increase adrenergic activity, raising the risk of
tachycardia and hypertension.
A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed albuterol. Which lab value is
most important to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Magnesium
C. Sodium
D. Potassium - ANSWER-D. Potassium
Both HCTZ and albuterol can decrease potassium levels, so potassium monitoring
is essential.
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
Which medication is considered the first-line rescue inhaler for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. ipratropium
B. salmeterol
C. albuterol
D. levalbuterol - ANSWER-C
Which side effect is more commonly associated with albuterol compared to
levalbuterol? - ANSWER-Albuterol can cause more tachycardia and tremors due
to less selective beta2 activity.
A patient with atrial fibrillation needs a rescue inhaler. Which medication is
preferred?
A. salmeterol
B. levalbuterol
C. albuterol
D. montelukast - ANSWER-B. levalbuterol
Levalbuterol is more beta2 selective and causes fewer cardiac side effects.
A patient with asthma reports feeling "shaky" and having a fast heartbeat after
using their rescue albuterol. Which medication would be the better alternative? -
,ANSWER-Levalbuterol because it causes fewer beta-1 side effects (tachycardia,
tremors).
Which drug interaction reduces the effectiveness of albuterol?
A. furosemide
B. propranolol
C. azithromycin
D. prednisone - ANSWER-B. propranolol
Propranolol is a nonselective beta-blocker that blocks beta2 receptors, reducing
bronchodilation.
A patient taking amitriptyline (a TCA) is prescribed albuterol. What interaction
risk should the nurse monitor for? - ANSWER-Hypertension and tachycardia
A patient taking phenelzine (an MAOI) begins using albuterol more frequently.
What is the primary concern? - ANSWER-Hypertensive crisis
Which medication combination increases the risk of hypokalemia when used with
albuterol?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Potassium-sparing diuretics
C. Calcium chanel blockers
D. Loop diuretics - ANSWER-D. Loop diuretics (cause potassium loss, and
albuterol can shift potassium intracellularly, increasing hypokalemia risk)
A patient taking furosemide and albuterol reports muscle cramps. What is the
likely cause?
, A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypernatremia - ANSWER-A. Hypokalemia
Both furosemide and albuterol can lower potassium, leading to muscle cramps.
A patient taking pseudoephedrine is prescribed albuterol. What is the primary
concern?
A. Additive CNS depression
B. Severe diarrhea
C. Additive adrenergic stimulation
D. Reduced bronchodilation - ANSWER-C. Additive adrenergic stimulation
Pseudoephedrine and albuterol both increase adrenergic activity, raising the risk of
tachycardia and hypertension.
A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed albuterol. Which lab value is
most important to monitor?
A. Calcium
B. Magnesium
C. Sodium
D. Potassium - ANSWER-D. Potassium
Both HCTZ and albuterol can decrease potassium levels, so potassium monitoring
is essential.
