# VATI Pharmacology Exam Questions With
100% Pass
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**1.** A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV furosemide. Which of the following findings
indicates the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A) Decreased blood pressure
B) Increased urinary output
C) Decreased heart rate
D) Increased crackles on auscultation
💡 RATIONALE -- Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes excretion of water and sodium. Increased
urine output and resolution of pulmonary congestion indicate effectiveness.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Increased urinary output
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**2.** A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory test should the nurse
monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
💡 RATIONALE -- Warfarin is monitored using the INR (international normalized ratio). For atrial
fibrillation, the target INR is typically 2‑3.
,✔️ ANSWER -- B) INR
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**3.** A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as a sign of digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 beats per minute
B) Nausea and yellow‑green halos around lights
C) Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
D) Increased appetite
💡 RATIONALE -- Digoxin toxicity presents with nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bradycardia, and visual
disturbances (yellow/green halos).
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Nausea and yellow‑green halos around lights
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**4.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A) Dry, persistent cough
B) Swelling of the lips and tongue
C) Dizziness when standing up
D) Loss of taste
💡 RATIONALE -- Angioedema (swelling of lips, tongue, face, or airway) is a rare but life‑threatening
adverse effect of ACE inhibitors and requires immediate medical attention.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Swelling of the lips and tongue
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**5.** A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) "Take this medication 30 minutes before meals to prevent hypoglycemia."
B) "Expect your blood glucose to improve within 24 hours."
C) "Take this medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
D) "Avoid all carbohydrates while taking this medication."
💡 RATIONALE -- Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhea), which can
be minimized by taking with meals. It does not cause hypoglycemia alone.
✔️ ANSWER -- C) "Take this medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
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**6.** A client is receiving IV heparin. Which laboratory value indicates a therapeutic dose has been
achieved?
A) INR 2.5
B) aPTT 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
C) Platelet count 150,000/mm³
D) Bleeding time 8 minutes
💡 RATIONALE -- Therapeutic heparin is monitored by aPTT, maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal
control value (45‑75 seconds for a 30‑second control).
✔️ ANSWER -- B) aPTT 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
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, **7.** A client is prescribed albuterol via metered‑dose inhaler. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Dry mouth
B) Palpitations and tremors
C) Drowsiness
D) Constipation
💡 RATIONALE -- Albuterol (beta‑2 agonist) can cause beta‑1 effects including tachycardia, palpitations,
and tremors. Severe or persistent symptoms should be reported.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Palpitations and tremors
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**8.** A client with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse
provide?
A) "Take this medication at bedtime with a snack."
B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach before breakfast."
C) "Stop taking this medication when your thyroid level is normal."
D) "Take this medication with antacids to reduce heartburn."
💡 RATIONALE -- Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least 30‑60 minutes before
breakfast. Lifelong therapy is required.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach before breakfast."
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**9.** A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor most closely?
100% Pass
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**1.** A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV furosemide. Which of the following findings
indicates the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A) Decreased blood pressure
B) Increased urinary output
C) Decreased heart rate
D) Increased crackles on auscultation
💡 RATIONALE -- Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes excretion of water and sodium. Increased
urine output and resolution of pulmonary congestion indicate effectiveness.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Increased urinary output
---
**2.** A client is prescribed warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory test should the nurse
monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
💡 RATIONALE -- Warfarin is monitored using the INR (international normalized ratio). For atrial
fibrillation, the target INR is typically 2‑3.
,✔️ ANSWER -- B) INR
---
**3.** A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which of the following findings should the nurse
identify as a sign of digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate 72 beats per minute
B) Nausea and yellow‑green halos around lights
C) Weight gain of 1 kg in 24 hours
D) Increased appetite
💡 RATIONALE -- Digoxin toxicity presents with nausea, vomiting, anorexia, bradycardia, and visual
disturbances (yellow/green halos).
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Nausea and yellow‑green halos around lights
---
**4.** A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which of the following adverse effects should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A) Dry, persistent cough
B) Swelling of the lips and tongue
C) Dizziness when standing up
D) Loss of taste
💡 RATIONALE -- Angioedema (swelling of lips, tongue, face, or airway) is a rare but life‑threatening
adverse effect of ACE inhibitors and requires immediate medical attention.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Swelling of the lips and tongue
,---
**5.** A client is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which instruction should the nurse include?
A) "Take this medication 30 minutes before meals to prevent hypoglycemia."
B) "Expect your blood glucose to improve within 24 hours."
C) "Take this medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
D) "Avoid all carbohydrates while taking this medication."
💡 RATIONALE -- Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhea), which can
be minimized by taking with meals. It does not cause hypoglycemia alone.
✔️ ANSWER -- C) "Take this medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
---
**6.** A client is receiving IV heparin. Which laboratory value indicates a therapeutic dose has been
achieved?
A) INR 2.5
B) aPTT 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
C) Platelet count 150,000/mm³
D) Bleeding time 8 minutes
💡 RATIONALE -- Therapeutic heparin is monitored by aPTT, maintained at 1.5 to 2.5 times the normal
control value (45‑75 seconds for a 30‑second control).
✔️ ANSWER -- B) aPTT 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
---
, **7.** A client is prescribed albuterol via metered‑dose inhaler. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Dry mouth
B) Palpitations and tremors
C) Drowsiness
D) Constipation
💡 RATIONALE -- Albuterol (beta‑2 agonist) can cause beta‑1 effects including tachycardia, palpitations,
and tremors. Severe or persistent symptoms should be reported.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) Palpitations and tremors
---
**8.** A client with hypothyroidism is prescribed levothyroxine. Which instruction should the nurse
provide?
A) "Take this medication at bedtime with a snack."
B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach before breakfast."
C) "Stop taking this medication when your thyroid level is normal."
D) "Take this medication with antacids to reduce heartburn."
💡 RATIONALE -- Levothyroxine is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least 30‑60 minutes before
breakfast. Lifelong therapy is required.
✔️ ANSWER -- B) "Take this medication on an empty stomach before breakfast."
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**9.** A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse
monitor most closely?
