NCLEX PHARMACOLOGY COMPLETE STUDY
GUIDE 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
RATIONALES & CHEAT SHEET
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,ACE inhibitors "-pril"
block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Therapeutic use:
-HTN
-Heart failure
-MI
-diabetic neuropathy
Precautions/ Interactions:
-persistent nonproductive cough
-use with caution if patient is on diuretics
-monitor potassium levels
Side effects:
-Angioedema; hypotension
-should not use in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Nursing Interventions and Education:
-captopril should be taken 1 hour before meal
-monitor blood pressure
-monitor for angioedema and promptly administer epinephrine 0.5mL of 1:1000
solution subcutaneously
ARBs "-sartan"
selectively block the binding of angiotensin II to AT1 receptors found in tissues
Therapeutic use:
-HTN
-Heart failure
-MI
-diabetic neuropathy
Precautions/ Interactions:
-use with caution if patient is on diuretics
-monitor potassium levels
Side effects:
-Angioedema; hypotension
-should not use in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Nursing Interventions and Education:
-monitor blood pressure
-monitor for angioedema and promptly administer epinephrine 0.5mL of 1:1000
solution subcutaneously
,Beta Blockers "-olol"
inhibit stimulation of receptor sites, resulting in decreased cardiac excitability, CO,
myocardial oxygen demand; Lower BP by decreasing release of renin in the
kidney
Beta 1 receptors=cardiac
Beta 2 receptors= lungs
Cardio-selective (Beta1 only):
-metoprolol
-atenolol
-metoprolol succinate
Non-selective (Beta1 and Beta2):
-Propranolol
-nadolol
-labetalol
Therapeutic use:
-primary HTN
-Angina
-Tachydysrhythmias, HF, and MI
Precautions/Interactions:
-contraindicated with AV block and sinus bradycardia
-do not administer nonselective BB to patients with asthma, bronchospasm, or HF
-propranolol may mask effects of hypoglycemia in clients with DM
-do not adminiter labetalol in the same line with furosemide
Side Effects:
-Bradycardia
-Nasal Stuffiness
-AV block
-Rebound myocardium excitation if stopped abruptly
-bronchospasm
Interventions/Education:
-administer 1-2x daily as prescribed
-do not D/C without talking to Dr
-do not crush or chew extended release tabs
-hold med and call Dr if systolic BP is less than 100 or pulse is less than 60
-monitor clients with DM for indications of hypoglycemia
, CCBs "-dipine"
...also includes verapamil and dilitazem
slows movement of calcium into smooth muscle cells, resulting in arterial dilation
and decreased blood pressure
Therapeutic Use:
-angina, HTN
-verapamil and diltiazem may be used for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or SVT
Precautions/Interactions:
-use cautiously with patients on BBs and digoxin
-contraindicated for clients who have heart failure, heart block, or bradycardia
-do not consume with grapefruit juice (toxic effects)
Side Effects:
-constipation
-reflex tachycardia
-peripheral edema
-toxicity
Interventions/ Education:
-do not crush or chew sustained release tablets
-administer IV injection over 2-3 mins
-slowly taper dose if discontinuing
-monitor HR and BP
Alpha Adrenergic Blockers (sympatholytics) "zosin"
Prazosin, doxazosin mesylate
selectively inhibit alpha1 adrenergic receptors, resulting in peripheral arterial and
venous dilation that lower BP
Therapeutic use:
-primary HTN
-doxazosin mesylate may be used to treat BPH
Precautions/Interactions:
-increased risk of hypotension and syncope if given with other anti-HTN's, BB's, or
diuretics
-NSAIDs may decrease the effects of prazosin
Side Effects:
-Dizziness
-Fainting
Interventions/ Education:
-monitor HR and BP
-take medication at bedtime to minimize effects of hypotension
-advise to notify Dr. immediately about adverse reactions
-consult with Dr. before taking any OTC meds
GUIDE 2026 | PRACTICE QUESTIONS,
RATIONALES & CHEAT SHEET
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,ACE inhibitors "-pril"
block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Therapeutic use:
-HTN
-Heart failure
-MI
-diabetic neuropathy
Precautions/ Interactions:
-persistent nonproductive cough
-use with caution if patient is on diuretics
-monitor potassium levels
Side effects:
-Angioedema; hypotension
-should not use in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Nursing Interventions and Education:
-captopril should be taken 1 hour before meal
-monitor blood pressure
-monitor for angioedema and promptly administer epinephrine 0.5mL of 1:1000
solution subcutaneously
ARBs "-sartan"
selectively block the binding of angiotensin II to AT1 receptors found in tissues
Therapeutic use:
-HTN
-Heart failure
-MI
-diabetic neuropathy
Precautions/ Interactions:
-use with caution if patient is on diuretics
-monitor potassium levels
Side effects:
-Angioedema; hypotension
-should not use in 2nd or 3rd trimester of pregnancy
Nursing Interventions and Education:
-monitor blood pressure
-monitor for angioedema and promptly administer epinephrine 0.5mL of 1:1000
solution subcutaneously
,Beta Blockers "-olol"
inhibit stimulation of receptor sites, resulting in decreased cardiac excitability, CO,
myocardial oxygen demand; Lower BP by decreasing release of renin in the
kidney
Beta 1 receptors=cardiac
Beta 2 receptors= lungs
Cardio-selective (Beta1 only):
-metoprolol
-atenolol
-metoprolol succinate
Non-selective (Beta1 and Beta2):
-Propranolol
-nadolol
-labetalol
Therapeutic use:
-primary HTN
-Angina
-Tachydysrhythmias, HF, and MI
Precautions/Interactions:
-contraindicated with AV block and sinus bradycardia
-do not administer nonselective BB to patients with asthma, bronchospasm, or HF
-propranolol may mask effects of hypoglycemia in clients with DM
-do not adminiter labetalol in the same line with furosemide
Side Effects:
-Bradycardia
-Nasal Stuffiness
-AV block
-Rebound myocardium excitation if stopped abruptly
-bronchospasm
Interventions/Education:
-administer 1-2x daily as prescribed
-do not D/C without talking to Dr
-do not crush or chew extended release tabs
-hold med and call Dr if systolic BP is less than 100 or pulse is less than 60
-monitor clients with DM for indications of hypoglycemia
, CCBs "-dipine"
...also includes verapamil and dilitazem
slows movement of calcium into smooth muscle cells, resulting in arterial dilation
and decreased blood pressure
Therapeutic Use:
-angina, HTN
-verapamil and diltiazem may be used for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or SVT
Precautions/Interactions:
-use cautiously with patients on BBs and digoxin
-contraindicated for clients who have heart failure, heart block, or bradycardia
-do not consume with grapefruit juice (toxic effects)
Side Effects:
-constipation
-reflex tachycardia
-peripheral edema
-toxicity
Interventions/ Education:
-do not crush or chew sustained release tablets
-administer IV injection over 2-3 mins
-slowly taper dose if discontinuing
-monitor HR and BP
Alpha Adrenergic Blockers (sympatholytics) "zosin"
Prazosin, doxazosin mesylate
selectively inhibit alpha1 adrenergic receptors, resulting in peripheral arterial and
venous dilation that lower BP
Therapeutic use:
-primary HTN
-doxazosin mesylate may be used to treat BPH
Precautions/Interactions:
-increased risk of hypotension and syncope if given with other anti-HTN's, BB's, or
diuretics
-NSAIDs may decrease the effects of prazosin
Side Effects:
-Dizziness
-Fainting
Interventions/ Education:
-monitor HR and BP
-take medication at bedtime to minimize effects of hypotension
-advise to notify Dr. immediately about adverse reactions
-consult with Dr. before taking any OTC meds
