BSN315 Exam 1 Actual Exam Style V3 |
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse identify as an early sign of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Sudden onset of hypertension
C. Anorexia and nausea
D. Rapid weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of Digoxin toxicity often involve the gastrointestinal system,
including anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, these symptoms can progress to
neurological changes such as visual disturbances or halos. The nurse must assess the
serum digoxin levels and monitor the apical pulse before administration.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with edema. Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to review before administration?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
,D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through
the kidneys. Hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and potentiate
digoxin toxicity if the patient is on both medications. The nurse should verify the potassium
level is within the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L before giving the dose.
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When
should the nurse instruct the patient to eat after administration?
A. Within 15 minutes
B. Exactly 1 hour later
C. After 2 hours
D. Before bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of approximately 15 minutes.
Administering this insulin without immediate food intake can lead to severe hypoglycemia.
The nurse should ensure the meal tray is present on the unit before the injection is given.
4. A patient is receiving Warfarin (Coumadin) for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
Which laboratory result indicates the medication is therapeutic?
A. INR of 2.5
, B. Platelet count of 150,000
C. PTT of 60 seconds
D. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard measurement used to
monitor the effectiveness of Warfarin therapy. For most indications, a therapeutic INR
range is between 2.0 and 3.0. A result of 2.5 indicates that the dosage is sufficient to
prevent clotting without excessive bleeding risk.
5. A patient is prescribed Spironolactone (Aldactone). Which dietary instruction is most
important for the nurse to include?
A. Increase intake of bananas and orange juice
B. Avoid foods high in Vitamin K
C. Limit intake of high-potassium foods
D. Drink at least 3 liters of water daily
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks the action of
aldosterone. Because it retains potassium while excreting sodium and water, patients are
at risk for hyperkalemia. Excessive intake of potassium-rich foods or salt substitutes
containing potassium must be avoided to prevent cardiac issues.
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which clinical manifestation should the
nurse identify as an early sign of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Increased urinary output
B. Sudden onset of hypertension
C. Anorexia and nausea
D. Rapid weight gain
Answer: C
Rationale: Early signs of Digoxin toxicity often involve the gastrointestinal system,
including anorexia, nausea, and vomiting. If left untreated, these symptoms can progress to
neurological changes such as visual disturbances or halos. The nurse must assess the
serum digoxin levels and monitor the apical pulse before administration.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide (Lasix) to a patient with edema. Which
laboratory value is the priority for the nurse to review before administration?
A. Serum Sodium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Potassium
,D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through
the kidneys. Hypokalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and potentiate
digoxin toxicity if the patient is on both medications. The nurse should verify the potassium
level is within the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L before giving the dose.
3. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Lispro (Humalog) insulin. When
should the nurse instruct the patient to eat after administration?
A. Within 15 minutes
B. Exactly 1 hour later
C. After 2 hours
D. Before bedtime
Answer: A
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of approximately 15 minutes.
Administering this insulin without immediate food intake can lead to severe hypoglycemia.
The nurse should ensure the meal tray is present on the unit before the injection is given.
4. A patient is receiving Warfarin (Coumadin) for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis.
Which laboratory result indicates the medication is therapeutic?
A. INR of 2.5
, B. Platelet count of 150,000
C. PTT of 60 seconds
D. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard measurement used to
monitor the effectiveness of Warfarin therapy. For most indications, a therapeutic INR
range is between 2.0 and 3.0. A result of 2.5 indicates that the dosage is sufficient to
prevent clotting without excessive bleeding risk.
5. A patient is prescribed Spironolactone (Aldactone). Which dietary instruction is most
important for the nurse to include?
A. Increase intake of bananas and orange juice
B. Avoid foods high in Vitamin K
C. Limit intake of high-potassium foods
D. Drink at least 3 liters of water daily
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks the action of
aldosterone. Because it retains potassium while excreting sodium and water, patients are
at risk for hyperkalemia. Excessive intake of potassium-rich foods or salt substitutes
containing potassium must be avoided to prevent cardiac issues.
