NCLEX-RN + NEW YORK RN LICENSURE
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM | 100 MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES A+GRADED
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
assessment finding requires withholding the medication and notifying the
provider?
A. Blood pressure 138/84 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult apical pulse is below 60
beats/min because of the increased risk of severe bradycardia and toxicity.
2. A client taking warfarin asks which laboratory test is monitored to evaluate
the effectiveness of therapy.
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Bleeding time
D. INR
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR, which reflects the degree
of anticoagulation.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. Swallow the tablet with water immediately.
B. Sit down before taking the medication.
C. Take the medication after meals only.
D. Store tablets in the bathroom medicine cabinet.
,Rationale: Nitroglycerin may cause dizziness and hypotension, so the client should
sit before taking it.
4. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving
furosemide?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics commonly increase potassium loss, placing the client at
risk for hypokalemia.
5. A client receiving insulin glargine asks when the medication reaches its peak
effect. The nurse responds:
A. 1 hour
B. 4 hours
C. 8 hours
D. It has no pronounced peak.
Rationale: Insulin glargine provides a relatively constant basal insulin level without
a significant peak.
6. Which medication should be readily available when administering morphine
intravenously?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Flumazenil
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
7. A client taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. The nurse recognizes
this as:
, A. An allergic emergency
B. Liver toxicity
C. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
D. An indication of renal failure
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors.
8. Which food should a client taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors avoid?
A. Apples
B. Rice
C. Aged cheese
D. Green beans
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese may cause hypertensive crisis
with MAOIs.
9. A client develops muscle pain while taking atorvastatin. The nurse should
first:
A. Encourage vigorous exercise.
B. Continue the medication without concern.
C. Notify the provider promptly.
D. Double the medication dose.
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate myopathy or rhabdomyolysis and requires
prompt evaluation.
10.Which medication requires regular monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Sertraline
B. Diazepam
C. Haloperidol
D. Lithium carbonate
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires regular serum
monitoring.
11.Which instruction is appropriate for a client taking alendronate?
PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM | 100 MULTIPLE-
CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES A+GRADED
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. Which
assessment finding requires withholding the medication and notifying the
provider?
A. Blood pressure 138/84 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
D. Temperature 37.0°C
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult apical pulse is below 60
beats/min because of the increased risk of severe bradycardia and toxicity.
2. A client taking warfarin asks which laboratory test is monitored to evaluate
the effectiveness of therapy.
A. aPTT
B. Platelet count
C. Bleeding time
D. INR
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the INR, which reflects the degree
of anticoagulation.
3. A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. Swallow the tablet with water immediately.
B. Sit down before taking the medication.
C. Take the medication after meals only.
D. Store tablets in the bathroom medicine cabinet.
,Rationale: Nitroglycerin may cause dizziness and hypotension, so the client should
sit before taking it.
4. Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a client receiving
furosemide?
A. Hypercalcemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics commonly increase potassium loss, placing the client at
risk for hypokalemia.
5. A client receiving insulin glargine asks when the medication reaches its peak
effect. The nurse responds:
A. 1 hour
B. 4 hours
C. 8 hours
D. It has no pronounced peak.
Rationale: Insulin glargine provides a relatively constant basal insulin level without
a significant peak.
6. Which medication should be readily available when administering morphine
intravenously?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Flumazenil
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
7. A client taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. The nurse recognizes
this as:
, A. An allergic emergency
B. Liver toxicity
C. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors
D. An indication of renal failure
Rationale: A persistent dry cough is a well-known side effect of ACE inhibitors.
8. Which food should a client taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors avoid?
A. Apples
B. Rice
C. Aged cheese
D. Green beans
Rationale: Tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese may cause hypertensive crisis
with MAOIs.
9. A client develops muscle pain while taking atorvastatin. The nurse should
first:
A. Encourage vigorous exercise.
B. Continue the medication without concern.
C. Notify the provider promptly.
D. Double the medication dose.
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate myopathy or rhabdomyolysis and requires
prompt evaluation.
10.Which medication requires regular monitoring of serum lithium levels?
A. Sertraline
B. Diazepam
C. Haloperidol
D. Lithium carbonate
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and requires regular serum
monitoring.
11.Which instruction is appropriate for a client taking alendronate?
