NURS 8024 Test 2 Study Guide | Questions and
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct
NURS 8024 Pharmacology Test 2 Practice Exam
PART 1: HYPERTENSION PHARMACOLOGY
1. Which of the following statements correctly describes the effect of the
sympathetic nervous system on blood pressure?
A) It decreases heart rate and dilates blood vessels
B) It increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels
C) It has no effect on blood pressure regulation
D) It only affects the kidneys
Correct Answer: B) It increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels
Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and constricts
blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure. This system works in concert with
the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to regulate blood pressure .
2. A 67-year-old African American patient with hypertension and no other
comorbidities should be started on which medication according to JNC 8
guidelines?
A) ACE inhibitor
B) ARB
C) Thiazide diuretic or calcium channel blocker
D) Beta-blocker
,Correct Answer: C) Thiazide diuretic or calcium channel blocker
Explanation: JNC 8 guidelines recommend initiating treatment with a thiazide-
type diuretic or calcium channel blocker (CCB) in the African American population
with hypertension but without diabetes or chronic kidney disease .
3. In the NON-black population with hypertension but without diabetes or CKD,
JNC 8 recommends starting with which medication classes?
A) Thiazide, ACEI, ARB, or CCB
B) Only ACE inhibitors
C) Only beta-blockers
D) Only diuretics
Correct Answer: A) Thiazide, ACEI, ARB, or CCB
Explanation: JNC 8 recommends four options as first-line therapy for the general
non-black population: thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor
blockers (ARBs), or calcium channel blockers (CCBs) .
4. Which medication class is NOT recommended as first-line therapy for
hypertension in African American patients?
A) Thiazide diuretics
B) Calcium channel blockers
C) ACE inhibitors
D) CCB and thiazides are both recommended
Correct Answer: C) ACE inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors are not recommended as first-line monotherapy for
hypertension in the African American population, as they are less effective as
single agents in this group compared to thiazides or CCBs .
,5. Which of the following correctly describes the goal for treatment of
hypertension in patients with CKD or diabetes?
A) BP < 140/90
B) BP < 130/80
C) BP < 150/90
D) BP < 120/80
Correct Answer: B) BP < 130/80
Explanation: JNC 8 guidelines recommend a blood pressure goal of < 140/90 for
the general population, but many nephrologists and endocrinologists use a lower
goal of < 130/80 if the patient tolerates therapy well, particularly for those with
CKD or diabetes .
6. Which of the following drug classes is considered a first-line agent for
hypertension treatment?
A) Beta-blockers
B) ACE inhibitors
C) Alpha-1 blockers
D) Central acting alpha agonists
Correct Answer: B) ACE inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (the "pril" drugs) are recognized as first-line agents for
hypertension treatment, along with ARBs, CCBs, and thiazide diuretics .
7. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which common
adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Bradycardia
, Correct Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Explanation: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with
renal impairment, diabetes, or those taking potassium supplements. Regular
monitoring of serum potassium is recommended .
8. A patient is prescribed amlodipine. The nurse should recognize this
medication belongs to which class?
A) Beta-blocker
B) ACE inhibitor
C) Calcium channel blocker
D) Thiazide diuretic
Correct Answer: C) Calcium channel blocker
Explanation: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) commonly used as a
first-line antihypertensive agent .
9. Beta-blockers (the "lol" drugs) work by which mechanism to lower blood
pressure?
A) Blocking calcium channels
B) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors to decrease heart rate and cardiac output
C) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme
D) Blocking aldosterone receptors
Correct Answer: B) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors to decrease heart rate
and cardiac output
Explanation: Beta-blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and
cardiac output through blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors .
Answers | 2026 Update | 100% Correct
NURS 8024 Pharmacology Test 2 Practice Exam
PART 1: HYPERTENSION PHARMACOLOGY
1. Which of the following statements correctly describes the effect of the
sympathetic nervous system on blood pressure?
A) It decreases heart rate and dilates blood vessels
B) It increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels
C) It has no effect on blood pressure regulation
D) It only affects the kidneys
Correct Answer: B) It increases heart rate and constricts blood vessels
Explanation: The sympathetic nervous system increases heart rate and constricts
blood vessels, which elevates blood pressure. This system works in concert with
the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) to regulate blood pressure .
2. A 67-year-old African American patient with hypertension and no other
comorbidities should be started on which medication according to JNC 8
guidelines?
A) ACE inhibitor
B) ARB
C) Thiazide diuretic or calcium channel blocker
D) Beta-blocker
,Correct Answer: C) Thiazide diuretic or calcium channel blocker
Explanation: JNC 8 guidelines recommend initiating treatment with a thiazide-
type diuretic or calcium channel blocker (CCB) in the African American population
with hypertension but without diabetes or chronic kidney disease .
3. In the NON-black population with hypertension but without diabetes or CKD,
JNC 8 recommends starting with which medication classes?
A) Thiazide, ACEI, ARB, or CCB
B) Only ACE inhibitors
C) Only beta-blockers
D) Only diuretics
Correct Answer: A) Thiazide, ACEI, ARB, or CCB
Explanation: JNC 8 recommends four options as first-line therapy for the general
non-black population: thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor
blockers (ARBs), or calcium channel blockers (CCBs) .
4. Which medication class is NOT recommended as first-line therapy for
hypertension in African American patients?
A) Thiazide diuretics
B) Calcium channel blockers
C) ACE inhibitors
D) CCB and thiazides are both recommended
Correct Answer: C) ACE inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors are not recommended as first-line monotherapy for
hypertension in the African American population, as they are less effective as
single agents in this group compared to thiazides or CCBs .
,5. Which of the following correctly describes the goal for treatment of
hypertension in patients with CKD or diabetes?
A) BP < 140/90
B) BP < 130/80
C) BP < 150/90
D) BP < 120/80
Correct Answer: B) BP < 130/80
Explanation: JNC 8 guidelines recommend a blood pressure goal of < 140/90 for
the general population, but many nephrologists and endocrinologists use a lower
goal of < 130/80 if the patient tolerates therapy well, particularly for those with
CKD or diabetes .
6. Which of the following drug classes is considered a first-line agent for
hypertension treatment?
A) Beta-blockers
B) ACE inhibitors
C) Alpha-1 blockers
D) Central acting alpha agonists
Correct Answer: B) ACE inhibitors
Explanation: ACE inhibitors (the "pril" drugs) are recognized as first-line agents for
hypertension treatment, along with ARBs, CCBs, and thiazide diuretics .
7. A patient is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which common
adverse effect?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Bradycardia
, Correct Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Explanation: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with
renal impairment, diabetes, or those taking potassium supplements. Regular
monitoring of serum potassium is recommended .
8. A patient is prescribed amlodipine. The nurse should recognize this
medication belongs to which class?
A) Beta-blocker
B) ACE inhibitor
C) Calcium channel blocker
D) Thiazide diuretic
Correct Answer: C) Calcium channel blocker
Explanation: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) commonly used as a
first-line antihypertensive agent .
9. Beta-blockers (the "lol" drugs) work by which mechanism to lower blood
pressure?
A) Blocking calcium channels
B) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors to decrease heart rate and cardiac output
C) Inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme
D) Blocking aldosterone receptors
Correct Answer: B) Blocking beta-adrenergic receptors to decrease heart rate
and cardiac output
Explanation: Beta-blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and
cardiac output through blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors .
