NURS 305 Final Exam V2 | NURS 305
Pharmacology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(NURS305 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of myocardial contraction
while decreasing the heart rate. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute in an adult is a
standard contraindication for administration. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for
one full minute prior to dosing to ensure patient safety.
2. A patient with a history of chronic alcoholism is prescribed disulfiram. The nurse should
instruct the patient that consuming alcohol while on this medication will cause which effect?
A. Severe nausea, vomiting, and hypotension
B. Profuse sweating and bradycardia
C. Immediate sedation and respiratory depression
,D. Increased euphoria and prolonged intoxication
Answer: A
Rationale: Disulfiram works by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing
toxic levels of acetaldehyde to build up if alcohol is ingested. This results in the disulfiram-
alcohol reaction, characterized by flushing, throbbing headache, and cardiovascular
collapse. Patient education must emphasize avoiding all sources of alcohol, including
mouthwashes and certain sauces.
3. A patient is receiving intravenous gentamicin for a severe infection. Which laboratory
result is the most important for the nurse to monitor to prevent drug-induced toxicity?
A. Alkaline phosphatase
B. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Serum creatinine and BUN levels
Answer: D
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for its significant
nephrotoxic and ototoxic potential. Monitoring serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) is essential to detect early signs of renal impairment. The nurse should also ensure
peak and trough levels are drawn to maintain therapeutic range and minimize toxicity.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed albuterol and beclomethasone
inhalers for asthma. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use the beclomethasone first to open the airways.
B. Wait at least 30 minutes between using the two inhalers.
C. Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the beclomethasone.
D. Mix the two medications in a nebulizer for faster relief.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes rapid bronchodilation.
Using the bronchodilator first opens the airways, allowing the corticosteroid
(beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lung tissue for better anti-inflammatory
effect. Patients should be taught to rinse their mouths after beclomethasone to prevent oral
candidiasis.
5. A patient is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis with a continuous heparin infusion.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Pharmacology | Actual Q&A with Rationale
(NURS305 Final Exam) | Liberty University
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg
C. Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of myocardial contraction
while decreasing the heart rate. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute in an adult is a
standard contraindication for administration. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for
one full minute prior to dosing to ensure patient safety.
2. A patient with a history of chronic alcoholism is prescribed disulfiram. The nurse should
instruct the patient that consuming alcohol while on this medication will cause which effect?
A. Severe nausea, vomiting, and hypotension
B. Profuse sweating and bradycardia
C. Immediate sedation and respiratory depression
,D. Increased euphoria and prolonged intoxication
Answer: A
Rationale: Disulfiram works by inhibiting the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing
toxic levels of acetaldehyde to build up if alcohol is ingested. This results in the disulfiram-
alcohol reaction, characterized by flushing, throbbing headache, and cardiovascular
collapse. Patient education must emphasize avoiding all sources of alcohol, including
mouthwashes and certain sauces.
3. A patient is receiving intravenous gentamicin for a severe infection. Which laboratory
result is the most important for the nurse to monitor to prevent drug-induced toxicity?
A. Alkaline phosphatase
B. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Serum creatinine and BUN levels
Answer: D
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for its significant
nephrotoxic and ototoxic potential. Monitoring serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen
(BUN) is essential to detect early signs of renal impairment. The nurse should also ensure
peak and trough levels are drawn to maintain therapeutic range and minimize toxicity.
, 4. A nurse is teaching a patient who has been prescribed albuterol and beclomethasone
inhalers for asthma. Which instruction is correct?
A. Use the beclomethasone first to open the airways.
B. Wait at least 30 minutes between using the two inhalers.
C. Use the albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the beclomethasone.
D. Mix the two medications in a nebulizer for faster relief.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes rapid bronchodilation.
Using the bronchodilator first opens the airways, allowing the corticosteroid
(beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lung tissue for better anti-inflammatory
effect. Patients should be taught to rinse their mouths after beclomethasone to prevent oral
candidiasis.
5. A patient is being treated for a deep vein thrombosis with a continuous heparin infusion.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
