NUR2474 PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT 2026 SOLVED
QUESTIONS VERIFIED
◉ A patient who stops taking an ACE inhibitor because of its side
effects will begin taking an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
medication. Which side effect of ACE inhibitors will not occur with
an ARB medication?
a.Angioedema
b.Cancer
c.Cough
d.Renal failure. Answer: c.Cough
ARBs do not promote the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs
and do not induce cough. Angioedema may occur with ARBs, but the
incidence is lower than with ACE inhibitors. An increased risk of
cancer may be a concern with ARBs but is not a concern with ACE
inhibitors. As with ACE inhibitors, renal failure can occur in patients
with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis in the artery to a
single remaining kidney.
◉ A female patient taking an ACE inhibitor learns that she is
pregnant. What will the nurse tell this patient?
,a.The fetus most likely will have serious congenital defects.
b.The fetus must be monitored closely while the patient is taking
this drug.
c.The patient's prescriber probably will change her medication to an
ARB.
d.The patient should stop taking the medication and contact her
provider immediately.. Answer: d.The patient should stop taking the
medication and contact her provider immediately.
ACE inhibitors are known to cause serious fetal injury during the
second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Whether injury occurs
earlier in pregnancy is unknown, and the incidence probably is low.
However, women should be counseled to stop taking the drug if they
become pregnant, and they should not take it if they are
contemplating becoming pregnant. Women who take ACE inhibitors
in the first trimester should be counseled that the risk to the fetus is
probably low. Women should stop taking the drug when pregnant.
ARBs carry the same risk as ACE inhibitors.
◉ A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving verapamil (Calan)
for hypertension and digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure. The nurse
will observe this patient for:
a.AV blockade.
,b.gingival hyperplasia.
c.migraine headaches.
d.reflex tachycardia.. Answer: a.AV blockade.
Verapamil and digoxin both suppress impulse conduction through
the AV node; when the two drugs are used concurrently, the risk of
AV blockade is increased. Gingival hyperplasia can occur in rare
cases with verapamil, but it is not an acute symptom. Verapamil can
be used to prevent migraine, and its use for this purpose is under
investigation. Verapamil and digoxin both suppress the heart rate.
Nifedipine causes reflex tachycardia.
◉ A patient begins taking nifedipine (Procardia), along with a beta
blocker, to treat hypertension. The nurse understands that the beta
blocker is used to:
a.reduce flushing.
b.minimize gingival hyperplasia.
c.prevent constipation.
d.prevent reflex tachycardia.. Answer: d.prevent reflex tachycardia.
Beta blockers are combined with nifedipine to prevent reflex
tachycardia. Beta blockers do not reduce flushing, minimize gingival
hyperplasia, or prevent constipation. Beta blockers can reduce the
adverse cardiac effects of nifedipine.
, ◉ A nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking verapamil
(Calan) for hypertension about the drug's side effects. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and fiber."
b."I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking this drug."
c."I may have swelling of my hands and feet, but this will subside."
d."I may need to increase my digoxin dose while taking this drug.".
Answer: a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and
fiber."
Constipation is common with verapamil and can be minimized by
increasing dietary fiber and fluids. Verapamil lowers the heart rate.
Peripheral edema may occur secondary to vasodilation, and patients
should notify their prescriber if this occurs, because the prescriber
may use diuretics to treat the condition. Verapamil and digoxin have
similar cardiac effects; also, verapamil may increase plasma levels of
digoxin by as much as 60%, so digoxin doses may need to be
reduced.
◉ A nurse is preparing to assist a nursing student in administering
intravenous verapamil to a patient who also receives a beta blocker.
The nurse asks the nursing student to discuss the plan of care for
this patient. Which statement by the student indicates a need for
further teaching?
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT 2026 SOLVED
QUESTIONS VERIFIED
◉ A patient who stops taking an ACE inhibitor because of its side
effects will begin taking an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)
medication. Which side effect of ACE inhibitors will not occur with
an ARB medication?
a.Angioedema
b.Cancer
c.Cough
d.Renal failure. Answer: c.Cough
ARBs do not promote the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs
and do not induce cough. Angioedema may occur with ARBs, but the
incidence is lower than with ACE inhibitors. An increased risk of
cancer may be a concern with ARBs but is not a concern with ACE
inhibitors. As with ACE inhibitors, renal failure can occur in patients
with bilateral renal artery stenosis or stenosis in the artery to a
single remaining kidney.
◉ A female patient taking an ACE inhibitor learns that she is
pregnant. What will the nurse tell this patient?
,a.The fetus most likely will have serious congenital defects.
b.The fetus must be monitored closely while the patient is taking
this drug.
c.The patient's prescriber probably will change her medication to an
ARB.
d.The patient should stop taking the medication and contact her
provider immediately.. Answer: d.The patient should stop taking the
medication and contact her provider immediately.
ACE inhibitors are known to cause serious fetal injury during the
second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Whether injury occurs
earlier in pregnancy is unknown, and the incidence probably is low.
However, women should be counseled to stop taking the drug if they
become pregnant, and they should not take it if they are
contemplating becoming pregnant. Women who take ACE inhibitors
in the first trimester should be counseled that the risk to the fetus is
probably low. Women should stop taking the drug when pregnant.
ARBs carry the same risk as ACE inhibitors.
◉ A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving verapamil (Calan)
for hypertension and digoxin (Lanoxin) for heart failure. The nurse
will observe this patient for:
a.AV blockade.
,b.gingival hyperplasia.
c.migraine headaches.
d.reflex tachycardia.. Answer: a.AV blockade.
Verapamil and digoxin both suppress impulse conduction through
the AV node; when the two drugs are used concurrently, the risk of
AV blockade is increased. Gingival hyperplasia can occur in rare
cases with verapamil, but it is not an acute symptom. Verapamil can
be used to prevent migraine, and its use for this purpose is under
investigation. Verapamil and digoxin both suppress the heart rate.
Nifedipine causes reflex tachycardia.
◉ A patient begins taking nifedipine (Procardia), along with a beta
blocker, to treat hypertension. The nurse understands that the beta
blocker is used to:
a.reduce flushing.
b.minimize gingival hyperplasia.
c.prevent constipation.
d.prevent reflex tachycardia.. Answer: d.prevent reflex tachycardia.
Beta blockers are combined with nifedipine to prevent reflex
tachycardia. Beta blockers do not reduce flushing, minimize gingival
hyperplasia, or prevent constipation. Beta blockers can reduce the
adverse cardiac effects of nifedipine.
, ◉ A nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking verapamil
(Calan) for hypertension about the drug's side effects. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the teaching?
a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and fiber."
b."I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking this drug."
c."I may have swelling of my hands and feet, but this will subside."
d."I may need to increase my digoxin dose while taking this drug.".
Answer: a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and
fiber."
Constipation is common with verapamil and can be minimized by
increasing dietary fiber and fluids. Verapamil lowers the heart rate.
Peripheral edema may occur secondary to vasodilation, and patients
should notify their prescriber if this occurs, because the prescriber
may use diuretics to treat the condition. Verapamil and digoxin have
similar cardiac effects; also, verapamil may increase plasma levels of
digoxin by as much as 60%, so digoxin doses may need to be
reduced.
◉ A nurse is preparing to assist a nursing student in administering
intravenous verapamil to a patient who also receives a beta blocker.
The nurse asks the nursing student to discuss the plan of care for
this patient. Which statement by the student indicates a need for
further teaching?
