Pharmacology for Nursing Comprehensive Practice Exam 2:
Cardiovascular Drugs, Antihypertensives, Antianginals,
Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, Heart Failure Medications,
Lipid-Lowering Agents Questions with Answers and Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer lisinopril to a patient with hypertension. Before administering
the medication, which assessment is the priority?
A. Measure the patient's blood pressure.
B. Assess visual acuity.
C. Measure abdominal circumference.
D. Check hearing ability.
Answer: A. Measure the patient's blood pressure.
Rationale:
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to lower blood pressure.
The nurse should assess blood pressure before administration to determine whether the
medication is appropriate and to reduce the risk of hypotension.
Question 2
A patient taking lisinopril reports developing a persistent dry cough. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider because this is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors.
B. Tell the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
C. Reassure the patient that the cough is unrelated to the medication.
D. Recommend an over-the-counter cough suppressant without consulting the provider.
Answer: A. Notify the healthcare provider because this is a common adverse
effect of ACE inhibitors.
Rationale:
,A persistent dry cough is a well-known adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. The provider may
consider changing the patient to another class of medication, such as an angiotensin II receptor
blocker (ARB).
Question 3
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely in a patient receiving an ACE inhibitor?
A. Serum potassium.
B. Hemoglobin level.
C. Platelet count.
D. Blood glucose level.
Answer: A. Serum potassium.
Rationale:
ACE inhibitors can increase serum potassium levels, placing patients at risk for hyperkalemia,
especially those with kidney disease.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a patient taking losartan. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll report swelling of my face or difficulty breathing immediately."
B. "I'll stop taking the medication when my blood pressure improves."
C. "I'll double the dose if I miss one."
D. "I'll avoid checking my blood pressure at home."
Answer: A. "I'll report swelling of my face or difficulty breathing immediately."
Rationale:
Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), may rarely cause angioedema. Facial
swelling and difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention.
Question 5
,A patient receiving hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia.
B. Hypercalcemia.
C. Hypermagnesemia.
D. Hypernatremia.
Answer: A. Hypokalemia.
Rationale:
Thiazide diuretics promote potassium excretion, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
Question 6
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which assessment finding requires immediate reporting?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L.
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg.
C. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute.
Answer: A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L.
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that may cause significant potassium loss. Severe hypokalemia
increases the risk of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient taking furosemide asks why daily weights are necessary. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "Daily weights help evaluate changes in your fluid status."
B. "Daily weights measure muscle strength."
C. "Daily weights determine kidney size."
D. "Daily weights are only required during hospitalization."
Answer: A. "Daily weights help evaluate changes in your fluid status."
, Rationale:
Daily weights are one of the most accurate methods of monitoring fluid retention or fluid loss.
Question 8
Which food should a patient taking furosemide include in the diet unless contraindicated?
A. Bananas.
B. White rice.
C. Crackers.
D. Applesauce.
Answer: A. Bananas.
Rationale:
Bananas are rich in potassium, which may help replace potassium lost while taking loop
diuretics, if appropriate for the patient's condition.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient taking spironolactone. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Avoid potassium supplements unless prescribed.
B. Increase salt substitutes freely.
C. Eat unlimited potassium-rich foods.
D. Stop the medication if urination increases.
Answer: A. Avoid potassium supplements unless prescribed.
Rationale:
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Potassium supplements and many salt substitutes
can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.
Question 10
Cardiovascular Drugs, Antihypertensives, Antianginals,
Anticoagulants, Antiplatelets, Heart Failure Medications,
Lipid-Lowering Agents Questions with Answers and Rationales
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer lisinopril to a patient with hypertension. Before administering
the medication, which assessment is the priority?
A. Measure the patient's blood pressure.
B. Assess visual acuity.
C. Measure abdominal circumference.
D. Check hearing ability.
Answer: A. Measure the patient's blood pressure.
Rationale:
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to lower blood pressure.
The nurse should assess blood pressure before administration to determine whether the
medication is appropriate and to reduce the risk of hypotension.
Question 2
A patient taking lisinopril reports developing a persistent dry cough. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Notify the healthcare provider because this is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors.
B. Tell the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
C. Reassure the patient that the cough is unrelated to the medication.
D. Recommend an over-the-counter cough suppressant without consulting the provider.
Answer: A. Notify the healthcare provider because this is a common adverse
effect of ACE inhibitors.
Rationale:
,A persistent dry cough is a well-known adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. The provider may
consider changing the patient to another class of medication, such as an angiotensin II receptor
blocker (ARB).
Question 3
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely in a patient receiving an ACE inhibitor?
A. Serum potassium.
B. Hemoglobin level.
C. Platelet count.
D. Blood glucose level.
Answer: A. Serum potassium.
Rationale:
ACE inhibitors can increase serum potassium levels, placing patients at risk for hyperkalemia,
especially those with kidney disease.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a patient taking losartan. Which statement indicates correct understanding?
A. "I'll report swelling of my face or difficulty breathing immediately."
B. "I'll stop taking the medication when my blood pressure improves."
C. "I'll double the dose if I miss one."
D. "I'll avoid checking my blood pressure at home."
Answer: A. "I'll report swelling of my face or difficulty breathing immediately."
Rationale:
Losartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), may rarely cause angioedema. Facial
swelling and difficulty breathing require immediate medical attention.
Question 5
,A patient receiving hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia.
B. Hypercalcemia.
C. Hypermagnesemia.
D. Hypernatremia.
Answer: A. Hypokalemia.
Rationale:
Thiazide diuretics promote potassium excretion, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
Question 6
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which assessment finding requires immediate reporting?
A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L.
B. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg.
C. Heart rate of 82 beats/minute.
D. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/minute.
Answer: A. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L.
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that may cause significant potassium loss. Severe hypokalemia
increases the risk of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient taking furosemide asks why daily weights are necessary. What is the nurse's best
response?
A. "Daily weights help evaluate changes in your fluid status."
B. "Daily weights measure muscle strength."
C. "Daily weights determine kidney size."
D. "Daily weights are only required during hospitalization."
Answer: A. "Daily weights help evaluate changes in your fluid status."
, Rationale:
Daily weights are one of the most accurate methods of monitoring fluid retention or fluid loss.
Question 8
Which food should a patient taking furosemide include in the diet unless contraindicated?
A. Bananas.
B. White rice.
C. Crackers.
D. Applesauce.
Answer: A. Bananas.
Rationale:
Bananas are rich in potassium, which may help replace potassium lost while taking loop
diuretics, if appropriate for the patient's condition.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a patient taking spironolactone. Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Avoid potassium supplements unless prescribed.
B. Increase salt substitutes freely.
C. Eat unlimited potassium-rich foods.
D. Stop the medication if urination increases.
Answer: A. Avoid potassium supplements unless prescribed.
Rationale:
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Potassium supplements and many salt substitutes
can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.
Question 10
