ATI Pharmacology Exam 3: Cardiovascular Medications Study Guide
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client about the adverse effects of lisinopril. Which of
the following should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Frequent urination
B. Swelling of the tongue or lips
C. Nasal congestion
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema, characterized by swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat, is a life-
threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and requires immediate medical
attention.
2. Which of the following medications is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks the action of
aldosterone. Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a heparin infusion. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. PT (Prothrombin Time)
B. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
C. aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy. PT and INR
are used for warfarin monitoring.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. For which of the following findings
should the nurse withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
C. Respiratory rate 20/min
D. Apical pulse 52/min
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in an adult, as
it can further decrease the heart rate.
5. What is the antidote for a heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin.
Vitamin K reverses warfarin.
, 6. A client is prescribed verapamil for hypertension. Which of the following
should the client avoid consuming?
A. Milk
B. Leafy green vegetables
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Red meat
Answer: C
Rationale: Grapefruit juice can inhibit the metabolism of calcium channel blockers like
verapamil, leading to toxic levels of the drug.
7. Which adverse effect is specific to the loop diuretic furosemide?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Dry cough
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause ototoxicity (hearing loss or
tinnitus), especially if administered too rapidly intravenously.
8. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 5.5. The nurse should anticipate
administering which medication?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Phytonadione (Vitamin K)
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin toxicity or excessively high INR levels to
promote the synthesis of clotting factors.
2026 |Questions |Answers |Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client about the adverse effects of lisinopril. Which of
the following should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Frequent urination
B. Swelling of the tongue or lips
C. Nasal congestion
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema, characterized by swelling of the tongue, lips, or throat, is a life-
threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and requires immediate medical
attention.
2. Which of the following medications is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Metolazone
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that blocks the action of
aldosterone. Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics.
,3. A nurse is monitoring a client receiving a heparin infusion. Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. PT (Prothrombin Time)
B. INR (International Normalized Ratio)
C. aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy. PT and INR
are used for warfarin monitoring.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. For which of the following findings
should the nurse withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg
B. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
C. Respiratory rate 20/min
D. Apical pulse 52/min
Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60/min in an adult, as
it can further decrease the heart rate.
5. What is the antidote for a heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antidote used to reverse the effects of heparin.
Vitamin K reverses warfarin.
, 6. A client is prescribed verapamil for hypertension. Which of the following
should the client avoid consuming?
A. Milk
B. Leafy green vegetables
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Red meat
Answer: C
Rationale: Grapefruit juice can inhibit the metabolism of calcium channel blockers like
verapamil, leading to toxic levels of the drug.
7. Which adverse effect is specific to the loop diuretic furosemide?
A. Ototoxicity
B. Gingival hyperplasia
C. Dry cough
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide can cause ototoxicity (hearing loss or
tinnitus), especially if administered too rapidly intravenously.
8. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 5.5. The nurse should anticipate
administering which medication?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Phytonadione (Vitamin K)
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin toxicity or excessively high INR levels to
promote the synthesis of clotting factors.
