,NUR210/NUR 210 Principles of Pharmacology
Exam 3 | Galen College | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks the nurse about lifestyle modifications to help
control blood pressure. Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Increase your intake of saturated fats to help lower cholesterol."
B) "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
C) "Drinking alcohol will help you relax and lower your blood pressure."
D) "You only need to take medication; lifestyle changes are not effective."
Correct Answer: "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
Rationale: Non-pharmacologic management of hypertension includes salt restriction, exercise, stress
reduction techniques, decreased alcohol ingestion, and smoking cessation. A low-sodium diet and
regular physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure. The other options promote unhealthy
habits or provide incorrect information.
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about antihypertensive therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C) "I can skip my medication if I don't have any symptoms."
D) "I can take over-the-counter cold medications without consulting my provider."
Correct Answer: "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications should not be stopped abruptly, as this can cause rebound
hypertension. Patients should be taught to taper off the medication under the supervision of their
healthcare provider. The other options reflect dangerous misconceptions about medication adherence.
3. Which diuretic classification is considered first-line treatment for both hypertension and heart failure?
,A) Osmotic diuretics
B) Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
C) Loop diuretics
D) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Correct Answer: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, are first-line medications for
hypertension and are also used for heart failure and edema. Loop diuretics are more potent and used
for severe fluid overload, while osmotic and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have more specific
indications.
4. A patient prescribed hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypokalemia and hyponatremia due to
increased excretion of potassium and sodium. Hyperkalemia is associated with potassium-sparing
diuretics, not thiazides.
5. Which adverse effect is associated with hydrochlorothiazide therapy that the nurse should include in
patient teaching?
A) Photosensitivity
B) Bradycardia
C) Weight gain
D) Hypoglycemia
, Correct Answer: Photosensitivity
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide can cause photosensitivity, and patients should be instructed to use
sunscreen and protective clothing when exposed to sunlight. It can also cause hyperglycemia, not
hypoglycemia, and does not typically cause bradycardia or weight gain.
6. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin. Which potential drug interaction should the
nurse monitor for?
A) Increased risk of digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia
B) Decreased effectiveness of digoxin
C) Increased risk of hyperkalemia
D) No significant interaction
Correct Answer: Increased risk of digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and signs of digoxin toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, and
visual disturbances.
7. A patient of Asian descent is prescribed an antihypertensive medication. The nurse understands that
this patient may require:
A) A higher dose due to increased metabolism
B) A lower dose due to increased sensitivity
C) The same dose as other populations
D) A different class of medication entirely
Correct Answer: A lower dose due to increased sensitivity
Rationale: Individuals of Asian descent are approximately twice as sensitive to beta-blockers and
antihypertensives compared to Caucasians. Lower starting doses may be indicated, and the nurse should
monitor for exaggerated responses.
Exam 3 | Galen College | 2026 Edition (PDF)
1. A patient with newly diagnosed hypertension asks the nurse about lifestyle modifications to help
control blood pressure. Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Increase your intake of saturated fats to help lower cholesterol."
B) "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
C) "Drinking alcohol will help you relax and lower your blood pressure."
D) "You only need to take medication; lifestyle changes are not effective."
Correct Answer: "You should restrict your salt intake and begin a regular exercise program."
Rationale: Non-pharmacologic management of hypertension includes salt restriction, exercise, stress
reduction techniques, decreased alcohol ingestion, and smoking cessation. A low-sodium diet and
regular physical activity can significantly reduce blood pressure. The other options promote unhealthy
habits or provide incorrect information.
2. The nurse is teaching a patient about antihypertensive therapy. Which statement indicates correct
understanding?
A) "I can stop taking my medication once my blood pressure is normal."
B) "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
C) "I can skip my medication if I don't have any symptoms."
D) "I can take over-the-counter cold medications without consulting my provider."
Correct Answer: "I should not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Antihypertensive medications should not be stopped abruptly, as this can cause rebound
hypertension. Patients should be taught to taper off the medication under the supervision of their
healthcare provider. The other options reflect dangerous misconceptions about medication adherence.
3. Which diuretic classification is considered first-line treatment for both hypertension and heart failure?
,A) Osmotic diuretics
B) Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
C) Loop diuretics
D) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Correct Answer: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
Rationale: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, are first-line medications for
hypertension and are also used for heart failure and edema. Loop diuretics are more potent and used
for severe fluid overload, while osmotic and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have more specific
indications.
4. A patient prescribed hydrochlorothiazide should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypernatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: Hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can cause hypokalemia and hyponatremia due to
increased excretion of potassium and sodium. Hyperkalemia is associated with potassium-sparing
diuretics, not thiazides.
5. Which adverse effect is associated with hydrochlorothiazide therapy that the nurse should include in
patient teaching?
A) Photosensitivity
B) Bradycardia
C) Weight gain
D) Hypoglycemia
, Correct Answer: Photosensitivity
Rationale: Hydrochlorothiazide can cause photosensitivity, and patients should be instructed to use
sunscreen and protective clothing when exposed to sunlight. It can also cause hyperglycemia, not
hypoglycemia, and does not typically cause bradycardia or weight gain.
6. A patient is prescribed hydrochlorothiazide and digoxin. Which potential drug interaction should the
nurse monitor for?
A) Increased risk of digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia
B) Decreased effectiveness of digoxin
C) Increased risk of hyperkalemia
D) No significant interaction
Correct Answer: Increased risk of digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia, which increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and signs of digoxin toxicity, such as nausea, vomiting, and
visual disturbances.
7. A patient of Asian descent is prescribed an antihypertensive medication. The nurse understands that
this patient may require:
A) A higher dose due to increased metabolism
B) A lower dose due to increased sensitivity
C) The same dose as other populations
D) A different class of medication entirely
Correct Answer: A lower dose due to increased sensitivity
Rationale: Individuals of Asian descent are approximately twice as sensitive to beta-blockers and
antihypertensives compared to Caucasians. Lower starting doses may be indicated, and the nurse should
monitor for exaggerated responses.
