NURS 180 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM 2 2026 | WCU QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient is receiving Warfarin for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: INR is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the
effectiveness of Warfarin therapy, with a typical therapeutic range between 2.0 and 3.0.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient taking Digoxin. The patient reports seeing yellow-green halos
around lights. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a common side effect
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Assess the patient’s heart rate and notify the provider
,D. Encourage the patient to increase potassium intake
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos are classic signs
of Digoxin toxicity. The nurse must assess for bradycardia and notify the provider
immediately.
3. Which of the following medications is a loop diuretic that requires monitoring for
hypokalemia?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Triamterene
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of
potassium, leading to a high risk of hypokalemia.
4. A patient newly prescribed Lisinopril develops a dry, persistent cough. What is the
biochemical cause of this adverse effect?
A. Increased levels of bradykinin
B. Decreased levels of angiotensin II
C. Inhibition of aldosterone
, D. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the
lungs, leading to accumulation which causes a dry, non-productive cough in some patients.
5. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the nurse instruct
the patient to take this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach
B. At bedtime with a glass of milk
C. Immediately after a high-protein meal
D. With lunch to prevent gastric irritation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, usually
30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption.
6. A patient scheduled for an IV contrast study is currently taking Metformin. What
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Double the dose the morning of the procedure
B. Metformin has no interaction with IV contrast
C. Hold Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure
D. Take Metformin only if blood glucose is over 200 mg/dL
EXAM 2 2026 | WCU QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient is receiving Warfarin for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of the therapy?
A. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Serum Creatinine
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: INR is the standard laboratory test used to monitor the
effectiveness of Warfarin therapy, with a typical therapeutic range between 2.0 and 3.0.
2. A nurse is caring for a patient taking Digoxin. The patient reports seeing yellow-green halos
around lights. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Document the finding as a common side effect
B. Administer the next dose as scheduled
C. Assess the patient’s heart rate and notify the provider
,D. Encourage the patient to increase potassium intake
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos are classic signs
of Digoxin toxicity. The nurse must assess for bradycardia and notify the provider
immediately.
3. Which of the following medications is a loop diuretic that requires monitoring for
hypokalemia?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Triamterene
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of
potassium, leading to a high risk of hypokalemia.
4. A patient newly prescribed Lisinopril develops a dry, persistent cough. What is the
biochemical cause of this adverse effect?
A. Increased levels of bradykinin
B. Decreased levels of angiotensin II
C. Inhibition of aldosterone
, D. Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the
lungs, leading to accumulation which causes a dry, non-productive cough in some patients.
5. A patient is prescribed Levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. When should the nurse instruct
the patient to take this medication?
A. 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach
B. At bedtime with a glass of milk
C. Immediately after a high-protein meal
D. With lunch to prevent gastric irritation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, usually
30-60 minutes before breakfast, to ensure optimal absorption.
6. A patient scheduled for an IV contrast study is currently taking Metformin. What
instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Double the dose the morning of the procedure
B. Metformin has no interaction with IV contrast
C. Hold Metformin 48 hours before and after the procedure
D. Take Metformin only if blood glucose is over 200 mg/dL
