NURS 180 PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
(WEEKS 1-14) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. The nurse notes the patient’s
potassium level is 3.1 mEq/L. Which action is the priority?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider.
B. Administer the dose as prescribed.
C. Check the apical pulse for 30 seconds.
D. Encourage the patient to eat a banana.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases
the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must hold the medication and notify the provider.
2. When administering a competitive antagonist, how does the drug interact with the
receptor?
A. It binds to the receptor and triggers a maximal response.
B. It binds to the receptor and prevents the agonist from binding.
,C. It permanently deactivates the receptor site.
D. It increases the affinity of the agonist for the receptor.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete with agonists for the same
receptor site, blocking the agonist’s effect without activating the receptor.
3. A patient is receiving Vancomycin IV for MRSA. Which laboratory value is most critical to
monitor to prevent toxicity?
A. White blood cell count
B. Trough serum levels
C. Peak serum levels
D. Serum glucose
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Vancomycin requires trough level monitoring (usually before
the 4th dose) to ensure therapeutic levels and minimize nephrotoxicity.
4. Which teaching point is most important for a patient prescribed Alendronate for
osteoporosis?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
, D. Take the medication on an empty stomach with 8 oz of water.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain
water, and the patient must remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
5. A patient is prescribed Spironolactone. Which food choice should the nurse advise the
patient to avoid?
A. Bananas and salt substitutes
B. White bread
C. Canned green beans
D. Apples and blueberries
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Patients should
avoid high-potassium foods and salt substitutes (which often contain potassium chloride)
to prevent hyperkalemia.
6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Warfarin?
A. Blocking the activation of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
B. Inhibiting the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.
C. Directly inhibiting Factor Xa.
D. Activating plasminogen to dissolve existing clots.
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
(WEEKS 1-14) QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
1. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. The nurse notes the patient’s
potassium level is 3.1 mEq/L. Which action is the priority?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider.
B. Administer the dose as prescribed.
C. Check the apical pulse for 30 seconds.
D. Encourage the patient to eat a banana.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia (potassium < 3.5 mEq/L) significantly increases
the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must hold the medication and notify the provider.
2. When administering a competitive antagonist, how does the drug interact with the
receptor?
A. It binds to the receptor and triggers a maximal response.
B. It binds to the receptor and prevents the agonist from binding.
,C. It permanently deactivates the receptor site.
D. It increases the affinity of the agonist for the receptor.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Competitive antagonists compete with agonists for the same
receptor site, blocking the agonist’s effect without activating the receptor.
3. A patient is receiving Vancomycin IV for MRSA. Which laboratory value is most critical to
monitor to prevent toxicity?
A. White blood cell count
B. Trough serum levels
C. Peak serum levels
D. Serum glucose
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Vancomycin requires trough level monitoring (usually before
the 4th dose) to ensure therapeutic levels and minimize nephrotoxicity.
4. Which teaching point is most important for a patient prescribed Alendronate for
osteoporosis?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication immediately before bedtime.
, D. Take the medication on an empty stomach with 8 oz of water.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Alendronate must be taken on an empty stomach with plain
water, and the patient must remain upright for 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
5. A patient is prescribed Spironolactone. Which food choice should the nurse advise the
patient to avoid?
A. Bananas and salt substitutes
B. White bread
C. Canned green beans
D. Apples and blueberries
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Patients should
avoid high-potassium foods and salt substitutes (which often contain potassium chloride)
to prevent hyperkalemia.
6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Warfarin?
A. Blocking the activation of Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
B. Inhibiting the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin.
C. Directly inhibiting Factor Xa.
D. Activating plasminogen to dissolve existing clots.
