, NUR 210 Exam 3 | Principles of Pharmacology | Actual
Questions and Answers (PDF) | Galen Nursing
1. The nurse is caring for a client receiving furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte
imbalance is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in
the ascending loop of Henle, causing significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia is the most
important electrolyte imbalance to monitor. A serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L can
lead to cardiac dysrhythmias .
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg daily. Which
instruction should the nurse include when teaching the client about this
medication?
A) Take the medication at bedtime to avoid dizziness
B) Rise slowly from a lying or sitting to standing position
C) Take the medication on an empty stomach
D) Avoid fruits and vegetables in the diet
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide can cause orthostatic hypotension due to rapid fluid loss and
vasodilation. Clients should be taught to change positions slowly to prevent falls. The
medication should be taken in the morning to prevent nocturia, and a diet high in
potassium-rich foods is recommended to prevent hypokalemia .
3. A client is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). The nurse should monitor the
client for which potential adverse effect?
,A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone in the
distal renal tubules, promoting sodium and water excretion while retaining potassium. The
most significant adverse effect is hyperkalemia, which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias .
4. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a client taking
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?
A) Serum calcium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum magnesium
D) Serum phosphate
Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide cause potassium depletion through
increased distal tubular secretion. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias,
especially in clients taking digoxin. Hypokalemia also increases the risk of digoxin toxicity .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide (Lasix) to a client. Which
assessment finding would indicate the medication is effective?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
C) Urine output 60 mL/hr
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid volume. An increase in urine
output, along with decreased edema, weight loss, and improved blood pressure, indicates
the medication is effective. A 24-hour urine output of at least 30 mL/hr is expected .
, 6. The nurse is teaching a client about spironolactone (Aldactone). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A) "I should use salt substitutes to season my food."
B) "I should avoid foods high in potassium."
C) "I can take this medication with a potassium supplement."
D) "I should not worry about my potassium level."
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Clients should avoid salt
substitutes containing potassium (e.g., Mrs. Dash) and foods high in potassium such as
bananas, oranges, and potatoes. Hyperkalemia can occur, especially when combined with
ACE inhibitors or ARBs .
7. A client receiving furosemide (Lasix) develops muscle cramps and weakness. The
nurse should assess for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle cramps and weakness are classic signs of hypokalemia, a common side
effect of loop diuretics. Potassium is essential for muscle contraction, and depletion leads
to muscle weakness, cramps, and potentially cardiac dysrhythmias .
8. The nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client prescribed
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Which medication interaction should the nurse be
most concerned about?
A) Digoxin
B) Acetaminophen
Questions and Answers (PDF) | Galen Nursing
1. The nurse is caring for a client receiving furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte
imbalance is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypernatremia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in
the ascending loop of Henle, causing significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia is the most
important electrolyte imbalance to monitor. A serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L can
lead to cardiac dysrhythmias .
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg daily. Which
instruction should the nurse include when teaching the client about this
medication?
A) Take the medication at bedtime to avoid dizziness
B) Rise slowly from a lying or sitting to standing position
C) Take the medication on an empty stomach
D) Avoid fruits and vegetables in the diet
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide can cause orthostatic hypotension due to rapid fluid loss and
vasodilation. Clients should be taught to change positions slowly to prevent falls. The
medication should be taken in the morning to prevent nocturia, and a diet high in
potassium-rich foods is recommended to prevent hypokalemia .
3. A client is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). The nurse should monitor the
client for which potential adverse effect?
,A) Hypokalemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone in the
distal renal tubules, promoting sodium and water excretion while retaining potassium. The
most significant adverse effect is hyperkalemia, which can cause cardiac dysrhythmias .
4. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor in a client taking
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)?
A) Serum calcium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum magnesium
D) Serum phosphate
Answer: B
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide cause potassium depletion through
increased distal tubular secretion. Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias,
especially in clients taking digoxin. Hypokalemia also increases the risk of digoxin toxicity .
5. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide (Lasix) to a client. Which
assessment finding would indicate the medication is effective?
A) Heart rate 72 bpm
B) Blood pressure 148/92 mmHg
C) Urine output 60 mL/hr
D) Weight gain of 2 pounds in 24 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to reduce fluid volume. An increase in urine
output, along with decreased edema, weight loss, and improved blood pressure, indicates
the medication is effective. A 24-hour urine output of at least 30 mL/hr is expected .
, 6. The nurse is teaching a client about spironolactone (Aldactone). Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A) "I should use salt substitutes to season my food."
B) "I should avoid foods high in potassium."
C) "I can take this medication with a potassium supplement."
D) "I should not worry about my potassium level."
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Clients should avoid salt
substitutes containing potassium (e.g., Mrs. Dash) and foods high in potassium such as
bananas, oranges, and potatoes. Hyperkalemia can occur, especially when combined with
ACE inhibitors or ARBs .
7. A client receiving furosemide (Lasix) develops muscle cramps and weakness. The
nurse should assess for which electrolyte imbalance?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hyponatremia
D) Hypercalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Muscle cramps and weakness are classic signs of hypokalemia, a common side
effect of loop diuretics. Potassium is essential for muscle contraction, and depletion leads
to muscle weakness, cramps, and potentially cardiac dysrhythmias .
8. The nurse is reviewing the medication list of a client prescribed
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Which medication interaction should the nurse be
most concerned about?
A) Digoxin
B) Acetaminophen
