BSN Advanced Pharmacology | Exam 8 Questions With Answers
and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Correct Answer: C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Explanation: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the PT/INR. aPTT is used for heparin,
while platelet counts monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Question 2.
A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What should be
the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the apical pulse and hold the dose
B. Check the patient’s serum potassium level
C. Administer the next scheduled dose
D. Document this as a common side effect
Correct Answer: A. Assess the apical pulse and hold the dose
Explanation: Visual disturbances like yellow-green halos are signs of Digoxin toxicity. The
nurse must assess the patient and withhold the medication until toxicity is ruled out.
Question 3.
Which side effect is most uniquely associated with ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: C. Persistent dry cough
Explanation: ACE inhibitors cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs, leading to
a dry, hacking cough in many patients.
, Question 4.
A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which medication class
should the nurse question?
A. Non-selective Beta-blockers
B. Calcium Channel Blockers
C. Thiazide Diuretics
D. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Correct Answer: A. Non-selective Beta-blockers
Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma.
Question 5.
What is the primary electrolyte imbalance the nurse should monitor for in a patient taking
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D. Hypokalemia
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium,
leading to hypokalemia.
Question 6.
A patient is prescribed Lithium for bipolar disorder. The nurse should instruct the patient to
maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Potassium
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: C. Sodium
Explanation: Lithium excretion is closely tied to sodium. Low sodium levels can lead to
Lithium retention and toxicity.
Question 7.
What is the therapeutic serum level for a patient taking Phenytoin (Dilantin)?
A. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
B. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
C. 50 to 100 mcg/mL
D. 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
and detailed Rationales
Question 1.
A patient is prescribed Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
D. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
Correct Answer: C. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Explanation: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the PT/INR. aPTT is used for heparin,
while platelet counts monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Question 2.
A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights. What should be
the nurse’s first action?
A. Assess the apical pulse and hold the dose
B. Check the patient’s serum potassium level
C. Administer the next scheduled dose
D. Document this as a common side effect
Correct Answer: A. Assess the apical pulse and hold the dose
Explanation: Visual disturbances like yellow-green halos are signs of Digoxin toxicity. The
nurse must assess the patient and withhold the medication until toxicity is ruled out.
Question 3.
Which side effect is most uniquely associated with ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Tachycardia
Correct Answer: C. Persistent dry cough
Explanation: ACE inhibitors cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs, leading to
a dry, hacking cough in many patients.
, Question 4.
A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which medication class
should the nurse question?
A. Non-selective Beta-blockers
B. Calcium Channel Blockers
C. Thiazide Diuretics
D. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Correct Answer: A. Non-selective Beta-blockers
Explanation: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma.
Question 5.
What is the primary electrolyte imbalance the nurse should monitor for in a patient taking
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D. Hypokalemia
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium,
leading to hypokalemia.
Question 6.
A patient is prescribed Lithium for bipolar disorder. The nurse should instruct the patient to
maintain a consistent intake of which substance?
A. Potassium
B. Vitamin K
C. Sodium
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: C. Sodium
Explanation: Lithium excretion is closely tied to sodium. Low sodium levels can lead to
Lithium retention and toxicity.
Question 7.
What is the therapeutic serum level for a patient taking Phenytoin (Dilantin)?
A. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
B. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
C. 50 to 100 mcg/mL
D. 1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A. 10 to 20 mcg/mL
