BSN Advanced Pharmacology - Exam 8 Practice UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
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
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the PT/INR. aPTT is used for heparin,
while platelet counts monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: 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.
,3. Which side effect is most uniquely associated with ACE inhibitors like
Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs, leading to a
dry, hacking cough in many patients.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium,
leading to hypokalemia.
, 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium excretion is closely tied to sodium. Low sodium levels can lead to
Lithium retention and toxicity.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic window for Phenytoin is narrow, typically between 10 and 20
mcg/mL.
8. A patient is receiving Gentamicin. The nurse should monitor which laboratory
results to detect potential toxicity?
A. BUN and Serum Creatinine
B. AST and ALT
C. Amylase and Lipase
D. PT and PTT
Answer: A
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like Gentamicin are known for nephrotoxicity; therefore,
kidney function (BUN/Creatinine) must be monitored.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
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
Answer: C
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the PT/INR. aPTT is used for heparin,
while platelet counts monitor for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: 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.
,3. Which side effect is most uniquely associated with ACE inhibitors like
Lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Persistent dry cough
D. Tachycardia
Answer: C
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause an accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs, leading to a
dry, hacking cough in many patients.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers (like Propranolol) block Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs, which can cause bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma.
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
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant excretion of potassium,
leading to hypokalemia.
, 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
Answer: C
Rationale: Lithium excretion is closely tied to sodium. Low sodium levels can lead to
Lithium retention and toxicity.
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
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic window for Phenytoin is narrow, typically between 10 and 20
mcg/mL.
8. A patient is receiving Gentamicin. The nurse should monitor which laboratory
results to detect potential toxicity?
A. BUN and Serum Creatinine
B. AST and ALT
C. Amylase and Lipase
D. PT and PTT
Answer: A
Rationale: Aminoglycosides like Gentamicin are known for nephrotoxicity; therefore,
kidney function (BUN/Creatinine) must be monitored.
