NUR210 PHARMACOLOGY FINAL
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is receiving Digoxin for heart failure. Which clinical finding should the nurse
identify as an early sign of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased urinary output
D. Anorexia and nausea
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Early signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects
such as anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, as well as neurological symptoms like fatigue and
visual disturbances (halos).
2. A nurse is caring for a patient on Warfarin therapy. The patient’s INR is 5.2. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate the provider to order?
A. Vitamin K
B. Enoxaparin
,C. Protamine Sulfate
D. Aspirin
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Vitamin K is the specific antagonist for Warfarin and is used to
reverse its anticoagulant effects when the INR is excessively high or bleeding occurs.
3. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which adverse effect is unique to ACE
inhibitors and might require the patient to switch to an ARB?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Dry, nonproductive cough
C. Reflex tachycardia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The accumulation of bradykinin due to ACE inhibition often
causes a persistent, dry cough. Patients who cannot tolerate this often switch to
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).
4. The nurse is preparing to administer Lithium Carbonate to a patient with bipolar disorder.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the patient’s sodium intake
B. Monitor for weight loss
, C. Administer the medication on an empty stomach
D. Check for signs of hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium excretion is closely linked to sodium levels. Low sodium
intake can lead to lithium retention and toxicity, so maintaining consistent sodium intake is
vital.
5. A patient receiving a continuous Heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT) of 105 seconds. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
B. Maintain the current rate
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Administer Vitamin K
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The therapeutic aPTT range for Heparin is typically 1.5 to 2.5
times the normal value (approx 60-80 seconds). A value of 105 indicates over-
anticoagulation and a high risk for bleeding.
6. A patient is receiving Vancomycin IV for a MRSA infection. During the infusion, the patient
develops flushing of the neck and chest. What should the nurse do first?
A. Stop the infusion immediately
EXAM COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. A patient is receiving Digoxin for heart failure. Which clinical finding should the nurse
identify as an early sign of Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Increased urinary output
D. Anorexia and nausea
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Early signs of digoxin toxicity include gastrointestinal effects
such as anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, as well as neurological symptoms like fatigue and
visual disturbances (halos).
2. A nurse is caring for a patient on Warfarin therapy. The patient’s INR is 5.2. Which
medication should the nurse anticipate the provider to order?
A. Vitamin K
B. Enoxaparin
,C. Protamine Sulfate
D. Aspirin
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Vitamin K is the specific antagonist for Warfarin and is used to
reverse its anticoagulant effects when the INR is excessively high or bleeding occurs.
3. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which adverse effect is unique to ACE
inhibitors and might require the patient to switch to an ARB?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Dry, nonproductive cough
C. Reflex tachycardia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The accumulation of bradykinin due to ACE inhibition often
causes a persistent, dry cough. Patients who cannot tolerate this often switch to
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs).
4. The nurse is preparing to administer Lithium Carbonate to a patient with bipolar disorder.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the patient’s sodium intake
B. Monitor for weight loss
, C. Administer the medication on an empty stomach
D. Check for signs of hypoglycemia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Lithium excretion is closely linked to sodium levels. Low sodium
intake can lead to lithium retention and toxicity, so maintaining consistent sodium intake is
vital.
5. A patient receiving a continuous Heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT) of 105 seconds. What is the priority nursing intervention?
A. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
B. Maintain the current rate
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Administer Vitamin K
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The therapeutic aPTT range for Heparin is typically 1.5 to 2.5
times the normal value (approx 60-80 seconds). A value of 105 indicates over-
anticoagulation and a high risk for bleeding.
6. A patient is receiving Vancomycin IV for a MRSA infection. During the infusion, the patient
develops flushing of the neck and chest. What should the nurse do first?
A. Stop the infusion immediately
