NUR 353 | Nursing Pharmacology
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3
Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
NUR 353 | Nursing Pharmacology | University-Level Nursing Students
100 Verified Questions | 4 Core Domains | Academic Year 2026/2027
Prepared by
NUR 353 | Nursing Pharmacology
Examination 3 Actual Exam | Academic Year 2026/2027
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,Introduction
This document presents 100 original verified questions for the NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology
Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions prepared for the
2026/2027 academic year. The content is organized into 4 core domains of equal weight:
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology (25 questions); Neurological and Psychiatric
Pharmacology (25 questions); Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Pharmacology (25 questions); and
Infectious Disease and Oncology Pharmacology (25 questions). Each question is designed to
reinforce the official NUR 353 Examination 3 objectives, build pharmacologic clinical reasoning,
and strengthen readiness for the actual exam and safe medication administration. The rationales
apply foundational nursing textbook methodology, including NUR 353 course materials, Lehne's
Pharmacology for Nursing Care, and Karch's Focus on Nursing Pharmacology, so that each
response is supported by current evidence-based clinical care guidelines and drug safety
standards. The correct responses are evenly distributed across the four options, and the answer
key provides a one-to-one match for every question.
Actual Questions
The 100 verified questions follow, grouped by domain. Read each item, select the single best
option, and compare your selection with the correct response and rationale provided.
Domain 1: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology
Question 1. A client is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A. A heart rate of 80 beats per minute
B. Hypertension
C. Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances such as yellow halos
D. Increased energy and alertness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity commonly causes gastrointestinal symptoms and visual
changes such as yellow-green halos, along with dysrhythmias. A normal heart rate
without these symptoms does not indicate toxicity.
Question 2. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should hold the dose if the
apical heart rate is:
A. 60 beats per minute or below
B. 80 beats per minute
C. 100 beats per minute
D. 70 beats per minute
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is held for bradycardia, typically when the apical rate is below 60 in
an adult, because it further slows conduction. The nurse counts the apical rate for a full
minute before giving the dose.
Question 3. A client taking lisinopril should be taught to report which side effect?
A. Constipation
B. Increased appetite
C. A slow heart rate
D. A dry, persistent cough
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can cause a persistent dry cough
from bradykinin accumulation, which may require switching medications. The client
should also report swelling of the lips, which can signal angioedema.
Question 4. A client starting an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor should be
taught to:
A. Stop the medication once they feel well
B. Change position slowly and report any swelling of the lips
C. Take the medication with grapefruit juice
D. Increase salt intake to prevent dizziness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These inhibitors can cause first-dose hypotension and angioedema, so the
client changes position slowly and reports lip or throat swelling. Grapefruit and extra
salt are not advised with this medication.
Question 5. Before administering a beta-blocker, the nurse should check which
measurements?
A. Heart rate and blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Pain level only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure, so the nurse holds the dose
if the rate or pressure is below the set parameters. This prevents symptomatic
bradycardia and hypotension.
Question 6. A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Loop diuretics waste potassium in the urine, so hypokalemia is a key risk that
can cause dysrhythmias. Potassium levels are monitored and supplementation provided
as needed.
Question 7. A client receiving spironolactone should be monitored for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so hyperkalemia is the key
risk. Potassium intake and levels are monitored, and potassium supplements are avoided.
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Question 8. A client is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina. The nurse
teaches the client to:
A. Swallow the tablet whole with water
B. Take the tablet only once a day
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses and call emergency services if pain
persists
D. Take the tablet with a high-fat meal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is taken every 5 minutes for up to three doses; if chest
pain persists, emergency services are called. The tablet dissolves under the tongue for
rapid absorption.
Question 9. A common side effect of nitroglycerin that the client should anticipate
is:
A. Bradycardia
B. A headache
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which often produces a throbbing headache
that usually responds to acetaminophen. The client is also taught to sit or lie down to
prevent hypotension.
Question 10. A client on a heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin
time of 110 seconds with a control of 30 seconds. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Continue the heparin at the same rate
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Administer vitamin K intravenously
D. Hold the heparin and notify the provider
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range is about one and a half to two and a half times the
control, so 110 seconds is supratherapeutic and risks bleeding. Holding the infusion and
notifying the provider is the safe response; vitamin K reverses warfarin, not heparin.
Question 11. Which medication is the antidote for heparin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds heparin and neutralizes its anticoagulant effect.
Vitamin K reverses warfarin, atropine treats bradycardia and cholinergic toxicity, and
naloxone reverses opioids.
Question 12. Which medication is the antidote for warfarin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3
Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 |
Verified Questions
NUR 353 | Nursing Pharmacology | University-Level Nursing Students
100 Verified Questions | 4 Core Domains | Academic Year 2026/2027
Prepared by
NUR 353 | Nursing Pharmacology
Examination 3 Actual Exam | Academic Year 2026/2027
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
,Introduction
This document presents 100 original verified questions for the NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology
Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions prepared for the
2026/2027 academic year. The content is organized into 4 core domains of equal weight:
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology (25 questions); Neurological and Psychiatric
Pharmacology (25 questions); Endocrine and Gastrointestinal Pharmacology (25 questions); and
Infectious Disease and Oncology Pharmacology (25 questions). Each question is designed to
reinforce the official NUR 353 Examination 3 objectives, build pharmacologic clinical reasoning,
and strengthen readiness for the actual exam and safe medication administration. The rationales
apply foundational nursing textbook methodology, including NUR 353 course materials, Lehne's
Pharmacology for Nursing Care, and Karch's Focus on Nursing Pharmacology, so that each
response is supported by current evidence-based clinical care guidelines and drug safety
standards. The correct responses are evenly distributed across the four options, and the answer
key provides a one-to-one match for every question.
Actual Questions
The 100 verified questions follow, grouped by domain. Read each item, select the single best
option, and compare your selection with the correct response and rationale provided.
Domain 1: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Pharmacology
Question 1. A client is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which finding indicates
digoxin toxicity?
A. A heart rate of 80 beats per minute
B. Hypertension
C. Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances such as yellow halos
D. Increased energy and alertness
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity commonly causes gastrointestinal symptoms and visual
changes such as yellow-green halos, along with dysrhythmias. A normal heart rate
without these symptoms does not indicate toxicity.
Question 2. Before administering digoxin, the nurse should hold the dose if the
apical heart rate is:
A. 60 beats per minute or below
B. 80 beats per minute
C. 100 beats per minute
D. 70 beats per minute
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is held for bradycardia, typically when the apical rate is below 60 in
an adult, because it further slows conduction. The nurse counts the apical rate for a full
minute before giving the dose.
Question 3. A client taking lisinopril should be taught to report which side effect?
A. Constipation
B. Increased appetite
C. A slow heart rate
D. A dry, persistent cough
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors can cause a persistent dry cough
from bradykinin accumulation, which may require switching medications. The client
should also report swelling of the lips, which can signal angioedema.
Question 4. A client starting an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor should be
taught to:
A. Stop the medication once they feel well
B. Change position slowly and report any swelling of the lips
C. Take the medication with grapefruit juice
D. Increase salt intake to prevent dizziness
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: These inhibitors can cause first-dose hypotension and angioedema, so the
client changes position slowly and reports lip or throat swelling. Grapefruit and extra
salt are not advised with this medication.
Question 5. Before administering a beta-blocker, the nurse should check which
measurements?
A. Heart rate and blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate only
D. Pain level only
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers lower heart rate and blood pressure, so the nurse holds the dose
if the rate or pressure is below the set parameters. This prevents symptomatic
bradycardia and hypotension.
Question 6. A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Loop diuretics waste potassium in the urine, so hypokalemia is a key risk that
can cause dysrhythmias. Potassium levels are monitored and supplementation provided
as needed.
Question 7. A client receiving spironolactone should be monitored for which
electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so hyperkalemia is the key
risk. Potassium intake and levels are monitored, and potassium supplements are avoided.
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
, Question 8. A client is prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina. The nurse
teaches the client to:
A. Swallow the tablet whole with water
B. Take the tablet only once a day
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses and call emergency services if pain
persists
D. Take the tablet with a high-fat meal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is taken every 5 minutes for up to three doses; if chest
pain persists, emergency services are called. The tablet dissolves under the tongue for
rapid absorption.
Question 9. A common side effect of nitroglycerin that the client should anticipate
is:
A. Bradycardia
B. A headache
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which often produces a throbbing headache
that usually responds to acetaminophen. The client is also taught to sit or lie down to
prevent hypotension.
Question 10. A client on a heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin
time of 110 seconds with a control of 30 seconds. Which action should the nurse
take?
A. Continue the heparin at the same rate
B. Increase the infusion rate
C. Administer vitamin K intravenously
D. Hold the heparin and notify the provider
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range is about one and a half to two and a half times the
control, so 110 seconds is supratherapeutic and risks bleeding. Holding the infusion and
notifying the provider is the safe response; vitamin K reverses warfarin, not heparin.
Question 11. Which medication is the antidote for heparin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Atropine
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds heparin and neutralizes its anticoagulant effect.
Vitamin K reverses warfarin, atropine treats bradycardia and cholinergic toxicity, and
naloxone reverses opioids.
Question 12. Which medication is the antidote for warfarin toxicity?
A. Protamine sulfate
NUR 353 Nursing Pharmacology Exam 3 Comprehensive Examination 2026/2027 | Verified Questions
