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NSG 124 EXAM 2 – HERZING PHARMACOLOGY NCLEX
STYLE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for NSG 124 Exam 2 with this focused Pharmacology NCLEX-style study
resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce essential pharmacology
concepts, medication classifications, adverse effects, safety considerations, and
appropriate nursing interventions. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying pharmacology knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening
prioritization and critical-thinking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework
to review key concepts and build confidence for the exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Cardiovascular Medications (Questions 1–35)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about lisinopril. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I should report a persistent dry cough to my provider."
B. "I can take this medication with potassium supplements."
C. "I should stop taking this medication if I feel better."
D. "This medication will increase my heart rate."
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril commonly cause a persistent
dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Patients should report this to
their provider, who may switch them to an ARB. Potassium supplements
should be avoided due to the risk of hyperkalemia. The medication should
not be stopped abruptly. ACE inhibitors do not typically increase heart
rate.
2. A patient is prescribed metoprolol. Which assessment finding requires
the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/78 mm Hg
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B. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and
blood pressure. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is a
contraindication to administration. The nurse should withhold the
medication and notify the provider. The other findings are within normal
limits.
3. A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient. Which laboratory
value requires immediate follow-up?
A. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
B. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
D. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss,
leading to hypokalemia. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (normal 3.5–5.0
mEq/L) is below normal and requires immediate follow-up. The other
values are within normal limits.
4. A patient is prescribed spironolactone. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
B. "Avoid potassium-rich foods such as bananas and oranges."
C. "Increase your intake of sodium."
D. "Drink at least 3 liters of water daily."
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. Patients should avoid potassium-rich foods such as
bananas, oranges, and potatoes. Increasing sodium intake is not
recommended, and fluid intake should be individualized.
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5. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which instruction is most
important to include?
A. "You should avoid all green leafy vegetables."
B. "You should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods."
C. "You should take aspirin for headaches."
D. "You should double your dose if you miss a dose."
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Patients should maintain a
consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods rather than avoiding them
entirely. Aspirin should be avoided due to increased bleeding risk. The
dose should never be doubled.
6. A patient taking warfarin has an INR of 5.2. Which action should the
nurse anticipate?
A. Administering vitamin K (phytonadione)
B. Administering heparin
C. Increasing the warfarin dose
D. Continuing the current dose
Answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is above the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0 for most
indications), indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Vitamin K
(phytonadione) is the antidote for warfarin overdose. Heparin is an
anticoagulant, not an antidote. Increasing the warfarin dose would
worsen the situation.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin. Which laboratory test
should be monitored?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Bleeding time
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy. The
therapeutic range is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. PT/INR is
used to monitor warfarin. Platelet count should also be monitored for
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heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), but aPTT is the primary
parameter for therapeutic efficacy.
8. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding indicates
possible digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
B. Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (such as yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The therapeutic range for
digoxin is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL. The nurse should withhold the medication and
notify the provider.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which instruction is
most important to include?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve."
C. "Take the tablet with food to reduce stomach upset."
D. "Take three tablets at once if you have chest pain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue
and allowed to dissolve. It should not be swallowed. If chest pain persists
after one tablet, the patient may take up to three tablets total, five
minutes apart, while seeking emergency care.
10. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Take this medication in the morning."
B. "Take this medication in the evening."
C. "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
D. "Stop taking this medication if you experience muscle pain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) that
NSG 124 EXAM 2 – HERZING PHARMACOLOGY NCLEX
STYLE 2026/2027 COMPLETE CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for NSG 124 Exam 2 with this focused Pharmacology NCLEX-style study
resource from Herzing University. It is designed to reinforce essential pharmacology
concepts, medication classifications, adverse effects, safety considerations, and
appropriate nursing interventions. The NCLEX-style format helps you practice
applying pharmacology knowledge to clinical scenarios while strengthening
prioritization and critical-thinking skills. Use this resource alongside your coursework
to review key concepts and build confidence for the exam.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
Module 1: Cardiovascular Medications (Questions 1–35)
1. A nurse is teaching a patient about lisinopril. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I should report a persistent dry cough to my provider."
B. "I can take this medication with potassium supplements."
C. "I should stop taking this medication if I feel better."
D. "This medication will increase my heart rate."
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril commonly cause a persistent
dry cough due to bradykinin accumulation. Patients should report this to
their provider, who may switch them to an ARB. Potassium supplements
should be avoided due to the risk of hyperkalemia. The medication should
not be stopped abruptly. ACE inhibitors do not typically increase heart
rate.
2. A patient is prescribed metoprolol. Which assessment finding requires
the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/78 mm Hg
, Page 2 of 42
B. Heart rate of 52 beats per minute
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Temperature of 98.6°F (37°C)
Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and
blood pressure. A heart rate below 60 beats per minute is a
contraindication to administration. The nurse should withhold the
medication and notify the provider. The other findings are within normal
limits.
3. A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient. Which laboratory
value requires immediate follow-up?
A. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L
B. Sodium level of 138 mEq/L
C. Hemoglobin of 14 g/dL
D. Blood glucose of 110 mg/dL
Answer: A
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss,
leading to hypokalemia. A potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L (normal 3.5–5.0
mEq/L) is below normal and requires immediate follow-up. The other
values are within normal limits.
4. A patient is prescribed spironolactone. Which dietary instruction
should the nurse include?
A. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
B. "Avoid potassium-rich foods such as bananas and oranges."
C. "Increase your intake of sodium."
D. "Drink at least 3 liters of water daily."
Answer: B
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that can cause
hyperkalemia. Patients should avoid potassium-rich foods such as
bananas, oranges, and potatoes. Increasing sodium intake is not
recommended, and fluid intake should be individualized.
, Page 3 of 42
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which instruction is most
important to include?
A. "You should avoid all green leafy vegetables."
B. "You should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods."
C. "You should take aspirin for headaches."
D. "You should double your dose if you miss a dose."
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist. Patients should maintain a
consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods rather than avoiding them
entirely. Aspirin should be avoided due to increased bleeding risk. The
dose should never be doubled.
6. A patient taking warfarin has an INR of 5.2. Which action should the
nurse anticipate?
A. Administering vitamin K (phytonadione)
B. Administering heparin
C. Increasing the warfarin dose
D. Continuing the current dose
Answer: A
Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is above the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0 for most
indications), indicating an increased risk of bleeding. Vitamin K
(phytonadione) is the antidote for warfarin overdose. Heparin is an
anticoagulant, not an antidote. Increasing the warfarin dose would
worsen the situation.
7. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin. Which laboratory test
should be monitored?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Bleeding time
D. Platelet count
Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT is used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy. The
therapeutic range is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. PT/INR is
used to monitor warfarin. Platelet count should also be monitored for
, Page 4 of 42
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), but aPTT is the primary
parameter for therapeutic efficacy.
8. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which assessment finding indicates
possible digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
B. Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances
C. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute
Answer: B
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances (such as yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The therapeutic range for
digoxin is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL. The nurse should withhold the medication and
notify the provider.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which instruction is
most important to include?
A. "Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water."
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve."
C. "Take the tablet with food to reduce stomach upset."
D. "Take three tablets at once if you have chest pain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should be placed under the tongue
and allowed to dissolve. It should not be swallowed. If chest pain persists
after one tablet, the patient may take up to three tablets total, five
minutes apart, while seeking emergency care.
10. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. Which instruction should the
nurse include?
A. "Take this medication in the morning."
B. "Take this medication in the evening."
C. "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
D. "Stop taking this medication if you experience muscle pain."
Answer: B
Rationale: Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) that
