NURS 6521N ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY - WEEK 7
CARDIOVASCULAR AND
RESPIRATORY FOCUSED EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE AND
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS: WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance significantly
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin by
increasing its binding to the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, thereby increasing the risk of toxicity
even within the therapeutic range.
,2. Which of the following adverse effects is most uniquely associated with Amiodarone
therapy and requires long-term monitoring of pulmonary function?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Gingival Hyperplasia
C. Ototoxicity
D. Pulmonary Fibrosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Amiodarone can cause fatal pulmonary toxicity, often presenting
as interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, necessitating periodic chest X-rays and
pulmonary function tests.
3. A patient taking Warfarin has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 7.5 but shows no
signs of active bleeding. According to clinical guidelines, what is the appropriate
intervention?
A. Administer 10mg of Vitamin K via rapid IV push
B. Hold Warfarin and administer oral Vitamin K
C. Administer Fresh Frozen Plasma immediately
D. Continue Warfarin at a reduced dose
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: For an INR between 4.5 and 10 without bleeding, the
recommendation is usually to hold Warfarin and consider low-dose oral Vitamin K to
gradually lower the INR.
4. A patient is started on an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. What is the biochemical reason
for the common side effect of a persistent dry cough?
A. Increased levels of Angiotensin II
B. Accumulation of Bradykinin
C. Direct irritation of the bronchial mucosa
D. Decreased Nitric Oxide production
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin. The
resulting accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs causes inflammation and the
characteristic dry cough.
5. Which of the following medications is considered the drug of choice for the immediate
termination of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)?
A. Atropine
B. Adenosine
C. Epinephrine
D. Amiodarone
PHARMACOLOGY - WEEK 7
CARDIOVASCULAR AND
RESPIRATORY FOCUSED EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE AND
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS: WALDEN
UNIVERSITY
1. A patient is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance significantly
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin by
increasing its binding to the Na+/K+-ATPase pump, thereby increasing the risk of toxicity
even within the therapeutic range.
,2. Which of the following adverse effects is most uniquely associated with Amiodarone
therapy and requires long-term monitoring of pulmonary function?
A. Nephrotoxicity
B. Gingival Hyperplasia
C. Ototoxicity
D. Pulmonary Fibrosis
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Amiodarone can cause fatal pulmonary toxicity, often presenting
as interstitial pneumonitis or pulmonary fibrosis, necessitating periodic chest X-rays and
pulmonary function tests.
3. A patient taking Warfarin has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of 7.5 but shows no
signs of active bleeding. According to clinical guidelines, what is the appropriate
intervention?
A. Administer 10mg of Vitamin K via rapid IV push
B. Hold Warfarin and administer oral Vitamin K
C. Administer Fresh Frozen Plasma immediately
D. Continue Warfarin at a reduced dose
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: For an INR between 4.5 and 10 without bleeding, the
recommendation is usually to hold Warfarin and consider low-dose oral Vitamin K to
gradually lower the INR.
4. A patient is started on an ACE inhibitor for hypertension. What is the biochemical reason
for the common side effect of a persistent dry cough?
A. Increased levels of Angiotensin II
B. Accumulation of Bradykinin
C. Direct irritation of the bronchial mucosa
D. Decreased Nitric Oxide production
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin. The
resulting accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs causes inflammation and the
characteristic dry cough.
5. Which of the following medications is considered the drug of choice for the immediate
termination of Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)?
A. Atropine
B. Adenosine
C. Epinephrine
D. Amiodarone
