NURS 6521 ADVANCED
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A 65-year-old patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse practitioner monitor most closely to prevent Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, increasing
the risk of toxicity even at therapeutic serum levels.
2. When prescribing an ACE inhibitor such as Lisinopril, which specific adverse effect is caused
by the accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Tachycardia
,C. Hypokalemia
D. Dry, hacking cough
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the
lungs, which can lead to a persistent, non-productive cough in some patients.
3. A patient is started on Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab value is the primary
indicator for adjusting the dosage?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for
monitoring Warfarin therapy, typically targeting a range of 2.0 to 3.0.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient newly diagnosed with
Type 2 Diabetes, assuming no contraindications exist?
A. Glipizide
B. Sitagliptin
C. Pioglitazone
, D. Metformin
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin is the first-line agent due to its efficacy, safety profile,
weight neutrality, and cardiovascular benefits.
5. A patient taking Metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. What is the
standard protocol for Metformin administration?
A. Continue Metformin as usual.
B. Hold Metformin for 48 hours after the procedure.
C. Double the dose on the day of the procedure.
D. Switch to insulin for one week prior to the procedure.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin should be held for 48 hours after contrast
administration to prevent lactic acidosis in case contrast-induced renal failure occurs.
6. What is the mechanism of action of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins)?
A. They block the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.
B. They increase the excretion of bile acids.
C. They inhibit the enzyme responsible for the rate-limiting step in hepatic cholesterol
synthesis.
D. They activate PPAR-alpha to reduce triglycerides.
PHARMACOLOGY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
|GRADE A+| JUST RELEASED
1. A 65-year-old patient with heart failure is prescribed Digoxin. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse practitioner monitor most closely to prevent Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia sensitizes the myocardium to digoxin, increasing
the risk of toxicity even at therapeutic serum levels.
2. When prescribing an ACE inhibitor such as Lisinopril, which specific adverse effect is caused
by the accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Tachycardia
,C. Hypokalemia
D. Dry, hacking cough
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the
lungs, which can lead to a persistent, non-productive cough in some patients.
3. A patient is started on Warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which lab value is the primary
indicator for adjusting the dosage?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for
monitoring Warfarin therapy, typically targeting a range of 2.0 to 3.0.
4. Which medication is considered the first-line treatment for a patient newly diagnosed with
Type 2 Diabetes, assuming no contraindications exist?
A. Glipizide
B. Sitagliptin
C. Pioglitazone
, D. Metformin
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin is the first-line agent due to its efficacy, safety profile,
weight neutrality, and cardiovascular benefits.
5. A patient taking Metformin is scheduled for a CT scan with IV contrast. What is the
standard protocol for Metformin administration?
A. Continue Metformin as usual.
B. Hold Metformin for 48 hours after the procedure.
C. Double the dose on the day of the procedure.
D. Switch to insulin for one week prior to the procedure.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Metformin should be held for 48 hours after contrast
administration to prevent lactic acidosis in case contrast-induced renal failure occurs.
6. What is the mechanism of action of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (Statins)?
A. They block the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine.
B. They increase the excretion of bile acids.
C. They inhibit the enzyme responsible for the rate-limiting step in hepatic cholesterol
synthesis.
D. They activate PPAR-alpha to reduce triglycerides.
