Practice Questions & Answers 2027
This specialized graduate-level nursing study guide features targeted practice
questions and verified answers designed specifically for the NURS 5334 Advanced
Pharmacology final examination. It delivers comprehensive master's-level coverage of
critical pharmacotherapeutic principles, including complex pharmacokinetic modeling,
drug-drug interactions, and clinical prescriptive logic across diverse lifespan
populations. Advanced practice nursing students will master high-alert medication
protocols, receptor site dynamics, and monitoring parameters to secure a passing score
on their proctored final assessment.
1. A patient is prescribed acetazolamide. Which side effect is most common?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that causes bicarbonate loss,
leading to metabolic acidosis; it also causes hypokalemia.
2. A patient is prescribed mannitol. Which condition is it used for?
A) Hypertension
B) Increased intracranial pressure
C) Heart failure
D) Diabetes
Rationale: Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to reduce cerebral edema and increased
intracranial pressure.
3. Which medication is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits sodium
reabsorption in the distal tubule?
,A) Furosemide
B) Triamterene
C) Hydrochlorothiazide
D) Bumetanide
Rationale: Triamterene blocks sodium channels in the distal tubule, conserving potassium;
it is used for hypertension and edema.
4. A patient is prescribed losartan. Which side effect is most concerning?
A) Diarrhea
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that can cause
hyperkalemia, especially in renal impairment.
5. Which medication is a direct vasodilator used for hypertensive emergencies?
A) Lisinopril
B) Hydralazine
C) Metoprolol
D) Amlodipine
Rationale: Hydralazine directly relaxes arteriolar smooth muscle; it is used for severe
hypertension and heart failure.
6. A patient is receiving nitroprusside. Which finding indicates cyanide toxicity?
A) Hypertension
B) Metabolic acidosis
C) Bradycardia
D) Hyperkalemia
,Rationale: Nitroprusside can cause cyanide toxicity, manifesting as metabolic acidosis,
confusion, and seizures; antidote is hydroxocobalamin.
7. Which medication is used to convert paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
(PSVT) to sinus rhythm?
A) Adenosine
B) Adenosine
C) Amiodarone
D) Lidocaine
Rationale: Adenosine slows AV nodal conduction and is first-line for PSVT; it has a very
short half-life.
8. A patient is prescribed amiodarone. Which side effect requires monitoring?
A) Diarrhea
B) Pulmonary fibrosis
C) Hypertension
D) Bradycardia
Rationale: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary fibrosis, thyroid dysfunction, and corneal
microdeposits; monitor pulmonary function.
9. Which medication is used for ventricular arrhythmias?
A) Adenosine
B) Lidocaine
C) Amiodarone
D) Diltiazem
Rationale: Lidocaine is a sodium channel blocker used for ventricular arrhythmias,
especially after myocardial infarction.
, 10. A patient is prescribed atropine. Which condition is it used for?
A) Hypertension
B) Symptomatic bradycardia
C) Tachycardia
D) Heart failure
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic that increases heart rate by blocking vagal
stimulation; used for symptomatic bradycardia.
11. Which medication is a combination of neprilysin inhibitor and ARB used for
heart failure?
A) Lisinopril
B) Sacubitril/valsartan
C) Carvedilol
D) Spironolactone
Rationale: Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto) reduces mortality in heart failure with reduced
ejection fraction; it replaces ACE inhibitor or ARB.
12. A patient is prescribed ivabradine. Which condition is it used for?
A) Hypertension
B) Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
C) Atrial fibrillation
D) Angina
Rationale: Ivabradine inhibits the If channel in the SA node, reducing heart rate; it is used
for HFrEF in patients with sinus rhythm.
13. Which medication is a cholesterol absorption inhibitor?
A) Atorvastatin
B) Ezetimibe