KAPLAN PHARMACOLOGY INTEGRATED EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Administration and Safety
Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
Central Nervous System Pharmacology
Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
Anti-Infective and Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Endocrine and Metabolic Pharmacology
Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Pharmacology
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Pharmacology
High-Alert Medications and Critical Care Pharmacology
Introduction
The Kaplan Pharmacology Integrated Exam is designed to evaluate
the comprehensive knowledge and clinical judgment required for
safe and effective medication management across diverse patient
populations. The examination assesses foundational pharmacologic
principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and
drug classifications. It emphasizes applied professional knowledge
in medication administration, regulatory compliance, ethical
decision-making, and evidence-based practice. The multiple-choice
and scenario-based structure challenges candidates to demonstrate
critical thinking and real-world clinical decision-making skills
essential for optimizing patient outcomes and preventing
medication errors.
,Section One: Questions 1–200
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart
failure. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the
provider before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
🟢 A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate and increases
contractility. The nurse should withhold digoxin and notify the
provider if the adult patient's apical pulse is less than 60 beats per
minute. A heart rate of 58 is below this threshold and could
indicate impending digoxin toxicity.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed warfarin for anticoagulation. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
🟢 B. International normalized ratio (INR)
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin affects the extrinsic clotting pathway,
and its therapeutic effect is monitored using the INR. The target
,INR for most patients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. The aPTT is used to
monitor heparin therapy. Platelet count and bleeding time are not
used to monitor warfarin's therapeutic effect.
Question 3
A nurse is administering intravenous push morphine sulfate to a
postoperative patient. Which assessment is the priority before
administration?
A. Pain level
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Level of consciousness
🟢 B. Respiratory rate
🔴 RATIONALE: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can
cause respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the
respiratory rate before administration. If the respiratory rate is
below 12 breaths per minute, the nurse should withhold the
medication and notify the provider. While pain level, blood
pressure, and LOC are important, respiratory rate is the priority
safety assessment.
Question 4
A patient is receiving gentamicin intravenously. Which laboratory
test should the nurse monitor to detect potential nephrotoxicity?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum creatinine
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
🟢 B. Serum creatinine
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that
can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Serum creatinine and
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) should be monitored to assess renal
function. Elevated creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney
function and may require dosage adjustment or discontinuation
of the medication.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of sublingual
nitroglycerin for angina. Which statement by the patient indicates
a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take one tablet at the onset of chest pain."
B. "I will call 911 if the pain is not relieved after three tablets."
C. "I will swallow the tablet with a glass of water."
D. "I will store the tablets in the original dark container."
🟢 C. "I will swallow the tablet with a glass of water."
🔴 RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be placed under
the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely. Swallowing the
tablet with water would inactivate the medication through first-
pass metabolism in the liver. The other statements are correct:
taking one tablet at onset, calling 911 after three tablets, and
storing in the original container.
Question 6
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness immediately."
C. "You may experience weight gain."
D. "Stop the medication if you have a cold."
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
Medication Administration and Safety
Cardiovascular and Renal Pharmacology
Central Nervous System Pharmacology
Autonomic Nervous System Pharmacology
Anti-Infective and Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Endocrine and Metabolic Pharmacology
Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Pharmacology
Ethical and Legal Considerations in Pharmacology
High-Alert Medications and Critical Care Pharmacology
Introduction
The Kaplan Pharmacology Integrated Exam is designed to evaluate
the comprehensive knowledge and clinical judgment required for
safe and effective medication management across diverse patient
populations. The examination assesses foundational pharmacologic
principles, including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and
drug classifications. It emphasizes applied professional knowledge
in medication administration, regulatory compliance, ethical
decision-making, and evidence-based practice. The multiple-choice
and scenario-based structure challenges candidates to demonstrate
critical thinking and real-world clinical decision-making skills
essential for optimizing patient outcomes and preventing
medication errors.
,Section One: Questions 1–200
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart
failure. Which assessment finding should the nurse report to the
provider before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
🟢 A. Heart rate of 58 beats per minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate and increases
contractility. The nurse should withhold digoxin and notify the
provider if the adult patient's apical pulse is less than 60 beats per
minute. A heart rate of 58 is below this threshold and could
indicate impending digoxin toxicity.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed warfarin for anticoagulation. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to evaluate the
therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
🟢 B. International normalized ratio (INR)
🔴 RATIONALE: Warfarin affects the extrinsic clotting pathway,
and its therapeutic effect is monitored using the INR. The target
,INR for most patients on warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. The aPTT is used to
monitor heparin therapy. Platelet count and bleeding time are not
used to monitor warfarin's therapeutic effect.
Question 3
A nurse is administering intravenous push morphine sulfate to a
postoperative patient. Which assessment is the priority before
administration?
A. Pain level
B. Respiratory rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Level of consciousness
🟢 B. Respiratory rate
🔴 RATIONALE: Morphine sulfate is an opioid analgesic that can
cause respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the
respiratory rate before administration. If the respiratory rate is
below 12 breaths per minute, the nurse should withhold the
medication and notify the provider. While pain level, blood
pressure, and LOC are important, respiratory rate is the priority
safety assessment.
Question 4
A patient is receiving gentamicin intravenously. Which laboratory
test should the nurse monitor to detect potential nephrotoxicity?
A. Liver function tests
B. Serum creatinine
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
🟢 B. Serum creatinine
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that
can cause nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Serum creatinine and
blood urea nitrogen (BUN) should be monitored to assess renal
function. Elevated creatinine levels indicate impaired kidney
function and may require dosage adjustment or discontinuation
of the medication.
Question 5
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of sublingual
nitroglycerin for angina. Which statement by the patient indicates
a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take one tablet at the onset of chest pain."
B. "I will call 911 if the pain is not relieved after three tablets."
C. "I will swallow the tablet with a glass of water."
D. "I will store the tablets in the original dark container."
🟢 C. "I will swallow the tablet with a glass of water."
🔴 RATIONALE: Sublingual nitroglycerin must be placed under
the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely. Swallowing the
tablet with water would inactivate the medication through first-
pass metabolism in the liver. The other statements are correct:
taking one tablet at onset, calling 911 after three tablets, and
storing in the original container.
Question 6
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness immediately."
C. "You may experience weight gain."
D. "Stop the medication if you have a cold."
