NSG 124 Final Exam Actual Exam V2 | NSG 124 Pharmacology
(NSG124 Final Exam) | Herzing University PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which action
should the nurse take first before administration?
A. Monitor the patient’s blood pressure.
B. Check the patient’s potassium level.
C. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
D. Review the patient’s last digoxin level.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute to ensure the heart rate
is at least 60 beats per minute before giving digoxin. If the heart rate is below 60, the
medication should be held and the provider notified. This safety measure prevents further
bradycardia in patients taking cardiac glycosides.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide for the treatment of peripheral edema. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through
the urine. Monitoring serum potassium is vital because hypokalemia can lead to life-
threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should also encourage the patient to consume
potassium-rich foods or take supplements as prescribed.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for warfarin. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will use a soft toothbrush to clean my teeth.’
B. ‘I will increase my intake of spinach and kale.’
C. ‘I will report any unusual bruising to my doctor.’
D. ‘I will have my blood drawn regularly for INR tests.’
Answer: B
,Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent
clotting factors. Patients should maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K-rich foods like
spinach and kale rather than suddenly increasing them, as this can decrease the drug’s
effectiveness. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
effectiveness and ensure the dose is therapeutic.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Lispro insulin. When should the nurse
expect the medication to peak?
A. 15 to 30 minutes
B. 4 to 12 hours
C. 30 minutes to 3 hours
D. 1 to 5 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes and a peak effect
occurring between 30 minutes and 3 hours. It is crucial for the nurse to ensure the patient’s
meal is ready immediately after administration to prevent hypoglycemia. Understanding
peak times allows the nurse to monitor for the highest risk of low blood sugar.
5. A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient who is to receive a beta-blocker. Which
condition in the patient’s history is a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Glaucoma
C. Tachycardia
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2
receptors in the lungs. This makes them highly dangerous for patients with a history of
asthma or COPD. The nurse must verify if the prescribed beta-blocker is cardio-selective or
if an alternative antihypertensive is safer for the patient.
6. A patient is receiving Vancomycin intravenously for an MRSA infection. The patient
suddenly develops flushing, redness, and hypotension. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer diphenhydramine immediately.
B. Slow the rate of the infusion.
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
D. Check the patient’s temperature.
, Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are characteristic of Red Man Syndrome, which is often caused
by infusing Vancomycin too rapidly. The priority action is to slow the infusion rate to see if
the symptoms resolve. Red Man Syndrome is a rate-dependent infusion reaction rather
than a true allergic reaction, though documentation is still necessary.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is taking spironolactone. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone,
leading to the retention of potassium. Patients are at high risk for hyperkalemia, especially
if they use salt substitutes containing potassium. The nurse must monitor serum
electrolytes and educate the patient on avoiding excessive potassium intake.
8. A patient is being treated with Rifampin for tuberculosis. What should the nurse include in
the patient education?
A. ‘You should take this medication with a high-fat meal.’
B. ‘This medication may cause your urine and sweat to turn orange.’
C. ‘Stop taking the medication as soon as your cough disappears.’
D. ‘This medication can cause permanent hearing loss.’
Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin commonly causes a harmless reddish-orange discoloration of urine,
sweat, tears, and saliva. It is important to warn patients about this so they do not become
alarmed. Patients should also be advised that this can stain contact lenses and clothing.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient. Which vital sign must be
assessed before administration?
A. Blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: C
(NSG124 Final Exam) | Herzing University PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which action
should the nurse take first before administration?
A. Monitor the patient’s blood pressure.
B. Check the patient’s potassium level.
C. Assess the apical pulse for one full minute.
D. Review the patient’s last digoxin level.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute to ensure the heart rate
is at least 60 beats per minute before giving digoxin. If the heart rate is below 60, the
medication should be held and the provider notified. This safety measure prevents further
bradycardia in patients taking cardiac glycosides.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide for the treatment of peripheral edema. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Serum sodium
B. Serum calcium
C. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Serum potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant loss of potassium through
the urine. Monitoring serum potassium is vital because hypokalemia can lead to life-
threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The nurse should also encourage the patient to consume
potassium-rich foods or take supplements as prescribed.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for warfarin. Which statement by
the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. ‘I will use a soft toothbrush to clean my teeth.’
B. ‘I will increase my intake of spinach and kale.’
C. ‘I will report any unusual bruising to my doctor.’
D. ‘I will have my blood drawn regularly for INR tests.’
Answer: B
,Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by inhibiting Vitamin K-dependent
clotting factors. Patients should maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K-rich foods like
spinach and kale rather than suddenly increasing them, as this can decrease the drug’s
effectiveness. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is used to monitor the
effectiveness and ensure the dose is therapeutic.
4. A patient with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is prescribed Lispro insulin. When should the nurse
expect the medication to peak?
A. 15 to 30 minutes
B. 4 to 12 hours
C. 30 minutes to 3 hours
D. 1 to 5 hours
Answer: C
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of 15 minutes and a peak effect
occurring between 30 minutes and 3 hours. It is crucial for the nurse to ensure the patient’s
meal is ready immediately after administration to prevent hypoglycemia. Understanding
peak times allows the nurse to monitor for the highest risk of low blood sugar.
5. A nurse is reviewing the chart of a patient who is to receive a beta-blocker. Which
condition in the patient’s history is a contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Glaucoma
C. Tachycardia
D. Asthma
Answer: D
Rationale: Non-selective beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-2
receptors in the lungs. This makes them highly dangerous for patients with a history of
asthma or COPD. The nurse must verify if the prescribed beta-blocker is cardio-selective or
if an alternative antihypertensive is safer for the patient.
6. A patient is receiving Vancomycin intravenously for an MRSA infection. The patient
suddenly develops flushing, redness, and hypotension. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer diphenhydramine immediately.
B. Slow the rate of the infusion.
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
D. Check the patient’s temperature.
, Answer: B
Rationale: These symptoms are characteristic of Red Man Syndrome, which is often caused
by infusing Vancomycin too rapidly. The priority action is to slow the infusion rate to see if
the symptoms resolve. Red Man Syndrome is a rate-dependent infusion reaction rather
than a true allergic reaction, though documentation is still necessary.
7. A nurse is caring for a patient who is taking spironolactone. Which electrolyte imbalance
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hyperkalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits aldosterone,
leading to the retention of potassium. Patients are at high risk for hyperkalemia, especially
if they use salt substitutes containing potassium. The nurse must monitor serum
electrolytes and educate the patient on avoiding excessive potassium intake.
8. A patient is being treated with Rifampin for tuberculosis. What should the nurse include in
the patient education?
A. ‘You should take this medication with a high-fat meal.’
B. ‘This medication may cause your urine and sweat to turn orange.’
C. ‘Stop taking the medication as soon as your cough disappears.’
D. ‘This medication can cause permanent hearing loss.’
Answer: B
Rationale: Rifampin commonly causes a harmless reddish-orange discoloration of urine,
sweat, tears, and saliva. It is important to warn patients about this so they do not become
alarmed. Patients should also be advised that this can stain contact lenses and clothing.
9. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine sulfate to a patient. Which vital sign must be
assessed before administration?
A. Blood pressure
B. Temperature
C. Respiratory rate
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: C
