1. Which of the following medications is commonly used to treat hypertension
by blocking the angiotensin II receptor?
A) Losartan
B) Lisinopril
C) Metoprolol
D) Amlodipine
Answer: A) Losartan
Rationale: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which works by
preventing the action of angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels
and raises blood pressure. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, Metoprolol is a beta-
blocker, and Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.
2. Which of the following side effects is most commonly associated with opioid
analgesics like morphine?
A) Diarrhea
B) Respiratory depression
C) Increased heart rate
D) Insomnia
Answer: B) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioid analgesics, including morphine, can cause respiratory
depression, which is one of their most serious side effects. This is due to their
action on the central nervous system. Opioids generally cause constipation, not
diarrhea, and may cause sedation rather than insomnia.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for
asthma. Which of the following instructions is correct?
A) Inhale deeply after pressing the inhaler.
B) Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds after inhaling.
C) Shake the inhaler only before the first use.
D) Use the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing upward.
,Answer: B) Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds after inhaling.
Rationale: After inhaling the medication from an MDI, it is important to hold the
breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach the lungs
effectively. The inhaler should be shaken before each use, not just the first. The
mouthpiece should be positioned correctly (usually with the mouthpiece facing
down), and a deep exhale should occur before pressing the inhaler.
4. A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for anticoagulation. Which of the
following laboratory tests is most important to monitor during therapy?
A) Platelet count
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum creatinine level
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effect on blood clotting is
monitored by measuring prothrombin time (PT), specifically the International
Normalized Ratio (INR). Platelet count and CBC are not as critical for monitoring
warfarin therapy, and serum creatinine levels are used to assess kidney function,
not warfarin effect.
5. Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen?
A) Pregnancy (third trimester)
B) Asthma
C) Hypertension
D) Asthma in combination with nasal polyps
Answer: A) Pregnancy (third trimester)
Rationale: NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, are contraindicated in the third trimester
of pregnancy due to the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the
fetus. While NSAIDs can exacerbate asthma and hypertension, they are not
, absolute contraindications in these conditions unless there are other complicating
factors.
6. A patient receiving a statin (e.g., atorvastatin) asks the nurse about possible
side effects. Which of the following should the nurse mention as a potential side
effect of statins?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Muscle pain
C) Increased appetite
D) Vomiting
Answer: B) Muscle pain
Rationale: One of the common side effects of statins is muscle pain (myopathy),
which can range from mild discomfort to severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).
Statins are not typically associated with increased appetite, vomiting, or
hyperglycemia.
7. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. What is the primary mechanism of action for SSRIs?
A) Inhibit the reuptake of dopamine
B) Block the release of serotonin
C) Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin
D) Increase norepinephrine release
Answer: C) Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), work by inhibiting the reuptake of
serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, thus increasing the availability of serotonin
in the synaptic cleft and improving mood in patients with depression.
8. Which of the following is an expected effect of atropine administration?
by blocking the angiotensin II receptor?
A) Losartan
B) Lisinopril
C) Metoprolol
D) Amlodipine
Answer: A) Losartan
Rationale: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which works by
preventing the action of angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels
and raises blood pressure. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, Metoprolol is a beta-
blocker, and Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker.
2. Which of the following side effects is most commonly associated with opioid
analgesics like morphine?
A) Diarrhea
B) Respiratory depression
C) Increased heart rate
D) Insomnia
Answer: B) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Opioid analgesics, including morphine, can cause respiratory
depression, which is one of their most serious side effects. This is due to their
action on the central nervous system. Opioids generally cause constipation, not
diarrhea, and may cause sedation rather than insomnia.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) for
asthma. Which of the following instructions is correct?
A) Inhale deeply after pressing the inhaler.
B) Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds after inhaling.
C) Shake the inhaler only before the first use.
D) Use the inhaler with the mouthpiece facing upward.
,Answer: B) Hold your breath for at least 10 seconds after inhaling.
Rationale: After inhaling the medication from an MDI, it is important to hold the
breath for at least 10 seconds to allow the medication to reach the lungs
effectively. The inhaler should be shaken before each use, not just the first. The
mouthpiece should be positioned correctly (usually with the mouthpiece facing
down), and a deep exhale should occur before pressing the inhaler.
4. A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for anticoagulation. Which of the
following laboratory tests is most important to monitor during therapy?
A) Platelet count
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Complete blood count (CBC)
D) Serum creatinine level
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effect on blood clotting is
monitored by measuring prothrombin time (PT), specifically the International
Normalized Ratio (INR). Platelet count and CBC are not as critical for monitoring
warfarin therapy, and serum creatinine levels are used to assess kidney function,
not warfarin effect.
5. Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID) like ibuprofen?
A) Pregnancy (third trimester)
B) Asthma
C) Hypertension
D) Asthma in combination with nasal polyps
Answer: A) Pregnancy (third trimester)
Rationale: NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, are contraindicated in the third trimester
of pregnancy due to the risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus in the
fetus. While NSAIDs can exacerbate asthma and hypertension, they are not
, absolute contraindications in these conditions unless there are other complicating
factors.
6. A patient receiving a statin (e.g., atorvastatin) asks the nurse about possible
side effects. Which of the following should the nurse mention as a potential side
effect of statins?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Muscle pain
C) Increased appetite
D) Vomiting
Answer: B) Muscle pain
Rationale: One of the common side effects of statins is muscle pain (myopathy),
which can range from mild discomfort to severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis).
Statins are not typically associated with increased appetite, vomiting, or
hyperglycemia.
7. A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. What is the primary mechanism of action for SSRIs?
A) Inhibit the reuptake of dopamine
B) Block the release of serotonin
C) Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin
D) Increase norepinephrine release
Answer: C) Inhibit the reuptake of serotonin
Rationale: SSRIs, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), work by inhibiting the reuptake of
serotonin into the presynaptic neuron, thus increasing the availability of serotonin
in the synaptic cleft and improving mood in patients with depression.
8. Which of the following is an expected effect of atropine administration?
