Question 1:
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Hypotension
B) Tachycardia
C) Constipation
D) Increased urinary output
Answer: C) Constipation
Rationale:
Opioid analgesics are known to slow down gastrointestinal motility, leading to
constipation. This is a common side effect and can be managed with laxatives or
dietary changes.
Question 2:
Which of the following medications is classified as an ACE inhibitor?
A) Losartan
B) Enalapril
C) Amlodipine
D) Furosemide
Answer: B) Enalapril
Rationale:
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), which is
used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Losartan is an ARB, amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and furosemide is a loop diuretic.
Question 3:
A nurse is administering a dose of digoxin. Which of the following is the priority
assessment before administering the drug?
A) Blood pressure
B) Respiratory rate
,C) Heart rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Answer: C) Heart rate
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate), so it is essential to check the
heart rate before administration. If the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
in adults, the nurse should hold the medication and contact the healthcare
provider.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a potential side effect of corticosteroid therapy?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Weight loss
D) Osteoporosis
Answer: D) Osteoporosis
Rationale:
Corticosteroids, particularly when used long-term, can cause a decrease in bone
density, leading to osteoporosis. They can also lead to other side effects like
hyperglycemia and fluid retention.
Question 5:
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should be
monitored to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B) International normalized ratio (INR)
C) Platelet count
D) Serum creatinine
Answer: B) International normalized ratio (INR)
, Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effectiveness is monitored through the INR,
which measures the time it takes for blood to clot. A typical therapeutic range for
INR is between 2.0 and 3.0.
Question 6:
Which of the following medications can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when
taken with alcohol?
A) Metronidazole
B) Azithromycin
C) Amoxicillin
D) Ciprofloxacin
Answer: A) Metronidazole
Rationale:
Metronidazole, when taken with alcohol, can cause a severe reaction including
flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache, a phenomenon known as the
disulfiram-like reaction. This is due to an interaction between the medication and
alcohol.
Question 7:
Which of the following is a contraindication for using the drug simvastatin?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Pregnancy
C) Hypertension
D) Asthma
Answer: B) Pregnancy
Rationale:
Simvastatin is a statin used to lower cholesterol. It is contraindicated in pregnancy
because it can cause fetal harm. Statins can interfere with cholesterol production,
which is crucial for fetal development.
Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid analgesics?
A) Hypotension
B) Tachycardia
C) Constipation
D) Increased urinary output
Answer: C) Constipation
Rationale:
Opioid analgesics are known to slow down gastrointestinal motility, leading to
constipation. This is a common side effect and can be managed with laxatives or
dietary changes.
Question 2:
Which of the following medications is classified as an ACE inhibitor?
A) Losartan
B) Enalapril
C) Amlodipine
D) Furosemide
Answer: B) Enalapril
Rationale:
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), which is
used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Losartan is an ARB, amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and furosemide is a loop diuretic.
Question 3:
A nurse is administering a dose of digoxin. Which of the following is the priority
assessment before administering the drug?
A) Blood pressure
B) Respiratory rate
,C) Heart rate
D) Oxygen saturation
Answer: C) Heart rate
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia (a slow heart rate), so it is essential to check the
heart rate before administration. If the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
in adults, the nurse should hold the medication and contact the healthcare
provider.
Question 4:
Which of the following is a potential side effect of corticosteroid therapy?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Weight loss
D) Osteoporosis
Answer: D) Osteoporosis
Rationale:
Corticosteroids, particularly when used long-term, can cause a decrease in bone
density, leading to osteoporosis. They can also lead to other side effects like
hyperglycemia and fluid retention.
Question 5:
A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should be
monitored to assess the effectiveness of the medication?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B) International normalized ratio (INR)
C) Platelet count
D) Serum creatinine
Answer: B) International normalized ratio (INR)
, Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant, and its effectiveness is monitored through the INR,
which measures the time it takes for blood to clot. A typical therapeutic range for
INR is between 2.0 and 3.0.
Question 6:
Which of the following medications can cause a disulfiram-like reaction when
taken with alcohol?
A) Metronidazole
B) Azithromycin
C) Amoxicillin
D) Ciprofloxacin
Answer: A) Metronidazole
Rationale:
Metronidazole, when taken with alcohol, can cause a severe reaction including
flushing, nausea, vomiting, and headache, a phenomenon known as the
disulfiram-like reaction. This is due to an interaction between the medication and
alcohol.
Question 7:
Which of the following is a contraindication for using the drug simvastatin?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Pregnancy
C) Hypertension
D) Asthma
Answer: B) Pregnancy
Rationale:
Simvastatin is a statin used to lower cholesterol. It is contraindicated in pregnancy
because it can cause fetal harm. Statins can interfere with cholesterol production,
which is crucial for fetal development.
