1. Which of the following medications is a first-line treatment for hypertension?
A. Furosemide
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for hypertension. It works by
inhibiting the ACE enzyme, reducing the production of angiotensin II, leading to
vasodilation and lower blood pressure. Furosemide is a diuretic, Amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, all of which can be used
for hypertension but are not typically first-line treatments.
2. A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient. What is the most important
assessment before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Heart rate
D. Temperature
Answer: C. Heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of heart
contractions and slows the heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is essential
to check the patient's heart rate because the drug can cause bradycardia. If the
heart rate is below 60 bpm, the nurse should withhold the medication and consult
the healthcare provider.
3. A client is prescribed a new medication for chronic pain. Which of the
following side effects is most commonly associated with opioid analgesics?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
,C. Constipation
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Constipation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics, such as morphine or oxycodone, are commonly
associated with constipation as a side effect. This occurs because opioids bind to
receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing motility and leading to
constipation. Tachycardia, diarrhea, and increased appetite are not common side
effects of opioids.
4. A patient is prescribed warfarin. What laboratory test is used to monitor the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Serum creatinine
D. Potassium level
Answer: A. Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The
prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are used to
monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. A prolonged PT or high
INR indicates an increased risk of bleeding. A CBC, serum creatinine, and
potassium levels are not used to monitor warfarin.
5. Which of the following medications is contraindicated for a patient with a
history of peptic ulcer disease?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Metformin
Answer: B. Ibuprofen
, Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can
irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of bleeding and ulcer formation,
especially in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease. Acetaminophen is
safer for pain relief in such patients. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, and Metformin is
used to treat diabetes, neither of which have a direct contraindication in peptic
ulcer disease.
6. A patient is prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety. Which of the following is
a potential side effect of this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Drowsiness
C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Drowsiness
Rationale: Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam, are central nervous
system depressants that are commonly used for anxiety. One of the most common
side effects is drowsiness or sedation. Hypertension, tachycardia, and constipation
are not typical side effects of benzodiazepines.
7. Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of antibiotics for
viral infections?
A. Antibiotics are effective in treating all viral infections.
B. Antibiotics should be avoided when treating viral infections.
C. Antibiotics can help reduce the duration of viral infections.
D. Antibiotics should be prescribed for viral infections if symptoms are severe.
Answer: B. Antibiotics should be avoided when treating viral infections.
Rationale: Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral
infections. Using antibiotics for viral infections contributes to antibiotic resistance
and has no beneficial effect on the course of viral illnesses. Antiviral medications
may be prescribed for certain viral infections, but not antibiotics.
A. Furosemide
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Metoprolol
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for hypertension. It works by
inhibiting the ACE enzyme, reducing the production of angiotensin II, leading to
vasodilation and lower blood pressure. Furosemide is a diuretic, Amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, all of which can be used
for hypertension but are not typically first-line treatments.
2. A nurse is administering digoxin to a patient. What is the most important
assessment before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Heart rate
D. Temperature
Answer: C. Heart rate
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases the force of heart
contractions and slows the heart rate. Before administering digoxin, it is essential
to check the patient's heart rate because the drug can cause bradycardia. If the
heart rate is below 60 bpm, the nurse should withhold the medication and consult
the healthcare provider.
3. A client is prescribed a new medication for chronic pain. Which of the
following side effects is most commonly associated with opioid analgesics?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
,C. Constipation
D. Increased appetite
Answer: C. Constipation
Rationale: Opioid analgesics, such as morphine or oxycodone, are commonly
associated with constipation as a side effect. This occurs because opioids bind to
receptors in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing motility and leading to
constipation. Tachycardia, diarrhea, and increased appetite are not common side
effects of opioids.
4. A patient is prescribed warfarin. What laboratory test is used to monitor the
effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Complete blood count (CBC)
C. Serum creatinine
D. Potassium level
Answer: A. Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The
prothrombin time (PT) and International Normalized Ratio (INR) are used to
monitor the effectiveness and safety of warfarin therapy. A prolonged PT or high
INR indicates an increased risk of bleeding. A CBC, serum creatinine, and
potassium levels are not used to monitor warfarin.
5. Which of the following medications is contraindicated for a patient with a
history of peptic ulcer disease?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Amoxicillin
D. Metformin
Answer: B. Ibuprofen
, Rationale: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can
irritate the stomach lining, increasing the risk of bleeding and ulcer formation,
especially in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease. Acetaminophen is
safer for pain relief in such patients. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic, and Metformin is
used to treat diabetes, neither of which have a direct contraindication in peptic
ulcer disease.
6. A patient is prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety. Which of the following is
a potential side effect of this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Drowsiness
C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Drowsiness
Rationale: Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam or lorazepam, are central nervous
system depressants that are commonly used for anxiety. One of the most common
side effects is drowsiness or sedation. Hypertension, tachycardia, and constipation
are not typical side effects of benzodiazepines.
7. Which of the following statements is true regarding the use of antibiotics for
viral infections?
A. Antibiotics are effective in treating all viral infections.
B. Antibiotics should be avoided when treating viral infections.
C. Antibiotics can help reduce the duration of viral infections.
D. Antibiotics should be prescribed for viral infections if symptoms are severe.
Answer: B. Antibiotics should be avoided when treating viral infections.
Rationale: Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections, not viral
infections. Using antibiotics for viral infections contributes to antibiotic resistance
and has no beneficial effect on the course of viral illnesses. Antiviral medications
may be prescribed for certain viral infections, but not antibiotics.
