Question 1:
Which of the following is the primary action of beta-blockers in the treatment of
hypertension?
A) Vasodilation
B) Decreased heart rate and contractility
C) Increased renal excretion of sodium
D) Direct smooth muscle relaxation
Answer: B) Decreased heart rate and contractility
Rationale: Beta-blockers work by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart,
which reduces heart rate and contractility, lowering blood pressure. They are
commonly used for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.
Question 2:
A nurse is administering morphine to a patient in severe pain. Which of the
following is a priority assessment before administering the medication?
A) Blood glucose level
B) Respiratory rate
C) Blood pressure
D) Skin temperature
Answer: B) Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress the respiratory
system. Assessing the respiratory rate is crucial to ensure the patient is not at risk
of respiratory depression, a serious side effect of opioids.
Question 3:
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse monitor regularly?
A) White blood cell count
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
,C) Serum glucose level
D) Serum calcium level
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade.
Prothrombin time (PT) is monitored to assess the effectiveness of warfarin and to
ensure the patient’s blood is adequately thinned, preventing clot formation
without causing excessive bleeding.
Question 4:
A nurse is educating a patient about using an inhaler with a corticosteroid for
asthma. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler to prevent oral thrush."
B) "This medication works immediately to relieve acute asthma attacks."
C) "You should use this inhaler during an asthma attack to open up your airways."
D) "You do not need to monitor your peak flow while using this inhaler."
Answer: A) "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler to prevent oral thrush."
Rationale: Corticosteroid inhalers can increase the risk of fungal infections like
oral thrush. Rinsing the mouth after use helps prevent this side effect. These
inhalers are for long-term management and are not used for immediate relief.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient taking digoxin. Which of the following symptoms
would be most concerning and require immediate action?
A) Headache
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Slight dizziness
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B) Nausea and vomiting
, Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can lead to
serious complications, including cardiac arrhythmias. This requires immediate
action to assess the patient’s digoxin level and overall condition.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can increase potassium levels in the blood, leading to
hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent this potentially
dangerous side effect, especially in patients with kidney problems.
Question 7:
A nurse is administering a dose of lithium to a patient with bipolar disorder. Which
of the following lab results would require the nurse to hold the medication and
contact the healthcare provider?
A) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
B) Serum sodium level 130 mEq/L
C) Potassium level 4.5 mEq/L
D) Glucose level 100 mg/dL
Answer: B) Serum sodium level 130 mEq/L
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and low sodium levels
(hyponatremia) can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. A serum sodium level of
130 mEq/L is low and would require the nurse to hold the medication and inform
the healthcare provider.
Which of the following is the primary action of beta-blockers in the treatment of
hypertension?
A) Vasodilation
B) Decreased heart rate and contractility
C) Increased renal excretion of sodium
D) Direct smooth muscle relaxation
Answer: B) Decreased heart rate and contractility
Rationale: Beta-blockers work by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart,
which reduces heart rate and contractility, lowering blood pressure. They are
commonly used for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.
Question 2:
A nurse is administering morphine to a patient in severe pain. Which of the
following is a priority assessment before administering the medication?
A) Blood glucose level
B) Respiratory rate
C) Blood pressure
D) Skin temperature
Answer: B) Respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress the respiratory
system. Assessing the respiratory rate is crucial to ensure the patient is not at risk
of respiratory depression, a serious side effect of opioids.
Question 3:
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory values should
the nurse monitor regularly?
A) White blood cell count
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
,C) Serum glucose level
D) Serum calcium level
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade.
Prothrombin time (PT) is monitored to assess the effectiveness of warfarin and to
ensure the patient’s blood is adequately thinned, preventing clot formation
without causing excessive bleeding.
Question 4:
A nurse is educating a patient about using an inhaler with a corticosteroid for
asthma. Which of the following should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
A) "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler to prevent oral thrush."
B) "This medication works immediately to relieve acute asthma attacks."
C) "You should use this inhaler during an asthma attack to open up your airways."
D) "You do not need to monitor your peak flow while using this inhaler."
Answer: A) "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler to prevent oral thrush."
Rationale: Corticosteroid inhalers can increase the risk of fungal infections like
oral thrush. Rinsing the mouth after use helps prevent this side effect. These
inhalers are for long-term management and are not used for immediate relief.
Question 5:
A nurse is caring for a patient taking digoxin. Which of the following symptoms
would be most concerning and require immediate action?
A) Headache
B) Nausea and vomiting
C) Slight dizziness
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B) Nausea and vomiting
, Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are signs of digoxin toxicity, which can lead to
serious complications, including cardiac arrhythmias. This requires immediate
action to assess the patient’s digoxin level and overall condition.
Question 6:
Which of the following is a common side effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitors?
A) Hyperkalemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Bradycardia
D) Hypocalcemia
Answer: A) Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can increase potassium levels in the blood, leading to
hyperkalemia. Monitoring potassium levels is essential to prevent this potentially
dangerous side effect, especially in patients with kidney problems.
Question 7:
A nurse is administering a dose of lithium to a patient with bipolar disorder. Which
of the following lab results would require the nurse to hold the medication and
contact the healthcare provider?
A) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 15 mg/dL
B) Serum sodium level 130 mEq/L
C) Potassium level 4.5 mEq/L
D) Glucose level 100 mg/dL
Answer: B) Serum sodium level 130 mEq/L
Rationale: Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index, and low sodium levels
(hyponatremia) can increase the risk of lithium toxicity. A serum sodium level of
130 mEq/L is low and would require the nurse to hold the medication and inform
the healthcare provider.
