NURSING PHARMACOLOGY EXAMVERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS NURSING
1. How do beta-blockers affect the cardiovascular system? Answer : Beta-blockers reduce heart rate
and myocardial contractility by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which lowers blood pressure and
decreases oxygen demand. Explanation: These effects make beta-blockers effective in managing
hypertension, angina, and heart failure.
2. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? Answer : ACE inhibitors block the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, reduced blood pressure, and lower cardiac
workload. Explanation : By reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion, they improve
outcomes in hypertension and heart failure.
3. Explain the role of calcium channel blockers in cardiovascular treatment. Answer : Calcium channel
blockers inhibit calcium influx in cardiac and smooth muscle cells, decreasing contractility and causing
vasodilation. Explanation : This makes them useful for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.
4. How do statins help in cardiovascular diseases? Answer : Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase,
lowering LDL cholesterol and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Explanation : This reduces the risk of
myocardial infarction and stroke.
5. Discuss the therapeutic use of nitroglycerin in angina. Answer : Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator
by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes vascular smooth muscles. Explanation : It decreases preload
and afterload, improving oxygen delivery to ischemic myocardium.
6. What is the primary action of diuretics in managing heart failure? Answer : Diuretics promote
sodium and water excretion, reducing plasma volume and cardiac workload. Explanation : This
alleviates symptoms of fluid overload like edema and pulmonary congestion.
7. Explain the role of digoxin in atrial fibrillation treatment. Answer : Digoxin increases intracellular
calcium by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump and enhances vagal tone. Explanation : This
slows heart rate and improves contractility, aiding in rate control.
1|Page
, NURSING PHARMACOLOGY EXAMVERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS NURSING
8. What is the mechanism of action of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)? Answer : ARBs
selectively block angiotensin II receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and reducing blood pressure.
Explanation : They are alternatives for patients intolerant to ACE inhibitors.
9. Describe the effects of alpha-adrenergic blockers on the cardiovascular system. Answer : Alpha-
blockers relax blood vessels by inhibiting alpha-adrenergic receptors, reducing vascular resistance and
blood pressure. Explanation : They improve blood flow and are often used in hypertension.
10. How do anticoagulants help prevent cardiovascular complications? Answer : Anticoagulants inhibit
clot formation by targeting clotting factors or platelets. Explanation : This prevents thromboembolism
and reduces risks of stroke or myocardial infarction.
11. What is the role of aspirin in cardiovascular pharmacology? Answer : Aspirin irreversibly inhibits
COX enzymes, reducing thromboxane A2 synthesis and platelet aggregation. Explanation : This lowers
the risk of arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular events.
12. How do fibrinolytics work in managing acute myocardial infarction? Answer : Fibrinolytics, like
alteplase, activate plasminogen to plasmin, dissolving fibrin clots. Explanation : This restores blood
flow in blocked coronary arteries.
13. Explain how vasopressors are used in cardiovascular emergencies. Answer : Vasopressors
stimulate adrenergic receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased cardiac output. Explanation :
They are used in shock and severe hypotension.
14. What is the clinical significance of potassium-sparing diuretics? Answer : These diuretics retain
potassium while promoting sodium excretion. Explanation : They are often paired with other diuretics
to prevent hypokalemia.
15. Discuss the importance of antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular care. Answer : Antiplatelet drugs
inhibit platelet activation and aggregation. Explanation : This reduces the risk of thrombotic events
like strokes and heart attacks.
2|Page
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS NURSING
1. How do beta-blockers affect the cardiovascular system? Answer : Beta-blockers reduce heart rate
and myocardial contractility by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which lowers blood pressure and
decreases oxygen demand. Explanation: These effects make beta-blockers effective in managing
hypertension, angina, and heart failure.
2. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors? Answer : ACE inhibitors block the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation, reduced blood pressure, and lower cardiac
workload. Explanation : By reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion, they improve
outcomes in hypertension and heart failure.
3. Explain the role of calcium channel blockers in cardiovascular treatment. Answer : Calcium channel
blockers inhibit calcium influx in cardiac and smooth muscle cells, decreasing contractility and causing
vasodilation. Explanation : This makes them useful for hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.
4. How do statins help in cardiovascular diseases? Answer : Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase,
lowering LDL cholesterol and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques. Explanation : This reduces the risk of
myocardial infarction and stroke.
5. Discuss the therapeutic use of nitroglycerin in angina. Answer : Nitroglycerin acts as a vasodilator
by releasing nitric oxide, which relaxes vascular smooth muscles. Explanation : It decreases preload
and afterload, improving oxygen delivery to ischemic myocardium.
6. What is the primary action of diuretics in managing heart failure? Answer : Diuretics promote
sodium and water excretion, reducing plasma volume and cardiac workload. Explanation : This
alleviates symptoms of fluid overload like edema and pulmonary congestion.
7. Explain the role of digoxin in atrial fibrillation treatment. Answer : Digoxin increases intracellular
calcium by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase pump and enhances vagal tone. Explanation : This
slows heart rate and improves contractility, aiding in rate control.
1|Page
, NURSING PHARMACOLOGY EXAMVERIFIED QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES GRADED A+
GUARANTEED PASS NURSING
8. What is the mechanism of action of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)? Answer : ARBs
selectively block angiotensin II receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and reducing blood pressure.
Explanation : They are alternatives for patients intolerant to ACE inhibitors.
9. Describe the effects of alpha-adrenergic blockers on the cardiovascular system. Answer : Alpha-
blockers relax blood vessels by inhibiting alpha-adrenergic receptors, reducing vascular resistance and
blood pressure. Explanation : They improve blood flow and are often used in hypertension.
10. How do anticoagulants help prevent cardiovascular complications? Answer : Anticoagulants inhibit
clot formation by targeting clotting factors or platelets. Explanation : This prevents thromboembolism
and reduces risks of stroke or myocardial infarction.
11. What is the role of aspirin in cardiovascular pharmacology? Answer : Aspirin irreversibly inhibits
COX enzymes, reducing thromboxane A2 synthesis and platelet aggregation. Explanation : This lowers
the risk of arterial thrombosis and cardiovascular events.
12. How do fibrinolytics work in managing acute myocardial infarction? Answer : Fibrinolytics, like
alteplase, activate plasminogen to plasmin, dissolving fibrin clots. Explanation : This restores blood
flow in blocked coronary arteries.
13. Explain how vasopressors are used in cardiovascular emergencies. Answer : Vasopressors
stimulate adrenergic receptors, causing vasoconstriction and increased cardiac output. Explanation :
They are used in shock and severe hypotension.
14. What is the clinical significance of potassium-sparing diuretics? Answer : These diuretics retain
potassium while promoting sodium excretion. Explanation : They are often paired with other diuretics
to prevent hypokalemia.
15. Discuss the importance of antiplatelet drugs in cardiovascular care. Answer : Antiplatelet drugs
inhibit platelet activation and aggregation. Explanation : This reduces the risk of thrombotic events
like strokes and heart attacks.
2|Page
