1–10: Cardiovascular Drugs
1. A client is prescribed lisinopril. Which finding requires
immediate nursing intervention?
o A. Dry cough
o B. Dizziness upon standing
o C. Angioedema
o D. Mild hyperkalemia
Answer: C. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening
allergic reaction requiring prompt discontinuation
of the ACE inhibitor and airway management.
2. Which instruction should the nurse give a client
starting propranolol?
o A. “Take it with grapefruit juice.”
o B. “Check your blood pressure daily.”
o C. “Avoid potassium-rich foods.”
o D. “Stop the drug if you feel dizzy.”
Answer: B. “Check your blood pressure daily.”
Rationale: Beta-blockers can lower blood
pressure; regular monitoring helps detect
hypotension early.
3. A client on furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. Which lab should the nurse review?
o A. Serum sodium
, o B. Serum potassium
o C. Serum calcium
o D. Serum glucose
Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that
causes potassium loss, leading to cramps and
weakness if hypokalemia occurs.
4. When teaching about spironolactone, the nurse
emphasizes avoiding:
o A. Bananas
o B. Spinach
o C. Salt substitutes
o D. Citrus fruits
Answer: C. Salt substitutes
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing;
salt substitutes often contain potassium, risking
hyperkalemia.
5. A client on digoxin has a serum level of 2.0 ng/mL.
The nurse should:
o A. Administer the dose as ordered
o B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
o C. Obtain an ECG in one hour
o D. Encourage high-potassium foods
Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
, Rationale: Therapeutic range is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL;
at the upper limit with risk of toxicity, the provider
should reassess dosing.
6. Which adverse effect is most concerning in a client
taking atorvastatin?
o A. Headache
o B. Mild rash
o C. Muscle pain
o D. Alopecia
Answer: C. Muscle pain
Rationale: Statin-induced myopathy can
progress to rhabdomyolysis; any new muscle
pain warrants evaluation.
7. A client receiving nitroglycerin paste should:
o A. Remove the patch at night to avoid tolerance
o B. Apply the paste to the forearm
o C. Leave old paste in place when adding new
o D. Massage the area after application
Answer: A. Remove the patch at night to avoid
tolerance
Rationale: A nitrate-free interval prevents
tachyphylaxis; application sites should rotate and
old paste removed.
8. Which statement by the client on enalapril indicates
understanding?
1. A client is prescribed lisinopril. Which finding requires
immediate nursing intervention?
o A. Dry cough
o B. Dizziness upon standing
o C. Angioedema
o D. Mild hyperkalemia
Answer: C. Angioedema
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening
allergic reaction requiring prompt discontinuation
of the ACE inhibitor and airway management.
2. Which instruction should the nurse give a client
starting propranolol?
o A. “Take it with grapefruit juice.”
o B. “Check your blood pressure daily.”
o C. “Avoid potassium-rich foods.”
o D. “Stop the drug if you feel dizzy.”
Answer: B. “Check your blood pressure daily.”
Rationale: Beta-blockers can lower blood
pressure; regular monitoring helps detect
hypotension early.
3. A client on furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. Which lab should the nurse review?
o A. Serum sodium
, o B. Serum potassium
o C. Serum calcium
o D. Serum glucose
Answer: B. Serum potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that
causes potassium loss, leading to cramps and
weakness if hypokalemia occurs.
4. When teaching about spironolactone, the nurse
emphasizes avoiding:
o A. Bananas
o B. Spinach
o C. Salt substitutes
o D. Citrus fruits
Answer: C. Salt substitutes
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing;
salt substitutes often contain potassium, risking
hyperkalemia.
5. A client on digoxin has a serum level of 2.0 ng/mL.
The nurse should:
o A. Administer the dose as ordered
o B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
o C. Obtain an ECG in one hour
o D. Encourage high-potassium foods
Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
, Rationale: Therapeutic range is 0.5–2.0 ng/mL;
at the upper limit with risk of toxicity, the provider
should reassess dosing.
6. Which adverse effect is most concerning in a client
taking atorvastatin?
o A. Headache
o B. Mild rash
o C. Muscle pain
o D. Alopecia
Answer: C. Muscle pain
Rationale: Statin-induced myopathy can
progress to rhabdomyolysis; any new muscle
pain warrants evaluation.
7. A client receiving nitroglycerin paste should:
o A. Remove the patch at night to avoid tolerance
o B. Apply the paste to the forearm
o C. Leave old paste in place when adding new
o D. Massage the area after application
Answer: A. Remove the patch at night to avoid
tolerance
Rationale: A nitrate-free interval prevents
tachyphylaxis; application sites should rotate and
old paste removed.
8. Which statement by the client on enalapril indicates
understanding?
