1
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Common Cardiac
Medications and Side Effects
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Antihypertensives – Classes, Mechanisms, and Side Effects .......................... 2
Subtopic 2: Antiarrhythmic Medications – Uses, Monitoring, and Side Effects ................... 9
Subtopic 3: Diuretics in Cardiac Conditions – Indications, Electrolyte Imbalance, and
Patient Safety ............................................................................................................. 16
Subtopic 4: Nitrates and Vasodilators – Use in Angina, Heart Failure, and Monitoring
Parameters ................................................................................................................. 23
Subtopic 5: Beta-Blockers – Cardiac Uses, Monitoring, and Patient Education ................. 30
Subtopic 6: Cardiac Medication Interactions and Contraindications ............................... 37
Subtopic 7: Cardiac Output and Contractility Agents – Positive Inotropes and Heart Failure
Medications................................................................................................................ 44
Subtopic 8: Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy – Nursing Considerations, Safety, and
Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 51
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Subtopic 1: Antihypertensives – Classes, Mechanisms,
and Side Effects
1. A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the most likely reason
for this symptom?
A. Bronchial irritation
B. Accumulation of bradykinin
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Fluid retention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril increase bradykinin levels, leading to a persistent
dry cough in some patients.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of calcium channel blockers such as
amlodipine?
A. Bradycardia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers can cause vasodilation, leading to fluid leakage and
peripheral edema.
3. A nurse is monitoring a patient on clonidine. Which adverse effect is most important to
assess for?
A. Rebound hypertension if the drug is abruptly discontinued
B. Constipation
C. Polyuria
, 3
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of clonidine can result in severe rebound hypertension;
tapering is necessary.
4. Which medication is classified as a beta-blocker and often used for hypertension and
tachycardia?
A. Enalapril
B. Metoprolol
C. Furosemide
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a selective beta-1 blocker used to manage hypertension, angina,
and tachycardia.
5. A patient on losartan should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ARBs like losartan can lead to retention of potassium, increasing the risk for
hyperkalemia.
6. What is a significant nursing consideration when administering hydralazine?
A. Avoid grapefruit juice
B. Monitor for reflex tachycardia
, 4
C. Administer with calcium
D. Limit protein intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydralazine, a direct vasodilator, can cause reflex tachycardia due to rapid
blood pressure drop.
7. A patient taking atenolol reports fatigue and dizziness. What should the nurse assess
first?
A. Heart rate and blood pressure
B. Blood glucose
C. White blood cell count
D. Electrolytes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers like atenolol can cause bradycardia and hypotension, leading to
fatigue and dizziness.
8. Which antihypertensive medication may cause a lupus-like syndrome with long-term
use?
A. Propranolol
B. Lisinopril
C. Hydralazine
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Long-term use of hydralazine has been associated with a lupus-like syndrome in
some patients.
9. Which of the following patients should avoid non-selective beta-blockers like
propranolol?
NCLEX PN Exam Bank Common Cardiac
Medications and Side Effects
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Antihypertensives – Classes, Mechanisms, and Side Effects .......................... 2
Subtopic 2: Antiarrhythmic Medications – Uses, Monitoring, and Side Effects ................... 9
Subtopic 3: Diuretics in Cardiac Conditions – Indications, Electrolyte Imbalance, and
Patient Safety ............................................................................................................. 16
Subtopic 4: Nitrates and Vasodilators – Use in Angina, Heart Failure, and Monitoring
Parameters ................................................................................................................. 23
Subtopic 5: Beta-Blockers – Cardiac Uses, Monitoring, and Patient Education ................. 30
Subtopic 6: Cardiac Medication Interactions and Contraindications ............................... 37
Subtopic 7: Cardiac Output and Contractility Agents – Positive Inotropes and Heart Failure
Medications................................................................................................................ 44
Subtopic 8: Anticoagulants and Antiplatelet Therapy – Nursing Considerations, Safety, and
Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 51
, 2
Subtopic 1: Antihypertensives – Classes, Mechanisms,
and Side Effects
1. A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the most likely reason
for this symptom?
A. Bronchial irritation
B. Accumulation of bradykinin
C. Increased blood pressure
D. Fluid retention
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril increase bradykinin levels, leading to a persistent
dry cough in some patients.
2. Which of the following is a common side effect of calcium channel blockers such as
amlodipine?
A. Bradycardia
B. Muscle rigidity
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers can cause vasodilation, leading to fluid leakage and
peripheral edema.
3. A nurse is monitoring a patient on clonidine. Which adverse effect is most important to
assess for?
A. Rebound hypertension if the drug is abruptly discontinued
B. Constipation
C. Polyuria
, 3
D. Blurred vision
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Abrupt withdrawal of clonidine can result in severe rebound hypertension;
tapering is necessary.
4. Which medication is classified as a beta-blocker and often used for hypertension and
tachycardia?
A. Enalapril
B. Metoprolol
C. Furosemide
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a selective beta-1 blocker used to manage hypertension, angina,
and tachycardia.
5. A patient on losartan should be monitored for which electrolyte imbalance?
A. Hypocalcemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: ARBs like losartan can lead to retention of potassium, increasing the risk for
hyperkalemia.
6. What is a significant nursing consideration when administering hydralazine?
A. Avoid grapefruit juice
B. Monitor for reflex tachycardia
, 4
C. Administer with calcium
D. Limit protein intake
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Hydralazine, a direct vasodilator, can cause reflex tachycardia due to rapid
blood pressure drop.
7. A patient taking atenolol reports fatigue and dizziness. What should the nurse assess
first?
A. Heart rate and blood pressure
B. Blood glucose
C. White blood cell count
D. Electrolytes
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Beta-blockers like atenolol can cause bradycardia and hypotension, leading to
fatigue and dizziness.
8. Which antihypertensive medication may cause a lupus-like syndrome with long-term
use?
A. Propranolol
B. Lisinopril
C. Hydralazine
D. Amlodipine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Long-term use of hydralazine has been associated with a lupus-like syndrome in
some patients.
9. Which of the following patients should avoid non-selective beta-blockers like
propranolol?
