Pharmacology Final Exam Review (Latest 2025) Verified Questions & Answers A+ Graded
A patient about to receive his morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 70 beats per minute. What
will the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose.
B. Administer the dose and notify the physician.
C. Check the radial pulse for 1 full minute.
D. Withhold the dose and notify the A. Administer the dose. CORRECT ANSWER In assessing a
patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that what condition can
predispose a patient to digitalis toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia A. Hypokalemia; control ventricular response to atrial fibrillation and a derived
from foxglove. Digoxin is the only available cardiac glycoside---positive inotropic---inhibits sodium
potassium pump (adenosine tripphophatase) Sodium and calcium rise. Cholinergic stimulation via the
vagus nerve of Parasympathetic nervous system. ---Negative chronotropic---Negative Dromotropic
effect CORRECT ANSWER While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse
recognizes that the drug has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in
the patient?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Decreased conduction
D. Increased ectopic beats B. Decreased heart rate CORRECT ANSWER A patient has been taking
digoxin at home but has taken an accidental overdose and has developed toxicity. He has been admitted
to the telemetry unit where the physician has ordered digoxin immune Fab (Digibind). The patient asks
the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It works faster than digoxin."
B. "It is safer than digoxin and can be taken orally."
C. "It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to a more normal rhythm."
D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." D. "This drug is an
antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." (severe bradycardia, advanced heart block,
,ventricularr tachycardia, fibrillation, and hyperkalemia); available in parental form. Clinical signs and
symptoms are monitored NOT serum levels----used for systolic heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
CORRECT ANSWER 5. A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion as part of the therapy for end-
stage heart failure. What risks involved with this drug will the nurse keep in mind while assessing this
patient during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Cardiac dysrhythmiasD. Cardiac dysrhythmias (contraindictated with ventricular tachycardia, and
fibrillation) used for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Available in Oral and injection form. CORRECT
ANSWER 6. A patient with atrial fibrillation was started on digoxin, and 1 week later a digoxin level was
drawn. Which result is within normal therapeutic levels for digoxin?
A. 0.4 ng/mL
B. 0.7 ng/mL
C. 2.1 ng/mL
D. 2.6 ng/mL or higher B. 0.7 ng/mL (normal 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL CORRECT ANSWER 7. When reviewing
the list of medications taken by a patient who will be receiving a new prescription for digoxin, the nurse
would be concerned about which medication that may interact with the digoxin?
A. aspirin
B. acetaminophen (Tylenol)
C. furosemide (Lasix)
D. vitamin K C. furosemide (Lasix); (loop Diuretics); numerous ones on page 341 CORRECT ANSWER
8. The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching for a patient who will be taking digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy.
The patient should be taught to avoid which foods when taking the digoxin?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Bran muffins D. Bran muffins CORRECT ANSWER 9. In assessing a patient before administration of a
cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
, D. Calcium level 10 mg/dL A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L (low potassium normal is 3.5 to 5.0)
CORRECT ANSWER 10. The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor inamrinone
recognizes that this drug should have a positive inotropic effect. This effect will result in increased
A. heart rate.
B. blood vessel dilation.
C. force of cardiac contraction.
D. conduction of electrical impulses across the heart. C. force of cardiac contraction. (increase cAMP)
positive inotropic (by more calcium available in SR)effect and vasodilation, (inodilators)---positive
chornotropic effect); USED IN ICU; ADVERSE EFFECT...thrombocytopenia, dysrhythmia, ventricular,
hypotension and angina, hypokalemia, tremor. CORRECT ANSWER 11. The nurse notes in a patient's
medical record that nesiritide has been ordered. Based on this order, the nurse interprets that the
patient has which disorder?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
C. Systolic heart failure
D. Long-term treatment of heart failure. B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
CORRECT ANSWER SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
1. When a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity, which clinical situation would necessitate the use of
digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)? Select all that apply.
A. The patient reports seeing colorful halos around lights.
B. The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
C. The patient is experiencing nausea and anorexia.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing.
E. The patient has taken an overdose of greater than 10 mg of digoxin. B. The patient's serum
potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing. (E)
might be right as well a person taking 10mg of digoxin is a indication of toxicity...page 340 states life
threatening digoxin overdose in adults and 4 mg in children) CORRECT ANSWER 2. Which drug classes
are considered first-line treatment for heart failure? Select all that apply.
A. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
B. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
A patient about to receive his morning dose of digoxin has an apical pulse of 70 beats per minute. What
will the nurse do?
A. Administer the dose.
B. Administer the dose and notify the physician.
C. Check the radial pulse for 1 full minute.
D. Withhold the dose and notify the A. Administer the dose. CORRECT ANSWER In assessing a
patient before administration of a cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that what condition can
predispose a patient to digitalis toxicity?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypernatremia A. Hypokalemia; control ventricular response to atrial fibrillation and a derived
from foxglove. Digoxin is the only available cardiac glycoside---positive inotropic---inhibits sodium
potassium pump (adenosine tripphophatase) Sodium and calcium rise. Cholinergic stimulation via the
vagus nerve of Parasympathetic nervous system. ---Negative chronotropic---Negative Dromotropic
effect CORRECT ANSWER While assessing a patient who is receiving intravenous digitalis, the nurse
recognizes that the drug has a negative chronotropic effect. How would this drug effect be evident in
the patient?
A. Increased heart rate
B. Decreased heart rate
C. Decreased conduction
D. Increased ectopic beats B. Decreased heart rate CORRECT ANSWER A patient has been taking
digoxin at home but has taken an accidental overdose and has developed toxicity. He has been admitted
to the telemetry unit where the physician has ordered digoxin immune Fab (Digibind). The patient asks
the nurse why the medication is ordered. What is the nurse's best response?
A. "It works faster than digoxin."
B. "It is safer than digoxin and can be taken orally."
C. "It helps to convert the irregular heart rhythm to a more normal rhythm."
D. "This drug is an antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." D. "This drug is an
antidote to digoxin and will help to lower the blood levels." (severe bradycardia, advanced heart block,
,ventricularr tachycardia, fibrillation, and hyperkalemia); available in parental form. Clinical signs and
symptoms are monitored NOT serum levels----used for systolic heart failure and atrial fibrillation.
CORRECT ANSWER 5. A patient has been placed on a milrinone infusion as part of the therapy for end-
stage heart failure. What risks involved with this drug will the nurse keep in mind while assessing this
patient during the infusion?
A. Hypertension
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Nausea and vomiting
D. Cardiac dysrhythmiasD. Cardiac dysrhythmias (contraindictated with ventricular tachycardia, and
fibrillation) used for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Available in Oral and injection form. CORRECT
ANSWER 6. A patient with atrial fibrillation was started on digoxin, and 1 week later a digoxin level was
drawn. Which result is within normal therapeutic levels for digoxin?
A. 0.4 ng/mL
B. 0.7 ng/mL
C. 2.1 ng/mL
D. 2.6 ng/mL or higher B. 0.7 ng/mL (normal 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL CORRECT ANSWER 7. When reviewing
the list of medications taken by a patient who will be receiving a new prescription for digoxin, the nurse
would be concerned about which medication that may interact with the digoxin?
A. aspirin
B. acetaminophen (Tylenol)
C. furosemide (Lasix)
D. vitamin K C. furosemide (Lasix); (loop Diuretics); numerous ones on page 341 CORRECT ANSWER
8. The nurse is reviewing discharge teaching for a patient who will be taking digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy.
The patient should be taught to avoid which foods when taking the digoxin?
A. Leafy green vegetables
B. Dairy products
C. Grapefruit juice
D. Bran muffins D. Bran muffins CORRECT ANSWER 9. In assessing a patient before administration of a
cardiac glycoside, the nurse knows that which lab result can increase the toxicity of the drug?
A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L
B. Potassium level 4.9 mEq/L
C. Sodium level 140 mEq/L
, D. Calcium level 10 mg/dL A. Potassium level 2.8 mEq/L (low potassium normal is 3.5 to 5.0)
CORRECT ANSWER 10. The nurse administering the phosphodiesterase inhibitor inamrinone
recognizes that this drug should have a positive inotropic effect. This effect will result in increased
A. heart rate.
B. blood vessel dilation.
C. force of cardiac contraction.
D. conduction of electrical impulses across the heart. C. force of cardiac contraction. (increase cAMP)
positive inotropic (by more calcium available in SR)effect and vasodilation, (inodilators)---positive
chornotropic effect); USED IN ICU; ADVERSE EFFECT...thrombocytopenia, dysrhythmia, ventricular,
hypotension and angina, hypokalemia, tremor. CORRECT ANSWER 11. The nurse notes in a patient's
medical record that nesiritide has been ordered. Based on this order, the nurse interprets that the
patient has which disorder?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
C. Systolic heart failure
D. Long-term treatment of heart failure. B. Acutely decompensated heart failure with dyspnea at rest
CORRECT ANSWER SELECT ALL THAT APPLY:
1. When a patient is experiencing digoxin toxicity, which clinical situation would necessitate the use of
digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)? Select all that apply.
A. The patient reports seeing colorful halos around lights.
B. The patient's serum potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
C. The patient is experiencing nausea and anorexia.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing.
E. The patient has taken an overdose of greater than 10 mg of digoxin. B. The patient's serum
potassium level is above 5 mEq/L.
D. The patient is experiencing severe sinus bradycardia that does not respond to cardiac pacing. (E)
might be right as well a person taking 10mg of digoxin is a indication of toxicity...page 340 states life
threatening digoxin overdose in adults and 4 mg in children) CORRECT ANSWER 2. Which drug classes
are considered first-line treatment for heart failure? Select all that apply.
A. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
B. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
