Pharmacology NCLEX Practice
Questions with Correct Answers
Graded A+ (Fully Verified)
1. ACE Inhibitor Drugs - Correct Answer: Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec),
Enalaprilat (Vasotec IV), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Prinivil)
2. ACE Inhibitors/ARBs Use - Correct Answer: Uses: Hypertension, HF, MI, diabetic
neuropathy. Precautions/interactions: caution with diuretic therapy, monitor potassium
levels.
3. Side effects of ACE inhibitor/ARBs - Correct Answer: Persistent non-productive cough
with ACE. Angioedema (administer epinephrine), hypotension, should not be used in
second and third trimester of pregnancy
4. Captopril time to take - Correct Answer: 1 hour before meals
5. Calcium channel blocker drugs - Correct Answer: Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia),
verapamil (Calan), Diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc)
6. Ca++ channel blocker Use - Correct Answer: Angina, hypertension. Verapamil and
diltiazem used for a fib, atrial flutter, or SVT.
7. Use cautiously with digoxin and beta blockers, contraindicated for those with HF, heart
block, bradycardia. NO GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. IV injection over 2-3 minutes. Slowly
taper if discontinuing
,8. Side effects of calcium channel blockers - Correct Answer: Constipation, reflex
tachycardia, peripheral edema, toxicity
9. Alpha Adrenergic Blockers (Sympatholytics) - Correct Answer: Selectively inhibit alpha,
adrenergic receptors, resulting in peripheral arterial and venous dilation that lowers BP.
Side effects: dizziness, fainting. Take at bed time to minimize effects of hypotension.
10. Alpha Adrenergic Blockers Drugs - Correct Answer: Prazosin (Minipress), Doxazosin
mesylate (Cardura)
11. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonists - Correct Answer: Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors
in the brain to reduce peripheral vascular resistance, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic
blood pressure. Used for HTN, hypertensive crisis, severe cancer pain.
12. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drugs - Correct Answer: Clonidine (Catapres),
Guanfacine HCl (Tenex), Methyldopa (Aldomet)
13. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drug Precautions - Correct Answer: Contraindicated
with anticoagulant therapy, hepatic failure. Do not administer to clients taking MAOIs.
Do not administer methyldopa through IV line with barbiturates or sulfonamides. Use
cautiously in CVA, MI, DM, depression, or chronic renal failure. Do not use during
lactation
14. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drug Side Effects - Correct Answer: Dry mouth,
drowsiness, sedation, rebound HTN, black or sore tongue, leukopenia
15. Beta Adrenergic Blockers (Sympatholytics) - Correct Answer: Inhibit stimulation of
receptor sites, resulting in decreased cardiac excitability, cardiac output, myocardial
oxygen demand, lower BP by decreasing release of renin by kidney. Hypertension,
angina, tachydysrhythmias, HF, MI.
,16. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Medications (Cardioselective Beta1 meds) - Correct Answer:
Metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)
17. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Medications (Nonselective beta1 and 2 meds) - Correct Answer:
Propranolol (Inderal), Nadolol (Corgard), Labetalol (Normodyne)
18. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Precautions - Correct Answer: Contraindicated in clients who
have AV block and sinus bradycardia, do not administer nonselective beta blockers to
clients who have asthma, bronchospasm, HF, propranolol may mask effects of
hypoglycemia in DM, do not administer labetalol in same IV line with furosemide. Do
not administer if systolic less than 100 and pulse less than 60.
19. Beta adrenergic blocker side effects - Correct Answer: Bradycardia, nasal stuffiness, AV
block, rebound myocardium excitation if stopped abruptly, bronchospasm
20. Vasodilators - Correct Answer: Direct vasodilation of arteries and veins resulting in rapid
reduction of BP (decreased preload and afterload). Used for hypertensive emergencies.
Precautions: clients who have hepatic or renal disease, older adults, electrolyte
imbalances
21. Vasodilator medications - Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat IV): Enalaprilat
(Vasotec IV), Nitroprusside (Nipride), Hydralazine (Apresoline).
22. Vasodilator Side Effects - Correct Answer: Dizziness, headache, profound hypotension,
cyanide toxicity, thiocyanate poisoning
23. Nitroprusside Interventions - Correct Answer: Should not be mixed with any medication,
apply protective cover to container, discard unused fluid after 24 hour, provide
continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring
24. Cardiac Glycosides - Correct Answer: Used in the treatment of clients who have cardiac
failure or ineffective pumping mechanism of the heart muscle. Increase the force and
, velocity of myocardial contractions to improve stroke volume and CO. Slow the
conduction rate, allowing for increased ventricular filling. Used for HF, a fib
25. Cardiac Glycoside Medication - Correct Answer: Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps,
Digitek)
26. Digoxin Precautions/interactions - Correct Answer: Thiazide or loop diuretics increase
risk of hypokalemia and precipitate digoxin toxicity. ACE and ARBs increase risk of
hyperkalemia. Verapamil (Calan) increases risk of toxicity
27. Digoxin Toxicity - Correct Answer: GI effects (anorexia, n/v, abdominal pain), CNS
effects (fatigue, weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, yellow-green or white halos around
objects)
28. Digoxin interventions - Correct Answer: Assess apical pulse for 1 min prior to
administration. Notify HCP if HR less than 60 (adult), less than 70 (child), less than 90
(infant), monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia, notify
provider of any sudden increase in pulse rate that previously normal or low, maintain
therapeutic level
29. Management of Digoxin Toxicity - Correct Answer: Discontinue digoxin and potassium-
wasting medications, treat dysrhythmias with phenytoin (Dilantin) or lidocaine, treat
bradycardia with atropine, for excess overdose, administer Digibind to prevent absorption
30. Antianginal Medications - Correct Answer: Organic nitrates, beta adrenergic-blocking
agents, and calcium channel blockers to treat pain related to imbalances between
myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
31. Organic Nitrates - Correct Answer: Relax peripheral vascular smooth muscles, resulting
in dilation of arteries and veins, thus reducing venous blood return (reduced preload) to
the heart, which leads to decreased oxygen demands on the heart. Increase myocardial
oxygen supply by dilating large coronary arteries and redistributing blood flow.
Questions with Correct Answers
Graded A+ (Fully Verified)
1. ACE Inhibitor Drugs - Correct Answer: Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec),
Enalaprilat (Vasotec IV), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Prinivil)
2. ACE Inhibitors/ARBs Use - Correct Answer: Uses: Hypertension, HF, MI, diabetic
neuropathy. Precautions/interactions: caution with diuretic therapy, monitor potassium
levels.
3. Side effects of ACE inhibitor/ARBs - Correct Answer: Persistent non-productive cough
with ACE. Angioedema (administer epinephrine), hypotension, should not be used in
second and third trimester of pregnancy
4. Captopril time to take - Correct Answer: 1 hour before meals
5. Calcium channel blocker drugs - Correct Answer: Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia),
verapamil (Calan), Diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc)
6. Ca++ channel blocker Use - Correct Answer: Angina, hypertension. Verapamil and
diltiazem used for a fib, atrial flutter, or SVT.
7. Use cautiously with digoxin and beta blockers, contraindicated for those with HF, heart
block, bradycardia. NO GRAPEFRUIT JUICE. IV injection over 2-3 minutes. Slowly
taper if discontinuing
,8. Side effects of calcium channel blockers - Correct Answer: Constipation, reflex
tachycardia, peripheral edema, toxicity
9. Alpha Adrenergic Blockers (Sympatholytics) - Correct Answer: Selectively inhibit alpha,
adrenergic receptors, resulting in peripheral arterial and venous dilation that lowers BP.
Side effects: dizziness, fainting. Take at bed time to minimize effects of hypotension.
10. Alpha Adrenergic Blockers Drugs - Correct Answer: Prazosin (Minipress), Doxazosin
mesylate (Cardura)
11. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonists - Correct Answer: Stimulate alpha-adrenergic receptors
in the brain to reduce peripheral vascular resistance, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic
blood pressure. Used for HTN, hypertensive crisis, severe cancer pain.
12. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drugs - Correct Answer: Clonidine (Catapres),
Guanfacine HCl (Tenex), Methyldopa (Aldomet)
13. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drug Precautions - Correct Answer: Contraindicated
with anticoagulant therapy, hepatic failure. Do not administer to clients taking MAOIs.
Do not administer methyldopa through IV line with barbiturates or sulfonamides. Use
cautiously in CVA, MI, DM, depression, or chronic renal failure. Do not use during
lactation
14. Centrally Acting Alpha2 Agonist Drug Side Effects - Correct Answer: Dry mouth,
drowsiness, sedation, rebound HTN, black or sore tongue, leukopenia
15. Beta Adrenergic Blockers (Sympatholytics) - Correct Answer: Inhibit stimulation of
receptor sites, resulting in decreased cardiac excitability, cardiac output, myocardial
oxygen demand, lower BP by decreasing release of renin by kidney. Hypertension,
angina, tachydysrhythmias, HF, MI.
,16. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Medications (Cardioselective Beta1 meds) - Correct Answer:
Metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)
17. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Medications (Nonselective beta1 and 2 meds) - Correct Answer:
Propranolol (Inderal), Nadolol (Corgard), Labetalol (Normodyne)
18. Beta Adrenergic Blocker Precautions - Correct Answer: Contraindicated in clients who
have AV block and sinus bradycardia, do not administer nonselective beta blockers to
clients who have asthma, bronchospasm, HF, propranolol may mask effects of
hypoglycemia in DM, do not administer labetalol in same IV line with furosemide. Do
not administer if systolic less than 100 and pulse less than 60.
19. Beta adrenergic blocker side effects - Correct Answer: Bradycardia, nasal stuffiness, AV
block, rebound myocardium excitation if stopped abruptly, bronchospasm
20. Vasodilators - Correct Answer: Direct vasodilation of arteries and veins resulting in rapid
reduction of BP (decreased preload and afterload). Used for hypertensive emergencies.
Precautions: clients who have hepatic or renal disease, older adults, electrolyte
imbalances
21. Vasodilator medications - Correct Answer: Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat IV): Enalaprilat
(Vasotec IV), Nitroprusside (Nipride), Hydralazine (Apresoline).
22. Vasodilator Side Effects - Correct Answer: Dizziness, headache, profound hypotension,
cyanide toxicity, thiocyanate poisoning
23. Nitroprusside Interventions - Correct Answer: Should not be mixed with any medication,
apply protective cover to container, discard unused fluid after 24 hour, provide
continuous ECG and blood pressure monitoring
24. Cardiac Glycosides - Correct Answer: Used in the treatment of clients who have cardiac
failure or ineffective pumping mechanism of the heart muscle. Increase the force and
, velocity of myocardial contractions to improve stroke volume and CO. Slow the
conduction rate, allowing for increased ventricular filling. Used for HF, a fib
25. Cardiac Glycoside Medication - Correct Answer: Digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps,
Digitek)
26. Digoxin Precautions/interactions - Correct Answer: Thiazide or loop diuretics increase
risk of hypokalemia and precipitate digoxin toxicity. ACE and ARBs increase risk of
hyperkalemia. Verapamil (Calan) increases risk of toxicity
27. Digoxin Toxicity - Correct Answer: GI effects (anorexia, n/v, abdominal pain), CNS
effects (fatigue, weakness, diplopia, blurred vision, yellow-green or white halos around
objects)
28. Digoxin interventions - Correct Answer: Assess apical pulse for 1 min prior to
administration. Notify HCP if HR less than 60 (adult), less than 70 (child), less than 90
(infant), monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia, notify
provider of any sudden increase in pulse rate that previously normal or low, maintain
therapeutic level
29. Management of Digoxin Toxicity - Correct Answer: Discontinue digoxin and potassium-
wasting medications, treat dysrhythmias with phenytoin (Dilantin) or lidocaine, treat
bradycardia with atropine, for excess overdose, administer Digibind to prevent absorption
30. Antianginal Medications - Correct Answer: Organic nitrates, beta adrenergic-blocking
agents, and calcium channel blockers to treat pain related to imbalances between
myocardial oxygen supply and demand.
31. Organic Nitrates - Correct Answer: Relax peripheral vascular smooth muscles, resulting
in dilation of arteries and veins, thus reducing venous blood return (reduced preload) to
the heart, which leads to decreased oxygen demands on the heart. Increase myocardial
oxygen supply by dilating large coronary arteries and redistributing blood flow.
