Fall SemeSter 2025 | VatI rN Pharmacology
exam PreP | 315+ VerIFIed PractIce QueStIoNS
wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled ratIoNaleS |
comPlete Pharmacology Study guIde For
NurSINg StudeNtS, Nclex rN, aNd atI VatI reVIew
Question 1:
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels
B. Assess for signs of dehydration
C. Check potassium levels
D. Educate the patient about dietary restrictions
Correct answer: C. Check potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent complications.
Question 2:
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. What should the nurse
instruct the patient about regarding this medication?
A. "Take this medication with your first meal of the day."
B. "You may experience increased hunger."
C. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "This medication can cause weight gain."
Correct answer: C. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol can increase the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin,
making it crucial to avoid.
Question 3:
A nurse is administering lisinopril to a patient with hypertension. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels
B. Assess blood pressure
C. Educate about potassium-rich foods
D. Review renal function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess blood pressure
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers blood pressure; monitoring is
critical to evaluate the medication’s effectiveness.
,Question 4:
A patient receiving warfarin is scheduled for surgery. What should the nurse do
prior to the procedure?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Check the INR level
C. Assess the patient's diet
D. Educate about the risk of bleeding
Correct answer: B. Check the INR level
Rationale: Monitoring INR is essential to ensure it is within a therapeutic range to
minimize the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Question 5:
A nurse is teaching a patient about albuterol inhaler use. What statement indicates
a need for further education?
A. "I should shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "I can use this medication for immediate relief."
C. "I should use this inhaler daily."
D. "I need to hold my breath after inhaling."
Correct answer: C. "I should use this inhaler daily."
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue inhaler for acute symptoms; it is not intended for daily
use unless prescribed as part of a maintenance plan.
Question 6:
A patient on digoxin therapy is experiencing nausea and visual disturbances. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Assess heart rate and rhythm
C. Educate about dietary restrictions
D. Monitor renal function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess heart rate and rhythm
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can lead to bradycardia and arrhythmias; assessing heart
rate and rhythm is crucial for safety.
Question 7:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of atorvastatin. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "You should avoid all fats in your diet."
,B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
C. "This medication will cure your high cholesterol."
**D. "You can skip doses if you feel fine."
Correct answer: B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause muscle-related side effects, including
rhabdomyolysis; patients must be educated to report these symptoms.
Question 8:
A patient with hypertension is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. What is a
common side effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Dizziness
B. Bradycardia
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers often cause peripheral edema due to
vasodilation; monitoring for this side effect is important.
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving levothyroxine. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism
B. Educate about dietary restrictions
C. Assess heart rate
D. Review renal function tests
Correct answer: C. Assess heart rate
Rationale: Levothyroxine can increase heart rate; monitoring is essential to identify
potential cardiovascular complications.
Question 10:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Monitor blood sugar levels
B. Assess for signs of infection
C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after use
D. Educate about the importance of adherence
, Correct answer: C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after use
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth helps prevent oral thrush and other side effects
associated with corticosteroid use.
Question 11:
A nurse is administering morphine to a patient for pain management. What is the
most important assessment the nurse should perform?
A. Assess for nausea
B. Monitor blood pressure
C. Assess respiratory rate
D. Evaluate pain level
Correct answer: C. Assess respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; monitoring the respiratory rate
is crucial for patient safety.
Question 12:
A patient with chronic pain is prescribed gabapentin. What should the nurse
include in the patient teaching?
A. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
B. "You may experience increased energy."
C. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
D. "You should avoid all activities while on this medication."
Correct answer: C. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin can lead to withdrawal symptoms;
gradual tapering is recommended.
Question 13:
A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. What is a priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood pressure
B. Assess for suicidal thoughts
C. Educate about dietary restrictions
D. Review liver function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess for suicidal thoughts
Rationale: SSRIs may increase suicidal thoughts in some patients, especially when
starting treatment; ongoing assessment is critical.
exam PreP | 315+ VerIFIed PractIce QueStIoNS
wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled ratIoNaleS |
comPlete Pharmacology Study guIde For
NurSINg StudeNtS, Nclex rN, aNd atI VatI reVIew
Question 1:
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels
B. Assess for signs of dehydration
C. Check potassium levels
D. Educate the patient about dietary restrictions
Correct answer: C. Check potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to hypokalemia. Monitoring
potassium levels is essential to prevent complications.
Question 2:
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. What should the nurse
instruct the patient about regarding this medication?
A. "Take this medication with your first meal of the day."
B. "You may experience increased hunger."
C. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "This medication can cause weight gain."
Correct answer: C. "Avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
Rationale: Alcohol can increase the risk of lactic acidosis in patients taking metformin,
making it crucial to avoid.
Question 3:
A nurse is administering lisinopril to a patient with hypertension. What is the
priority nursing intervention?
A. Monitor blood glucose levels
B. Assess blood pressure
C. Educate about potassium-rich foods
D. Review renal function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess blood pressure
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that lowers blood pressure; monitoring is
critical to evaluate the medication’s effectiveness.
,Question 4:
A patient receiving warfarin is scheduled for surgery. What should the nurse do
prior to the procedure?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Check the INR level
C. Assess the patient's diet
D. Educate about the risk of bleeding
Correct answer: B. Check the INR level
Rationale: Monitoring INR is essential to ensure it is within a therapeutic range to
minimize the risk of bleeding during surgery.
Question 5:
A nurse is teaching a patient about albuterol inhaler use. What statement indicates
a need for further education?
A. "I should shake the inhaler before each use."
B. "I can use this medication for immediate relief."
C. "I should use this inhaler daily."
D. "I need to hold my breath after inhaling."
Correct answer: C. "I should use this inhaler daily."
Rationale: Albuterol is a rescue inhaler for acute symptoms; it is not intended for daily
use unless prescribed as part of a maintenance plan.
Question 6:
A patient on digoxin therapy is experiencing nausea and visual disturbances. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Assess heart rate and rhythm
C. Educate about dietary restrictions
D. Monitor renal function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess heart rate and rhythm
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity can lead to bradycardia and arrhythmias; assessing heart
rate and rhythm is crucial for safety.
Question 7:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of atorvastatin. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. "You should avoid all fats in your diet."
,B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
C. "This medication will cure your high cholesterol."
**D. "You can skip doses if you feel fine."
Correct answer: B. "Report any muscle pain or weakness."
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause muscle-related side effects, including
rhabdomyolysis; patients must be educated to report these symptoms.
Question 8:
A patient with hypertension is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. What is a
common side effect the nurse should monitor for?
A. Dizziness
B. Bradycardia
C. Peripheral edema
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct answer: C. Peripheral edema
Rationale: Calcium channel blockers often cause peripheral edema due to
vasodilation; monitoring for this side effect is important.
Question 9:
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving levothyroxine. What is the priority nursing
intervention?
A. Monitor for signs of hyperthyroidism
B. Educate about dietary restrictions
C. Assess heart rate
D. Review renal function tests
Correct answer: C. Assess heart rate
Rationale: Levothyroxine can increase heart rate; monitoring is essential to identify
potential cardiovascular complications.
Question 10:
A patient with asthma is prescribed a corticosteroid inhaler. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Monitor blood sugar levels
B. Assess for signs of infection
C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after use
D. Educate about the importance of adherence
, Correct answer: C. Instruct the patient to rinse their mouth after use
Rationale: Rinsing the mouth helps prevent oral thrush and other side effects
associated with corticosteroid use.
Question 11:
A nurse is administering morphine to a patient for pain management. What is the
most important assessment the nurse should perform?
A. Assess for nausea
B. Monitor blood pressure
C. Assess respiratory rate
D. Evaluate pain level
Correct answer: C. Assess respiratory rate
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression; monitoring the respiratory rate
is crucial for patient safety.
Question 12:
A patient with chronic pain is prescribed gabapentin. What should the nurse
include in the patient teaching?
A. "This medication can be taken on an as-needed basis."
B. "You may experience increased energy."
C. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
D. "You should avoid all activities while on this medication."
Correct answer: C. "Do not stop taking this medication abruptly."
Rationale: Abrupt discontinuation of gabapentin can lead to withdrawal symptoms;
gradual tapering is recommended.
Question 13:
A patient is prescribed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for
depression. What is a priority nursing action?
A. Monitor blood pressure
B. Assess for suicidal thoughts
C. Educate about dietary restrictions
D. Review liver function tests
Correct answer: B. Assess for suicidal thoughts
Rationale: SSRIs may increase suicidal thoughts in some patients, especially when
starting treatment; ongoing assessment is critical.
