Fall SemeSter 2025 | VatI rN Pharmacology
exam PreP 2025–2026 | 270+ VerIFIed PractIce
QueStIoNS wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled
ratIoNaleS | comPlete NurSINg Pharmacology
reVIew coVerINg moduleS 1–150 | atI & Nclex rN
comPreheNSIVe Study guIde
Module 1: Pharmacology Basics
Question 1:
A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which mechanism of action should
the nurse explain to the patient?
A. It increases heart rate.
B. It dilates blood vessels by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
C. It decreases renal blood flow.
D. It increases the reabsorption of sodium.
Correct answer: B. It dilates blood vessels by inhibiting angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE).
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by preventing the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.
Question 2:
A nurse is administering metoprolol to a patient with heart failure. What is the most
important assessment before administering this medication?
A. Heart rate.
B. Blood pressure.
C. Respiratory rate.
D. Blood glucose level.
Correct answer: A. Heart rate.
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can lower heart rate. It is crucial to assess
the heart rate before administration to ensure it is above the recommended threshold
(usually 60 bpm) to prevent bradycardia.
Module 2: Medication Administration
Question 3:
A patient on warfarin is scheduled for a dental procedure. What should the nurse advise
the patient regarding their medication?
A. Continue taking warfarin without any changes.
B. Stop taking warfarin one week prior to the procedure.
,C. Consult the healthcare provider about possibly holding warfarin.
D. Switch to aspirin instead of warfarin.
Correct answer: C. Consult the healthcare provider about possibly holding
warfarin.
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, and it is essential for the patient to consult
with their healthcare provider to determine if they should hold the medication before
the procedure to minimize bleeding risks.
Question 4:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of insulin. What is the most important
information to include?
A. Store insulin in the freezer.
B. Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
C. Administer insulin only when blood sugar is high.
D. Mix insulin with other medications before administration.
Correct answer: B. Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, which can affect
absorption and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control.
Module 3: Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Question 5:
A patient receiving gentamicin develops symptoms of ototoxicity. Which symptom
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tinnitus or hearing loss.
B. Nausea and vomiting.
C. Fever and chills.
D. Skin rash.
Correct answer: A. Tinnitus or hearing loss.
Rationale: Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can cause ototoxicity, leading to
symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss. Monitoring for these symptoms is crucial for
early detection and intervention.
Question 6:
A patient is prescribed atorvastatin to manage high cholesterol. What is a common side
effect that the nurse should instruct the patient to report?
A. Muscle pain or weakness.
B. Dry mouth.
C. Increased appetite.
D. Frequent urination.
,Correct answer: A. Muscle pain or weakness.
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, leading to muscle
pain or weakness. Patients should be educated to report these symptoms immediately
for further evaluation.
Module 4: Drug Interactions
Question 7:
A patient taking warfarin is prescribed ciprofloxacin. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Monitor for signs of bleeding.
B. Educate the patient about increased hydration.
C. Administer ciprofloxacin with food.
D. Increase the dose of warfarin.
Correct answer: A. Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
The nurse should monitor the patient closely for any signs of bleeding and adjust
warfarin dosage as necessary after consulting the healthcare provider.
Question 8:
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a patient taking lithium. Which medication, if
added, would require close monitoring?
A. Ibuprofen.
B. Acetaminophen.
C. Metformin.
D. Levothyroxine.
Correct answer: A. Ibuprofen.
Rationale: Ibuprofen can increase lithium levels and the risk of toxicity due to its
potential to affect kidney function. Close monitoring of lithium levels is necessary if
ibuprofen is added to the regimen.
Module 5: Patient Education
Question 9:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of albuterol for asthma. What should the
nurse emphasize?
A. Use the medication only during an asthma attack.
B. This medication can be used as a preventive measure before exercise.
C. It is safe to use without a spacer.
D. Albuterol can replace daily inhaled corticosteroids.
, Correct answer: B. This medication can be used as a preventive measure before
exercise.
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that can be used as a rescue
inhaler and is effective when taken before exercise to prevent exercise-induced
bronchospasm.
Question 10:
A patient is prescribed clopidogrel after a myocardial infarction. What is the most
important teaching point?
A. You can stop taking this medication once you feel better.
B. Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.
C. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising immediately.
D. Clopidogrel is only effective if taken with aspirin.
Correct answer: C. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising immediately.
Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that increases the risk of bleeding.
Patients should be instructed to report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising as a
precaution.
Module 6: Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Question 11:
A patient is prescribed furosemide. What is a common side effect that the nurse should
monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypotension.
C. Weight gain.
D. Constipation.
Correct answer: B. Hypotension.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to significant diuresis, resulting
in hypotension. The nurse should monitor blood pressure and assess for signs of
dehydration.
Question 12:
A nurse is educating a patient about the use of digoxin. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take my pulse before each dose.”
B. “I should increase my intake of potassium-rich foods.”
C. “I can stop taking this medication if I feel fine.”
D. “I’ll report any changes in my vision.”
exam PreP 2025–2026 | 270+ VerIFIed PractIce
QueStIoNS wIth correct aNSwerS & detaIled
ratIoNaleS | comPlete NurSINg Pharmacology
reVIew coVerINg moduleS 1–150 | atI & Nclex rN
comPreheNSIVe Study guIde
Module 1: Pharmacology Basics
Question 1:
A patient is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which mechanism of action should
the nurse explain to the patient?
A. It increases heart rate.
B. It dilates blood vessels by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
C. It decreases renal blood flow.
D. It increases the reabsorption of sodium.
Correct answer: B. It dilates blood vessels by inhibiting angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE).
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by preventing the conversion of
angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure.
Question 2:
A nurse is administering metoprolol to a patient with heart failure. What is the most
important assessment before administering this medication?
A. Heart rate.
B. Blood pressure.
C. Respiratory rate.
D. Blood glucose level.
Correct answer: A. Heart rate.
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can lower heart rate. It is crucial to assess
the heart rate before administration to ensure it is above the recommended threshold
(usually 60 bpm) to prevent bradycardia.
Module 2: Medication Administration
Question 3:
A patient on warfarin is scheduled for a dental procedure. What should the nurse advise
the patient regarding their medication?
A. Continue taking warfarin without any changes.
B. Stop taking warfarin one week prior to the procedure.
,C. Consult the healthcare provider about possibly holding warfarin.
D. Switch to aspirin instead of warfarin.
Correct answer: C. Consult the healthcare provider about possibly holding
warfarin.
Rationale: Warfarin increases bleeding risk, and it is essential for the patient to consult
with their healthcare provider to determine if they should hold the medication before
the procedure to minimize bleeding risks.
Question 4:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of insulin. What is the most important
information to include?
A. Store insulin in the freezer.
B. Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
C. Administer insulin only when blood sugar is high.
D. Mix insulin with other medications before administration.
Correct answer: B. Rotate injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, which can affect
absorption and lead to inconsistent blood glucose control.
Module 3: Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Question 5:
A patient receiving gentamicin develops symptoms of ototoxicity. Which symptom
should the nurse monitor for?
A. Tinnitus or hearing loss.
B. Nausea and vomiting.
C. Fever and chills.
D. Skin rash.
Correct answer: A. Tinnitus or hearing loss.
Rationale: Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic, can cause ototoxicity, leading to
symptoms such as tinnitus or hearing loss. Monitoring for these symptoms is crucial for
early detection and intervention.
Question 6:
A patient is prescribed atorvastatin to manage high cholesterol. What is a common side
effect that the nurse should instruct the patient to report?
A. Muscle pain or weakness.
B. Dry mouth.
C. Increased appetite.
D. Frequent urination.
,Correct answer: A. Muscle pain or weakness.
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis, leading to muscle
pain or weakness. Patients should be educated to report these symptoms immediately
for further evaluation.
Module 4: Drug Interactions
Question 7:
A patient taking warfarin is prescribed ciprofloxacin. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Monitor for signs of bleeding.
B. Educate the patient about increased hydration.
C. Administer ciprofloxacin with food.
D. Increase the dose of warfarin.
Correct answer: A. Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin can interact with warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding.
The nurse should monitor the patient closely for any signs of bleeding and adjust
warfarin dosage as necessary after consulting the healthcare provider.
Question 8:
A nurse is reviewing the medication list of a patient taking lithium. Which medication, if
added, would require close monitoring?
A. Ibuprofen.
B. Acetaminophen.
C. Metformin.
D. Levothyroxine.
Correct answer: A. Ibuprofen.
Rationale: Ibuprofen can increase lithium levels and the risk of toxicity due to its
potential to affect kidney function. Close monitoring of lithium levels is necessary if
ibuprofen is added to the regimen.
Module 5: Patient Education
Question 9:
A nurse is teaching a patient about the use of albuterol for asthma. What should the
nurse emphasize?
A. Use the medication only during an asthma attack.
B. This medication can be used as a preventive measure before exercise.
C. It is safe to use without a spacer.
D. Albuterol can replace daily inhaled corticosteroids.
, Correct answer: B. This medication can be used as a preventive measure before
exercise.
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator that can be used as a rescue
inhaler and is effective when taken before exercise to prevent exercise-induced
bronchospasm.
Question 10:
A patient is prescribed clopidogrel after a myocardial infarction. What is the most
important teaching point?
A. You can stop taking this medication once you feel better.
B. Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.
C. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising immediately.
D. Clopidogrel is only effective if taken with aspirin.
Correct answer: C. Report any unusual bleeding or bruising immediately.
Rationale: Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medication that increases the risk of bleeding.
Patients should be instructed to report any signs of unusual bleeding or bruising as a
precaution.
Module 6: Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Question 11:
A patient is prescribed furosemide. What is a common side effect that the nurse should
monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia.
B. Hypotension.
C. Weight gain.
D. Constipation.
Correct answer: B. Hypotension.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can lead to significant diuresis, resulting
in hypotension. The nurse should monitor blood pressure and assess for signs of
dehydration.
Question 12:
A nurse is educating a patient about the use of digoxin. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take my pulse before each dose.”
B. “I should increase my intake of potassium-rich foods.”
C. “I can stop taking this medication if I feel fine.”
D. “I’ll report any changes in my vision.”
