ESTUDYR
NURS 316 PHARM EXAM 2 UPDATED WITH MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED SUCCESS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Nitrates/Nitrites (e.g., Nitroglycerin)
Question: A patient has been prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina. Which statement by
the patient indicates correct understanding of administration?
A. “I will chew the sublingual tablet before swallowing.”
B. “I will take no more than 3 tablets, 1 every 5 minutes, and call 911 if pain persists.”
C. “I can store the tablets in any container as long as they are dry.”
D. “Caffeine intake will increase the effectiveness of the drug.”
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should not be chewed or swallowed. Maximum 3 tablets
should be taken 5 minutes apart. Tablets are light-sensitive and must be stored in an airtight, dark
glass bottle. Caffeine does not enhance effect; it may worsen headaches.
2. Atenolol (Tenormin)
Question: A nurse is monitoring a patient on atenolol for angina. Which assessment finding
would indicate that the drug may need to be held?
A. Systolic BP 120 mmHg, apical pulse 72 bpm
B. Systolic BP 110 mmHg, apical pulse 65 bpm
C. Systolic BP 95 mmHg, apical pulse 58 bpm
D. Systolic BP 140 mmHg, apical pulse 90 bpm
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and blood pressure. Hold the drug
if systolic BP <100 mmHg or apical pulse <60 bpm to prevent hypotension or bradycardia.
3. Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Question: What is the primary mechanism of action of metoprolol in treating angina?
A. Increases myocardial oxygen demand
B. Blocks beta receptors, decreasing heart rate and contractility
C. Dilates peripheral veins only
D. Stimulates coronary artery constriction
Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker that blocks beta-1 receptors, reducing
myocardial oxygen demand and controlling angina.
,ESTUDYR
4. Propanolol (Inderal)
Question: Which patient teaching is most important for someone starting propranolol?
A. Avoid fiber-rich foods
B. Monitor apical pulse and blood pressure; report dizziness or fatigue
C. Take with caffeine for effectiveness
D. Increase fluid intake only if constipation develops
Rationale: Propranolol reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Patients should monitor for
hypotension, bradycardia, and symptoms of fatigue. High-fiber foods are encouraged to prevent
constipation.
5. Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Question: A patient is prescribed diltiazem. Which side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia or palpitations
C. Hypokalemia
D. Cough
Rationale: Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, relaxes coronary arteries but may cause
bradycardia, palpitations, or hypotension. Constipation is also common.
6. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Question: Which statement indicates correct understanding of amlodipine therapy?
A. It is used only for arrhythmias.
B. It reduces myocardial oxygen demand and dilates coronary arteries.
C. It should be taken with high doses of caffeine.
D. It is only used for acute angina attacks.
Rationale: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that dilates coronary arteries and reduces
myocardial oxygen demand, used for angina and hypertension.
7. Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Question: What is a key nursing consideration for a patient taking tamsulosin for BPH and
hypertension?
, ESTUDYR
A. Encourage rapid position changes
B. Teach to rise slowly to prevent hypotension
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Avoid sexual activity
Rationale: Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension. Patients
should rise slowly and report swelling, palpitations, or unusual fatigue.
8. Terazosin (Hytrin)
Question: Which side effect is most likely with terazosin therapy?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Drowsiness and hypotension
D. Dry cough
Rationale: Terazosin relaxes vascular smooth muscle (alpha-1 blockade), which may cause
dizziness, hypotension, or drowsiness.
9. Clonidine (Catapres)
Question: Clonidine is prescribed for a patient with refractory hypertension. What is the
mechanism of action?
A. Blocks beta receptors in the heart
B. Stimulates alpha-1 receptors
C. Decreases norepinephrine, reducing sympathetic outflow from the CNS
D. Inhibits ACE conversion
Rationale: Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist that reduces sympathetic nervous
system activity, lowering blood pressure.
10. Enalapril (Vasotec)
Question: Which adverse effect should be reported immediately when taking enalapril?
A. Headache
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Angioedema
D. Fatigue
NURS 316 PHARM EXAM 2 UPDATED WITH MOST TESTED
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED SUCCESS
WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. Nitrates/Nitrites (e.g., Nitroglycerin)
Question: A patient has been prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin for angina. Which statement by
the patient indicates correct understanding of administration?
A. “I will chew the sublingual tablet before swallowing.”
B. “I will take no more than 3 tablets, 1 every 5 minutes, and call 911 if pain persists.”
C. “I can store the tablets in any container as long as they are dry.”
D. “Caffeine intake will increase the effectiveness of the drug.”
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin should not be chewed or swallowed. Maximum 3 tablets
should be taken 5 minutes apart. Tablets are light-sensitive and must be stored in an airtight, dark
glass bottle. Caffeine does not enhance effect; it may worsen headaches.
2. Atenolol (Tenormin)
Question: A nurse is monitoring a patient on atenolol for angina. Which assessment finding
would indicate that the drug may need to be held?
A. Systolic BP 120 mmHg, apical pulse 72 bpm
B. Systolic BP 110 mmHg, apical pulse 65 bpm
C. Systolic BP 95 mmHg, apical pulse 58 bpm
D. Systolic BP 140 mmHg, apical pulse 90 bpm
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and blood pressure. Hold the drug
if systolic BP <100 mmHg or apical pulse <60 bpm to prevent hypotension or bradycardia.
3. Metoprolol (Lopressor)
Question: What is the primary mechanism of action of metoprolol in treating angina?
A. Increases myocardial oxygen demand
B. Blocks beta receptors, decreasing heart rate and contractility
C. Dilates peripheral veins only
D. Stimulates coronary artery constriction
Rationale: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker that blocks beta-1 receptors, reducing
myocardial oxygen demand and controlling angina.
,ESTUDYR
4. Propanolol (Inderal)
Question: Which patient teaching is most important for someone starting propranolol?
A. Avoid fiber-rich foods
B. Monitor apical pulse and blood pressure; report dizziness or fatigue
C. Take with caffeine for effectiveness
D. Increase fluid intake only if constipation develops
Rationale: Propranolol reduces heart rate and blood pressure. Patients should monitor for
hypotension, bradycardia, and symptoms of fatigue. High-fiber foods are encouraged to prevent
constipation.
5. Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Question: A patient is prescribed diltiazem. Which side effect should the nurse monitor?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia or palpitations
C. Hypokalemia
D. Cough
Rationale: Diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker, relaxes coronary arteries but may cause
bradycardia, palpitations, or hypotension. Constipation is also common.
6. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Question: Which statement indicates correct understanding of amlodipine therapy?
A. It is used only for arrhythmias.
B. It reduces myocardial oxygen demand and dilates coronary arteries.
C. It should be taken with high doses of caffeine.
D. It is only used for acute angina attacks.
Rationale: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that dilates coronary arteries and reduces
myocardial oxygen demand, used for angina and hypertension.
7. Tamsulosin (Flomax)
Question: What is a key nursing consideration for a patient taking tamsulosin for BPH and
hypertension?
, ESTUDYR
A. Encourage rapid position changes
B. Teach to rise slowly to prevent hypotension
C. Increase sodium intake
D. Avoid sexual activity
Rationale: Tamsulosin is an alpha-1 blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension. Patients
should rise slowly and report swelling, palpitations, or unusual fatigue.
8. Terazosin (Hytrin)
Question: Which side effect is most likely with terazosin therapy?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Tachycardia
C. Drowsiness and hypotension
D. Dry cough
Rationale: Terazosin relaxes vascular smooth muscle (alpha-1 blockade), which may cause
dizziness, hypotension, or drowsiness.
9. Clonidine (Catapres)
Question: Clonidine is prescribed for a patient with refractory hypertension. What is the
mechanism of action?
A. Blocks beta receptors in the heart
B. Stimulates alpha-1 receptors
C. Decreases norepinephrine, reducing sympathetic outflow from the CNS
D. Inhibits ACE conversion
Rationale: Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist that reduces sympathetic nervous
system activity, lowering blood pressure.
10. Enalapril (Vasotec)
Question: Which adverse effect should be reported immediately when taking enalapril?
A. Headache
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Angioedema
D. Fatigue
