NU 641 Advanced Clinical Pharmacology Exam 3 Questions and
Answers and Explanations | Latest - Regis
1. Which of the following side effects is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors due
to the accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Dry, non-productive cough
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the lungs, which can
lead to a persistent, dry cough in some patients.
2. A patient with a history of asthma requires a beta-blocker for hypertension.
Which medication would be the safest choice?
A. Propranolol
B. Nadolol
C. Timolol
D. Metoprolol
Answer: D
,Explanation: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, making it safer for patients
with reactive airway diseases compared to non-selective beta-blockers like propranolol.
3. When monitoring a patient on Warfarin (Coumadin), which laboratory value
is used to adjust the dosage?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Creatinine clearance
Answer: A
Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for monitoring the
anticoagulant effect of Warfarin.
4. Which statin side effect should be reported immediately because it may
indicate rhabdomyolysis?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness
B. Headache
C. Constipation
D. Flushing
Answer: A
Explanation: Myalgia or muscle weakness can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a serious
condition where muscle tissue breaks down and can lead to renal failure.
,5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in the treatment of
Type 2 Diabetes?
A. Reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
B. Increasing glucose excretion in the urine
C. Stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas
D. Delaying carbohydrate absorption in the gut
Answer: A
Explanation: Metformin works by decreasing glucose production in the liver and
increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin.
6. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte abnormality is
the provider most concerned about?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, often
leading to hypokalemia.
, 7. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the immediate relief
of acute bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C
Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler for
acute symptoms.
8. Digoxin toxicity is more likely to occur if the patient also has which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Explanation: Low potassium levels increase the risk of digoxin toxicity because potassium
and digoxin compete for binding sites on the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
Answers and Explanations | Latest - Regis
1. Which of the following side effects is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors due
to the accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Dry, non-productive cough
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Explanation: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the lungs, which can
lead to a persistent, dry cough in some patients.
2. A patient with a history of asthma requires a beta-blocker for hypertension.
Which medication would be the safest choice?
A. Propranolol
B. Nadolol
C. Timolol
D. Metoprolol
Answer: D
,Explanation: Metoprolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, making it safer for patients
with reactive airway diseases compared to non-selective beta-blockers like propranolol.
3. When monitoring a patient on Warfarin (Coumadin), which laboratory value
is used to adjust the dosage?
A. INR
B. Platelet count
C. aPTT
D. Creatinine clearance
Answer: A
Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard for monitoring the
anticoagulant effect of Warfarin.
4. Which statin side effect should be reported immediately because it may
indicate rhabdomyolysis?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness
B. Headache
C. Constipation
D. Flushing
Answer: A
Explanation: Myalgia or muscle weakness can be a sign of rhabdomyolysis, a serious
condition where muscle tissue breaks down and can lead to renal failure.
,5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in the treatment of
Type 2 Diabetes?
A. Reducing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity
B. Increasing glucose excretion in the urine
C. Stimulating insulin secretion from the pancreas
D. Delaying carbohydrate absorption in the gut
Answer: A
Explanation: Metformin works by decreasing glucose production in the liver and
increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin.
6. A patient is prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). Which electrolyte abnormality is
the provider most concerned about?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, often
leading to hypokalemia.
, 7. Which medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for the immediate relief
of acute bronchospasm?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Tiotropium
Answer: C
Explanation: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue inhaler for
acute symptoms.
8. Digoxin toxicity is more likely to occur if the patient also has which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hyponatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Explanation: Low potassium levels increase the risk of digoxin toxicity because potassium
and digoxin compete for binding sites on the Na+/K+ ATPase pump.
