VATI RN Pharmacology 2026|2027 Final
Exam Practice Questions and Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which finding
requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm due to risk of
toxicity.
Question 2
A client receiving warfarin therapy asks about foods to avoid. Which food should the
nurse advise against?
A. Spinach
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. Chicken
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which reduces warfarin’s effectiveness.
Question 3
Which adverse effect is most concerning for a patient taking lithium carbonate?
A. Fine hand tremors
B. Polyuria
C. Diarrhea
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Diarrhea, along with coarse tremors and confusion, indicates lithium toxicity.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a patient about metoprolol. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will check my pulse daily.”
B. “I can stop taking it once I feel better.”
C. “This medication will increase my heart rate.”
D. “I should avoid taking it with food.”
Rationale: Beta-blockers lower heart rate; monitoring pulse is essential.
Question 5
Which lab value should be monitored closely for a patient on furosemide?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
, C. Hemoglobin
D. Calcium
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss, increasing risk of hypokalemia.
Question 6
A patient prescribed gentamicin develops tinnitus. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue the medication
B. Administer with food
C. Notify the provider
D. Encourage fluid intake
Rationale: Tinnitus is a sign of ototoxicity, requiring immediate provider notification.
Question 7
Which instruction is appropriate for a patient starting nitroglycerin therapy?
A. “Store tablets in a dark container.”
B. “Take with milk.”
C. “Chew the tablets for faster absorption.”
D. “Avoid lying down after taking.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin tablets must be stored in a dark glass container to maintain
potency.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving insulin. Which finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Tremors
C. Polyuria
D. Flushed skin
Rationale: Tremors, sweating, and confusion are signs of hypoglycemia.
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Question 17
A client prescribed albuterol reports tremors. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure the client
B. Discontinue the medication
C. Administer with food
D. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Tremors are a common side effect of beta-2 agonists.
Question 18
Which finding indicates adverse effects of phenytoin?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Constipation
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Exam Practice Questions and Answers
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. Which finding
requires the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg
C. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate of 18/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is below 60 bpm due to risk of
toxicity.
Question 2
A client receiving warfarin therapy asks about foods to avoid. Which food should the
nurse advise against?
A. Spinach
B. Apples
C. Bananas
D. Chicken
Rationale: Spinach is high in vitamin K, which reduces warfarin’s effectiveness.
Question 3
Which adverse effect is most concerning for a patient taking lithium carbonate?
A. Fine hand tremors
B. Polyuria
C. Diarrhea
D. Weight gain
Rationale: Diarrhea, along with coarse tremors and confusion, indicates lithium toxicity.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a patient about metoprolol. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. “I will check my pulse daily.”
B. “I can stop taking it once I feel better.”
C. “This medication will increase my heart rate.”
D. “I should avoid taking it with food.”
Rationale: Beta-blockers lower heart rate; monitoring pulse is essential.
Question 5
Which lab value should be monitored closely for a patient on furosemide?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
, C. Hemoglobin
D. Calcium
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss, increasing risk of hypokalemia.
Question 6
A patient prescribed gentamicin develops tinnitus. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue the medication
B. Administer with food
C. Notify the provider
D. Encourage fluid intake
Rationale: Tinnitus is a sign of ototoxicity, requiring immediate provider notification.
Question 7
Which instruction is appropriate for a patient starting nitroglycerin therapy?
A. “Store tablets in a dark container.”
B. “Take with milk.”
C. “Chew the tablets for faster absorption.”
D. “Avoid lying down after taking.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin tablets must be stored in a dark glass container to maintain
potency.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving insulin. Which finding indicates hypoglycemia?
A. Fruity breath odor
B. Tremors
C. Polyuria
D. Flushed skin
Rationale: Tremors, sweating, and confusion are signs of hypoglycemia.
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and rhabdomyolysis.
Question 17
A client prescribed albuterol reports tremors. What should the nurse do?
A. Reassure the client
B. Discontinue the medication
C. Administer with food
D. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Tremors are a common side effect of beta-2 agonists.
Question 18
Which finding indicates adverse effects of phenytoin?
A. Gingival hyperplasia
B. Constipation
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
