NCLEX PHARMACOLOGY: KEY
MEDICATIONS, ACTIONS AND SAFETY
PRIORITIES COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,What are major side effects/adverse Dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension,
reactions of ACE inhibitors: angioedema, renal function changes.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What should the nurse monitor or Monitor BP, potassium, BUN/creatinine;
teach for ACE inhibitors: hold/report severe hypotension, facial swelling, or
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril? difficulty breathing.
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic drug level. Avoid in pregnancy;
antidote is associated with ACE avoid potassium supplements/salt substitutes
inhibitors: unless prescribed. Antidote: none specific.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What is the NCLEX priority for ACE NCLEX priority: angioedema = emergency airway
inhibitors: risk; hyperkalemia can cause dysrhythmias.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What are ARBs: Antihypertensive; RAAS blocker; common suffix: -
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? sartan
How do ARBs: Blocks angiotensin II receptors, causing
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan work? vasodilation and decreased aldosterone.
What are ARBs: Hypertension, heart failure, renal protection in
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan used selected clients.
for?
,What are major side effects/adverse Hyperkalemia, hypotension, dizziness, renal
reactions of ARBs: function changes; less cough than ACE inhibitors.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan?
What should the nurse monitor or Monitor BP, potassium, kidney labs; teach slow
teach for ARBs: position changes.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan?
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic level. Avoid in pregnancy and
antidote is associated with ARBs: potassium supplements unless prescribed.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? Antidote: none specific.
What is the NCLEX priority for ARBs: NCLEX priority: check pregnancy status/avoid
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? pregnancy; monitor potassium.
What are Beta blockers: Antihypertensive/antianginal/antiarrhythmic; suffix:
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol? -lol
How do Beta blockers: Blocks beta receptors, decreasing heart rate,
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol contractility, and cardiac workload.
work?
What are Beta blockers: Hypertension, angina, rate control, post-MI, heart
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol failure, migraine prevention for some agents.
used for?
, What are major side effects/adverse Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, bronchospasm,
reactions of Beta blockers: masks hypoglycemia symptoms.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What should the nurse monitor or Check apical pulse and BP before giving; monitor
teach for Beta blockers: for wheezing in asthma/COPD.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic level. Do not stop abruptly; taper
antidote is associated with Beta to prevent rebound tachycardia/angina.
blockers:
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What is the NCLEX priority for Beta NCLEX priority: hold and notify provider for very
blockers: low pulse/BP per order parameters.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What are Calcium channel blockers: Antihypertensive/antianginal; suffix: often -dipine
amlodipine/diltiazem/verapamil?
How do Calcium channel blockers: Blocks calcium entry into cardiac/vascular smooth
amlodipine/diltiazem/verapamil muscle, causing vasodilation; diltiazem/verapamil
work? also slow AV conduction.
MEDICATIONS, ACTIONS AND SAFETY
PRIORITIES COMPLETE STUDY GUIDE 2026
| PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
| GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED SUCCESS
Updated 2026 Questions and Answers
100% Verified Exam Prep and Comprehensive
Rationales Included
,What are major side effects/adverse Dry cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension,
reactions of ACE inhibitors: angioedema, renal function changes.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What should the nurse monitor or Monitor BP, potassium, BUN/creatinine;
teach for ACE inhibitors: hold/report severe hypotension, facial swelling, or
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril? difficulty breathing.
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic drug level. Avoid in pregnancy;
antidote is associated with ACE avoid potassium supplements/salt substitutes
inhibitors: unless prescribed. Antidote: none specific.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What is the NCLEX priority for ACE NCLEX priority: angioedema = emergency airway
inhibitors: risk; hyperkalemia can cause dysrhythmias.
lisinopril/enalapril/captopril?
What are ARBs: Antihypertensive; RAAS blocker; common suffix: -
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? sartan
How do ARBs: Blocks angiotensin II receptors, causing
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan work? vasodilation and decreased aldosterone.
What are ARBs: Hypertension, heart failure, renal protection in
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan used selected clients.
for?
,What are major side effects/adverse Hyperkalemia, hypotension, dizziness, renal
reactions of ARBs: function changes; less cough than ACE inhibitors.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan?
What should the nurse monitor or Monitor BP, potassium, kidney labs; teach slow
teach for ARBs: position changes.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan?
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic level. Avoid in pregnancy and
antidote is associated with ARBs: potassium supplements unless prescribed.
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? Antidote: none specific.
What is the NCLEX priority for ARBs: NCLEX priority: check pregnancy status/avoid
losartan/valsartan/irbesartan? pregnancy; monitor potassium.
What are Beta blockers: Antihypertensive/antianginal/antiarrhythmic; suffix:
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol? -lol
How do Beta blockers: Blocks beta receptors, decreasing heart rate,
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol contractility, and cardiac workload.
work?
What are Beta blockers: Hypertension, angina, rate control, post-MI, heart
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol failure, migraine prevention for some agents.
used for?
, What are major side effects/adverse Bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, bronchospasm,
reactions of Beta blockers: masks hypoglycemia symptoms.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What should the nurse monitor or Check apical pulse and BP before giving; monitor
teach for Beta blockers: for wheezing in asthma/COPD.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What therapeutic level, toxic level, or No therapeutic level. Do not stop abruptly; taper
antidote is associated with Beta to prevent rebound tachycardia/angina.
blockers:
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What is the NCLEX priority for Beta NCLEX priority: hold and notify provider for very
blockers: low pulse/BP per order parameters.
metoprolol/atenolol/propranolol?
What are Calcium channel blockers: Antihypertensive/antianginal; suffix: often -dipine
amlodipine/diltiazem/verapamil?
How do Calcium channel blockers: Blocks calcium entry into cardiac/vascular smooth
amlodipine/diltiazem/verapamil muscle, causing vasodilation; diltiazem/verapamil
work? also slow AV conduction.
