PRN 1381/PRN1381 Exam 3 V2 | Principles
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should the nurse
instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Occasional headaches
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Persistent dry cough
Answer: D
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that often causes an accumulation of bradykinin in
the lungs. This accumulation leads to a persistent dry cough in many patients. If this occurs,
the patient may need to be switched to an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB).
2. A patient is receiving Digoxin. Which laboratory result would most increase the risk of
Digoxin toxicity?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
,D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity because Digoxin
competes with potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. Low
potassium levels allow more Digoxin to bind, leading to toxic effects. Nurses must monitor
potassium levels closely for patients on this medication.
3. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of an acute asthma
attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Montelukast
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid
bronchodilation. It is the medication of choice for immediate relief of symptoms during an
acute asthma exacerbation. Long-acting medications like Salmeterol or Fluticasone are
intended for maintenance and are not effective in an emergency.
4. A patient is starting Warfarin therapy. Which lab value is primarily used to monitor the
effectiveness of this drug?
A. INR
, B. aPTT
C. HgbA1c
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standardized measurement for
monitoring the anticoagulant effect of Warfarin. Patients typically require an INR between
2.0 and 3.0 for most therapeutic indications. Accurate monitoring is vital to prevent both
clotting and excessive bleeding risks.
5. What is the most common side effect associated with the administration of Nitroglycerin?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Constipation
D. Headache
Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes significant vasodilation of the cranial blood vessels, which
leads to a common side effect of headaches. This side effect often decreases over time as
the patient becomes accustomed to the medication. Nurses should advise patients that they
can take Acetaminophen for the pain if it persists.
of Pharmacology Q&A with Rationale |
Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should the nurse
instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Increased appetite
B. Occasional headaches
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Persistent dry cough
Answer: D
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that often causes an accumulation of bradykinin in
the lungs. This accumulation leads to a persistent dry cough in many patients. If this occurs,
the patient may need to be switched to an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker (ARB).
2. A patient is receiving Digoxin. Which laboratory result would most increase the risk of
Digoxin toxicity?
A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.5 mg/dL
,D. Glucose 110 mg/dL
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity because Digoxin
competes with potassium for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump. Low
potassium levels allow more Digoxin to bind, leading to toxic effects. Nurses must monitor
potassium levels closely for patients on this medication.
3. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of an acute asthma
attack?
A. Salmeterol
B. Albuterol
C. Fluticasone
D. Montelukast
Answer: B
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) that provides rapid
bronchodilation. It is the medication of choice for immediate relief of symptoms during an
acute asthma exacerbation. Long-acting medications like Salmeterol or Fluticasone are
intended for maintenance and are not effective in an emergency.
4. A patient is starting Warfarin therapy. Which lab value is primarily used to monitor the
effectiveness of this drug?
A. INR
, B. aPTT
C. HgbA1c
D. Serum creatinine
Answer: A
Rationale: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standardized measurement for
monitoring the anticoagulant effect of Warfarin. Patients typically require an INR between
2.0 and 3.0 for most therapeutic indications. Accurate monitoring is vital to prevent both
clotting and excessive bleeding risks.
5. What is the most common side effect associated with the administration of Nitroglycerin?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Constipation
D. Headache
Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes significant vasodilation of the cranial blood vessels, which
leads to a common side effect of headaches. This side effect often decreases over time as
the patient becomes accustomed to the medication. Nurses should advise patients that they
can take Acetaminophen for the pain if it persists.
