BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty
Pharmacology Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which lab value is most important
to monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist used for long-term
anticoagulation. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the primary
lab test used to monitor its therapeutic effect. aPTT is primarily used for
heparin therapy. Platelet count and bleeding time are not reliable
indicators of warfarin effectiveness.
,2. Which medication is used as a reversal agent for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin and neutralizes its
anticoagulant effects. Vitamin K reverses warfarin, naloxone reverses
opioids, and acetylcysteine reverses acetaminophen toxicity.
3. A patient taking lisinopril should be monitored for which common
adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril reduce aldosterone secretion,
leading to potassium retention and hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia is more
common with diuretics.
,4. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. NPH insulin
B. Glargine
C. Regular insulin
D. Lispro
Answer: D. Lispro
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin analogs like lispro have the fastest onset
(about 15 minutes). Regular insulin is short-acting, NPH is intermediate,
and glargine is long-acting.
5. The antidote for acetaminophen overdose is:
A. Atropine
B. Naloxone
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C. Acetylcysteine
Rationale: Acetylcysteine restores glutathione stores, preventing liver
damage from acetaminophen toxicity.
, 6. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of
fetal harm?
A. Penicillin
B. Tetracycline
C. Amoxicillin
D. Cephalexin
Answer: B. Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause permanent tooth discoloration and
inhibit bone growth in fetuses.
7. A patient taking furosemide is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase urinary potassium excretion, leading
to hypokalemia.
Pharmacology Exam Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which lab value is most important
to monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is a vitamin K antagonist used for long-term
anticoagulation. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the primary
lab test used to monitor its therapeutic effect. aPTT is primarily used for
heparin therapy. Platelet count and bleeding time are not reliable
indicators of warfarin effectiveness.
,2. Which medication is used as a reversal agent for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate binds to heparin and neutralizes its
anticoagulant effects. Vitamin K reverses warfarin, naloxone reverses
opioids, and acetylcysteine reverses acetaminophen toxicity.
3. A patient taking lisinopril should be monitored for which common
adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril reduce aldosterone secretion,
leading to potassium retention and hyperkalemia. Hypokalemia is more
common with diuretics.
,4. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. NPH insulin
B. Glargine
C. Regular insulin
D. Lispro
Answer: D. Lispro
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulin analogs like lispro have the fastest onset
(about 15 minutes). Regular insulin is short-acting, NPH is intermediate,
and glargine is long-acting.
5. The antidote for acetaminophen overdose is:
A. Atropine
B. Naloxone
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Flumazenil
Answer: C. Acetylcysteine
Rationale: Acetylcysteine restores glutathione stores, preventing liver
damage from acetaminophen toxicity.
, 6. Which medication is contraindicated in pregnancy due to risk of
fetal harm?
A. Penicillin
B. Tetracycline
C. Amoxicillin
D. Cephalexin
Answer: B. Tetracycline
Rationale: Tetracyclines can cause permanent tooth discoloration and
inhibit bone growth in fetuses.
7. A patient taking furosemide is at risk for which electrolyte
imbalance?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics increase urinary potassium excretion, leading
to hypokalemia.
