Advanced Pharmacology Exam 7 Practice UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A patient is receiving Digoxin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Magnesium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity because potassium and
digoxin compete for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump.
2. Which side effect is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors like Enalapril?
A. Dry, non-productive cough
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the lungs, which leads
to a common side effect of a dry, hacking cough.
,3. What is the target INR for a patient on Warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation?
A. 1.0 to 1.5
B. 2.0 to 3.0
C. 3.5 to 4.5
D. 0.5 to 1.2
Answer: B
Rationale: For most conditions like atrial fibrillation or DVT, the therapeutic range for INR
is 2.0 to 3.0.
4. Which medication is used as the antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Naloxone
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the anticoagulant
effects of Heparin.
5. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as Gentamicin, carry a high risk for which
toxicities?
A. Pulmonary toxicity and Retinopathy
B. Hepatotoxicity and Cardiotoxicity
C. Neurotoxicity and Myotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are known to cause damage to the eighth cranial nerve
(ototoxicity) and the renal tubules (nephrotoxicity).
, 6. To prevent ‘Red Man Syndrome’ when administering Vancomycin, the nurse
should:
A. Infuse the medication over at least 60 minutes
B. Administer the drug via rapid IV push
C. Premedicate with Vitamin K
D. Limit fluid intake during infusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a rate-related infusion reaction; slow administration (at
least 60 minutes) prevents the massive histamine release.
7. Which of the following is an early sign of Lithium toxicity?
A. Fine hand tremors and nausea
B. Seizures and coma
C. High fever and muscle rigidity
D. Profuse diarrhea and slurred speech
Answer: A
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal upset, fine hand tremors,
and mild thirst; late signs include coarse tremors and ataxia.
8. A patient taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of sweating, tremors, and
agitation. This may indicate:
A. Anticholinergic crisis
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excess
serotonin, characterized by agitation, sweating, and tremors.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT Answers
1. A patient is receiving Digoxin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely to prevent toxicity?
A. Serum Magnesium
B. Serum Calcium
C. Serum Sodium
D. Serum Potassium
Answer: D
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases the risk of Digoxin toxicity because potassium and
digoxin compete for binding sites on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump.
2. Which side effect is most characteristic of ACE inhibitors like Enalapril?
A. Dry, non-productive cough
B. Tachycardia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the breakdown of bradykinin in the lungs, which leads
to a common side effect of a dry, hacking cough.
,3. What is the target INR for a patient on Warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation?
A. 1.0 to 1.5
B. 2.0 to 3.0
C. 3.5 to 4.5
D. 0.5 to 1.2
Answer: B
Rationale: For most conditions like atrial fibrillation or DVT, the therapeutic range for INR
is 2.0 to 3.0.
4. Which medication is used as the antidote for Heparin overdose?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Glucagon
C. Naloxone
D. Vitamin K
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine Sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the anticoagulant
effects of Heparin.
5. Aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as Gentamicin, carry a high risk for which
toxicities?
A. Pulmonary toxicity and Retinopathy
B. Hepatotoxicity and Cardiotoxicity
C. Neurotoxicity and Myotoxicity
D. Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity
Answer: D
Rationale: Aminoglycosides are known to cause damage to the eighth cranial nerve
(ototoxicity) and the renal tubules (nephrotoxicity).
, 6. To prevent ‘Red Man Syndrome’ when administering Vancomycin, the nurse
should:
A. Infuse the medication over at least 60 minutes
B. Administer the drug via rapid IV push
C. Premedicate with Vitamin K
D. Limit fluid intake during infusion
Answer: A
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a rate-related infusion reaction; slow administration (at
least 60 minutes) prevents the massive histamine release.
7. Which of the following is an early sign of Lithium toxicity?
A. Fine hand tremors and nausea
B. Seizures and coma
C. High fever and muscle rigidity
D. Profuse diarrhea and slurred speech
Answer: A
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include gastrointestinal upset, fine hand tremors,
and mild thirst; late signs include coarse tremors and ataxia.
8. A patient taking Fluoxetine (Prozac) complains of sweating, tremors, and
agitation. This may indicate:
A. Anticholinergic crisis
B. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
C. Serotonin Syndrome
D. Extrapyramidal symptoms
Answer: C
Rationale: Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by excess
serotonin, characterized by agitation, sweating, and tremors.
