Lilley, PHARM: Ch. 18-25, 36 & 37 NCLEX
Exam Review Questions
The nurse caring for a patient who is receiving beta1 agonist drug therapy needs to be aware
that these drugs cause which effect?
a. Increased cardiac contractility
b. Decreased heart rate
c. Bronchoconstriction
d. Increased GI tract motility - ANS a. Increased cardiac contractility
During a teaching session for a patient who is receiving inhaled salmeterol, the nurse
emphasizes that the drug is indicated for which condition?
a. Rescue treatment of acute bronchospasms
b. Prevention of bronchospams
c. Reduction of airway inflammation
d. Long-term treatment of sinus congestion - ANS b. Prevention of bronchospasms
For a patient receiving a vasoactive drug such as intravenous dopamine, which action by the
nurse is most appropriate?
a. Monitor the gravity drip infusion closely, and adjust as needed
b. Assess the patient's cardiac function by checking the radial pulse
c. Assess the intravenous site hourly for possible infiltration
d. Administer the drug by intravenous boluses according to the patient's blood pressure - ANS c.
Assess the intravenous site hourly for possible infiltration
A patient is receiving dobutamine for shock and is complaining of feeling more "skipping beats"
than yesterday. What will the nurse do next?
a. Monitor for other signs of therapeutic response to the drug
b. Titrate the drug to a higher dose to reduce the palpitations
c. Discontinue the dobutamine immediately
d. Assess the patient's vital signs and cardiac rhythm - ANS d. Assess the patient's vital signs
and cardiac rhythm
When a drug is characterized as having a negative chronotropic effect, the nurse knows to
expect which effect?
a. Reduced blood pressure
b. Decreased heart rate
c. Decrease ectopic beats
d. Increased force of cardiac contractions - ANS b. Decreased heart rate
, The nurse is monitoring a patient who is receiving an infusion of beta-adrenergic agonist. Which
adverse effects may occur with this infusion? (select all that apply)
a. Mild tremors
b. Bradycardia
c. Tachycardia
d. Palpitations
e. Drowsiness
f. Nervousness - ANS a. Mild tremors
c. Tachycardia
d. Palpitations
f. Nervousness
The order reads: "Dopamine 3mcg/kg/min IV." The solution available is 400mg in 250mL D5W,
and the patient weighs 176 pounds. The nurse will set the IV infusion pump to run at how many
mL/hr - ANS 9mL/hr
When a patient has experienced extravasation of a peripheral infusion of dopamine, the nurse
will inject the alpha blocker phentolamine (Regitine) into the area of extravasation and expect
which effect?
a. Vasoconstriction
b. Vasodilation
c. Analgesia
d. Hypotension - ANS b. Vasodilation
When administering beta blockers, the nurse will follow which guideline for administration and
monitoring?
a. The drug may be discontinued at any time
b. Postural hypertension rarely occurs with this drug
c. Tapering off the medication is necessary to prevent rebound hypertension
d. The patient needs to stop taking the medication at once if he or she gains 3 to 4 pounds in a
week - ANS c. Tapering off the medication is necessary to prevent rebound hypertension
The nurse providing teaching for a patient who has a new prescription for beta1 blockers will
keep in mind that these drugs may result in which effect?
a. Tachycardia
b. Tachypnea
c. Bradycardia
d. Bradypnea - ANS c. Bradycardia
A patient who has recently had a myocardial infarction (MI) has started therapy with a beta
blocker. The nurse explains that the main purpose of the beta blocker for this patient is to
a. Cause vasodilation
b. Prevent hypertension
c. Increase conduction through the SA node
Exam Review Questions
The nurse caring for a patient who is receiving beta1 agonist drug therapy needs to be aware
that these drugs cause which effect?
a. Increased cardiac contractility
b. Decreased heart rate
c. Bronchoconstriction
d. Increased GI tract motility - ANS a. Increased cardiac contractility
During a teaching session for a patient who is receiving inhaled salmeterol, the nurse
emphasizes that the drug is indicated for which condition?
a. Rescue treatment of acute bronchospasms
b. Prevention of bronchospams
c. Reduction of airway inflammation
d. Long-term treatment of sinus congestion - ANS b. Prevention of bronchospasms
For a patient receiving a vasoactive drug such as intravenous dopamine, which action by the
nurse is most appropriate?
a. Monitor the gravity drip infusion closely, and adjust as needed
b. Assess the patient's cardiac function by checking the radial pulse
c. Assess the intravenous site hourly for possible infiltration
d. Administer the drug by intravenous boluses according to the patient's blood pressure - ANS c.
Assess the intravenous site hourly for possible infiltration
A patient is receiving dobutamine for shock and is complaining of feeling more "skipping beats"
than yesterday. What will the nurse do next?
a. Monitor for other signs of therapeutic response to the drug
b. Titrate the drug to a higher dose to reduce the palpitations
c. Discontinue the dobutamine immediately
d. Assess the patient's vital signs and cardiac rhythm - ANS d. Assess the patient's vital signs
and cardiac rhythm
When a drug is characterized as having a negative chronotropic effect, the nurse knows to
expect which effect?
a. Reduced blood pressure
b. Decreased heart rate
c. Decrease ectopic beats
d. Increased force of cardiac contractions - ANS b. Decreased heart rate
, The nurse is monitoring a patient who is receiving an infusion of beta-adrenergic agonist. Which
adverse effects may occur with this infusion? (select all that apply)
a. Mild tremors
b. Bradycardia
c. Tachycardia
d. Palpitations
e. Drowsiness
f. Nervousness - ANS a. Mild tremors
c. Tachycardia
d. Palpitations
f. Nervousness
The order reads: "Dopamine 3mcg/kg/min IV." The solution available is 400mg in 250mL D5W,
and the patient weighs 176 pounds. The nurse will set the IV infusion pump to run at how many
mL/hr - ANS 9mL/hr
When a patient has experienced extravasation of a peripheral infusion of dopamine, the nurse
will inject the alpha blocker phentolamine (Regitine) into the area of extravasation and expect
which effect?
a. Vasoconstriction
b. Vasodilation
c. Analgesia
d. Hypotension - ANS b. Vasodilation
When administering beta blockers, the nurse will follow which guideline for administration and
monitoring?
a. The drug may be discontinued at any time
b. Postural hypertension rarely occurs with this drug
c. Tapering off the medication is necessary to prevent rebound hypertension
d. The patient needs to stop taking the medication at once if he or she gains 3 to 4 pounds in a
week - ANS c. Tapering off the medication is necessary to prevent rebound hypertension
The nurse providing teaching for a patient who has a new prescription for beta1 blockers will
keep in mind that these drugs may result in which effect?
a. Tachycardia
b. Tachypnea
c. Bradycardia
d. Bradypnea - ANS c. Bradycardia
A patient who has recently had a myocardial infarction (MI) has started therapy with a beta
blocker. The nurse explains that the main purpose of the beta blocker for this patient is to
a. Cause vasodilation
b. Prevent hypertension
c. Increase conduction through the SA node
