PROPHECY RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
3 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment is most
important before administering this medication?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be
assessed and held if <60 bpm.
2. Which medication is most likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Lisinopril
B. Spironolactone
C. Furosemide
, D. Metoprolol
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes loss of
potassium, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
3. A patient taking warfarin is admitted with bleeding. Which lab value
should the nurse assess?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR
D. WBC count
Rationale: INR is the best indicator of warfarin's anticoagulant effect
and risk for bleeding.
4. Which of the following insulins is long-acting?
A. Regular
B. NPH
C. Glargine
D. Lispro
Rationale: Glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting insulin that provides
basal coverage.
5. What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
, Rationale: Flumazenil is the reversal agent for benzodiazepines like
lorazepam and diazepam.
6. A patient is prescribed enalapril. What is a common side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dry cough
D. Diarrhea
Rationale: ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry, persistent cough
due to bradykinin buildup.
7. What is the most appropriate nursing action when a patient is ordered
vancomycin IV?
A. Monitor BUN weekly
B. Check glucose levels
C. Assess for signs of ototoxicity
D. Measure central venous pressure
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause ototoxicity, so hearing and balance
should be assessed.
8. What is the therapeutic range for lithium in bipolar disorder?
A. 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5–3.0 mEq/L
, Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L;
toxicity occurs above 1.5.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I can take it once daily.”
B. “I should chew the tablet.”
C. “I should take it while sitting down.”
D. “I should take it with meals.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness, so the
patient should sit to avoid falls.
10. What side effect should a nurse monitor for with morphine
administration?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Insomnia
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can depress the respiratory center
in the brainstem.
11. A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously. What is the
best site for administration?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Thigh muscle
3 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2025
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which assessment is most
important before administering this medication?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Oxygen saturation
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be
assessed and held if <60 bpm.
2. Which medication is most likely to cause hypokalemia?
A. Lisinopril
B. Spironolactone
C. Furosemide
, D. Metoprolol
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes loss of
potassium, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
3. A patient taking warfarin is admitted with bleeding. Which lab value
should the nurse assess?
A. Platelet count
B. Hemoglobin
C. INR
D. WBC count
Rationale: INR is the best indicator of warfarin's anticoagulant effect
and risk for bleeding.
4. Which of the following insulins is long-acting?
A. Regular
B. NPH
C. Glargine
D. Lispro
Rationale: Glargine (Lantus) is a long-acting insulin that provides
basal coverage.
5. What is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Acetylcysteine
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine sulfate
, Rationale: Flumazenil is the reversal agent for benzodiazepines like
lorazepam and diazepam.
6. A patient is prescribed enalapril. What is a common side effect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Dry cough
D. Diarrhea
Rationale: ACE inhibitors commonly cause a dry, persistent cough
due to bradykinin buildup.
7. What is the most appropriate nursing action when a patient is ordered
vancomycin IV?
A. Monitor BUN weekly
B. Check glucose levels
C. Assess for signs of ototoxicity
D. Measure central venous pressure
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause ototoxicity, so hearing and balance
should be assessed.
8. What is the therapeutic range for lithium in bipolar disorder?
A. 0.1–0.5 mEq/L
B. 1.5–2.0 mEq/L
C. 0.6–1.2 mEq/L
D. 2.5–3.0 mEq/L
, Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L;
toxicity occurs above 1.5.
9. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which statement
indicates understanding?
A. “I can take it once daily.”
B. “I should chew the tablet.”
C. “I should take it while sitting down.”
D. “I should take it with meals.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin can cause hypotension and dizziness, so the
patient should sit to avoid falls.
10. What side effect should a nurse monitor for with morphine
administration?
A. Hypertension
B. Diarrhea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Insomnia
Rationale: Opioids like morphine can depress the respiratory center
in the brainstem.
11. A nurse is administering heparin subcutaneously. What is the
best site for administration?
A. Deltoid muscle
B. Thigh muscle
