NR293 PHARMACOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
1. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)?
Answer:
ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent
vasoconstrictor, resulting in vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. They also
decrease aldosterone secretion, reducing sodium and water retention.
2. What are common side effects of beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol)?
Answer:
Bradycardia
Fatigue
Hypotension
Masking symptoms of hypoglycemia
Erectile dysfunction
3. What nursing intervention is most important before administering digoxin?
Answer:
Check the apical pulse for one full minute. Hold the dose and notify the provider if
the heart rate is <60 bpm in adults.
,4. What are the signs of digoxin toxicity?
Answer:
Nausea, vomiting
Anorexia
Vision changes (e.g., yellow/green halos)
Bradycardia
Confusion
5. What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer:
Naloxone (Narcan) – an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid effects,
especially respiratory depression.
6. What lab value must be monitored for patients on warfarin?
Answer:
INR (International Normalized Ratio) – Therapeutic range is usually 2.0 to 3.0.
7. What is the mechanism of action of furosemide (Lasix)?
Answer:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the
loop of Henle, leading to diuresis and loss of potassium.
8. What is a major side effect of aminoglycosides like gentamicin?
Answer:
Ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus)
,Nephrotoxicity (monitor BUN and creatinine)
9. Why should tetracyclines not be given with milk or antacids?
Answer:
Calcium and magnesium bind to tetracyclines, reducing their absorption and
effectiveness.
10. What should patients be taught when prescribed nitroglycerin?
Answer:
Take at the first sign of chest pain.
May take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart.
Store in a dark container away from light.
Sit or lie down when taking it due to risk of hypotension.
May cause headache.
11. What is the black box warning for fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin?
Answer:
Tendon rupture, especially in older adults or those on corticosteroids.
12. What class of drug is albuterol and when is it used?
Answer:
Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for acute bronchospasm in asthma or COPD.
13. What is the difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?
Answer:
, Bactericidal: Kills bacteria (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
Bacteriostatic: Inhibits bacterial growth (e.g., tetracyclines, macrolides)
14. What are symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Answer:
Agitation
Hyperthermia
Diaphoresis
Tachycardia
Muscle rigidity
Tremor
Usually occurs with SSRIs, SNRIs, or combinations with MAOIs.
15. Which medication requires INR monitoring and has a delayed onset?
Answer:
Warfarin (Coumadin) – Onset is 2–5 days; requires bridging with heparin for
immediate anticoagulation.
16. What is the reversal agent for benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam)?
Answer:
Flumazenil – benzodiazepine receptor antagonist.
17. Why must patients avoid grapefruit juice with statins?
Answer:
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
1. What is the mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)?
Answer:
ACE inhibitors block the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent
vasoconstrictor, resulting in vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. They also
decrease aldosterone secretion, reducing sodium and water retention.
2. What are common side effects of beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol)?
Answer:
Bradycardia
Fatigue
Hypotension
Masking symptoms of hypoglycemia
Erectile dysfunction
3. What nursing intervention is most important before administering digoxin?
Answer:
Check the apical pulse for one full minute. Hold the dose and notify the provider if
the heart rate is <60 bpm in adults.
,4. What are the signs of digoxin toxicity?
Answer:
Nausea, vomiting
Anorexia
Vision changes (e.g., yellow/green halos)
Bradycardia
Confusion
5. What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer:
Naloxone (Narcan) – an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid effects,
especially respiratory depression.
6. What lab value must be monitored for patients on warfarin?
Answer:
INR (International Normalized Ratio) – Therapeutic range is usually 2.0 to 3.0.
7. What is the mechanism of action of furosemide (Lasix)?
Answer:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the
loop of Henle, leading to diuresis and loss of potassium.
8. What is a major side effect of aminoglycosides like gentamicin?
Answer:
Ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus)
,Nephrotoxicity (monitor BUN and creatinine)
9. Why should tetracyclines not be given with milk or antacids?
Answer:
Calcium and magnesium bind to tetracyclines, reducing their absorption and
effectiveness.
10. What should patients be taught when prescribed nitroglycerin?
Answer:
Take at the first sign of chest pain.
May take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart.
Store in a dark container away from light.
Sit or lie down when taking it due to risk of hypotension.
May cause headache.
11. What is the black box warning for fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin?
Answer:
Tendon rupture, especially in older adults or those on corticosteroids.
12. What class of drug is albuterol and when is it used?
Answer:
Short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used for acute bronchospasm in asthma or COPD.
13. What is the difference between bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotics?
Answer:
, Bactericidal: Kills bacteria (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins)
Bacteriostatic: Inhibits bacterial growth (e.g., tetracyclines, macrolides)
14. What are symptoms of serotonin syndrome?
Answer:
Agitation
Hyperthermia
Diaphoresis
Tachycardia
Muscle rigidity
Tremor
Usually occurs with SSRIs, SNRIs, or combinations with MAOIs.
15. Which medication requires INR monitoring and has a delayed onset?
Answer:
Warfarin (Coumadin) – Onset is 2–5 days; requires bridging with heparin for
immediate anticoagulation.
16. What is the reversal agent for benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam)?
Answer:
Flumazenil – benzodiazepine receptor antagonist.
17. Why must patients avoid grapefruit juice with statins?
Answer:
