CARDIOVASCULAR NURSING &
PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW, 2025-2026
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking
digoxin. The nurse expects which medication to be
given concurrently to treat this condition?
a. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
b. Inamrinone (Inocor)
c. Milrinone (Primacore)
d. Warfarin (Coumadin) - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: D
Digoxin is given for atrial fibrillation to restore a
normal heart rhythm. To prevent thromboemboli,
warfarin is given concurrently. Hydrochlorothiazide is
,a diuretic medication. Inamrinone and milrinone are
inotropic agents that would be used instead of
digoxin
A patient is diagnosed with heart failure, and the
prescriber has ordered digoxin. The patient asks
what lifestyle changes will help in the management
of this condition. The nurse will recommend which
changes?
a. Aerobic exercise and weight lifting 2 or 3 times
weekly
b. Changing from cigarette smoking to pipe smoking
c. Consuming 2 teaspoons or less of salt every day
d. Having no more than one alcoholic beverage per
day - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
Alcohol should either be completely avoided or
restricted to no more than one per day. Mild
exercise, such as walking, is recommended. All
nicotine deprives the heart of oxygen. Salt should be
limited to no more than one teaspoon per day.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) has increasing dyspnea and is being
evaluated for heart failure (HF). Which test will be
ordered to help differentiate between dyspnea due
to lung dysfunction and dyspnea due to HF?
,a. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) level
b. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
c. Cardiac enzymes
d. Electrocardiogram (ECG) - CORRECT
ANSWERS-ANS: B
The BNP is used to differentiate that dyspnea is due
to HF and not lung dysfunction. The other tests will
all be a part of the diagnostic workup but do not help
with this distinction.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
patient who has heart failure. The patient reports
nausea, vomiting, and a headache. The nurse notes
a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, a heart
rate of 58 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of
120/78 mm Hg. What will the nurse do next?
a. Administer the next dose as ordered since these
are mild side effects.
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider of possible
digoxin toxicity.
c. Reassure the patient that these are common, self-
limiting side effects.
d. Request an order for an antiemetic and an
analgesic medication. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: B
, Nausea, vomiting, and headache are common signs
of digoxin toxicity as is a heart rate less than 60
beats per minute. The nurse should hold the dose
and notify the provider.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking
digoxin to treat heart failure. The patient's
electrocardiogram shows a ventricular dysrhythmia.
The nurse will notify the provider and will anticipate
an order for which medication?
a. Digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
d. Potassium - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
The antidysrhythmics phenytoin and lidocaine are
effective in treating digoxin-induced ventricular
dysrhythmias. Digoxin immune Fab is used to treat
severe digitalis toxicity, characterized by
bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting. Unless a
potassium deficit is present, giving potassium could
worsen the dysrhythmia.
A patient who takes digoxin to treat heart failure will
begin taking a vasodilator. The patient asks the
PHARMACOLOGY REVIEW, 2025-2026
QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS
1. A patient who has atrial fibrillation is taking
digoxin. The nurse expects which medication to be
given concurrently to treat this condition?
a. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
b. Inamrinone (Inocor)
c. Milrinone (Primacore)
d. Warfarin (Coumadin) - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: D
Digoxin is given for atrial fibrillation to restore a
normal heart rhythm. To prevent thromboemboli,
warfarin is given concurrently. Hydrochlorothiazide is
,a diuretic medication. Inamrinone and milrinone are
inotropic agents that would be used instead of
digoxin
A patient is diagnosed with heart failure, and the
prescriber has ordered digoxin. The patient asks
what lifestyle changes will help in the management
of this condition. The nurse will recommend which
changes?
a. Aerobic exercise and weight lifting 2 or 3 times
weekly
b. Changing from cigarette smoking to pipe smoking
c. Consuming 2 teaspoons or less of salt every day
d. Having no more than one alcoholic beverage per
day - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: D
Alcohol should either be completely avoided or
restricted to no more than one per day. Mild
exercise, such as walking, is recommended. All
nicotine deprives the heart of oxygen. Salt should be
limited to no more than one teaspoon per day.
A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) has increasing dyspnea and is being
evaluated for heart failure (HF). Which test will be
ordered to help differentiate between dyspnea due
to lung dysfunction and dyspnea due to HF?
,a. Atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH) level
b. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
c. Cardiac enzymes
d. Electrocardiogram (ECG) - CORRECT
ANSWERS-ANS: B
The BNP is used to differentiate that dyspnea is due
to HF and not lung dysfunction. The other tests will
all be a part of the diagnostic workup but do not help
with this distinction.
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
patient who has heart failure. The patient reports
nausea, vomiting, and a headache. The nurse notes
a respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute, a heart
rate of 58 beats per minute, and a blood pressure of
120/78 mm Hg. What will the nurse do next?
a. Administer the next dose as ordered since these
are mild side effects.
b. Hold the dose and notify the provider of possible
digoxin toxicity.
c. Reassure the patient that these are common, self-
limiting side effects.
d. Request an order for an antiemetic and an
analgesic medication. - CORRECT ANSWERS-
ANS: B
, Nausea, vomiting, and headache are common signs
of digoxin toxicity as is a heart rate less than 60
beats per minute. The nurse should hold the dose
and notify the provider.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking
digoxin to treat heart failure. The patient's
electrocardiogram shows a ventricular dysrhythmia.
The nurse will notify the provider and will anticipate
an order for which medication?
a. Digoxin immune Fab (Digibind)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
d. Potassium - CORRECT ANSWERS-ANS: C
The antidysrhythmics phenytoin and lidocaine are
effective in treating digoxin-induced ventricular
dysrhythmias. Digoxin immune Fab is used to treat
severe digitalis toxicity, characterized by
bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting. Unless a
potassium deficit is present, giving potassium could
worsen the dysrhythmia.
A patient who takes digoxin to treat heart failure will
begin taking a vasodilator. The patient asks the
