NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Review
Questions and Answers Plus Rationales
2026 | Instant Pdf Download
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which assessment is most
important before administration?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and generally withhold the medication if
the pulse is below the prescribed parameter (often less than 60/min in
adults).
Question 2
A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I can take aspirin whenever I have pain."
B. "I should report unusual bruising or bleeding."
C. "I do not need blood tests while taking this medication."
D. "I should double the dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: B. "I should report unusual bruising or bleeding."
Rationale: Bleeding is a serious complication of warfarin therapy and
should be reported immediately.
Question 4
Which laboratory value is used to monitor warfarin therapy?
,A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Troponin
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR is used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of warfarin
therapy.
Question 5
A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Continue the infusion
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Document the finding only
Correct Answer: B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Bleeding may indicate excessive anticoagulation and requires
immediate intervention.
Question 6
Which antidote is used for heparin overdose?
, A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Correct Answer: C. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate neutralizes the effects of heparin.
Question 7
Which antidote is used for warfarin toxicity?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Flumazenil
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: A. Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
Question 8
A nurse administers morphine. Which adverse effect requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Constipation
Questions and Answers Plus Rationales
2026 | Instant Pdf Download
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which assessment is most
important before administration?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Temperature
D. Blood pressure
Correct Answer: B. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and generally withhold the medication if
the pulse is below the prescribed parameter (often less than 60/min in
adults).
Question 2
A client receiving furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
placing the client at risk for hypokalemia.
Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client about warfarin therapy. Which statement indicates
understanding?
A. "I can take aspirin whenever I have pain."
B. "I should report unusual bruising or bleeding."
C. "I do not need blood tests while taking this medication."
D. "I should double the dose if I miss one."
Correct Answer: B. "I should report unusual bruising or bleeding."
Rationale: Bleeding is a serious complication of warfarin therapy and
should be reported immediately.
Question 4
Which laboratory value is used to monitor warfarin therapy?
,A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Troponin
D. Creatinine
Correct Answer: B. INR
Rationale: INR is used to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of warfarin
therapy.
Question 5
A client receiving heparin develops bleeding gums. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A. Continue the infusion
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
C. Increase the infusion rate
D. Document the finding only
Correct Answer: B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
Rationale: Bleeding may indicate excessive anticoagulation and requires
immediate intervention.
Question 6
Which antidote is used for heparin overdose?
, A. Vitamin K
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Correct Answer: C. Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate neutralizes the effects of heparin.
Question 7
Which antidote is used for warfarin toxicity?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Flumazenil
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: A. Vitamin K
Rationale: Vitamin K reverses the anticoagulant effects of warfarin.
Question 8
A nurse administers morphine. Which adverse effect requires immediate
intervention?
A. Mild nausea
B. Constipation
