ATI Pharmacology Week 3: Cardiovascular Drugs Study
Guide 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is starting lisinopril. Which of the
following side effects should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Swelling of the face and tongue
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional dizziness when standing
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors characterized by
swelling of the face, tongue, and pharynx. While a dry cough is common, angioedema
requires immediate intervention.
2. Which of the following medications is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Bumetanide
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Furosemide and bumetanide
are loop diuretics, and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, all of which typically
cause potassium loss.
,3. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor to prevent digoxin toxicity?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
must monitor potassium levels closely while the client is on digoxin.
4. What is the therapeutic reference range for a client taking digoxin?
A. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
B. 0.1 to 0.5 ng/mL
C. 2.5 to 5.0 ng/mL
D. 10 to 20 ng/mL
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is typically 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL. Levels above 2.0
ng/mL are considered toxic.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine to a client. Which of the
following is a common side effect of this calcium channel blocker?
A. Constipation
B. Dry mouth
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, commonly causes
peripheral edema and reflex tachycardia due to vasodilation.
, 6. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: D
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
7. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 1.2. How should the nurse interpret this
result?
A. The result is within the therapeutic range.
B. The result is subtherapeutic; the dose needs to be increased.
C. The result is too high; the client is at risk for bleeding.
D. The result is critically high; give Vitamin K.
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic INR for most conditions treated with warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. An
INR of 1.2 is subtherapeutic, meaning the blood is not thin enough.
8. Which of the following instructions should a nurse include for a client
prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Store the medication in a clear plastic container.
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three doses, for chest pain.
D. Discard the bottle one year after opening.
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually at the first sign of chest pain. One
tablet every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses is the standard protocol.
Guide 2026 UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
1. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is starting lisinopril. Which of the
following side effects should the nurse instruct the client to report
immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Swelling of the face and tongue
C. Increased appetite
D. Occasional dizziness when standing
Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors characterized by
swelling of the face, tongue, and pharynx. While a dry cough is common, angioedema
requires immediate intervention.
2. Which of the following medications is a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A. Furosemide
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Spironolactone
D. Bumetanide
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Furosemide and bumetanide
are loop diuretics, and hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, all of which typically
cause potassium loss.
,3. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor to prevent digoxin toxicity?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Calcium
D. Chloride
Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
must monitor potassium levels closely while the client is on digoxin.
4. What is the therapeutic reference range for a client taking digoxin?
A. 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL
B. 0.1 to 0.5 ng/mL
C. 2.5 to 5.0 ng/mL
D. 10 to 20 ng/mL
Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic range for digoxin is typically 0.5 to 2.0 ng/mL. Levels above 2.0
ng/mL are considered toxic.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer nifedipine to a client. Which of the
following is a common side effect of this calcium channel blocker?
A. Constipation
B. Dry mouth
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: D
Rationale: Nifedipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, commonly causes
peripheral edema and reflex tachycardia due to vasodilation.
, 6. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Flumazenil
C. Acetylcysteine
D. Protamine sulfate
Answer: D
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific antagonist used to reverse the effects of
heparin.
7. A client taking warfarin has an INR of 1.2. How should the nurse interpret this
result?
A. The result is within the therapeutic range.
B. The result is subtherapeutic; the dose needs to be increased.
C. The result is too high; the client is at risk for bleeding.
D. The result is critically high; give Vitamin K.
Answer: B
Rationale: The therapeutic INR for most conditions treated with warfarin is 2.0 to 3.0. An
INR of 1.2 is subtherapeutic, meaning the blood is not thin enough.
8. Which of the following instructions should a nurse include for a client
prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin?
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Store the medication in a clear plastic container.
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three doses, for chest pain.
D. Discard the bottle one year after opening.
Answer: C
Rationale: Nitroglycerin should be taken sublingually at the first sign of chest pain. One
tablet every 5 minutes for a maximum of three doses is the standard protocol.
