1
Pharmacology for Professional Nursing
(NUR2474) – Rasmussen College – Exam
2 Review (2024/2025)
Question Bank
1. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. What is the primary
mechanism of action?
A) Increases cardiac output
B) Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle
C) Blocks potassium channels
D) Stimulates aldosterone release
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, inhibits the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the thick
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, promoting sodium and water excretion to reduce
fluid overload in heart failure.
2. A client receiving furosemide reports muscle cramps. What should the nurse assess
for?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypertension
D) Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia, which can
manifest as muscle cramps, requiring electrolyte monitoring.
3. What is the best time to administer furosemide to minimize disruption of the client’s
sleep?
A) 2200
B) 0800
C) 1600
D) 1900
Rationale: Administering furosemide in the morning (0800) minimizes nocturia,
reducing sleep disruption due to frequent urination.
4. A client is prescribed spironolactone for heart failure. What should the nurse teach
the client to avoid?
A) Calcium-rich foods
B) Potassium-rich foods
C) Sodium-rich foods
D) Protein-rich foods
Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, can cause hyperkalemia;
avoiding potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas) is critical.
5. A client with a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is prescribed spironolactone. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
, 2
A) Administer the medication
B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
C) Encourage potassium-rich foods
D) Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia; spironolactone
should be held to prevent worsening, and the provider notified.
6. What is the primary therapeutic use of lisinopril in heart failure?
A) Increases preload
B) Reduces afterload
C) Causes vasoconstriction
D) Decreases cardiac output
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, reduces afterload by vasodilation, improving
cardiac output in heart failure, per AHA guidelines.
7. A client receiving lisinopril reports a dry cough. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Allergic reaction
B) Common side effect
C) Heart failure exacerbation
D) Hypokalemia
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril due to
bradykinin accumulation, requiring patient education.
8. What is a contraindication for lisinopril?
A) Hypertension
B) History of angioedema
C) Heart failure
D) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Lisinopril is contraindicated in clients with a history of angioedema due to the
risk of life-threatening airway swelling.
9. A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. What should the nurse monitor
before administration?
A) Blood glucose
B) Heart rate
C) Potassium levels
D) Liver enzymes
Rationale: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, can cause bradycardia; checking heart rate
ensures safe administration.
10. A client with a heart rate of 50 bpm is prescribed metoprolol. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A) Administer the dose
B) Hold the dose and notify the provider
C) Increase the dose
D) Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: A heart rate of 50 bpm indicates bradycardia; metoprolol should be held to
avoid worsening, and the provider notified.
11. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin in heart failure?
A) Reduces preload
B) Increases myocardial contractility
Pharmacology for Professional Nursing
(NUR2474) – Rasmussen College – Exam
2 Review (2024/2025)
Question Bank
1. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. What is the primary
mechanism of action?
A) Increases cardiac output
B) Inhibits sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle
C) Blocks potassium channels
D) Stimulates aldosterone release
Rationale: Furosemide, a loop diuretic, inhibits the Na⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ symporter in the thick
ascending limb of the loop of Henle, promoting sodium and water excretion to reduce
fluid overload in heart failure.
2. A client receiving furosemide reports muscle cramps. What should the nurse assess
for?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypertension
D) Hypercalcemia
Rationale: Furosemide causes potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia, which can
manifest as muscle cramps, requiring electrolyte monitoring.
3. What is the best time to administer furosemide to minimize disruption of the client’s
sleep?
A) 2200
B) 0800
C) 1600
D) 1900
Rationale: Administering furosemide in the morning (0800) minimizes nocturia,
reducing sleep disruption due to frequent urination.
4. A client is prescribed spironolactone for heart failure. What should the nurse teach
the client to avoid?
A) Calcium-rich foods
B) Potassium-rich foods
C) Sodium-rich foods
D) Protein-rich foods
Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, can cause hyperkalemia;
avoiding potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas) is critical.
5. A client with a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L is prescribed spironolactone. What is
the nurse’s priority action?
, 2
A) Administer the medication
B) Hold the medication and notify the provider
C) Encourage potassium-rich foods
D) Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: A potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L indicates hyperkalemia; spironolactone
should be held to prevent worsening, and the provider notified.
6. What is the primary therapeutic use of lisinopril in heart failure?
A) Increases preload
B) Reduces afterload
C) Causes vasoconstriction
D) Decreases cardiac output
Rationale: Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, reduces afterload by vasodilation, improving
cardiac output in heart failure, per AHA guidelines.
7. A client receiving lisinopril reports a dry cough. What should the nurse suspect?
A) Allergic reaction
B) Common side effect
C) Heart failure exacerbation
D) Hypokalemia
Rationale: A dry cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril due to
bradykinin accumulation, requiring patient education.
8. What is a contraindication for lisinopril?
A) Hypertension
B) History of angioedema
C) Heart failure
D) Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Lisinopril is contraindicated in clients with a history of angioedema due to the
risk of life-threatening airway swelling.
9. A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. What should the nurse monitor
before administration?
A) Blood glucose
B) Heart rate
C) Potassium levels
D) Liver enzymes
Rationale: Metoprolol, a beta-blocker, can cause bradycardia; checking heart rate
ensures safe administration.
10. A client with a heart rate of 50 bpm is prescribed metoprolol. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A) Administer the dose
B) Hold the dose and notify the provider
C) Increase the dose
D) Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: A heart rate of 50 bpm indicates bradycardia; metoprolol should be held to
avoid worsening, and the provider notified.
11. What is the mechanism of action of digoxin in heart failure?
A) Reduces preload
B) Increases myocardial contractility
