Exam 3 Practice Questions for Pharmacology - NUR 210 | Actual Latest
2026 Test | Verified Solutions
Exam 3 Practice Questions – Pharmacology – NUR 210
1. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg to
a patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mmHg. The nurse notes that the
patient had a urine output of 200 mL in the past 12 hours. The nurse will perform
which action?
a. Administer the medication as ordered
b. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
c. Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN (blood
urea nitrogen) and creatinine
d. Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication
2. The male client is prescribed prazosin for hypertension. He asks the nurse how the
medication works. What is the nurse’s best response?
a. “it increases the supply of oxygen to your heart.”
b. “it works by making your blood vessels dilate.”
c. “it works by inhibiting the movement of calcium across the membrane.”
i. Calcium channel blocker
d. “it promotes the excretion of sodium and water.”
i. Diuretics
3. A client, hospitalized with heart failure, is receiving digoxin and furosemide
intravenously and now has continuous ringing in the ears. What is the appropriate
action for the nurse to take at this time?
a. Notify the provider and request a digoxin level to check for toxicity
i. Dig toxicity = Vision changes
b. Note the observation in the medical record and plan to reassess in 2 hours
c. Ask the client about taking aspirin in addition to other medications
d. Withhold the furosemide and notify the health care provider (HCP)
4. A patient with diabetes and hypertension taking metoprolol reports feeling weak
and shaky. The patient’s blood glucose is 52 mg/dL, but they deny tachycardia or
sweating. What is the nurse’s best explanation?
a. “Your blood sugar reading is inaccurate – let’s recheck it.”
b. “Beta blockers mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it
harder to recognize.”
c. “You should stop taking propranolol and switch to a different medication.”
d. “Take your diabetes medication only when your blood sugar is over 150
mg/dL.”
5. During a home visit, the nurse assesses a client who is taking hydrochlorothiazide
and lisinopril for the treatment of hypertension. Which finding would indicate the
nurse should inform the health care provider of a possible need to change
medication therapy?
a. Blood pressure is 132/80 mmHg
b. Client has a persistent cough
i. Ace inhibitor
c. Potassium level is 4.1 mEq/L
d. Client is experiencing nocturia
6. A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of
the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
Which diuretic agent ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide
b. Furosemide
c. Spironolactone
, d. Hydrochlorothiazide
7. The nurse is caring for a 70-year-old patient who has recently begun taking
amlodipine 10 mg/day to control hypertension. The nurse notes mild edema of the
patient’s ankles, a blood pressure of 118/70 mmHg, and a heart rate of 80 beats
per minute. The patient reports flushing and dizziness. The nurse will notify the
provider and:
a. Ask to decrease the dose to 2.5 mg/day
b. Discuss twice daily dosing
c. Request an order for a diuretic
d. Suggest adding propranolol to the regimen
8. A patient is teaching a patient who will begin taking amlodipine for hypertension
about the drug’s side effects. Which statement by the patient indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. “I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and fiber.”
b. “I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking this drug.”
c. “I may have swelling of my hands and feet because my heart may begin to
fail.”
i. Heart is not failing
d. “I may need to increase my digoxin dose will taking this drug.”
9. The nurse has administered a mannitol IV. What assessment should the nurse
make after administering this drug?
a. Note serum calcium levels
b. Assess for the presence of bowel sounds
c. Check the reaction of the pupils to light
d. Monitor urine output
10. Upon review of the lab findings, the nurse identifies the client’s potassium
level is 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes that which antihypertensive may be the
cause?
a. Metoprolol
b. Losartan
c. Prazosin
d. Amlodipine
11. A client with hypertension has been administered the first prescribed dose of
propranolol 45 minutes ago. What assessment finding should the nurse interpret as
a possible indication of an adverse effect?
a. The client’s blood pressure is 109/72 mmHg
b. The client had a loose bowel movement half an hour ago
c. The client is uncharacteristically short of breath
d. The client appears to be more agitated than a few hours earlier
12. A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for hypertension reports muscle
cramps, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. Which laboratory value is most
concerning?
a. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
b. Sodium 140 mEq/L
c. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
d. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
13. A patient is prescribed oxymetazoline nasal spray for congestion. The patient
states, “this spray works great, and I’ve been using it every day for a week.” What
is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Reassure the patient that daily use is safe for long-term relief
b. Educate the patient on the risk of rebound confestion
2026 Test | Verified Solutions
Exam 3 Practice Questions – Pharmacology – NUR 210
1. The nurse is preparing to administer the first dose of hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg to
a patient who has a blood pressure of 160/95 mmHg. The nurse notes that the
patient had a urine output of 200 mL in the past 12 hours. The nurse will perform
which action?
a. Administer the medication as ordered
b. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids
c. Hold the medication and request an order for serum BUN (blood
urea nitrogen) and creatinine
d. Request an order for serum electrolytes and administer the medication
2. The male client is prescribed prazosin for hypertension. He asks the nurse how the
medication works. What is the nurse’s best response?
a. “it increases the supply of oxygen to your heart.”
b. “it works by making your blood vessels dilate.”
c. “it works by inhibiting the movement of calcium across the membrane.”
i. Calcium channel blocker
d. “it promotes the excretion of sodium and water.”
i. Diuretics
3. A client, hospitalized with heart failure, is receiving digoxin and furosemide
intravenously and now has continuous ringing in the ears. What is the appropriate
action for the nurse to take at this time?
a. Notify the provider and request a digoxin level to check for toxicity
i. Dig toxicity = Vision changes
b. Note the observation in the medical record and plan to reassess in 2 hours
c. Ask the client about taking aspirin in addition to other medications
d. Withhold the furosemide and notify the health care provider (HCP)
4. A patient with diabetes and hypertension taking metoprolol reports feeling weak
and shaky. The patient’s blood glucose is 52 mg/dL, but they deny tachycardia or
sweating. What is the nurse’s best explanation?
a. “Your blood sugar reading is inaccurate – let’s recheck it.”
b. “Beta blockers mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia, making it
harder to recognize.”
c. “You should stop taking propranolol and switch to a different medication.”
d. “Take your diabetes medication only when your blood sugar is over 150
mg/dL.”
5. During a home visit, the nurse assesses a client who is taking hydrochlorothiazide
and lisinopril for the treatment of hypertension. Which finding would indicate the
nurse should inform the health care provider of a possible need to change
medication therapy?
a. Blood pressure is 132/80 mmHg
b. Client has a persistent cough
i. Ace inhibitor
c. Potassium level is 4.1 mEq/L
d. Client is experiencing nocturia
6. A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of
the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
Which diuretic agent ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide
b. Furosemide
c. Spironolactone
, d. Hydrochlorothiazide
7. The nurse is caring for a 70-year-old patient who has recently begun taking
amlodipine 10 mg/day to control hypertension. The nurse notes mild edema of the
patient’s ankles, a blood pressure of 118/70 mmHg, and a heart rate of 80 beats
per minute. The patient reports flushing and dizziness. The nurse will notify the
provider and:
a. Ask to decrease the dose to 2.5 mg/day
b. Discuss twice daily dosing
c. Request an order for a diuretic
d. Suggest adding propranolol to the regimen
8. A patient is teaching a patient who will begin taking amlodipine for hypertension
about the drug’s side effects. Which statement by the patient indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a. “I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids and fiber.”
b. “I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking this drug.”
c. “I may have swelling of my hands and feet because my heart may begin to
fail.”
i. Heart is not failing
d. “I may need to increase my digoxin dose will taking this drug.”
9. The nurse has administered a mannitol IV. What assessment should the nurse
make after administering this drug?
a. Note serum calcium levels
b. Assess for the presence of bowel sounds
c. Check the reaction of the pupils to light
d. Monitor urine output
10. Upon review of the lab findings, the nurse identifies the client’s potassium
level is 5.9 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes that which antihypertensive may be the
cause?
a. Metoprolol
b. Losartan
c. Prazosin
d. Amlodipine
11. A client with hypertension has been administered the first prescribed dose of
propranolol 45 minutes ago. What assessment finding should the nurse interpret as
a possible indication of an adverse effect?
a. The client’s blood pressure is 109/72 mmHg
b. The client had a loose bowel movement half an hour ago
c. The client is uncharacteristically short of breath
d. The client appears to be more agitated than a few hours earlier
12. A patient taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for hypertension reports muscle
cramps, fatigue, and irregular heartbeats. Which laboratory value is most
concerning?
a. Potassium 2.8 mEq/L
b. Sodium 140 mEq/L
c. Calcium 9.2 mg/dL
d. Blood glucose 110 mg/dL
13. A patient is prescribed oxymetazoline nasal spray for congestion. The patient
states, “this spray works great, and I’ve been using it every day for a week.” What
is the nurse’s priority action?
a. Reassure the patient that daily use is safe for long-term relief
b. Educate the patient on the risk of rebound confestion
