PHARMACOLOGY NURS 251 MODULE 3
EXAM | ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2026/2027
(GRADED A+)- PORTAGE LEARNING
PORTAGE LEARNING NURS 251 MODULE
3
NURS 251: Pharmacology Module 3
Question 1
Which classification best describes a blood pressure reading of
150/95 mm Hg?
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or
diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg. A reading of 150/95 meets this criteria.
Question 2
True or False: Hypertension often presents with noticeable
symptoms.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Most patients with hypertension are asymptomatic until blood
pressure is very high or complications occur—hence the term “silent killer.”
,Question 3
Match the following blood pressure ranges with their correct
classifications
A) < 120/< 80
B) 120-129/< 80
C) 130-139/80-89
D) ≥ 140/≥ 90
1. Stage 1 Hypertension
2. Stage 2 Hypertension
3. Elevated Blood Pressure
4. Normotensive
Correct Answers:
A → 4; B → 3; C → 1; D → 2
Rationale:
Normotensive: < 120/< 80
Elevated: 120-129/< 80
Stage 1 HTN: 130-139/80-89
Stage 2 HTN: ≥ 140/≥ 90
Question 4
Essential hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that has no
identifiable secondary cause.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Essential (primary) hypertension lacks a known secondary cause
and is the most common form of high blood pressure.
Question 5
,During manual blood pressure measurement, which artery is
compressed by the cuff?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Radial artery
C. Brachial artery
D. Carotid artery
Correct Answer: C. Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery in the upper arm is compressed to occlude
blood flow, not the pulmonary artery.
Question 6
Which two factors primarily determine cardiac output (CO)?
A. Heart rate and preload
B. Heart rate and stroke volume
C. Stroke volume and afterload
D. Blood pressure and heart rate
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate and stroke volume
Rationale: Cardiac output equals heart rate × stroke volume; both factors
directly influence total output.
Question 7
Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A. Age
B. Genetics
C. Smoking
D. Ethnicity
Correct Answer: C. Smoking
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors include lifestyle choices like smoking, diet,
and physical activity. Age and genetics are non-modifiable.
Question 8
, Which class of drugs is considered first-line for managing Stage 1
hypertension?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta blockers
C. Loop diuretics
D. Alpha-1 agonists
Correct Answer: A. ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce vasoconstriction and are recommended as
first-line therapy for uncomplicated hypertension.
Question 9
True or False: Beta blockers decrease cardiac output by reducing
heart rate and contractility.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Beta blockers reduce sympathetic stimulation, leading to lower
heart rate and stroke volume, which decreases cardiac output.
Question 10
Which electrolyte is most closely monitored when a patient is on a
thiazide diuretic?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia due to increased renal
potassium excretion.
Question 11
EXAM | ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2026/2027
(GRADED A+)- PORTAGE LEARNING
PORTAGE LEARNING NURS 251 MODULE
3
NURS 251: Pharmacology Module 3
Question 1
Which classification best describes a blood pressure reading of
150/95 mm Hg?
A. Normal
B. Elevated
C. Stage 1 Hypertension
D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Correct Answer: D. Stage 2 Hypertension
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension is defined as systolic ≥ 140 mm Hg or
diastolic ≥ 90 mm Hg. A reading of 150/95 meets this criteria.
Question 2
True or False: Hypertension often presents with noticeable
symptoms.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: B. False
Rationale: Most patients with hypertension are asymptomatic until blood
pressure is very high or complications occur—hence the term “silent killer.”
,Question 3
Match the following blood pressure ranges with their correct
classifications
A) < 120/< 80
B) 120-129/< 80
C) 130-139/80-89
D) ≥ 140/≥ 90
1. Stage 1 Hypertension
2. Stage 2 Hypertension
3. Elevated Blood Pressure
4. Normotensive
Correct Answers:
A → 4; B → 3; C → 1; D → 2
Rationale:
Normotensive: < 120/< 80
Elevated: 120-129/< 80
Stage 1 HTN: 130-139/80-89
Stage 2 HTN: ≥ 140/≥ 90
Question 4
Essential hypertension is defined as high blood pressure that has no
identifiable secondary cause.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Essential (primary) hypertension lacks a known secondary cause
and is the most common form of high blood pressure.
Question 5
,During manual blood pressure measurement, which artery is
compressed by the cuff?
A. Pulmonary artery
B. Radial artery
C. Brachial artery
D. Carotid artery
Correct Answer: C. Brachial artery
Rationale: The brachial artery in the upper arm is compressed to occlude
blood flow, not the pulmonary artery.
Question 6
Which two factors primarily determine cardiac output (CO)?
A. Heart rate and preload
B. Heart rate and stroke volume
C. Stroke volume and afterload
D. Blood pressure and heart rate
Correct Answer: B. Heart rate and stroke volume
Rationale: Cardiac output equals heart rate × stroke volume; both factors
directly influence total output.
Question 7
Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for hypertension?
A. Age
B. Genetics
C. Smoking
D. Ethnicity
Correct Answer: C. Smoking
Rationale: Modifiable risk factors include lifestyle choices like smoking, diet,
and physical activity. Age and genetics are non-modifiable.
Question 8
, Which class of drugs is considered first-line for managing Stage 1
hypertension?
A. ACE inhibitors
B. Beta blockers
C. Loop diuretics
D. Alpha-1 agonists
Correct Answer: A. ACE inhibitors
Rationale: ACE inhibitors reduce vasoconstriction and are recommended as
first-line therapy for uncomplicated hypertension.
Question 9
True or False: Beta blockers decrease cardiac output by reducing
heart rate and contractility.
A. True
B. False
Correct Answer: A. True
Rationale: Beta blockers reduce sympathetic stimulation, leading to lower
heart rate and stroke volume, which decreases cardiac output.
Question 10
Which electrolyte is most closely monitored when a patient is on a
thiazide diuretic?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Thiazide diuretics can cause hypokalemia due to increased renal
potassium excretion.
Question 11
