NURS 5315 ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND
PHARMACOLOGY 75 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
UPDATED 2026 || GRADED A+
A 65-year-old male patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for the treatment of
hypertension. Which medication below is an ACE inhibitor?
A. Metoprolol
B. Benazepril
C. Losartan
D. Amlodipine - CORRECT ANSWER - The answer is B. Benazepril is an
ACE Inhibitor. Remember ACE Inhibitors end in PRIL.
Which statements below CORRECTLY describe how ACE Inhibitors work? Select
all that apply:
A. This group of medications inhibits the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS).
B. ACE Inhibitors prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II.
C. ACE Inhibitors prevent Angiotensinogen from converting to Angiotensin I.
D. ACE Inhibitors have a positive chronotropic and negative inotropic effect on the
heart. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. This group of medications inhibits the
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).
B. ACE Inhibitors prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) performs what roles in the body? Select all
that apply:
A. Inactivates bradykinin by breaking it down
,B. Dilates vessels
C. Causes the kidneys to keep sodium and water
D. Converts Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II - CORRECT ANSWER - The
answers are A and D. ACE inactivates bradykinin by breaking it down and converts
Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II. Option C describes the role of aldosterone, which
is influenced by Angiotensin II, and option D describes how ACE Inhibitors
work....remember they block the actions of ACE.
4. Fill in the blanks: Angiotensin II causes ___________ of the vessels and triggers
the release of ____________.
A. vasodilation; anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
B. vasodilation; aldosterone
C. vasoconstriction; aldosterone
D. vasoconstriction; anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) - CORRECT ANSWER - C.
vasoconstriction; aldosterone
A patient is prescribed an ACE Inhibitor after experiencing a myocardial
infarction. What effects on the body will this medication achieve? Select all that
apply:
A. Decreases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure
B. Constriction of the vessels
C. Kidneys will excrete water and sodium
D. Kidneys will retain potassium.
E. Increases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure - CORRECT
ANSWER - A. Decreases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure
C. Kidneys will excrete water and sodium
,D. Kidneys will retain potassium.
The answers are A, C, and D. ACE inhibitors will cause the opposite effects of
Angiotensin II, which is a major vasoconstrictor and triggers the release of
aldosterone (remember this substance will cause the kidneys to keep sodium and
water and excrete potassium). However, ACE Inhibitors will perform the opposite
effects by decreasing the blood pressure via vasodilation of vessels (which
decreases SVR) and causes the kidneys to excrete water and sodium and retain
potassium (hence the nurse must monitor for hyperkalemia).
Which patient below would MOST benefit from an ACE Inhibitor?
A. A 50-year-old female with systolic dysfunction heart failure.
B. A 48-year-old male with severe renal failure.
C. A 35-year-old female with chronic hepatitis.
D. A 54-year-old male with hypovolemic shock. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. A
50-year-old female with systolic dysfunction heart failure.
The answer is A. ACE Inhibitors are used to treat patient with hypertension,
systolic dysfunction heart failure (the left ventricle is too weak to pump blood
forward out of the heart...ACE inhibitors will decrease afterload which will make it
easier for the heart to pump blood), and after myocardial infarction. Patients with
renal failure or liver disease are not candidates for ACE inhibitors because of the
effects of the drug on the kidneys and how it is cleared in the liver. In option D, the
patient will be hypotensive and need fluids or vasopressors....NOT a medication
that will lower the blood pressure.
7. Your patient is taking an ACE Inhibitor to manage blood pressure. Which
finding below requires immediate nursing action?
A. Urinary output is 190 mL within the past 4 hours.
B. Patient has a persistent, dry cough.
C. EKG shows tall, peaked t-waves.
, D. Patient has a negative Chvostek's sign. - CORRECT ANSWER - C. EKG
shows tall, peaked t-waves.
8. Some patients who take ACE Inhibitors may develop angioedema. What signs
and symptoms will you teach the patient to recognize that can present with this
adverse reaction? Select all that apply:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Persistent, dry cough
C. Swelling in the face
D. Thin and shiny skin in the lower extremities
E. Difficulty breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Swelling in the face
E. Difficulty breathing
The answers are C and E. Angioedema is swelling deep in the skin (dermis and
subcutaneous tissue).....it's very dangerous! Signs and symptoms include: swelling
in the face (mouth, eyes, tongue, lips, dyspnea, swelling of extremities). It most
commonly occurs in African American patients.
9. A patient states they are experiencing an annoying, persistent dry cough that
started once they begin taking an ACE Inhibitor. The patient is not experiencing
any other signs and symptoms. As the nurse, your response is?
A. Tell the patient to immediately stop taking the medication and seek medical
treatment.
B. Reassure the patient this is a harmless side effect of this medication and to not
abruptly stop taking the medication.
C. Recommend the patient start taking the medication at night to decrease the
coughing.
PHARMACOLOGY 75 VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
UPDATED 2026 || GRADED A+
A 65-year-old male patient is prescribed an ACE inhibitor for the treatment of
hypertension. Which medication below is an ACE inhibitor?
A. Metoprolol
B. Benazepril
C. Losartan
D. Amlodipine - CORRECT ANSWER - The answer is B. Benazepril is an
ACE Inhibitor. Remember ACE Inhibitors end in PRIL.
Which statements below CORRECTLY describe how ACE Inhibitors work? Select
all that apply:
A. This group of medications inhibits the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
(RAAS).
B. ACE Inhibitors prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II.
C. ACE Inhibitors prevent Angiotensinogen from converting to Angiotensin I.
D. ACE Inhibitors have a positive chronotropic and negative inotropic effect on the
heart. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. This group of medications inhibits the
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).
B. ACE Inhibitors prevent the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) performs what roles in the body? Select all
that apply:
A. Inactivates bradykinin by breaking it down
,B. Dilates vessels
C. Causes the kidneys to keep sodium and water
D. Converts Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II - CORRECT ANSWER - The
answers are A and D. ACE inactivates bradykinin by breaking it down and converts
Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II. Option C describes the role of aldosterone, which
is influenced by Angiotensin II, and option D describes how ACE Inhibitors
work....remember they block the actions of ACE.
4. Fill in the blanks: Angiotensin II causes ___________ of the vessels and triggers
the release of ____________.
A. vasodilation; anti-diuretic hormone (ADH)
B. vasodilation; aldosterone
C. vasoconstriction; aldosterone
D. vasoconstriction; anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) - CORRECT ANSWER - C.
vasoconstriction; aldosterone
A patient is prescribed an ACE Inhibitor after experiencing a myocardial
infarction. What effects on the body will this medication achieve? Select all that
apply:
A. Decreases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure
B. Constriction of the vessels
C. Kidneys will excrete water and sodium
D. Kidneys will retain potassium.
E. Increases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure - CORRECT
ANSWER - A. Decreases SVR (systemic vascular resistance) and blood pressure
C. Kidneys will excrete water and sodium
,D. Kidneys will retain potassium.
The answers are A, C, and D. ACE inhibitors will cause the opposite effects of
Angiotensin II, which is a major vasoconstrictor and triggers the release of
aldosterone (remember this substance will cause the kidneys to keep sodium and
water and excrete potassium). However, ACE Inhibitors will perform the opposite
effects by decreasing the blood pressure via vasodilation of vessels (which
decreases SVR) and causes the kidneys to excrete water and sodium and retain
potassium (hence the nurse must monitor for hyperkalemia).
Which patient below would MOST benefit from an ACE Inhibitor?
A. A 50-year-old female with systolic dysfunction heart failure.
B. A 48-year-old male with severe renal failure.
C. A 35-year-old female with chronic hepatitis.
D. A 54-year-old male with hypovolemic shock. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. A
50-year-old female with systolic dysfunction heart failure.
The answer is A. ACE Inhibitors are used to treat patient with hypertension,
systolic dysfunction heart failure (the left ventricle is too weak to pump blood
forward out of the heart...ACE inhibitors will decrease afterload which will make it
easier for the heart to pump blood), and after myocardial infarction. Patients with
renal failure or liver disease are not candidates for ACE inhibitors because of the
effects of the drug on the kidneys and how it is cleared in the liver. In option D, the
patient will be hypotensive and need fluids or vasopressors....NOT a medication
that will lower the blood pressure.
7. Your patient is taking an ACE Inhibitor to manage blood pressure. Which
finding below requires immediate nursing action?
A. Urinary output is 190 mL within the past 4 hours.
B. Patient has a persistent, dry cough.
C. EKG shows tall, peaked t-waves.
, D. Patient has a negative Chvostek's sign. - CORRECT ANSWER - C. EKG
shows tall, peaked t-waves.
8. Some patients who take ACE Inhibitors may develop angioedema. What signs
and symptoms will you teach the patient to recognize that can present with this
adverse reaction? Select all that apply:
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Persistent, dry cough
C. Swelling in the face
D. Thin and shiny skin in the lower extremities
E. Difficulty breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - C. Swelling in the face
E. Difficulty breathing
The answers are C and E. Angioedema is swelling deep in the skin (dermis and
subcutaneous tissue).....it's very dangerous! Signs and symptoms include: swelling
in the face (mouth, eyes, tongue, lips, dyspnea, swelling of extremities). It most
commonly occurs in African American patients.
9. A patient states they are experiencing an annoying, persistent dry cough that
started once they begin taking an ACE Inhibitor. The patient is not experiencing
any other signs and symptoms. As the nurse, your response is?
A. Tell the patient to immediately stop taking the medication and seek medical
treatment.
B. Reassure the patient this is a harmless side effect of this medication and to not
abruptly stop taking the medication.
C. Recommend the patient start taking the medication at night to decrease the
coughing.
