SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 315
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT). Which laboratory finding should the nurse
identify that places this client at risk?
a) Hypokalemia.
b) Hyponatremia.
c) Hypercalcemia.
d) Low uric acid levels. Answer: a) Hypokalemia.
◉ A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin.
Which client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide?
a) Expected duration of flushing.
b) Symptoms of hyperglycemia.
c) Diets that minimize GI irritation.
d) Comfort measures for pruritus. Answer: a) Expected duration of
flushing.
,◉ A female client with rheumatoid arthritis takes ibuprofen 600 mg
PO 4 times a day. To prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol
100 mcg PO is prescribed. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include in client teaching?
a) Use contraception during intercourse.
b) Ensure the misoprostol is taken on an empty stomach
c) Encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation.
d) Take misoprostol 30 minutes prior to ibuprofen. Answer: a) Use
contraception during intercourse.
◉ A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin
receives a new prescription for atorvastatin. Two weeks after
initiation of the prescription, the nurse assesses the client. Which
finding requires the most immediate intervention?
a) Heartburn.
b) Headache.
c) Constipation.
d) Vomiting. Answer: d) Vomiting.
, ◉ The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis for a client diagnosed
with heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement
prior to administering the digitalis?
a) Observe respiratory rate and depth.
b) Assess the serum potassium level.
c) Obtain the client's blood pressure.
d) Monitor the serum glucose level. Answer: b) Assess the serum
potassium level.
◉ While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergic to
penicillin." Which related allergy to another type of antiinfective
agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking the nursing
history?
:a) Aminoglycosides
b) Cephalosporins
c) Sulfonamides
d) Tetracyclines Answer: b) Cephalosporins
◉ Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client
is being discharged with a prescription for warfarin. In conducting
discharge teaching, the nurse advises the client to have which
diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge?
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026
PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND ACCURATE
ANSWERS GRADED A+
◉ A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular
tachycardia (SVT). Which laboratory finding should the nurse
identify that places this client at risk?
a) Hypokalemia.
b) Hyponatremia.
c) Hypercalcemia.
d) Low uric acid levels. Answer: a) Hypokalemia.
◉ A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin.
Which client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide?
a) Expected duration of flushing.
b) Symptoms of hyperglycemia.
c) Diets that minimize GI irritation.
d) Comfort measures for pruritus. Answer: a) Expected duration of
flushing.
,◉ A female client with rheumatoid arthritis takes ibuprofen 600 mg
PO 4 times a day. To prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol
100 mcg PO is prescribed. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include in client teaching?
a) Use contraception during intercourse.
b) Ensure the misoprostol is taken on an empty stomach
c) Encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation.
d) Take misoprostol 30 minutes prior to ibuprofen. Answer: a) Use
contraception during intercourse.
◉ A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin
receives a new prescription for atorvastatin. Two weeks after
initiation of the prescription, the nurse assesses the client. Which
finding requires the most immediate intervention?
a) Heartburn.
b) Headache.
c) Constipation.
d) Vomiting. Answer: d) Vomiting.
, ◉ The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis for a client diagnosed
with heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement
prior to administering the digitalis?
a) Observe respiratory rate and depth.
b) Assess the serum potassium level.
c) Obtain the client's blood pressure.
d) Monitor the serum glucose level. Answer: b) Assess the serum
potassium level.
◉ While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergic to
penicillin." Which related allergy to another type of antiinfective
agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking the nursing
history?
:a) Aminoglycosides
b) Cephalosporins
c) Sulfonamides
d) Tetracyclines Answer: b) Cephalosporins
◉ Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client
is being discharged with a prescription for warfarin. In conducting
discharge teaching, the nurse advises the client to have which
diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge?
