SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 315 FINAL
TEST PAPER 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED A+
◉ A client who was prescribed atorvastatin one month ago calls the
triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness
in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific
teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
a) Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low
potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
b) Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
c) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because
muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
d) Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the drug
to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. Answer: c) Make an
appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain
may be an indication of a serious side effect.
◉ A client with heart failure (HF) is being discharged with a new
prescription for the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
captopril. The nurse's discharge instructions should include
reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
,a) Weight loss.
b) Dizziness.
c) Muscle cramps.
d) Dry mucous membranes. Answer: b) Dizziness.
◉ Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to
observe for a controlled-release oxycodone prescription?
a) As needed.
b) Every 12 hours.
c) Every 24 hours.
d) Every 4 to 6 hours. Answer: b) Every 12 hours.
◉ A client with dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide in 4 divided
doses over the next 24 hours. Which dosing schedule is best for the
nurse to implement?
a) Every 6 hours.
b) QID.
c) AC and bedtime.
d) PC and bedtime. Answer: a) Every 6 hours.
, ◉ Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic
blockers such as propranolol?
a) Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
b) Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
c) Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
d) Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. Answer: b) Wheezing,
hypotension, and AV block.
◉ Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients
taking high dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
a) Loperamide.
b) Probantheline.
c) Bismuth subsalicylate.
d) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine. Answer: c) Bismuth
subsalicylate.
◉ The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia
(PCA) pump with a client in the immediate postoperative period.
The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1
mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to a total of 5 mg IV maximally per
TEST PAPER 2026 FULL QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS VERIFIED A+
◉ A client who was prescribed atorvastatin one month ago calls the
triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness
in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific
teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
a) Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low
potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
b) Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
c) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because
muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
d) Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the drug
to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. Answer: c) Make an
appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain
may be an indication of a serious side effect.
◉ A client with heart failure (HF) is being discharged with a new
prescription for the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
captopril. The nurse's discharge instructions should include
reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
,a) Weight loss.
b) Dizziness.
c) Muscle cramps.
d) Dry mucous membranes. Answer: b) Dizziness.
◉ Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to
observe for a controlled-release oxycodone prescription?
a) As needed.
b) Every 12 hours.
c) Every 24 hours.
d) Every 4 to 6 hours. Answer: b) Every 12 hours.
◉ A client with dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide in 4 divided
doses over the next 24 hours. Which dosing schedule is best for the
nurse to implement?
a) Every 6 hours.
b) QID.
c) AC and bedtime.
d) PC and bedtime. Answer: a) Every 6 hours.
, ◉ Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic
blockers such as propranolol?
a) Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
b) Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
c) Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
d) Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. Answer: b) Wheezing,
hypotension, and AV block.
◉ Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients
taking high dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
a) Loperamide.
b) Probantheline.
c) Bismuth subsalicylate.
d) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine. Answer: c) Bismuth
subsalicylate.
◉ The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia
(PCA) pump with a client in the immediate postoperative period.
The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1
mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to a total of 5 mg IV maximally per
