Kaplan Pharmacology Integrated
Exam (Forms A, B, C, D) | NGN
Questions with Correct Answers &
RationalesQuestions 300+ | Latest
2026 Update | Graded A+ | Verified
Q1. The nurse prepares to administer digoxin 0.01 mg/kg PO
to a 2-month-old infant. The infant weighs 5 kg. The sleeping
infant's apical pulse is 70 bpm. The nurse takes which most
appropriate action?
A) Administer the medication as prescribed
B) Withhold the medication and notify the health care
provider immediately
C) Administer half the dose and monitor for bradycardia
D) Recheck the pulse after waking the infant
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used for heart failure or
atrial fibrillation. For infants, the minimum apical pulse rate for
administration is 90-110 bpm. A pulse of 70 bpm indicates
bradycardia. The nurse should withhold the dose and notify the
healthcare provider immediately, as administering the drug could
lead to toxicity. Giving half the dose or rechecking the pulse later
,is unsafe and delays necessary intervention. Therapeutic level is
0.8-2 ng/mL; toxicity occurs at levels >2 ng/mL.
Q2. The nurse reviews laboratory reports for a client receiving
digoxin and furosemide. Which laboratory values most
concern the nurse?
A) K+ 4.5 mEq/L, digoxin 1.0 ng/mL
B) K+ 3.2 mEq/L, digoxin 2.2 ng/mL
C) Na+ 140 mEq/L, digoxin 1.5 ng/mL
D) Mg+ 2.0 mEq/L, digoxin 0.8 ng/mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (low potassium, normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. A digoxin level
above 2.0 ng/mL is considered toxic. The combination of a low
potassium level and a high digoxin level puts the patient at
significant risk for life-threatening arrhythmias.
Q3. A client is prescribed amlodipine (Norvasc). Which
statement by the client indicates the need for further
teaching?
A) "I should notify my provider if my ankles start to swell."
B) "I will store this medication in the refrigerator."
, C) "This medication may cause me to gain some weight."
D) "Photophobia is a common adverse effect that will
diminish with repeated use."
Answer: A (This statement is correct, so it does NOT indicate
need for further teaching. The question asks which indicates need
for further teaching—all other options are incorrect statements.)
Corrected Answer (for need for further teaching): B, C, and D
are all incorrect statements.
Rationale for B: Amlodipine does not require refrigeration; it
should be stored at room temperature. C: Weight gain is not a
typical side effect; peripheral edema is. D: Photophobia is not
associated with amlodipine. The key teaching point: peripheral
edema (swelling in extremities) is a common adverse effect due to
vasodilation and should be reported to the provider.
Q4. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) for
hyperlipidemia. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) "I will need to have my liver function checked regularly."
B) "I can continue drinking grapefruit juice with my
breakfast."
C) "I should report any unexplained muscle pain or
weakness."
D) "I will take my medication at the same time every day."
Answer: B
, Rationale: Atorvastatin, a "statin," is metabolized by the CYP3A4
enzyme system. Grapefruit juice inhibits this enzyme, leading to
increased drug levels in the blood and a higher risk of adverse
effects like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Patients should avoid
grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Q5. The nurse provides medication education for a client
receiving lovastatin. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include?
A) Notify the health care provider if you experience muscle
pain.
B) This medication may damage your kidneys.
C) Take the medication with a large glass of grapefruit juice.
D) If you miss a dose, double the medication the following
day.
Answer: A
Rationale: Lovastatin, a statin for hyperlipidemia, carries a risk of
rhabdomyolysis, which presents as muscle pain or weakness. This
should be reported immediately. Kidney damage (B) is possible in
rhabdomyolysis but is not the primary concern. Grapefruit juice
(C) inhibits CYP3A4, increasing toxicity risk. Doubling a missed
dose (D) risks overdose.
Exam (Forms A, B, C, D) | NGN
Questions with Correct Answers &
RationalesQuestions 300+ | Latest
2026 Update | Graded A+ | Verified
Q1. The nurse prepares to administer digoxin 0.01 mg/kg PO
to a 2-month-old infant. The infant weighs 5 kg. The sleeping
infant's apical pulse is 70 bpm. The nurse takes which most
appropriate action?
A) Administer the medication as prescribed
B) Withhold the medication and notify the health care
provider immediately
C) Administer half the dose and monitor for bradycardia
D) Recheck the pulse after waking the infant
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside used for heart failure or
atrial fibrillation. For infants, the minimum apical pulse rate for
administration is 90-110 bpm. A pulse of 70 bpm indicates
bradycardia. The nurse should withhold the dose and notify the
healthcare provider immediately, as administering the drug could
lead to toxicity. Giving half the dose or rechecking the pulse later
,is unsafe and delays necessary intervention. Therapeutic level is
0.8-2 ng/mL; toxicity occurs at levels >2 ng/mL.
Q2. The nurse reviews laboratory reports for a client receiving
digoxin and furosemide. Which laboratory values most
concern the nurse?
A) K+ 4.5 mEq/L, digoxin 1.0 ng/mL
B) K+ 3.2 mEq/L, digoxin 2.2 ng/mL
C) Na+ 140 mEq/L, digoxin 1.5 ng/mL
D) Mg+ 2.0 mEq/L, digoxin 0.8 ng/mL
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (low potassium, normal range 3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. A digoxin level
above 2.0 ng/mL is considered toxic. The combination of a low
potassium level and a high digoxin level puts the patient at
significant risk for life-threatening arrhythmias.
Q3. A client is prescribed amlodipine (Norvasc). Which
statement by the client indicates the need for further
teaching?
A) "I should notify my provider if my ankles start to swell."
B) "I will store this medication in the refrigerator."
, C) "This medication may cause me to gain some weight."
D) "Photophobia is a common adverse effect that will
diminish with repeated use."
Answer: A (This statement is correct, so it does NOT indicate
need for further teaching. The question asks which indicates need
for further teaching—all other options are incorrect statements.)
Corrected Answer (for need for further teaching): B, C, and D
are all incorrect statements.
Rationale for B: Amlodipine does not require refrigeration; it
should be stored at room temperature. C: Weight gain is not a
typical side effect; peripheral edema is. D: Photophobia is not
associated with amlodipine. The key teaching point: peripheral
edema (swelling in extremities) is a common adverse effect due to
vasodilation and should be reported to the provider.
Q4. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) for
hyperlipidemia. Which statement by the patient indicates a
need for further teaching?
A) "I will need to have my liver function checked regularly."
B) "I can continue drinking grapefruit juice with my
breakfast."
C) "I should report any unexplained muscle pain or
weakness."
D) "I will take my medication at the same time every day."
Answer: B
, Rationale: Atorvastatin, a "statin," is metabolized by the CYP3A4
enzyme system. Grapefruit juice inhibits this enzyme, leading to
increased drug levels in the blood and a higher risk of adverse
effects like myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Patients should avoid
grapefruit juice while taking this medication.
Q5. The nurse provides medication education for a client
receiving lovastatin. Which information is most important for
the nurse to include?
A) Notify the health care provider if you experience muscle
pain.
B) This medication may damage your kidneys.
C) Take the medication with a large glass of grapefruit juice.
D) If you miss a dose, double the medication the following
day.
Answer: A
Rationale: Lovastatin, a statin for hyperlipidemia, carries a risk of
rhabdomyolysis, which presents as muscle pain or weakness. This
should be reported immediately. Kidney damage (B) is possible in
rhabdomyolysis but is not the primary concern. Grapefruit juice
(C) inhibits CYP3A4, increasing toxicity risk. Doubling a missed
dose (D) risks overdose.
