1|Page
The Ultimate ATI Pharmacology Power Pack: Master
Cardiovascular, Endocrine & Diabetes Drugs with 100 High-Yield
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart
failure and a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take my pulse and hold the dose if it is above 100 beats per
minute."
B. "I should increase my intake of bran fiber to prevent constipation."
C. "I will report any nausea, loss of appetite, or visual changes to my
provider."
D. "I will take the medication with an antacid if I experience
indigestion."
Answer: C. Nausea, anorexia, and visual disturbances (such as yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The client should report
these immediately. Option A is incorrect because the dose should be
held if the pulse is below 60 bpm. Option B is incorrect because high-
fiber foods can decrease digoxin absorption. Option D is incorrect
because antacids can interfere with digoxin absorption.
,2|Page
2. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should
instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects
immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness upon standing
C. Swelling of the tongue and lips
D. Increased urination
Answer: C. Angioedema (swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or throat) is
a life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and
requires emergency intervention. A dry cough is a common but non-
emergent side effect. Orthostatic hypotension (B) warrants caution but
is not an emergency. Increased urination (D) is not a typical adverse
effect of lisinopril.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client taking
furosemide. Which of the following values should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum glucose
D. Serum albumin
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Answer: B. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant
potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia. Serum potassium must be
monitored closely. While furosemide can affect calcium and glucose
levels, potassium is the priority due to the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A client who has atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. The nurse
should monitor which of the following laboratory values to evaluate the
therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B.The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used to monitor
the therapeutic effect of warfarin. A therapeutic INR for atrial
fibrillation is typically 2.0–3.0. aPTT (A) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. Platelet count (C) and bleeding time (D) are not primary
monitoring parameters for warfarin.
, 4|Page
5. A nurse is administering IV heparin to a client with deep vein
thrombosis. Which of the following is the antidote for heparin in the
event of overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Aminocaproic acid
D. Phytonadione
Answer: B.Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent for heparin. Vitamin K
(A) and phytonadione (D) are antidotes for warfarin. Aminocaproic acid
(C) is an antifibrinolytic used to treat excessive bleeding from overdose
of thrombolytics.
6. A client is started on atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the
client to report which of the following that may indicate
rhabdomyolysis?
A. Mild headache and dizziness
B. Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Tinnitus and hearing loss
The Ultimate ATI Pharmacology Power Pack: Master
Cardiovascular, Endocrine & Diabetes Drugs with 100 High-Yield
Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales
1. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart
failure and a new prescription for digoxin. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I should take my pulse and hold the dose if it is above 100 beats per
minute."
B. "I should increase my intake of bran fiber to prevent constipation."
C. "I will report any nausea, loss of appetite, or visual changes to my
provider."
D. "I will take the medication with an antacid if I experience
indigestion."
Answer: C. Nausea, anorexia, and visual disturbances (such as yellow-
green halos) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The client should report
these immediately. Option A is incorrect because the dose should be
held if the pulse is below 60 bpm. Option B is incorrect because high-
fiber foods can decrease digoxin absorption. Option D is incorrect
because antacids can interfere with digoxin absorption.
,2|Page
2. A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. The nurse should
instruct the client to report which of the following adverse effects
immediately?
A. Dry cough
B. Dizziness upon standing
C. Swelling of the tongue and lips
D. Increased urination
Answer: C. Angioedema (swelling of the tongue, lips, face, or throat) is
a life-threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors like lisinopril and
requires emergency intervention. A dry cough is a common but non-
emergent side effect. Orthostatic hypotension (B) warrants caution but
is not an emergency. Increased urination (D) is not a typical adverse
effect of lisinopril.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values of a client taking
furosemide. Which of the following values should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A. Serum calcium
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum glucose
D. Serum albumin
,3|Page
Answer: B. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant
potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia. Serum potassium must be
monitored closely. While furosemide can affect calcium and glucose
levels, potassium is the priority due to the risk of cardiac dysrhythmias.
4. A client who has atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin. The nurse
should monitor which of the following laboratory values to evaluate the
therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Answer: B.The INR (International Normalized Ratio) is used to monitor
the therapeutic effect of warfarin. A therapeutic INR for atrial
fibrillation is typically 2.0–3.0. aPTT (A) is used to monitor heparin
therapy. Platelet count (C) and bleeding time (D) are not primary
monitoring parameters for warfarin.
, 4|Page
5. A nurse is administering IV heparin to a client with deep vein
thrombosis. Which of the following is the antidote for heparin in the
event of overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Aminocaproic acid
D. Phytonadione
Answer: B.Protamine sulfate is the reversal agent for heparin. Vitamin K
(A) and phytonadione (D) are antidotes for warfarin. Aminocaproic acid
(C) is an antifibrinolytic used to treat excessive bleeding from overdose
of thrombolytics.
6. A client is started on atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the
client to report which of the following that may indicate
rhabdomyolysis?
A. Mild headache and dizziness
B. Muscle pain, tenderness, and weakness
C. Dry mouth and urinary retention
D. Tinnitus and hearing loss
