NUR2474 | NUR2474 Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Final Exam v2 | Questions
with Correct Answers and Expert Explanation for
Each Question | Rasmussen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a patient with deep vein thrombosis.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of
the medication?
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard
measurement used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A therapeutic
range is typically between 2.0 and 3.0 for most indications. Monitoring this value
ensures the patient is adequately anticoagulated without an excessive risk of
bleeding.
2. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following electrolyte
imbalances increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Low serum potassium levels, or hypokalemia, increase the risk
of digoxin toxicity because potassium competes with digoxin for binding sites on the
sodium-potassium ATPase pump. When potassium is low, more digoxin binds,
leading to intensified drug effects. Nurses must monitor potassium levels closely in
patients taking loop diuretics along with digoxin.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasms.
Which side effect is most common with this medication?
A. Bradycardia
B. Sedation
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a sympathomimetic beta-2 adrenergic agonist
that can also stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart at higher doses. This
,stimulation frequently leads to tachycardia, palpitations, and tremors. Patients
should be educated that these effects are common but should be reported if they
become severe or persistent.
4. A nurse is reviewing the medications for a patient scheduled for a CT scan with
intravenous contrast. Which medication should be held for 48 hours after the
procedure?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Lisinopril
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after
procedures involving IV contrast dye to prevent renal failure and lactic acidosis.
Contrast media can cause acute kidney injury, which reduces the renal excretion of
metformin. This accumulation of metformin can lead to a potentially fatal build-up
of lactic acid in the body.
5. A patient is receiving furosemide for the treatment of peripheral edema. The nurse
should prioritize monitoring for which adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that inhibits the
reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle, leading to increased
excretion of water and electrolytes. Potassium loss is a significant concern, and
hypokalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. Patients often require potassium
supplements or increased dietary intake of potassium while on this medication.
6. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of bipolar
disorder but requires frequent blood level monitoring?
A. Valproic acid
B. Sertraline
C. Quetiapine
D. Lithium carbonate
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Lithium carbonate has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning
the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is very small. Regular
Professional Nursing Final Exam v2 | Questions
with Correct Answers and Expert Explanation for
Each Question | Rasmussen
1. A nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a patient with deep vein thrombosis.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to determine the effectiveness of
the medication?
A. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: The International Normalized Ratio (INR) is the standard
measurement used to monitor the effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A therapeutic
range is typically between 2.0 and 3.0 for most indications. Monitoring this value
ensures the patient is adequately anticoagulated without an excessive risk of
bleeding.
2. A patient is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following electrolyte
imbalances increases the risk of digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
,B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Low serum potassium levels, or hypokalemia, increase the risk
of digoxin toxicity because potassium competes with digoxin for binding sites on the
sodium-potassium ATPase pump. When potassium is low, more digoxin binds,
leading to intensified drug effects. Nurses must monitor potassium levels closely in
patients taking loop diuretics along with digoxin.
3. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol for exercise-induced bronchospasms.
Which side effect is most common with this medication?
A. Bradycardia
B. Sedation
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: Albuterol is a sympathomimetic beta-2 adrenergic agonist
that can also stimulate beta-1 receptors in the heart at higher doses. This
,stimulation frequently leads to tachycardia, palpitations, and tremors. Patients
should be educated that these effects are common but should be reported if they
become severe or persistent.
4. A nurse is reviewing the medications for a patient scheduled for a CT scan with
intravenous contrast. Which medication should be held for 48 hours after the
procedure?
A. Atorvastatin
B. Lisinopril
C. Furosemide
D. Metformin
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Metformin must be held before and for 48 hours after
procedures involving IV contrast dye to prevent renal failure and lactic acidosis.
Contrast media can cause acute kidney injury, which reduces the renal excretion of
metformin. This accumulation of metformin can lead to a potentially fatal build-up
of lactic acid in the body.
5. A patient is receiving furosemide for the treatment of peripheral edema. The nurse
should prioritize monitoring for which adverse effect?
A. Hypokalemia
, B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypoglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that inhibits the
reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the loop of Henle, leading to increased
excretion of water and electrolytes. Potassium loss is a significant concern, and
hypokalemia can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. Patients often require potassium
supplements or increased dietary intake of potassium while on this medication.
6. Which medication is considered the gold standard for the treatment of bipolar
disorder but requires frequent blood level monitoring?
A. Valproic acid
B. Sertraline
C. Quetiapine
D. Lithium carbonate
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: Lithium carbonate has a narrow therapeutic index, meaning
the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is very small. Regular
