1|Page
ATI PHARMACOLOGY N211 – DELIA EXAM
## COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK –
150+ QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Qs 1-20)
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 62 bpm
B) Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
C) Yellow-tinged vision (xanthopsia)
D) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
**Answer: C – Yellow-tinged vision (xanthopsia)**
**Rationale:** Digoxin toxicity causes visual disturbances (yellow-
green halos, blurred vision, photophobia), along with gastrointestinal
symptoms (nausea, vomiting, anorexia), and cardiac arrhythmias
(bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), heart block).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. Normal potassium is 3.5-5.0
,2|Page
mEq/L. The nurse should hold digoxin if the apical pulse is <60 bpm
(adults).
---
**Question 2**
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Serum potassium (hypokalemia is a common adverse effect of loop
diuretics)
C) Serum calcium
D) Creatinine kinase
**Answer: B – Serum potassium (hypokalemia is a common adverse
effect of loop diuretics)
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting (hypokalemia), which can lead to arrhythmias, especially in
patients on digoxin. Monitor electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-, Mg2+),
BUN/creatinine (nephrotoxicity), and urine output. Advise patient to eat
potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, potatoes) unless contraindicated
(e.g., renal failure).
,3|Page
---
**Question 3**
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (Zestril). The nurse
should teach the patient to report which adverse effect?
A) Dry, persistent cough (common with ACE inhibitors due to
bradykinin accumulation)
B) Weight gain
C) Frequent urination
D) Constipation
**Answer: A – Dry, persistent cough (common with ACE inhibitors due
to bradykinin accumulation)
**Rationale:** ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) cause a
dry, non-productive cough in 10-20% of patients due to increased
bradykinin levels. If intolerable, the provider may switch to an ARB
(losartan, valsartan), which rarely causes cough. Other side effects:
angioedema (rare but life-threatening), hyperkalemia, hypotension, renal
impairment.
---
**Question 4**
, 4|Page
A patient is receiving IV heparin for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which laboratory test is used to monitor heparin therapy?
A) Prothrombin time (PT) and INR (monitors warfarin)
B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C) Platelet count (monitors for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, HIT)
D) Both B and C
**Answer: D – Both B and C (aPTT and platelet count)
**Rationale:** Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is monitored by aPTT
(therapeutic range: 1.5-2.5 times control, usually 60-80 seconds).
Platelet count should be monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious immune-mediated reaction causing
thrombocytopenia and paradoxical thrombosis. Low-molecular-weight
heparin (enoxaparin) does not require routine aPTT monitoring.
---
**Question 5**
A patient is discharged on warfarin (Coumadin). Which patient
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
B) "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
C) "I will have my INR checked regularly."
ATI PHARMACOLOGY N211 – DELIA EXAM
## COMPLETE PRACTICE QUESTION BANK –
150+ QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS &
RATIONALES
## SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Qs 1-20)
**Question 1**
A nurse is caring for a patient receiving digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 62 bpm
B) Serum potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
C) Yellow-tinged vision (xanthopsia)
D) Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
**Answer: C – Yellow-tinged vision (xanthopsia)**
**Rationale:** Digoxin toxicity causes visual disturbances (yellow-
green halos, blurred vision, photophobia), along with gastrointestinal
symptoms (nausea, vomiting, anorexia), and cardiac arrhythmias
(bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), heart block).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. Normal potassium is 3.5-5.0
,2|Page
mEq/L. The nurse should hold digoxin if the apical pulse is <60 bpm
(adults).
---
**Question 2**
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Serum potassium (hypokalemia is a common adverse effect of loop
diuretics)
C) Serum calcium
D) Creatinine kinase
**Answer: B – Serum potassium (hypokalemia is a common adverse
effect of loop diuretics)
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium
wasting (hypokalemia), which can lead to arrhythmias, especially in
patients on digoxin. Monitor electrolytes (K+, Na+, Cl-, Mg2+),
BUN/creatinine (nephrotoxicity), and urine output. Advise patient to eat
potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, potatoes) unless contraindicated
(e.g., renal failure).
,3|Page
---
**Question 3**
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (Zestril). The nurse
should teach the patient to report which adverse effect?
A) Dry, persistent cough (common with ACE inhibitors due to
bradykinin accumulation)
B) Weight gain
C) Frequent urination
D) Constipation
**Answer: A – Dry, persistent cough (common with ACE inhibitors due
to bradykinin accumulation)
**Rationale:** ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril, ramipril) cause a
dry, non-productive cough in 10-20% of patients due to increased
bradykinin levels. If intolerable, the provider may switch to an ARB
(losartan, valsartan), which rarely causes cough. Other side effects:
angioedema (rare but life-threatening), hyperkalemia, hypotension, renal
impairment.
---
**Question 4**
, 4|Page
A patient is receiving IV heparin for a deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Which laboratory test is used to monitor heparin therapy?
A) Prothrombin time (PT) and INR (monitors warfarin)
B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C) Platelet count (monitors for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, HIT)
D) Both B and C
**Answer: D – Both B and C (aPTT and platelet count)
**Rationale:** Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is monitored by aPTT
(therapeutic range: 1.5-2.5 times control, usually 60-80 seconds).
Platelet count should be monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious immune-mediated reaction causing
thrombocytopenia and paradoxical thrombosis. Low-molecular-weight
heparin (enoxaparin) does not require routine aPTT monitoring.
---
**Question 5**
A patient is discharged on warfarin (Coumadin). Which patient
statement indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
B) "I will take ibuprofen for my headaches."
C) "I will have my INR checked regularly."
