PN VATI PHARMACOLOGY 2026
STUDY GUIDE COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ A client is prescribed digoxin 1mg by mouth QID. The client states
that the objects in his room have a yellowish tinge and he is nauseated.
Select the most appropriate nursing action at this time.
a. Administer the medication and observe the client for further nausea.
b. Hold the drug and call the health care provider.
c. Count the apical pulse; if it is regular and above 60, administer the
drug as ordered.
d. Hold the medication and count the apical pulse before the next dose is
to be given.
Answer: b. Hold the drug and call the health care provider. This client is
showing signs of digitalis toxicity. The most appropriate action is to
hold the drug and call the health care provider. Severe arrhythmia may
develop if action is not taken.
◉ A client diagnosed with preterm labor has been prescribed nifedipine.
The client asks the nurse why this particular medication has been
prescribed. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?
a. To lower your blood pressure
b. To promote development of your baby's lungs
c. To decrease the intensity of your pain
,d. To relax your muscles of your uterus
Answer: d. To relax your muscles of your uterus
The use of nifedipine for the treatment of preterm labor is an unlabeled
use of the drug. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, is more
commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Smooth
muscle tissue, like the uterus, needs calcium to contract. Nifedipine
blocks the passage of calcium into certain tissues, relaxing the uterine
muscles and smooth muscles of blood vessels throughout the body.
◉ A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). An intravenous infusion of regular insulin has been
started. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate
for this client?
a. Obtain an arterial blood gas every 2 hours
b. Monitor blood glucose levels every 4 hours
c. Ensure glucagon is readily available
d. Add the prescribed dose of NPH insulin to the IV infusion
Answer: c. Ensure glucagon is readily available Glucagon and D50 are
used for rapid treatment of hypoglycemia which can occur when insulin
is administered intravenously
◉ A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of lithium. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further education?
a. "I will drink 8-12 glasses of water a day."
, b. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
c. "I should have my blood level drawn as directed."
d. "I will contact my provider if I develop diarrhea."
Answer: b. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
Lithium should be taken with meals or milk to decrease gastric upset.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client taking captopril. Which finding would
require immediate attention for this client?
a. Sodium 133
b. Potassium 5.8
c. Blood pressure 96/48
d. Pulse 56
Answer: b. potassium of 5.8 is elevated- normal is 3.5-5. One effect of
captopril is elevation of potassium levels because this drug inhibits the
formation of angiotensin II and blocks the release of aldosterone. The
blocking of the aldosterone results in sodium excretion and potassium
retention. Hyperkalemia can result in cardiac arrhythmias and if
untreated lead to cardiac arrest.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client taking captopril who has started
experiencing a frequent dry cough. What action should the nurse take?
a. Encourage the client to use over the counter cough syrup for the
cough.
b. Encourage the client to continue taking the medication as prescribed.
STUDY GUIDE COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTIONS ANSWERS VERIFIED A+
◉ A client is prescribed digoxin 1mg by mouth QID. The client states
that the objects in his room have a yellowish tinge and he is nauseated.
Select the most appropriate nursing action at this time.
a. Administer the medication and observe the client for further nausea.
b. Hold the drug and call the health care provider.
c. Count the apical pulse; if it is regular and above 60, administer the
drug as ordered.
d. Hold the medication and count the apical pulse before the next dose is
to be given.
Answer: b. Hold the drug and call the health care provider. This client is
showing signs of digitalis toxicity. The most appropriate action is to
hold the drug and call the health care provider. Severe arrhythmia may
develop if action is not taken.
◉ A client diagnosed with preterm labor has been prescribed nifedipine.
The client asks the nurse why this particular medication has been
prescribed. Which of the following statements by the nurse is correct?
a. To lower your blood pressure
b. To promote development of your baby's lungs
c. To decrease the intensity of your pain
,d. To relax your muscles of your uterus
Answer: d. To relax your muscles of your uterus
The use of nifedipine for the treatment of preterm labor is an unlabeled
use of the drug. Nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker, is more
commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. Smooth
muscle tissue, like the uterus, needs calcium to contract. Nifedipine
blocks the passage of calcium into certain tissues, relaxing the uterine
muscles and smooth muscles of blood vessels throughout the body.
◉ A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of diabetic
ketoacidosis (DKA). An intravenous infusion of regular insulin has been
started. Which of the following nursing interventions is most appropriate
for this client?
a. Obtain an arterial blood gas every 2 hours
b. Monitor blood glucose levels every 4 hours
c. Ensure glucagon is readily available
d. Add the prescribed dose of NPH insulin to the IV infusion
Answer: c. Ensure glucagon is readily available Glucagon and D50 are
used for rapid treatment of hypoglycemia which can occur when insulin
is administered intravenously
◉ A nurse is evaluating a client's understanding of lithium. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further education?
a. "I will drink 8-12 glasses of water a day."
, b. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
c. "I should have my blood level drawn as directed."
d. "I will contact my provider if I develop diarrhea."
Answer: b. "I should take the medication on an empty stomach."
Lithium should be taken with meals or milk to decrease gastric upset.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client taking captopril. Which finding would
require immediate attention for this client?
a. Sodium 133
b. Potassium 5.8
c. Blood pressure 96/48
d. Pulse 56
Answer: b. potassium of 5.8 is elevated- normal is 3.5-5. One effect of
captopril is elevation of potassium levels because this drug inhibits the
formation of angiotensin II and blocks the release of aldosterone. The
blocking of the aldosterone results in sodium excretion and potassium
retention. Hyperkalemia can result in cardiac arrhythmias and if
untreated lead to cardiac arrest.
◉ A nurse is caring for a client taking captopril who has started
experiencing a frequent dry cough. What action should the nurse take?
a. Encourage the client to use over the counter cough syrup for the
cough.
b. Encourage the client to continue taking the medication as prescribed.
