NURS 180 | Pharmacology | Module Exam 3 (Week 9) 2026 |WCU
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse most closely monitor for in this patient?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril block aldosterone secretion, which can lead to
potassium retention, resulting in hyperkalemia.
2. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights and
experiencing nausea. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Check the patient’s serum potassium level and Digoxin level.
B. Administer the next scheduled dose.
C. Document the findings as normal side effects.
D. Increase the patient’s fluid intake.
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances and GI distress are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The
nurse must assess potassium levels (as hypokalemia potentiates toxicity) and serum
digoxin levels.
,3. Which of the following medications is the specific antidote for a patient
experiencing a life-threatening hemorrhage while on Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Idarucizumab
D. Aminocaproic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the pharmacological antagonist used to reverse the
anticoagulant effects of heparin.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide 40mg IV push. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B. Crackles in the lower lung bases
C. Weight gain of 2 lbs in 24 hours
D. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.9 is critically low (hypokalemia), making administration dangerous.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Spironolactone?
A. Inhibition of the Na+/K+/2Cl- symporter in the Loop of Henle
B. Blocking of carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubule
C. Antagonism of aldosterone receptors in the distal tubule
D. Inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by competing with
aldosterone for receptor sites in the distal renal tubules.
, 6. A patient is prescribed Atorvastatin to manage hyperlipidemia. The nurse
should instruct the patient to report which serious side effect immediately?
A. Muscle pain or tenderness
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Flushing of the face
D. Urinary urgency
Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, characterized by unexplained
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
7. When administering sublingual Nitroglycerin for chest pain, the nurse should
teach the patient to:
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Sit or lie down before taking the medication.
C. Take up to 5 tablets, 1 minute apart.
D. Expect the medication to have no effect on blood pressure.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator that can cause significant orthostatic
hypotension and syncope; sitting ensures safety.
8. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which of
the following beta-blockers should the nurse question?
A. Propranolol
B. Atenolol
C. Metoprolol
D. Bisoprolol
Answer: A
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker. Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for asthmatics.
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which electrolyte
abnormality should the nurse most closely monitor for in this patient?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril block aldosterone secretion, which can lead to
potassium retention, resulting in hyperkalemia.
2. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights and
experiencing nausea. What is the priority nursing action?
A. Check the patient’s serum potassium level and Digoxin level.
B. Administer the next scheduled dose.
C. Document the findings as normal side effects.
D. Increase the patient’s fluid intake.
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances and GI distress are classic signs of digoxin toxicity. The
nurse must assess potassium levels (as hypokalemia potentiates toxicity) and serum
digoxin levels.
,3. Which of the following medications is the specific antidote for a patient
experiencing a life-threatening hemorrhage while on Heparin?
A. Protamine Sulfate
B. Vitamin K
C. Idarucizumab
D. Aminocaproic acid
Answer: A
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the pharmacological antagonist used to reverse the
anticoagulant effects of heparin.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer Furosemide 40mg IV push. Which
assessment finding would require the nurse to hold the medication?
A. Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
B. Crackles in the lower lung bases
C. Weight gain of 2 lbs in 24 hours
D. Potassium level of 2.9 mEq/L
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss. A
potassium level of 2.9 is critically low (hypokalemia), making administration dangerous.
5. What is the primary mechanism of action of Spironolactone?
A. Inhibition of the Na+/K+/2Cl- symporter in the Loop of Henle
B. Blocking of carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubule
C. Antagonism of aldosterone receptors in the distal tubule
D. Inhibition of sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule
Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works by competing with
aldosterone for receptor sites in the distal renal tubules.
, 6. A patient is prescribed Atorvastatin to manage hyperlipidemia. The nurse
should instruct the patient to report which serious side effect immediately?
A. Muscle pain or tenderness
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Flushing of the face
D. Urinary urgency
Answer: A
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy or rhabdomyolysis, characterized by unexplained
muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness.
7. When administering sublingual Nitroglycerin for chest pain, the nurse should
teach the patient to:
A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
B. Sit or lie down before taking the medication.
C. Take up to 5 tablets, 1 minute apart.
D. Expect the medication to have no effect on blood pressure.
Answer: B
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator that can cause significant orthostatic
hypotension and syncope; sitting ensures safety.
8. A patient with a history of asthma is diagnosed with hypertension. Which of
the following beta-blockers should the nurse question?
A. Propranolol
B. Atenolol
C. Metoprolol
D. Bisoprolol
Answer: A
Rationale: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker. Blocking Beta-2 receptors in the
lungs can cause bronchoconstriction, which is dangerous for asthmatics.
