NURS 180 | Pharmacology | Module Exam 2 (Week 6) Practice
Questions 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with a history of chronic heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
of the following findings should the nurse prioritize as a potential sign of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Increased urinary output
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances (yellow, green, or white halos) are a classic sign of digoxin
toxicity. Other signs include bradycardia, anorexia, and nausea. Hypokalemia increases the
risk of toxicity, not hyperkalemia.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient. Which
electrolyte imbalance is the patient at highest risk for developing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of water, sodium, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a significant and common side effect.
,3. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin.
What instruction should the nurse include regarding storage?
A. Store the medication in a clear plastic container for easy visibility.
B. Carry the tablets in a weekly pill organizer.
C. Store the bottle in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
D. Keep the medication in its original dark glass bottle to protect from light.
Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is sensitive to light, heat, and moisture. It must be kept in its
original dark glass container with the lid tightly closed.
4. Which of the following laboratory values is essential to monitor for a patient
receiving a continuous heparin infusion?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count only
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT and INR are
used to monitor warfarin therapy.
5. An elderly patient is prescribed spironolactone. The nurse should instruct the
patient to avoid which of the following in their diet?
A. Salt substitutes containing potassium
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Dairy products
D. Refined sugars
Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt substitutes, which
often contain potassium chloride, can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia.
, 6. A patient has been taking lisinopril for two weeks and reports a persistent,
dry cough. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. ‘This is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors and is usually harmless.’
B. ‘This is a sign of an allergic reaction; stop the medication immediately.’
C. ‘The cough indicates that your blood pressure is too low.’
D. ‘Increase your fluid intake to soothe the throat.’
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to a
persistent dry cough in some patients. While annoying, it is not an allergic reaction, though
patients may be switched to an ARB.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin therapy. Which of the following
should be readily available as an antidote for warfarin?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antagonist for warfarin. Protamine sulfate is the antagonist for
heparin.
8. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the patient to
report which of the following symptoms immediately?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or tenderness
B. Mild headache
C. Dry mouth
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Questions 2026 |WCU
1. A patient with a history of chronic heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
of the following findings should the nurse prioritize as a potential sign of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Visual disturbances such as yellow-green halos
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Increased urinary output
D. Tachycardia
Answer: A
Rationale: Visual disturbances (yellow, green, or white halos) are a classic sign of digoxin
toxicity. Other signs include bradycardia, anorexia, and nausea. Hypokalemia increases the
risk of toxicity, not hyperkalemia.
2. The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide to a patient. Which
electrolyte imbalance is the patient at highest risk for developing?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypermagnesemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of water, sodium, and
potassium. Hypokalemia is a significant and common side effect.
,3. A patient is being discharged with a prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin.
What instruction should the nurse include regarding storage?
A. Store the medication in a clear plastic container for easy visibility.
B. Carry the tablets in a weekly pill organizer.
C. Store the bottle in the refrigerator to maintain potency.
D. Keep the medication in its original dark glass bottle to protect from light.
Answer: D
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is sensitive to light, heat, and moisture. It must be kept in its
original dark glass container with the lid tightly closed.
4. Which of the following laboratory values is essential to monitor for a patient
receiving a continuous heparin infusion?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count only
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT and INR are
used to monitor warfarin therapy.
5. An elderly patient is prescribed spironolactone. The nurse should instruct the
patient to avoid which of the following in their diet?
A. Salt substitutes containing potassium
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Dairy products
D. Refined sugars
Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Using salt substitutes, which
often contain potassium chloride, can lead to life-threatening hyperkalemia.
, 6. A patient has been taking lisinopril for two weeks and reports a persistent,
dry cough. What is the nurse’s best response?
A. ‘This is a common side effect of ACE inhibitors and is usually harmless.’
B. ‘This is a sign of an allergic reaction; stop the medication immediately.’
C. ‘The cough indicates that your blood pressure is too low.’
D. ‘Increase your fluid intake to soothe the throat.’
Answer: A
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril prevent the breakdown of bradykinin, leading to a
persistent dry cough in some patients. While annoying, it is not an allergic reaction, though
patients may be switched to an ARB.
7. The nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin therapy. Which of the following
should be readily available as an antidote for warfarin?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Calcium gluconate
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Answer: C
Rationale: Vitamin K is the antagonist for warfarin. Protamine sulfate is the antagonist for
heparin.
8. A patient is prescribed atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the patient to
report which of the following symptoms immediately?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or tenderness
B. Mild headache
C. Dry mouth
D. Constipation
Answer: A
