BSN315 Exam 4 Actual Exam Style V2 |
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which
result should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
C. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
D. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity even
if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic range. The nurse must monitor electrolyte
levels closely to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is
below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide for the treatment of heart failure. Which dietary
instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods like bananas
B. Limit intake of green leafy vegetables
C. Avoid foods high in tyramine like aged cheese
,D. Decrease intake of vitamin K-rich foods
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of sodium,
water, and potassium. Patients are at risk for hypokalemia, so increasing dietary potassium
is often necessary. The nurse should educate the patient on recognizing symptoms of low
potassium such as muscle weakness.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a patient. Which laboratory value should
the nurse check to determine the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
D. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The INR is the standard measurement used to monitor the
effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A typical therapeutic range for most conditions is 2.0 to
3.0. The nurse must verify this value before administration to ensure the patient remains
within the safe anticoagulation window.
4. A patient receiving a heparin infusion has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate per protocol
, B. Administer vitamin K intramuscularly
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Continue the infusion and recheck in 4 hours
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: An aPTT of 120 seconds is significantly above the typical therapeutic
range, which is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the control. This high value places the patient at a
severe risk for spontaneous bleeding. The nurse must stop the medication immediately to
allow the heparin to clear from the system.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for lithium carbonate. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will call my doctor if I have severe diarrhea or vomiting.
B. I should limit my salt intake to help the medicine work better.
C. I need to make sure I drink plenty of water every day.
D. I will have my blood levels checked regularly.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels in
the body. If sodium intake is restricted, the kidneys will retain lithium, potentially leading
to toxic levels. Patients should maintain a consistent, normal intake of salt and fluids while
on this therapy.
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which
result should the nurse report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
B. Serum digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
C. Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
D. Serum sodium level of 138 mEq/L
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Hypokalemia significantly increases the risk of digoxin toxicity even
if the digoxin level is within the therapeutic range. The nurse must monitor electrolyte
levels closely to prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. A potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L is
below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.
2. A patient is prescribed furosemide for the treatment of heart failure. Which dietary
instruction is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. Increase intake of potassium-rich foods like bananas
B. Limit intake of green leafy vegetables
C. Avoid foods high in tyramine like aged cheese
,D. Decrease intake of vitamin K-rich foods
Correct Answer: A
Expert Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of sodium,
water, and potassium. Patients are at risk for hypokalemia, so increasing dietary potassium
is often necessary. The nurse should educate the patient on recognizing symptoms of low
potassium such as muscle weakness.
3. The nurse is preparing to administer warfarin to a patient. Which laboratory value should
the nurse check to determine the therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
D. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
Correct Answer: D
Expert Explanation: The INR is the standard measurement used to monitor the
effectiveness of warfarin therapy. A typical therapeutic range for most conditions is 2.0 to
3.0. The nurse must verify this value before administration to ensure the patient remains
within the safe anticoagulation window.
4. A patient receiving a heparin infusion has an aPTT of 120 seconds. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Increase the infusion rate per protocol
, B. Administer vitamin K intramuscularly
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Continue the infusion and recheck in 4 hours
Correct Answer: C
Expert Explanation: An aPTT of 120 seconds is significantly above the typical therapeutic
range, which is usually 1.5 to 2.5 times the control. This high value places the patient at a
severe risk for spontaneous bleeding. The nurse must stop the medication immediately to
allow the heparin to clear from the system.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about a new prescription for lithium carbonate. Which
statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
A. I will call my doctor if I have severe diarrhea or vomiting.
B. I should limit my salt intake to help the medicine work better.
C. I need to make sure I drink plenty of water every day.
D. I will have my blood levels checked regularly.
Correct Answer: B
Expert Explanation: Lithium is a salt, and its excretion is closely tied to sodium levels in
the body. If sodium intake is restricted, the kidneys will retain lithium, potentially leading
to toxic levels. Patients should maintain a consistent, normal intake of salt and fluids while
on this therapy.
