NUR 2474 Exam 2: Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest 2026
) Rasmussen
Question 1:
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a
respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink
sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
b. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
--Answer--:
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluids
is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with
respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of
fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone are not indicated for pulmonary
edema, because their diuretic effects are less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for
patients with increased intracranial pressure and must be discontinued
immediately if signs of pulmonary congestion or heart failure occur.
Question 2:
A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of
congestive heart failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse
notes an irregular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 22
breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 130/82 mm Hg. The nurse
,auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory value causes the nurse the
most concern?
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Oxygen saturation of 90%
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d. Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
--Answer--:
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a
dysrhythmia. This patient’s serum potassium level is low, which can trigger fatal
dysrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Furosemide contributes to loss
of potassium through its effects on the distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics
often are used in conjunction with furosemide to prevent this complication. This
patient’s serum glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no concern at this
point, although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with diuresis.
Question 3:
A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of
the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
Which diuretic agent ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
--Answer--:
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the patient has a
serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia, an order for this drug
, should be questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide are
potassium-wasting diuretics and would be appropriate to administer in a patient
with hyperkalemia.
Question 4:
A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient with a
history of hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten) concurrently with spironolactone (Aldactone).
Morning laboratory results reveal a serum sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum
potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a blood glucose level of 128 mg/dL. Which
intervention is appropriate?
a. Administer the medications as ordered.
b. Ask the patient about the use of salt substitutes.
c. Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
d. Request an order for furosemide (Lasix).
--Answer--:
c. Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
Spironolactone should not be administered with ACE inhibitors, which can also
elevate potassium levels. Because the potassium level is elevated, the nurse
should not administer the medication and should obtain clarification of the order.
There is no need to repeat the potassium level test that was just done this
morning. Requesting an order for furosemide is appropriate only after the
provider has been notified of the laboratory values.
Question 5:
A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive heart
failure. The prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac output. What other
medication will the nurse expect to be ordered for this patient?
Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest 2026
) Rasmussen
Question 1:
A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a
respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink
sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
b. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
--Answer--:
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluids
is needed. This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with
respiratory distress and pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of
fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone are not indicated for pulmonary
edema, because their diuretic effects are less rapid. Mannitol is indicated for
patients with increased intracranial pressure and must be discontinued
immediately if signs of pulmonary congestion or heart failure occur.
Question 2:
A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of
congestive heart failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse
notes an irregular heart rate of 86 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 22
breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of 130/82 mm Hg. The nurse
,auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory value causes the nurse the
most concern?
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Oxygen saturation of 90%
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d. Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
--Answer--:
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a
dysrhythmia. This patient’s serum potassium level is low, which can trigger fatal
dysrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Furosemide contributes to loss
of potassium through its effects on the distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics
often are used in conjunction with furosemide to prevent this complication. This
patient’s serum glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no concern at this
point, although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with diuresis.
Question 3:
A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of
the lungs reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L.
Which diuretic agent ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
--Answer--:
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the patient has a
serum potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia, an order for this drug
, should be questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide are
potassium-wasting diuretics and would be appropriate to administer in a patient
with hyperkalemia.
Question 4:
A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient with a
history of hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten) concurrently with spironolactone (Aldactone).
Morning laboratory results reveal a serum sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum
potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a blood glucose level of 128 mg/dL. Which
intervention is appropriate?
a. Administer the medications as ordered.
b. Ask the patient about the use of salt substitutes.
c. Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
d. Request an order for furosemide (Lasix).
--Answer--:
c. Contact the provider to report the laboratory values.
Spironolactone should not be administered with ACE inhibitors, which can also
elevate potassium levels. Because the potassium level is elevated, the nurse
should not administer the medication and should obtain clarification of the order.
There is no need to repeat the potassium level test that was just done this
morning. Requesting an order for furosemide is appropriate only after the
provider has been notified of the laboratory values.
Question 5:
A patient with hypertension is taking furosemide (Lasix) for congestive heart
failure. The prescriber orders digoxin to help increase cardiac output. What other
medication will the nurse expect to be ordered for this patient?
