NUR 212 Pharmacology for Nursing Final
Examination, 2026/2027- Undergraduate
Nursing Pharmacology COMPETENCY
ASSESSMENT
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(Questions 1-10)
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes increased excretion of
potassium, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Serum potassium
should be monitored closely, and potassium supplementation may be
required.
Subtopic: Loop Diuretics – Electrolyte Monitoring
Question 2
A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse teaches the patient to
avoid which food?
,A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Rice
Correct Answer: C. Green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
are high in vitamin K, which antagonizes the effects of warfarin. Patients
should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K, not avoid it entirely, but
large fluctuations can alter INR. The key teaching point is consistency, not
complete avoidance.
Subtopic: Anticoagulants – Warfarin Teaching
Question 3
A patient is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). The nurse
notes that the patient has nausea, vomiting, and a heart rate of 52 bpm.
Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K⁺ < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. The patient’s symptoms
(nausea, vomiting, bradycardia) are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should hold the digoxin, notify the provider, and check the digoxin level.
Subtopic: Digoxin – Toxicity Risk Factors
Question 4
A patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
instruction is correct?
, A. “Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.”
B. “Take a tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved, up to 3 tablets.”
C. “Store the tablets in the refrigerator.”
D. “Take the tablet with food to prevent stomach upset.”
Correct Answer: B. “Take a tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved, up
to 3 tablets.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are taken at the onset of chest
pain: one tablet under the tongue every 5 minutes, up to three tablets. If
pain is not relieved after three tablets, the patient should seek emergency
medical attention. Nitroglycerin should not be swallowed; it is absorbed
sublingually.
Subtopic: Nitrates – Patient Teaching
Question 5
A patient is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which baseline laboratory test
should be obtained before starting therapy?
A. Liver function tests (LFTs)
B. Renal function tests
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
Correct Answer: A. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Rationale: Statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin) can cause
hepatotoxicity. Baseline LFTs (ALT, AST) should be obtained before starting
therapy and periodically thereafter. Patients should also be advised to report
signs of liver dysfunction (jaundice, dark urine, fatigue).
Subtopic: Statins – Baseline Monitoring
Question 6
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor). The
patient develops a persistent, dry, non-productive cough. What is the nurse’s
best response?
Examination, 2026/2027- Undergraduate
Nursing Pharmacology COMPETENCY
ASSESSMENT
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY
(Questions 1-10)
Question 1
A patient with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes increased excretion of
potassium, leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia increases the risk of
cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients taking digoxin. Serum potassium
should be monitored closely, and potassium supplementation may be
required.
Subtopic: Loop Diuretics – Electrolyte Monitoring
Question 2
A patient is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). The nurse teaches the patient to
avoid which food?
,A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Green leafy vegetables
D. Rice
Correct Answer: C. Green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts)
are high in vitamin K, which antagonizes the effects of warfarin. Patients
should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K, not avoid it entirely, but
large fluctuations can alter INR. The key teaching point is consistency, not
complete avoidance.
Subtopic: Anticoagulants – Warfarin Teaching
Question 3
A patient is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) and furosemide (Lasix). The nurse
notes that the patient has nausea, vomiting, and a heart rate of 52 bpm.
Which laboratory value is most concerning?
A. Sodium 135 mEq/L
B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
C. Calcium 9.0 mg/dL
D. Magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B. Potassium 3.2 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K⁺ < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic. The patient’s symptoms
(nausea, vomiting, bradycardia) are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse
should hold the digoxin, notify the provider, and check the digoxin level.
Subtopic: Digoxin – Toxicity Risk Factors
Question 4
A patient with angina is prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
instruction is correct?
, A. “Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.”
B. “Take a tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved, up to 3 tablets.”
C. “Store the tablets in the refrigerator.”
D. “Take the tablet with food to prevent stomach upset.”
Correct Answer: B. “Take a tablet every 5 minutes until pain is relieved, up
to 3 tablets.”
Rationale: Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets are taken at the onset of chest
pain: one tablet under the tongue every 5 minutes, up to three tablets. If
pain is not relieved after three tablets, the patient should seek emergency
medical attention. Nitroglycerin should not be swallowed; it is absorbed
sublingually.
Subtopic: Nitrates – Patient Teaching
Question 5
A patient is prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor). Which baseline laboratory test
should be obtained before starting therapy?
A. Liver function tests (LFTs)
B. Renal function tests
C. Complete blood count
D. Thyroid function tests
Correct Answer: A. Liver function tests (LFTs)
Rationale: Statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin) can cause
hepatotoxicity. Baseline LFTs (ALT, AST) should be obtained before starting
therapy and periodically thereafter. Patients should also be advised to report
signs of liver dysfunction (jaundice, dark urine, fatigue).
Subtopic: Statins – Baseline Monitoring
Question 6
A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor). The
patient develops a persistent, dry, non-productive cough. What is the nurse’s
best response?
