NUR 2474 Exam 2: Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest 2026
) Rasmussen.
**Q1. 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. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
b. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
c. Furosemide (Lasix)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
**Correct Answer: c. Furosemide (Lasix)**
**Rationale:** The patient is presenting with classic signs of acute
pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure (CHF).
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that causes rapid vasodilation and
diuresis, making it the first-line agent for immediate mobilization of
fluid in this emergency . Hydrochlorothiazide is not potent enough for
acute emergencies, Mannitol is used for intracranial pressure, and
Spironolactone works too slowly.
**Q2. A patient with a history of heart failure who takes Digoxin is
admitted and prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an
,irregular heart rate of 86 bpm and crackles in the lungs. Which lab
value causes the nurse the most concern?**
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Serum sodium level of 135 mEq/L
c. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
d. Serum magnesium level of 2.0 mg/dL
**Correct Answer: c. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic.
Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity,
which can lead to fatal dysrhythmias (like the irregular rate noted) . The
nurse must monitor potassium levels closely.
**Q3. A patient has 2+ pitting edema and crackles bilaterally. The
serum potassium level is 6.0 mEq/L. Which diuretic ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?**
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
**Correct Answer: d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
, **Rationale:** Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. In a
patient with hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0), administering this drug could
push potassium to dangerous, life-threatening levels . The other
options are potassium-wasting and would be appropriate here.
**Q4. A patient taking Furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. The nurse suspects which electrolyte imbalance?**
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hyponatremia
d. Hypercalcemia
**Correct Answer: b. Hypokalemia**
**Rationale:** Muscle cramps and weakness are classic clinical
manifestations of hypokalemia. Loop diuretics like Furosemide block
sodium and potassium reabsorption in the loop of Henle, leading to
excessive potassium excretion in the urine .
**Q5. What is the antidote for Heparin overdose?**
a. Vitamin K
b. Protamine sulfate
c. Naloxone (Narcan)
d. Atropine
Professional Nursing Exam 2 (Latest 2026
) Rasmussen.
**Q1. 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. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
b. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
c. Furosemide (Lasix)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
**Correct Answer: c. Furosemide (Lasix)**
**Rationale:** The patient is presenting with classic signs of acute
pulmonary edema secondary to congestive heart failure (CHF).
Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic that causes rapid vasodilation and
diuresis, making it the first-line agent for immediate mobilization of
fluid in this emergency . Hydrochlorothiazide is not potent enough for
acute emergencies, Mannitol is used for intracranial pressure, and
Spironolactone works too slowly.
**Q2. A patient with a history of heart failure who takes Digoxin is
admitted and prescribed Furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an
,irregular heart rate of 86 bpm and crackles in the lungs. Which lab
value causes the nurse the most concern?**
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Serum sodium level of 135 mEq/L
c. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L
d. Serum magnesium level of 2.0 mg/dL
**Correct Answer: c. Serum potassium level of 3.2 mEq/L**
**Rationale:** Furosemide is a potassium-wasting diuretic.
Hypokalemia (low potassium) increases the risk of digoxin toxicity,
which can lead to fatal dysrhythmias (like the irregular rate noted) . The
nurse must monitor potassium levels closely.
**Q3. A patient has 2+ pitting edema and crackles bilaterally. The
serum potassium level is 6.0 mEq/L. Which diuretic ordered by the
prescriber should the nurse question?**
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
**Correct Answer: d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)**
, **Rationale:** Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. In a
patient with hyperkalemia (K+ > 5.0), administering this drug could
push potassium to dangerous, life-threatening levels . The other
options are potassium-wasting and would be appropriate here.
**Q4. A patient taking Furosemide reports muscle cramps and
weakness. The nurse suspects which electrolyte imbalance?**
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Hypokalemia
c. Hyponatremia
d. Hypercalcemia
**Correct Answer: b. Hypokalemia**
**Rationale:** Muscle cramps and weakness are classic clinical
manifestations of hypokalemia. Loop diuretics like Furosemide block
sodium and potassium reabsorption in the loop of Henle, leading to
excessive potassium excretion in the urine .
**Q5. What is the antidote for Heparin overdose?**
a. Vitamin K
b. Protamine sulfate
c. Naloxone (Narcan)
d. Atropine
