NR-293 – Pharmacology for Nursing Practice Advanced
pharmacology course emphasizing safe medication
administration, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics,
nursing responsibilities, and patient-centered care.
Question 1
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Yellow-tinged vision
D) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
Rationale: Yellow-tinged (xanthopsia) or blurred vision is a classic sign of
digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia (not 72 bpm) and hypokalemia increase risk, but
visual changes are a direct toxic effect.
Question 2
A nurse administers furosemide IV push. What is the priority assessment?
A) Urine output
B) Potassium level
C) Serum glucose
D) Blood urea nitrogen
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting.
Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Urine output is important, but
potassium imbalance has higher immediate safety risk.
Question 3
A patient on warfarin has an INR of 4.5. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer vitamin K
B) Hold the next warfarin dose
, C) Give fresh frozen plasma
D) Check for bleeding
Rationale: INR target for most indications is 2-3. An INR of 4.5 increases
bleeding risk but often no active bleeding. First step is holding warfarin; vitamin K
or plasma is for active bleeding or very high INR (>10) per guidelines.
Question 4
Which medication is associated with red man syndrome when infused too
rapidly?
A) Ciprofloxacin
B) Vancomycin
C) Gentamicin
D) Ampicillin
Rationale: Red man syndrome (flushing, rash, hypotension) is caused by rapid IV
vancomycin release of histamine. Slow infusion over at least 60 minutes prevents
it.
Question 5
A patient taking lisinopril develops a dry cough. What is the best nursing action?
A) Administer benzonatate
B) Notify the provider for possible ARB switch
C) Stop lisinopril immediately
D) Increase fluid intake
Rationale: Dry cough from ACE inhibitors (lisinopril) is due to bradykinin
accumulation. Switching to an ARB (e.g., losartan) relieves cough without
stopping renin-angiotensin blockade. Do not stop abruptly without provider order.
Question 6
pharmacology course emphasizing safe medication
administration, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics,
nursing responsibilities, and patient-centered care.
Question 1
A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding suggests digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 bpm
B) Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Yellow-tinged vision
D) Blood pressure 130/80 mmHg
Rationale: Yellow-tinged (xanthopsia) or blurred vision is a classic sign of
digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia (not 72 bpm) and hypokalemia increase risk, but
visual changes are a direct toxic effect.
Question 2
A nurse administers furosemide IV push. What is the priority assessment?
A) Urine output
B) Potassium level
C) Serum glucose
D) Blood urea nitrogen
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium wasting.
Hypokalemia can lead to cardiac arrhythmias. Urine output is important, but
potassium imbalance has higher immediate safety risk.
Question 3
A patient on warfarin has an INR of 4.5. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Administer vitamin K
B) Hold the next warfarin dose
, C) Give fresh frozen plasma
D) Check for bleeding
Rationale: INR target for most indications is 2-3. An INR of 4.5 increases
bleeding risk but often no active bleeding. First step is holding warfarin; vitamin K
or plasma is for active bleeding or very high INR (>10) per guidelines.
Question 4
Which medication is associated with red man syndrome when infused too
rapidly?
A) Ciprofloxacin
B) Vancomycin
C) Gentamicin
D) Ampicillin
Rationale: Red man syndrome (flushing, rash, hypotension) is caused by rapid IV
vancomycin release of histamine. Slow infusion over at least 60 minutes prevents
it.
Question 5
A patient taking lisinopril develops a dry cough. What is the best nursing action?
A) Administer benzonatate
B) Notify the provider for possible ARB switch
C) Stop lisinopril immediately
D) Increase fluid intake
Rationale: Dry cough from ACE inhibitors (lisinopril) is due to bradykinin
accumulation. Switching to an ARB (e.g., losartan) relieves cough without
stopping renin-angiotensin blockade. Do not stop abruptly without provider order.
Question 6
