NR 340 CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Medication Therapy
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with acute heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What is the
primary nursing consideration for this medication?
- A) Monitoring serum potassium levels
- B) Ensuring the patient maintains a high-sodium diet
- C) Assessing for signs of hyperglycemia
- D) Checking for skin rash daily
Answer: A) Monitoring serum potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia.
2. When administering intravenous vancomycin, what is an essential
action to prevent complications?
- A) Infuse rapidly to ensure medication efficacy
- B) Administer with a high-glucose IV solution
- C) Monitor blood pressure every 15 minutes
- D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
Answer: D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
Rationale: Slow infusion of vancomycin minimizes the risk of histamine
release associated with red man syndrome.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient on a heparin drip. Which laboratory value
requires close monitoring?
- A) Complete blood count (CBC)
- B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- C) Serum sodium
- D) Liver enzymes
Answer: B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: aPTT is monitored to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin and
prevent bleeding complications.
4. In administering digoxin to a patient with atrial fibrillation, what is a
critical parameter to assess before administration?
- A) Urine output
- B) Heart rate
- C) Blood glucose level
- D) Respiratory rate
Answer: B) Heart rate
, Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; therefore, it's vital to check
the heart rate before administration.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease requires a dose adjustment for
which of the following medications?
- A) Acetaminophen
- B) Gabapentin
- C) Aspirin
- D) Ibuprofen
Answer: B) Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is excreted by the kidneys, and dose adjustment is
necessary to prevent toxicity in patients with renal impairment.
6. What is the primary concern when administering beta-blockers to
patients with respiratory diseases?
- A) Risk of bradycardia
- B) Potential for inducing bronchospasm
- C) Increased risk of infection
- D) Development of tolerance to the medication
Answer: B) Potential for inducing bronchospasm
Rationale: Beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction, which is
problematic for patients with asthma or COPD.
7. A patient is prescribed warfarin for venous thromboembolism. What
dietary education should the nurse provide?
- A) Increase intake of vitamin K-rich foods
- B) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
- C) Avoid foods high in vitamin D
- D) Restrict fluid intake to prevent dilution of medication
Answer: B) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
Rationale: Vitamin K can affect warfarin's effectiveness; a consistent
intake allows for stable dosing.
8. Which medication requires thyroid function monitoring during long-
term treatment?
- A) Metformin
- B) Lithium
- C) Atorvastatin
Medication Therapy
Latest Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient with acute heart failure is prescribed furosemide. What is the
primary nursing consideration for this medication?
- A) Monitoring serum potassium levels
- B) Ensuring the patient maintains a high-sodium diet
- C) Assessing for signs of hyperglycemia
- D) Checking for skin rash daily
Answer: A) Monitoring serum potassium levels
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
potassium loss, which can lead to hypokalemia.
2. When administering intravenous vancomycin, what is an essential
action to prevent complications?
- A) Infuse rapidly to ensure medication efficacy
- B) Administer with a high-glucose IV solution
- C) Monitor blood pressure every 15 minutes
- D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
Answer: D) Infuse over at least 60 minutes to prevent red man syndrome
Rationale: Slow infusion of vancomycin minimizes the risk of histamine
release associated with red man syndrome.
3. A nurse is caring for a patient on a heparin drip. Which laboratory value
requires close monitoring?
- A) Complete blood count (CBC)
- B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
- C) Serum sodium
- D) Liver enzymes
Answer: B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Rationale: aPTT is monitored to ensure therapeutic levels of heparin and
prevent bleeding complications.
4. In administering digoxin to a patient with atrial fibrillation, what is a
critical parameter to assess before administration?
- A) Urine output
- B) Heart rate
- C) Blood glucose level
- D) Respiratory rate
Answer: B) Heart rate
, Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia; therefore, it's vital to check
the heart rate before administration.
5. A patient with chronic kidney disease requires a dose adjustment for
which of the following medications?
- A) Acetaminophen
- B) Gabapentin
- C) Aspirin
- D) Ibuprofen
Answer: B) Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is excreted by the kidneys, and dose adjustment is
necessary to prevent toxicity in patients with renal impairment.
6. What is the primary concern when administering beta-blockers to
patients with respiratory diseases?
- A) Risk of bradycardia
- B) Potential for inducing bronchospasm
- C) Increased risk of infection
- D) Development of tolerance to the medication
Answer: B) Potential for inducing bronchospasm
Rationale: Beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction, which is
problematic for patients with asthma or COPD.
7. A patient is prescribed warfarin for venous thromboembolism. What
dietary education should the nurse provide?
- A) Increase intake of vitamin K-rich foods
- B) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
- C) Avoid foods high in vitamin D
- D) Restrict fluid intake to prevent dilution of medication
Answer: B) Maintain consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods
Rationale: Vitamin K can affect warfarin's effectiveness; a consistent
intake allows for stable dosing.
8. Which medication requires thyroid function monitoring during long-
term treatment?
- A) Metformin
- B) Lithium
- C) Atorvastatin
