NUR 2474 Pharm Exam 2
NCLEX Questions / NUR 2474
Exam 2: Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Exam 2
(Latest )
Rasmussen
,A nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking verapamil
(Calan) for hypertension about the drug's side effects. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the
teaching?
a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids
and fiber."
b."I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking
this drug."
c."I may have swelling of my hands and feet, but this will
subside."
d."I may need to increase my digoxin dose while taking this
drug." - CORRECT ANSWER-a."I may become constipated,
so I should increase fluids and fiber."
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) - CORRECT 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.
, 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 - CORRECT 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
NCLEX Questions / NUR 2474
Exam 2: Pharmacology for
Professional Nursing Exam 2
(Latest )
Rasmussen
,A nurse is teaching a patient who will begin taking verapamil
(Calan) for hypertension about the drug's side effects. Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding of the
teaching?
a."I may become constipated, so I should increase fluids
and fiber."
b."I may experience a rapid heart rate as a result of taking
this drug."
c."I may have swelling of my hands and feet, but this will
subside."
d."I may need to increase my digoxin dose while taking this
drug." - CORRECT ANSWER-a."I may become constipated,
so I should increase fluids and fiber."
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) - CORRECT 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.
, 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 - CORRECT 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
