NURSING 2470
Introductory
Pharmacology
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril, an
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse
should monitor the patient for which of the following
adverse effects?
a) Hyperkalemia*
b) Hypoglycemia
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Hyponatremia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia by
inhibiting the secretion of aldosterone, which regulates
potassium excretion. Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and
hyponatremia are not common adverse effects of ACE
inhibitors.
2. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is taking
metformin, a biguanide antidiabetic agent. The nurse
should instruct the patient to avoid which of the following
substances while taking metformin?
a) Alcohol*
b) Caffeine
c) Grapefruit juice
d) Milk
Rationale: Alcohol can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a
rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
Caffeine, grapefruit juice, and milk do not interact
significantly with metformin.
3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is prescribed albuterol, a beta2-adrenergic agonist
, bronchodilator. The nurse should teach the patient to report
which of the following symptoms to the prescriber?
a) Tremors
b) Palpitations*
c) Dry mouth
d) Headache
Rationale: Palpitations may indicate cardiac arrhythmias,
which are potentially life-threatening adverse effects of
beta2-adrenergic agonists. Tremors, dry mouth, and
headache are common but less serious side effects of these
drugs.
4. A patient with schizophrenia is taking clozapine, an
atypical antipsychotic agent. The nurse should obtain
which of the following laboratory tests before
administering the drug?
a) Liver function tests
b) Renal function tests
c) Complete blood count*
d) Serum electrolytes
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe
reduction in white blood cells that increases the risk of
infection. A complete blood count should be performed
regularly to monitor the white blood cell count. Liver
function tests, renal function tests, and serum electrolytes
are not directly affected by clozapine.
5. A patient with depression is prescribed fluoxetine, a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse
should advise the patient to watch for signs of which of the
Introductory
Pharmacology
Q & A w/ Rationales
2024
,1. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril, an
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The nurse
should monitor the patient for which of the following
adverse effects?
a) Hyperkalemia*
b) Hypoglycemia
c) Hypocalcemia
d) Hyponatremia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia by
inhibiting the secretion of aldosterone, which regulates
potassium excretion. Hypoglycemia, hypocalcemia, and
hyponatremia are not common adverse effects of ACE
inhibitors.
2. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus is taking
metformin, a biguanide antidiabetic agent. The nurse
should instruct the patient to avoid which of the following
substances while taking metformin?
a) Alcohol*
b) Caffeine
c) Grapefruit juice
d) Milk
Rationale: Alcohol can increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a
rare but serious complication of metformin therapy.
Caffeine, grapefruit juice, and milk do not interact
significantly with metformin.
3. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) is prescribed albuterol, a beta2-adrenergic agonist
, bronchodilator. The nurse should teach the patient to report
which of the following symptoms to the prescriber?
a) Tremors
b) Palpitations*
c) Dry mouth
d) Headache
Rationale: Palpitations may indicate cardiac arrhythmias,
which are potentially life-threatening adverse effects of
beta2-adrenergic agonists. Tremors, dry mouth, and
headache are common but less serious side effects of these
drugs.
4. A patient with schizophrenia is taking clozapine, an
atypical antipsychotic agent. The nurse should obtain
which of the following laboratory tests before
administering the drug?
a) Liver function tests
b) Renal function tests
c) Complete blood count*
d) Serum electrolytes
Rationale: Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis, a severe
reduction in white blood cells that increases the risk of
infection. A complete blood count should be performed
regularly to monitor the white blood cell count. Liver
function tests, renal function tests, and serum electrolytes
are not directly affected by clozapine.
5. A patient with depression is prescribed fluoxetine, a
selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). The nurse
should advise the patient to watch for signs of which of the
