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NCLEX Pharmacology Cheatsheet 2025 | Top 100 Meds
+ 180 Verified Questions with A+ Rationales &
Guaranteed Pass
Question 1:
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the excretion of sodium
, 2
and water but also causes significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia is a dangerous
side effect because it can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and
fatigue. While sodium, calcium, and magnesium can also be affected, potassium
monitoring is the priority to prevent life-threatening complications.
Question 2:
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. Which assessment is
most important before giving the medication?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: B. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate and increases cardiac contractility. The
nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute and hold the dose if it is
below 60 bpm to prevent digoxin-induced bradycardia. While blood pressure
and oxygen saturation are important for general assessment, they do not guide
immediate safety for digoxin administration.
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Question 3:
A patient receiving warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation has an INR of 5.2.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
B. Administer vitamin K
C. Continue the medication as ordered
D. Prepare the patient for dialysis
Answer: A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for warfarin is 2–3 for atrial fibrillation.
An INR of 5.2 indicates a high risk for bleeding, so the nurse should withhold
the next dose and notify the provider. Vitamin K may be ordered if bleeding risk
is critical, but holding the dose is the immediate priority. Dialysis is not used for
warfarin toxicity.
Question 4:
The nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should swallow the tablet with water.”
B. “I can take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart if chest pain persists.”
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C. “I should take the medication with food to prevent nausea.”
D. “If the headache is severe, I should stop taking the medication.”
Answer: B. I can take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart if chest pain persists.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin relieves angina by dilating coronary arteries. The
patient may take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three times, and if pain
persists after the third dose, they should call 911 immediately. The tablet is placed
under the tongue, not swallowed. Headaches are a common side effect and do
not require discontinuing the drug.
Question 5:
Which patient statement indicates correct use of an albuterol inhaler for acute
asthma?
A. “I will use it every morning to prevent attacks.”
B. “I will shake the inhaler and inhale quickly when I press it.”
C. “I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication.”
D. “I will rinse my mouth after each use.”
Answer: C. I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication.
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used for acute
bronchospasm. After inhalation, the patient should hold their breath for 10
NCLEX Pharmacology Cheatsheet 2025 | Top 100 Meds
+ 180 Verified Questions with A+ Rationales &
Guaranteed Pass
Question 1:
A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases the excretion of sodium
, 2
and water but also causes significant potassium loss. Hypokalemia is a dangerous
side effect because it can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, muscle weakness, and
fatigue. While sodium, calcium, and magnesium can also be affected, potassium
monitoring is the priority to prevent life-threatening complications.
Question 2:
The nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. Which assessment is
most important before giving the medication?
A. Respiratory rate
B. Apical pulse
C. Blood pressure
D. Oxygen saturation
Answer: B. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate and increases cardiac contractility. The
nurse must assess the apical pulse for a full minute and hold the dose if it is
below 60 bpm to prevent digoxin-induced bradycardia. While blood pressure
and oxygen saturation are important for general assessment, they do not guide
immediate safety for digoxin administration.
, 3
Question 3:
A patient receiving warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation has an INR of 5.2.
What is the priority nursing action?
A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
B. Administer vitamin K
C. Continue the medication as ordered
D. Prepare the patient for dialysis
Answer: A. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: The therapeutic INR range for warfarin is 2–3 for atrial fibrillation.
An INR of 5.2 indicates a high risk for bleeding, so the nurse should withhold
the next dose and notify the provider. Vitamin K may be ordered if bleeding risk
is critical, but holding the dose is the immediate priority. Dialysis is not used for
warfarin toxicity.
Question 4:
The nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which
statement indicates correct understanding?
A. “I should swallow the tablet with water.”
B. “I can take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart if chest pain persists.”
, 4
C. “I should take the medication with food to prevent nausea.”
D. “If the headache is severe, I should stop taking the medication.”
Answer: B. I can take up to 3 tablets, 5 minutes apart if chest pain persists.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin relieves angina by dilating coronary arteries. The
patient may take one tablet every 5 minutes, up to three times, and if pain
persists after the third dose, they should call 911 immediately. The tablet is placed
under the tongue, not swallowed. Headaches are a common side effect and do
not require discontinuing the drug.
Question 5:
Which patient statement indicates correct use of an albuterol inhaler for acute
asthma?
A. “I will use it every morning to prevent attacks.”
B. “I will shake the inhaler and inhale quickly when I press it.”
C. “I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication.”
D. “I will rinse my mouth after each use.”
Answer: C. I will hold my breath for 10 seconds after inhaling the medication.
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist used for acute
bronchospasm. After inhalation, the patient should hold their breath for 10
