NCLEX-RN Pharmacology Test Bank 2025-2026:
200 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
1. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding should the nurse report
before administering the drug?
A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 132/88 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 bpm
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
✅ Correct Answer: A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. It should be withheld if the apical pulse is
below 60 bpm due to the risk of bradycardia.
,2. Which lab value is most important to assess before administering
furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Potassium
D. Platelet count
✅ Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the
risk of hypokalemia and cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Swallow tablets whole with water.
B. Take with meals.
C. Place one tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
D. Chew the tablet for faster absorption.
✅ Correct Answer: C. Place one tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin acts quickly to relieve angina. It should never
be swallowed or chewed.
,4. Which of the following is an adverse effect of aminoglycosides like
gentamicin?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bronchospasm
✅ Correct Answer: B. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Gentamicin is nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Hearing loss or tinnitus is a
serious side effect.
5. The nurse should monitor for which side effect in a patient taking
morphine?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
C. Hypotension
D. Polyuria
✅ Correct Answer: C. Hypotension
, Rationale: Morphine can cause vasodilation, leading to hypotension and
respiratory depression.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin. Which lab result requires
immediate action?
A. INR 2.0
B. INR 1.1
C. INR 2.5
D. INR 3.0
✅ Correct Answer: B. INR 1.1
Rationale: An INR of 1.1 is below the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0), increasing the
risk of clot formation.
7. A patient taking lithium should be taught to:
A. Limit sodium intake
B. Avoid all dairy products
C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
✅ Correct Answer: C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
200 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales
1. A patient is prescribed digoxin. Which finding should the nurse report
before administering the drug?
A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
B. Blood pressure of 132/88 mmHg
C. Respiratory rate of 18 bpm
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
✅ Correct Answer: A. Heart rate of 58 bpm
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. It should be withheld if the apical pulse is
below 60 bpm due to the risk of bradycardia.
,2. Which lab value is most important to assess before administering
furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hemoglobin
B. White blood cell count
C. Potassium
D. Platelet count
✅ Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the
risk of hypokalemia and cardiac dysrhythmias.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about nitroglycerin. Which instruction is most
appropriate?
A. Swallow tablets whole with water.
B. Take with meals.
C. Place one tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
D. Chew the tablet for faster absorption.
✅ Correct Answer: C. Place one tablet under the tongue and let it dissolve.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin acts quickly to relieve angina. It should never
be swallowed or chewed.
,4. Which of the following is an adverse effect of aminoglycosides like
gentamicin?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Bronchospasm
✅ Correct Answer: B. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Gentamicin is nephrotoxic and ototoxic. Hearing loss or tinnitus is a
serious side effect.
5. The nurse should monitor for which side effect in a patient taking
morphine?
A. Tachycardia
B. Diarrhea
C. Hypotension
D. Polyuria
✅ Correct Answer: C. Hypotension
, Rationale: Morphine can cause vasodilation, leading to hypotension and
respiratory depression.
6. A nurse is caring for a patient on warfarin. Which lab result requires
immediate action?
A. INR 2.0
B. INR 1.1
C. INR 2.5
D. INR 3.0
✅ Correct Answer: B. INR 1.1
Rationale: An INR of 1.1 is below the therapeutic range (2.0–3.0), increasing the
risk of clot formation.
7. A patient taking lithium should be taught to:
A. Limit sodium intake
B. Avoid all dairy products
C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
D. Take the medication on an empty stomach
✅ Correct Answer: C. Monitor for signs of dehydration
