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160 Verified Pharmacology Nursing Final Exam Questions
with Rationales | 2025-2026 NCLEX-RN & PN Drug Guide –
A+ Guaranteed Pass
Q1. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include in
discharge teaching?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables.
B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods.
C. Double the dose if you miss one.
D. Avoid all sources of dietary fat.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake helps keep INR stable. Sudden increases
or decreases can affect warfarin’s effectiveness. Avoiding all green leafy vegetables
is unnecessary; doubling a missed dose risks bleeding; fat intake is unrelated.
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Q2. A patient receiving gentamicin should be monitored for which potential
complication?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss or
balance issues. Monitoring renal function is also important. Hepatotoxicity is more
associated with drugs like isoniazid; gentamicin does not typically cause
hypokalemia or hyperglycemia.
Q3. Which laboratory value indicates lithium toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.0 mEq/L
C. 1.4 mEq/L
D. 2.2 mEq/L
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Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
may indicate toxicity, with 2.2 mEq/L being dangerous. Symptoms include
tremors, confusion, and seizures.
Q4. A patient taking prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis should be instructed to:
A. Discontinue the drug if feeling better.
B. Take the medication with food.
C. Avoid all sources of potassium.
D. Take on an empty stomach.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids can cause GI irritation; taking with food reduces this
risk. They must be tapered, not stopped abruptly. Potassium should not be avoided;
low potassium can occur with steroids.
Q5. Which finding in a patient taking captopril requires immediate action?
A. Dry cough
B. Swelling of the lips and tongue
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C. Mild hypotension
D. Headache
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors and
requires immediate discontinuation and emergency care. Dry cough is common but
not urgent.
Q6. A patient on spironolactone should avoid which food?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
C. Rice
D. Bread
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing; high potassium foods like
bananas can cause hyperkalemia. Apples, rice, and bread are safe.
Q7. Which instruction is most important for a patient taking levothyroxine?
A. Take with breakfast.
B. Take at bedtime.
160 Verified Pharmacology Nursing Final Exam Questions
with Rationales | 2025-2026 NCLEX-RN & PN Drug Guide –
A+ Guaranteed Pass
Q1. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which instruction should the nurse include in
discharge teaching?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables.
B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K-rich foods.
C. Double the dose if you miss one.
D. Avoid all sources of dietary fat.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Consistent vitamin K intake helps keep INR stable. Sudden increases
or decreases can affect warfarin’s effectiveness. Avoiding all green leafy vegetables
is unnecessary; doubling a missed dose risks bleeding; fat intake is unrelated.
,2
Q2. A patient receiving gentamicin should be monitored for which potential
complication?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause ototoxicity, leading to hearing loss or
balance issues. Monitoring renal function is also important. Hepatotoxicity is more
associated with drugs like isoniazid; gentamicin does not typically cause
hypokalemia or hyperglycemia.
Q3. Which laboratory value indicates lithium toxicity?
A. 0.8 mEq/L
B. 1.0 mEq/L
C. 1.4 mEq/L
D. 2.2 mEq/L
,3
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The therapeutic range for lithium is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Levels above 1.5
may indicate toxicity, with 2.2 mEq/L being dangerous. Symptoms include
tremors, confusion, and seizures.
Q4. A patient taking prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis should be instructed to:
A. Discontinue the drug if feeling better.
B. Take the medication with food.
C. Avoid all sources of potassium.
D. Take on an empty stomach.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Corticosteroids can cause GI irritation; taking with food reduces this
risk. They must be tapered, not stopped abruptly. Potassium should not be avoided;
low potassium can occur with steroids.
Q5. Which finding in a patient taking captopril requires immediate action?
A. Dry cough
B. Swelling of the lips and tongue
, 4
C. Mild hypotension
D. Headache
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Angioedema is a life-threatening side effect of ACE inhibitors and
requires immediate discontinuation and emergency care. Dry cough is common but
not urgent.
Q6. A patient on spironolactone should avoid which food?
A. Bananas
B. Apples
C. Rice
D. Bread
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing; high potassium foods like
bananas can cause hyperkalemia. Apples, rice, and bread are safe.
Q7. Which instruction is most important for a patient taking levothyroxine?
A. Take with breakfast.
B. Take at bedtime.
