Pharmacology Exam 5 Practice
Questions with Verified Answers
To prevent cerebral artery spasms after a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the nurse
anticipates administering which calcium channel blocker?
a. Amlodipine
b. Nimodipine
c. Diltiazem
d. Verapamil - ANSWER-b. Nimodipine
The nurse would question a prescription for a calcium channel blocker in a patient
with which condition?
a. Angina pectoris
b. Increased intracranial pressure
c. Hypotension
d. Dysrhythmia - ANSWER-c. Hypotension
The nurse is conducting a community education program. When explaining different
medication regimens to treat hypertension, it would be accurate to state that African
Americans often respond better to which combination of medications?
a. ACE inhibitors and diuretics
b. ACE inhibitors and beta blockers
c. Diuretics and beta blockers
d. Diuretics and calcium channel blockers - ANSWER-d. Diuretics and calcium
channel blockers
What is the classification of carvedilol?
a. Dual-action alpha-1 and beta receptor blocker
b. ACE inhibitor
c. beta blocker
d. alpha-2 blocker - ANSWER-a. Dual-action alpha-1 and beta receptor blocker
When administering nitroprusside by continuous intravenous infusion, the nurse
monitors for which symptom of drug toxicity?
a. Hyperglycemia
b. Fever
c. Hypotension
d. Wheezing - ANSWER-c. Hypotension
A patient who is prescribed tamsulosin does not have a history of hypertension. The
nurse knows this medication is also used for what condition?
a. Pulmonary emboli
b. Migraine headache
c. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
,d. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - ANSWER-d. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH)
ACE inhibitors and ARBs both work to decrease blood pressure by which action?
a. Prevent aldosterone secretion
b. Prevent the formation of angiotensin II
c. Enhance sodium and water resorption
d. Increase the breakdown of bradykinin - ANSWER-a. Prevent aldosterone
secretion
When teaching a patient about a new prescription for carvedilol the nurse explains
that this medication reduces blood pressure by which action?
a. Promotes excretion of sodium
b. Relaxes muscle tone
c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Decreases heart rate
e. Increases urine output - ANSWER-c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Decreases heart rate
Which instruction would be included in the discharge teaching for a patient with a
transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
a. "Make sure to rub lotion or cream on the skin before putting on a new patch."
b. "Apply the patch to a hairless, nonirritated area of the chest, upper arm, back, or
shoulder."
c. "If you get chest pain, apply a second patch next to the first patch."
d. "If you get a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours and then reapply." -
ANSWER-b. "Apply the patch to a hairless, nonirritated area of the chest, upper arm,
back, or shoulder."
Which statement by the patient demonstrates a need for further education regarding
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets?
a. "I can take up to four tablets at 5-minute intervals for chest pain."
b. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking my nitroglycerin and use Tylenol to
relieve my headache."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting dizzy from the drug's effect on
my blood pressure."
d. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place." - ANSWER-a. "I can take up
to four tablets at 5-minute intervals for chest pain."
Which method of administration of nitroglycerin has the longest duration of action?
a. Intravenous (IV) infusion
b. Immediate-release tablet
c. Sublingual tablet
d. Transdermal patch - ANSWER-d. Transdermal patch
The patient asks the nurse, "What is the best way to store sublingual nitroglycerin
when I travel?" What is the appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "It's best to keep it in its original container away from heat and light."
b. "You can protect it from heat by placing the bottle in an ice chest."
c. "Keep it in the glove compartment of your car to prevent exposure to heat."
, d. "You can put a few tablets in a resealable bag and carry it in your pocket." -
ANSWER-a. "It's best to keep it in its original container away from heat and light."
The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a new prescription for
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which statement by the patient indicates an
understanding of the nurse's discharge instructions about this medication?
a. "I will need to refill my prescription when I feel burning under my tongue."
b. "I will keep my nitroglycerin tablets in their original glass container."
c. "My nitroglycerin tablets are not affected by cold or heat."
d. "I can take some aspirin if I get a headache related to nitroglycerin." - ANSWER-b.
"I will keep my nitroglycerin tablets in their original glass container."
A patient who is taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablets is complaining of flushing and
headaches. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Stop taking the nitroglycerin because you are experiencing an allergic reaction to
the medication."
b. "Put a cold wet washcloth or use an icepack on your forehead and lie down in a
quiet place."
c. "Immediately notify your health care provider because these symptoms are not
related to the sublingual nitroglycerin."
d. "These are the most common adverse effects of nitroglycerin. They should
subside with continued use of nitroglycerin." - ANSWER-d. "These are the most
common adverse effects of nitroglycerin. They should subside with continued use of
nitroglycerin."
It is most important for the nurse to instruct a patient prescribed nitroglycerin to avoid
which substance?
a. Grapefruit juice
b. Antacids
c. Potassium-sparing diuretics
d. Erectile dysfunction drugs - ANSWER-d. Erectile dysfunction drugs
When caring for a patient with angina pectoris, the nurse would question a
prescription for a noncardioselective beta blocker in a patient with which pre-existing
condition?
a. Bronchial asthma
b. Atrial fibrillation
c. Myocardial infarction
d. Hypertension - ANSWER-a. Bronchial asthma
For a patient receiving IV nitroglycerin, what are the priority nursing interventions?
a. Monitor blood pressure.
b. Assess for worsening chest pain.
c. Measure intake and output.
d. Auscultate lung sounds.
e. Check heart rate. - ANSWER-a. Monitor blood pressure.
b. Assess for worsening chest pain.
e. Check heart rate.
Questions with Verified Answers
To prevent cerebral artery spasms after a subarachnoid hemorrhage, the nurse
anticipates administering which calcium channel blocker?
a. Amlodipine
b. Nimodipine
c. Diltiazem
d. Verapamil - ANSWER-b. Nimodipine
The nurse would question a prescription for a calcium channel blocker in a patient
with which condition?
a. Angina pectoris
b. Increased intracranial pressure
c. Hypotension
d. Dysrhythmia - ANSWER-c. Hypotension
The nurse is conducting a community education program. When explaining different
medication regimens to treat hypertension, it would be accurate to state that African
Americans often respond better to which combination of medications?
a. ACE inhibitors and diuretics
b. ACE inhibitors and beta blockers
c. Diuretics and beta blockers
d. Diuretics and calcium channel blockers - ANSWER-d. Diuretics and calcium
channel blockers
What is the classification of carvedilol?
a. Dual-action alpha-1 and beta receptor blocker
b. ACE inhibitor
c. beta blocker
d. alpha-2 blocker - ANSWER-a. Dual-action alpha-1 and beta receptor blocker
When administering nitroprusside by continuous intravenous infusion, the nurse
monitors for which symptom of drug toxicity?
a. Hyperglycemia
b. Fever
c. Hypotension
d. Wheezing - ANSWER-c. Hypotension
A patient who is prescribed tamsulosin does not have a history of hypertension. The
nurse knows this medication is also used for what condition?
a. Pulmonary emboli
b. Migraine headache
c. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
,d. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - ANSWER-d. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH)
ACE inhibitors and ARBs both work to decrease blood pressure by which action?
a. Prevent aldosterone secretion
b. Prevent the formation of angiotensin II
c. Enhance sodium and water resorption
d. Increase the breakdown of bradykinin - ANSWER-a. Prevent aldosterone
secretion
When teaching a patient about a new prescription for carvedilol the nurse explains
that this medication reduces blood pressure by which action?
a. Promotes excretion of sodium
b. Relaxes muscle tone
c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Decreases heart rate
e. Increases urine output - ANSWER-c. Peripheral vasodilation
d. Decreases heart rate
Which instruction would be included in the discharge teaching for a patient with a
transdermal nitroglycerin patch?
a. "Make sure to rub lotion or cream on the skin before putting on a new patch."
b. "Apply the patch to a hairless, nonirritated area of the chest, upper arm, back, or
shoulder."
c. "If you get chest pain, apply a second patch next to the first patch."
d. "If you get a headache, remove the patch for 4 hours and then reapply." -
ANSWER-b. "Apply the patch to a hairless, nonirritated area of the chest, upper arm,
back, or shoulder."
Which statement by the patient demonstrates a need for further education regarding
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets?
a. "I can take up to four tablets at 5-minute intervals for chest pain."
b. "If I get a headache, I should keep taking my nitroglycerin and use Tylenol to
relieve my headache."
c. "I should change positions slowly to avoid getting dizzy from the drug's effect on
my blood pressure."
d. "I should keep my nitroglycerin in a cool, dry place." - ANSWER-a. "I can take up
to four tablets at 5-minute intervals for chest pain."
Which method of administration of nitroglycerin has the longest duration of action?
a. Intravenous (IV) infusion
b. Immediate-release tablet
c. Sublingual tablet
d. Transdermal patch - ANSWER-d. Transdermal patch
The patient asks the nurse, "What is the best way to store sublingual nitroglycerin
when I travel?" What is the appropriate response by the nurse?
a. "It's best to keep it in its original container away from heat and light."
b. "You can protect it from heat by placing the bottle in an ice chest."
c. "Keep it in the glove compartment of your car to prevent exposure to heat."
, d. "You can put a few tablets in a resealable bag and carry it in your pocket." -
ANSWER-a. "It's best to keep it in its original container away from heat and light."
The nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a new prescription for
nitroglycerin sublingual tablets. Which statement by the patient indicates an
understanding of the nurse's discharge instructions about this medication?
a. "I will need to refill my prescription when I feel burning under my tongue."
b. "I will keep my nitroglycerin tablets in their original glass container."
c. "My nitroglycerin tablets are not affected by cold or heat."
d. "I can take some aspirin if I get a headache related to nitroglycerin." - ANSWER-b.
"I will keep my nitroglycerin tablets in their original glass container."
A patient who is taking nitroglycerin sublingual tablets is complaining of flushing and
headaches. What is the nurse's best response?
a. "Stop taking the nitroglycerin because you are experiencing an allergic reaction to
the medication."
b. "Put a cold wet washcloth or use an icepack on your forehead and lie down in a
quiet place."
c. "Immediately notify your health care provider because these symptoms are not
related to the sublingual nitroglycerin."
d. "These are the most common adverse effects of nitroglycerin. They should
subside with continued use of nitroglycerin." - ANSWER-d. "These are the most
common adverse effects of nitroglycerin. They should subside with continued use of
nitroglycerin."
It is most important for the nurse to instruct a patient prescribed nitroglycerin to avoid
which substance?
a. Grapefruit juice
b. Antacids
c. Potassium-sparing diuretics
d. Erectile dysfunction drugs - ANSWER-d. Erectile dysfunction drugs
When caring for a patient with angina pectoris, the nurse would question a
prescription for a noncardioselective beta blocker in a patient with which pre-existing
condition?
a. Bronchial asthma
b. Atrial fibrillation
c. Myocardial infarction
d. Hypertension - ANSWER-a. Bronchial asthma
For a patient receiving IV nitroglycerin, what are the priority nursing interventions?
a. Monitor blood pressure.
b. Assess for worsening chest pain.
c. Measure intake and output.
d. Auscultate lung sounds.
e. Check heart rate. - ANSWER-a. Monitor blood pressure.
b. Assess for worsening chest pain.
e. Check heart rate.
