NUR 2407 Exam 2 Pharmacology Questions and Correct Answers with
Explanation | Latest Update | Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Increased appetite
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Occasional headache
Answer: A
Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are known to cause a dry, hacking cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which medication is contraindicated for a patient with a history of severe
asthma or COPD?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Propranolol
D. Losartan
Answer: C
,Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause
bronchoconstriction by blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs.
3. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document this as a normal side effect
C. Assess for signs of digoxin toxicity
D. Increase the patient’s potassium intake
Answer: C
Explanation: Visual changes such as yellow-green halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity
and require immediate assessment.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance should a nurse monitor for in a patient receiving
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium,
potentially leading to hypokalemia.
,5. A patient on Warfarin therapy has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of
5.0. What is the expected antidote?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Vitamin K
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Explanation: Vitamin K is the reversal agent for Warfarin. An INR of 5.0 is significantly
above the typical therapeutic range (2.0-3.0).
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a continuous Heparin infusion. Which
laboratory value is used to adjust the dose?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Explanation: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of Heparin therapy and adjust
dosing protocols.
, 7. What is the most common side effect of sublingual Nitroglycerin?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Headache
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Explanation: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which frequently results in a throbbing
headache shortly after administration.
8. A patient is prescribed Atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the patient to
report which symptom immediately?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness
B. Mild nausea
C. Dry mouth
D. Difficulty sleeping
Answer: A
Explanation: Unexplained muscle pain can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a serious and
potentially life-threatening side effect of statins.
Explanation | Latest Update | Rasmussen University
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril for hypertension. Which side effect should
the nurse instruct the patient to report immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Increased appetite
C. Yellowing of the skin
D. Occasional headache
Answer: A
Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are known to cause a dry, hacking cough due to
the accumulation of bradykinin.
2. Which medication is contraindicated for a patient with a history of severe
asthma or COPD?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Propranolol
D. Losartan
Answer: C
,Explanation: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause
bronchoconstriction by blocking Beta-2 receptors in the lungs.
3. A patient taking Digoxin reports seeing yellow-green halos around lights.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next dose as scheduled
B. Document this as a normal side effect
C. Assess for signs of digoxin toxicity
D. Increase the patient’s potassium intake
Answer: C
Explanation: Visual changes such as yellow-green halos are classic signs of digoxin toxicity
and require immediate assessment.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance should a nurse monitor for in a patient receiving
Furosemide (Lasix)?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypercalcemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Explanation: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes the excretion of potassium,
potentially leading to hypokalemia.
,5. A patient on Warfarin therapy has an International Normalized Ratio (INR) of
5.0. What is the expected antidote?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Naloxone
C. Vitamin K
D. Glucagon
Answer: C
Explanation: Vitamin K is the reversal agent for Warfarin. An INR of 5.0 is significantly
above the typical therapeutic range (2.0-3.0).
6. A nurse is monitoring a patient on a continuous Heparin infusion. Which
laboratory value is used to adjust the dose?
A. Prothrombin Time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin level
D. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Explanation: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of Heparin therapy and adjust
dosing protocols.
, 7. What is the most common side effect of sublingual Nitroglycerin?
A. Hypertension
B. Bradycardia
C. Headache
D. Constipation
Answer: C
Explanation: Nitroglycerin causes vasodilation, which frequently results in a throbbing
headache shortly after administration.
8. A patient is prescribed Atorvastatin. The nurse should instruct the patient to
report which symptom immediately?
A. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness
B. Mild nausea
C. Dry mouth
D. Difficulty sleeping
Answer: A
Explanation: Unexplained muscle pain can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a serious and
potentially life-threatening side effect of statins.
