Page 1 of 79
NUR 302 - PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 STUDY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Questions
The nurse has just administered the initial dose of enalapril [Vasotec] to a
newly admitted patient with hypertension. What is the priority nursing
intervention over the next several hours?
A. Monitor blood pressure.
B. Check the heart rate.
C. Auscultate lung sounds.
D. Draw a potassium level.
A. Monitor blood pressure.
First-dose hypotension is a serious potential adverse effect of ACE inhibitors, such
as enalapril. Monitoring the blood pressure is the priority nursing intervention. If
hypotension develops, the nurse will place the patient in the supine position and
possibly increase intravenous fluids. The other interventions may be appropriate for
this patient; however, in the hours immediately after the first dose of an ACE
inhibitor, monitoring of the blood pressure is most important.
The nurse is teaching a patient with essential hypertension who has a new
prescription for verapamil [Calan]. Which statements by the patient indicate
, Page 2 of 79
that the teaching was effective?
Multiple Answers
A. "I will increase my intake of fluid and foods high in fiber."
B. "I should stay out of direct sunlight to prevent exposing my skin to the
sun."
C. "I will call my healthcare provider if I notice swelling in my ankles."
D. "I need to avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
E. "I may notice easy bruising and bleeding with this drug."
A. "I will increase my intake of fluid and foods high in fiber." and C. "I will call my
healthcare provider if I notice swelling in my ankles."
Verapamil often causes constipation and can also cause peripheral edema. Patients
should take measures to prevent constipation and should call about new symptoms
of peripheral edema. Patients taking verapamil should not experience
photosensitivity, hyperkalemia, or increased bruising and bleeding.
The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient prescribed verapamil
[Calan] SR 120 mg PO daily for essential hypertension. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will take the medication with grapefruit juice each morning."
B. "I should expect occasional loose stools from this medication."
C. "I'll need to reduce the amount of fiber in my diet."
D. "I must make sure I swallow the pill whole."
D. "I must make sure I swallow the pill whole."
"SR" indicates that the drug is sustained release; therefore, the patient must swallow
the pill intact, without chewing or crushing, which would result in a bolus effect.
Grapefruit juice should be avoided, because it can inhibit intestinal and hepatic
metabolism of the drug, thereby raising the drug level. Constipation, not loose stools,
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is a common side effect of Calan; increasing fluids and dietary fiber can help prevent
this adverse effect.
The nurse is caring for a patient with hypertension who is receiving verapamil
[Calan]. The patient has a healthy heart. What pharmacodynamic effects does
the nurse expect from this drug?
Multiple Answers
A. Peripheral vasoconstriction
B. Peripheral vasodilation
C. Coronary vasodilation
D. Increased heart rate
E. Increased force of contraction
B. Peripheral vasodilation and C. Coronary vasodilation
Verapamil causes peripheral vasodilation and coronary vasodilation, which lead to
decreased blood pressure and improved coronary perfusion. It does not cause
vasoconstriction and usually has little effect on the heart rate or contractility in
healthy hearts.
Which medication is most likely to cause the side effect of constipation?
A. Nifedipine [Adalat]
B. Amlodipine [Norvasc]
C. Isradipine [DynaCirc]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem]
Nifedipine, amlodipine, and isradipine, which are dihydropyridine calcium channel
blockers, cause less risk of constipation than diltiazem and verapamil.
Calcium channel blockers work by reducing calcium influx into the cells of the
heart and blood vessels. Calcium channels are coupled to which type of
autonomic nervous system receptors?
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A. Alpha1
B. Alpha2
C. Beta1
D. Beta2
C. Beta1
Calcium channels are coupled to beta1-adrenergic receptors in the heart. For that
reason, calcium channel blockers affect the heart in ways similar to the beta
blockers. Both types of drugs cause a decrease in the force of contraction, heart
rate, and cardiac impulse conduction.
The healthcare provider prescribes an intravenous dose of diltiazem
[Cardizem] for treatment of a patient with atrial fibrillation. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Assist with cardioversion.
B. Monitor electrocardiogram.
C. Obtain baseline coagulation studies.
D. Assess for increased urinary output.
B. Monitor electrocardiogram.
Monitor the electrocardiogram (ECG) continuously during IV administration of
diltiazem for AV block, sudden reduction in heart rate, and prolongation of the PR or
QT interval. Cardioversion is not necessary; however, have equipment for
cardioversion available. Baseline laboratory studies are needed for liver and kidney
function. Increased urinary output is not an adverse effect of diltiazem.
A patient with angina pectoris has been prescribed nifedipine
[Procardia].Which possible adverse effects should the nurse expect with this
NUR 302 - PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 3 STUDY FINAL EXAM
QUESTIONS 2026 QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST VERSION
SOLVED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS VERIFIED
Questions
The nurse has just administered the initial dose of enalapril [Vasotec] to a
newly admitted patient with hypertension. What is the priority nursing
intervention over the next several hours?
A. Monitor blood pressure.
B. Check the heart rate.
C. Auscultate lung sounds.
D. Draw a potassium level.
A. Monitor blood pressure.
First-dose hypotension is a serious potential adverse effect of ACE inhibitors, such
as enalapril. Monitoring the blood pressure is the priority nursing intervention. If
hypotension develops, the nurse will place the patient in the supine position and
possibly increase intravenous fluids. The other interventions may be appropriate for
this patient; however, in the hours immediately after the first dose of an ACE
inhibitor, monitoring of the blood pressure is most important.
The nurse is teaching a patient with essential hypertension who has a new
prescription for verapamil [Calan]. Which statements by the patient indicate
, Page 2 of 79
that the teaching was effective?
Multiple Answers
A. "I will increase my intake of fluid and foods high in fiber."
B. "I should stay out of direct sunlight to prevent exposing my skin to the
sun."
C. "I will call my healthcare provider if I notice swelling in my ankles."
D. "I need to avoid salt substitutes and potassium supplements."
E. "I may notice easy bruising and bleeding with this drug."
A. "I will increase my intake of fluid and foods high in fiber." and C. "I will call my
healthcare provider if I notice swelling in my ankles."
Verapamil often causes constipation and can also cause peripheral edema. Patients
should take measures to prevent constipation and should call about new symptoms
of peripheral edema. Patients taking verapamil should not experience
photosensitivity, hyperkalemia, or increased bruising and bleeding.
The nurse provides discharge instructions to a patient prescribed verapamil
[Calan] SR 120 mg PO daily for essential hypertension. Which statement by the
patient indicates understanding of the medication?
A. "I will take the medication with grapefruit juice each morning."
B. "I should expect occasional loose stools from this medication."
C. "I'll need to reduce the amount of fiber in my diet."
D. "I must make sure I swallow the pill whole."
D. "I must make sure I swallow the pill whole."
"SR" indicates that the drug is sustained release; therefore, the patient must swallow
the pill intact, without chewing or crushing, which would result in a bolus effect.
Grapefruit juice should be avoided, because it can inhibit intestinal and hepatic
metabolism of the drug, thereby raising the drug level. Constipation, not loose stools,
, Page 3 of 79
is a common side effect of Calan; increasing fluids and dietary fiber can help prevent
this adverse effect.
The nurse is caring for a patient with hypertension who is receiving verapamil
[Calan]. The patient has a healthy heart. What pharmacodynamic effects does
the nurse expect from this drug?
Multiple Answers
A. Peripheral vasoconstriction
B. Peripheral vasodilation
C. Coronary vasodilation
D. Increased heart rate
E. Increased force of contraction
B. Peripheral vasodilation and C. Coronary vasodilation
Verapamil causes peripheral vasodilation and coronary vasodilation, which lead to
decreased blood pressure and improved coronary perfusion. It does not cause
vasoconstriction and usually has little effect on the heart rate or contractility in
healthy hearts.
Which medication is most likely to cause the side effect of constipation?
A. Nifedipine [Adalat]
B. Amlodipine [Norvasc]
C. Isradipine [DynaCirc]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem]
D. Diltiazem [Cardizem]
Nifedipine, amlodipine, and isradipine, which are dihydropyridine calcium channel
blockers, cause less risk of constipation than diltiazem and verapamil.
Calcium channel blockers work by reducing calcium influx into the cells of the
heart and blood vessels. Calcium channels are coupled to which type of
autonomic nervous system receptors?
, Page 4 of 79
A. Alpha1
B. Alpha2
C. Beta1
D. Beta2
C. Beta1
Calcium channels are coupled to beta1-adrenergic receptors in the heart. For that
reason, calcium channel blockers affect the heart in ways similar to the beta
blockers. Both types of drugs cause a decrease in the force of contraction, heart
rate, and cardiac impulse conduction.
The healthcare provider prescribes an intravenous dose of diltiazem
[Cardizem] for treatment of a patient with atrial fibrillation. What is the priority
nursing intervention?
A. Assist with cardioversion.
B. Monitor electrocardiogram.
C. Obtain baseline coagulation studies.
D. Assess for increased urinary output.
B. Monitor electrocardiogram.
Monitor the electrocardiogram (ECG) continuously during IV administration of
diltiazem for AV block, sudden reduction in heart rate, and prolongation of the PR or
QT interval. Cardioversion is not necessary; however, have equipment for
cardioversion available. Baseline laboratory studies are needed for liver and kidney
function. Increased urinary output is not an adverse effect of diltiazem.
A patient with angina pectoris has been prescribed nifedipine
[Procardia].Which possible adverse effects should the nurse expect with this
