NUR 2474 Pharmacology for Professional
Nursing Exam 2 (Latest) Rasmussen
Question:
1. A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a
respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink
sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
b. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
----Answer----:
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluids is needed.
This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with respiratory distress and
pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and
spironolactone are not indicated for pulmonary edema, because their diuretic effects are less
rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial pressure and must be
discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary congestion or heart failure occur.
Question:
2. A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of congestive heart
failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of
86 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of
130/82 mm Hg. The nurse auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory value causes the
nurse the most concern?
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Oxygen saturation of 90%
, c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d. Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
----Answer----:
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a dysrhythmia. This
patient’s serum potassium level is low, which can trigger fatal dysrhythmias, especially in
patients taking digoxin. Furosemide contributes to loss of potassium through its effects on the
distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics often are used in conjunction with furosemide to
prevent this complication. This patient’s serum glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no
concern at this point, although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with diuresis.
Question:
3. A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of the lungs
reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent
ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
----Answer----:
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the patient has a serum
potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia, an order for this drug should be
questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics
and would be appropriate to administer in a patient with hyperkalemia.
Question:
4. A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient with a history of
hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril
(Capoten) concurrently with spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning laboratory results reveal a
serum sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a blood glucose
level of 128 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
Nursing Exam 2 (Latest) Rasmussen
Question:
1. A patient is brought to the emergency department with shortness of breath, a
respiratory rate of 30 breaths per minute, intercostal retractions, and frothy, pink
sputum. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer which drug?
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
b. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
c. Mannitol (Osmitrol)
d. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
----Answer----:
a. Furosemide (Lasix)
Furosemide, a potent diuretic, is used when rapid or massive mobilization of fluids is needed.
This patient shows severe signs of congestive heart failure with respiratory distress and
pulmonary edema and needs immediate mobilization of fluid. Hydrochlorothiazide and
spironolactone are not indicated for pulmonary edema, because their diuretic effects are less
rapid. Mannitol is indicated for patients with increased intracranial pressure and must be
discontinued immediately if signs of pulmonary congestion or heart failure occur.
Question:
2. A patient who is taking digoxin is admitted to the hospital for treatment of congestive heart
failure. The prescriber has ordered furosemide (Lasix). The nurse notes an irregular heart rate of
86 beats per minute, a respiratory rate of 22 breaths per minute, and a blood pressure of
130/82 mm Hg. The nurse auscultates crackles in both lungs. Which laboratory value causes the
nurse the most concern?
a. Blood glucose level of 120 mg/dL
b. Oxygen saturation of 90%
, c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
d. Sodium level of 140 mEq/L
----Answer----:
c. Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
This patient has an irregular, rapid heartbeat that might be caused by a dysrhythmia. This
patient’s serum potassium level is low, which can trigger fatal dysrhythmias, especially in
patients taking digoxin. Furosemide contributes to loss of potassium through its effects on the
distal nephron. Potassium-sparing diuretics often are used in conjunction with furosemide to
prevent this complication. This patient’s serum glucose and sodium levels are normal and of no
concern at this point, although they can be affected by furosemide. The oxygen saturation is
somewhat low and needs to be monitored, although it may improve with diuresis.
Question:
3. A patient has 2+ pitting edema of the lower extremities bilaterally. Auscultation of the lungs
reveals crackles bilaterally, and the serum potassium level is 6 mEq/L. Which diuretic agent
ordered by the prescriber should the nurse question?
a. Bumetanide (Bumex)
b. Furosemide (Lasix)
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
d. Hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL)
----Answer----:
c. Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Spironolactone is a non-potassium-wasting diuretic; therefore, if the patient has a serum
potassium level of 6 mEq/L, indicating hyperkalemia, an order for this drug should be
questioned. Bumetanide, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide are potassium-wasting diuretics
and would be appropriate to administer in a patient with hyperkalemia.
Question:
4. A nurse preparing to administer morning medications notes that a patient with a history of
hypertension has been prescribed the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril
(Capoten) concurrently with spironolactone (Aldactone). Morning laboratory results reveal a
serum sodium level of 144 mg/dL, a serum potassium level of 5.1 mEq/L, and a blood glucose
level of 128 mg/dL. Which intervention is appropriate?
