All Free Nursing Pharmacology MCQs with Answers
Every Nursing Pharmacology question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
450 questions · page 7 of 23
- A. Give the next dose with food
- B. Place the patient flat and reassess later
- C. Stop the drug and assess the airway
- D. Offer oral fluids to reduce swelling
Explanation: Lip and tongue swelling suggests angioedema, which can rapidly obstruct the airway.
Correct answer: Stop the drug and assess the airway122. Which assessment finding is most important before administering a dose of intravenous furosemide?
- A. Blood pressure and serum potassium
- B. Respiratory rate and pupil size
- C. Bowel sounds and body temperature
- D. Skin colour and capillary refill
Explanation: Furosemide can produce rapid fluid loss, hypotension and potassium depletion.
Correct answer: Blood pressure and serum potassium- A. Vitamin K deficiency
- B. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
- C. Warfarin-related skin necrosis
- D. Aspirin-induced gastric irritation
Explanation: A falling platelet count with new thrombosis during heparin therapy suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Correct answer: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia- A. I should avoid them completely during treatment
- B. I should eat a consistent amount from week to week
- C. I should eat a large amount before each test
- D. I can change my intake without telling anyone
Explanation: Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which can reduce warfarin's anticoagulant effect.
Correct answer: I should eat a consistent amount from week to week- A. Prolonged severe hypertension
- B. A short period of flushing or chest discomfort
- C. Permanent complete heart block
- D. Immediate increased urine production
Explanation: Adenosine briefly slows conduction through the atrioventricular node and may cause transient flushing, chest discomfort or a brief pause…
Correct answer: A short period of flushing or chest discomfort- A. It gives immediate relief during a severe attack
- B. It reduces leukotriene-mediated airway inflammation
- C. It directly dissolves mucus in the bronchi
- D. It replaces the need for an inhaled reliever
Explanation: Montelukast blocks leukotriene receptors and helps prevent bronchoconstriction and inflammation in asthma.
Correct answer: It reduces leukotriene-mediated airway inflammation- A. Stop all inhalers until the mouth is normal
- B. Use frequent small sips of water and report eye pain
- C. Take an extra dose whenever the mouth feels dry
- D. Lie flat after each inhalation for 30 minutes
Explanation: Dry mouth is a common anticholinergic effect of ipratropium. Small sips of water can help, while eye pain or blurred vision should be…
Correct answer: Use frequent small sips of water and report eye pain- A. A pulse of 52 beats per minute with dizziness
- B. A respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
- C. A warm hand with mild sweating
- D. A blood pressure of 138/84 mmHg
Explanation: Carvedilol can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure, so symptomatic bradycardia requires prompt assessment before another dose.
Correct answer: A pulse of 52 beats per minute with dizziness- A. Restrict fluids to prevent airway swelling
- B. Increase fluids if not medically restricted
- C. Take it only when the cough is completely dry
- D. Avoid coughing after taking the medicine
Explanation: Guaifenesin is an expectorant that helps loosen respiratory secretions, and adequate fluids support this effect.
Correct answer: Increase fluids if not medically restricted- A. It blocks angiotensin II receptors and reduces vasoconstriction
- B. It inhibits calcium entry into bronchial smooth muscle
- C. It increases sodium retention in the renal tubules
- D. It stimulates beta-1 receptors to increase cardiac output
Explanation: Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, so it reduces vasoconstriction and aldosterone release.
Correct answer: It blocks angiotensin II receptors and reduces vasoconstriction- A. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water
- B. Place the tablet under the tongue while seated
- C. Crush the tablet and mix it with soft food
- D. Keep walking to improve circulation during the pain
Explanation: Sublingual nitroglycerin is placed under the tongue to allow rapid absorption through the oral mucosa.
Correct answer: Place the tablet under the tongue while seated- A. Give the dose because digoxin raises the heart rate
- B. Withhold the dose and notify the prescriber
- C. Give the dose with an extra glass of water
- D. Administer a prescribed bronchodilator first
Explanation: Digoxin can slow atrioventricular conduction and reduce the heart rate.
Correct answer: Withhold the dose and notify the prescriber- A. Protamine sulfate
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Calcium gluconate
- D. Naloxone
Explanation: Vitamin K supports the production of clotting factors reduced by warfarin and is used for reversal when clinically indicated.
Correct answer: Vitamin K- A. To dissolve an existing clot immediately
- B. To prevent platelet aggregation and stent thrombosis
- C. To increase the force of ventricular contraction
- D. To relax bronchial smooth muscle during wheezing
Explanation: Clopidogrel inhibits platelet activation and aggregation, helping prevent thrombosis after coronary stent placement.
Correct answer: To prevent platelet aggregation and stent thrombosis- A. These findings may result from reflex sympathetic stimulation
- B. These findings show that the drug has caused severe hypoglycaemia
- C. These findings indicate direct suppression of the respiratory centre
- D. These findings confirm that the patient has digoxin toxicity
Explanation: Hydralazine causes arteriolar dilation, which may produce reflex sympathetic activation with tachycardia and flushing.
Correct answer: These findings may result from reflex sympathetic stimulation- A. Use the corticosteroid first to close the airways briefly
- B. Use the bronchodilator first, then the corticosteroid
- C. Mix both medicines in the same inhaler chamber
- D. Use only the corticosteroid during an acute severe attack
Explanation: The bronchodilator opens the airways and can improve delivery of the inhaled corticosteroid.
Correct answer: Use the bronchodilator first, then the corticosteroid- A. It suppresses the cough reflex in the central nervous system
- B. It kills bacteria causing a lower respiratory infection
- C. It increases urine output to remove airway fluid
- D. It relaxes cardiac muscle to reduce blood pressure
Explanation: Dextromethorphan is a centrally acting antitussive that reduces the cough reflex and is used mainly for a dry, nonproductive cough.
Correct answer: It suppresses the cough reflex in the central nervous system- A. Stop the medicine and contact the prescriber promptly
- B. Continue the medicine until the next clinic visit
- C. Take an extra dose to prevent pregnancy hypertension
- D. Replace the medicine with an over-the-counter decongestant
Explanation: ACE inhibitors can harm the developing fetus, especially the fetal kidneys, and should be stopped under prescriber guidance when pregnancy…
Correct answer: Stop the medicine and contact the prescriber promptly- A. Blocks sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle
- B. Increases sodium reabsorption in the collecting duct
- C. Blocks aldosterone receptors in the distal tubule
- D. Reduces filtration by constricting the renal artery
Explanation: Furosemide inhibits the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending loop of Henle, causing marked sodium and water…
Correct answer: Blocks sodium reabsorption in the loop of Henle- A. Activated partial thromboplastin time
- B. Prothrombin time only
- C. Serum creatinine only
- D. Red blood cell count
Explanation: The activated partial thromboplastin time is commonly monitored to adjust unfractionated heparin therapy according to the prescribed…
Correct answer: Activated partial thromboplastin time