Free Cardiovascular and Respiratory Drugs MCQs with Answers
50 Cardiovascular and Respiratory Drugs MCQs from Nursing Pharmacology, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Cardiovascular and respiratory drugs include antihypertensives, diuretics, antianginal agents, antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides, anticoagulants, bronchodilators, corticosteroids and cough medicines. Questions focus on mechanisms, indications, contraindications, toxicity and monitoring, especially the difference between drugs that reduce blood pressure, improve cardiac output or open narrowed airways.
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1. Which action best describes how an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lowers blood pressure?
- A. It reduces formation of angiotensin II and aldosterone
- B. It blocks calcium entry into cardiac muscle cells
- C. It increases sodium loss through the renal tubules
- D. It directly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
Explanation: ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II formation, causing vasodilation and reduced aldosterone secretion.
Correct answer: It reduces formation of angiotensin II and aldosterone- A. Serum potassium level
- B. Serum calcium level
- C. White blood cell count
- D. Blood glucose level
Explanation: Furosemide increases urinary potassium loss, so hypokalaemia can cause weakness and dysrhythmias.
Correct answer: Serum potassium level- A. Withhold nitroglycerin and notify the prescriber
- B. Give nitroglycerin and reassess after five minutes
- C. Give sildenafil again to improve coronary blood flow
- D. Place the patient flat and administer a diuretic
Explanation: Nitroglycerin combined with sildenafil can cause severe, potentially dangerous hypotension.
Correct answer: Withhold nitroglycerin and notify the prescriber- A. Nausea with yellow-green visual changes
- B. Increased appetite with flushed skin
- C. Dry cough with ankle swelling
- D. Increased urine output with thirst
Explanation: Gastrointestinal symptoms, visual disturbances and dysrhythmias are characteristic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Correct answer: Nausea with yellow-green visual changes- A. Protamine sulfate
- B. Vitamin K
- C. Acetylcysteine
- D. Naloxone
Explanation: Protamine sulfate binds and neutralises unfractionated heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin, acetylcysteine treats paracetamol toxicity…
Correct answer: Protamine sulfate- A. Improved air movement with less wheezing
- B. Reduced airway inflammation over several weeks
- C. Thinner blood with less clot formation
- D. Lower blood pressure with slower heart rate
Explanation: Salbutamol is a short-acting beta2 agonist that relaxes bronchial smooth muscle and rapidly improves airflow.
Correct answer: Improved air movement with less wheezing- A. Rinse the mouth and spit out the water
- B. Take the medicine only during severe attacks
- C. Stop the medicine when breathing improves
- D. Drink less water for the next two hours
Explanation: Rinsing and spitting reduces oral candidiasis and throat irritation caused by inhaled corticosteroids.
Correct answer: Rinse the mouth and spit out the water- A. Withhold the drug and assess respiratory status
- B. Give the next dose with a glass of milk
- C. Ask the patient to walk to improve circulation
- D. Administer a cough suppressant before assessment
Explanation: Nonselective beta blockers such as propranolol can cause bronchoconstriction, making breathing the priority assessment.
Correct answer: Withhold the drug and assess respiratory status- A. Report the symptoms promptly to the prescriber
- B. Reassure the patient that this is always harmless
- C. Give an extra dose to prevent fast atrial rhythm
- D. Encourage strenuous exercise to improve lung function
Explanation: Amiodarone can cause pulmonary toxicity, including pneumonitis and fibrosis, which may present with dry cough and dyspnoea.
Correct answer: Report the symptoms promptly to the prescriber- A. Avoid suppressing the cough unless prescribed after assessment
- B. Use a suppressant freely to stop all airway secretions
- C. Take two different cough suppressants together
- D. Restrict fluids to reduce sputum production
Explanation: A productive cough can help clear secretions, so suppressing it may retain mucus and worsen airway obstruction.
Correct answer: Avoid suppressing the cough unless prescribed after assessment- A. Relaxation of arterial smooth muscle and lower vascular resistance
- B. Increased sodium retention and expanded circulating volume
- C. Reduced clotting factor production and slower thrombus formation
- D. Increased bronchial smooth muscle contraction and airway narrowing
Explanation: Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that mainly relaxes arteriolar smooth muscle, reducing systemic vascular resistance and blood…
Correct answer: Relaxation of arterial smooth muscle and lower vascular resistance- A. Serum potassium level
- B. Serum amylase level
- C. Platelet count
- D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone level
Explanation: Hydrochlorothiazide can increase urinary potassium loss, so hypokalaemia may cause cramps, weakness and dysrhythmias.
Correct answer: Serum potassium level13. Which statement best describes the action of metoprolol in a patient with hypertension and angina?
- A. It lowers heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand
- B. It increases heart rate and coronary oxygen demand
- C. It dissolves clots within the coronary arteries
- D. It directly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle
Explanation: Metoprolol is a beta1 selective blocker that lowers heart rate, contractility and blood pressure, thereby reducing myocardial oxygen…
Correct answer: It lowers heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand- A. International normalized ratio
- B. Serum sodium concentration
- C. Peak expiratory flow rate
- D. White blood cell count
Explanation: The international normalized ratio, or INR, evaluates the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and helps identify excessive anticoagulation.
Correct answer: International normalized ratio- A. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute
- B. Blood pressure of 138 over 84 millimetres of mercury
- C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
- D. Mild flushing after the previous dose
Explanation: Verapamil slows atrioventricular conduction and can produce significant bradycardia, so an apical pulse of 52 beats per minute requires…
Correct answer: Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute- A. Reduced bronchial smooth muscle constriction
- B. Immediate suppression of the cough reflex
- C. Increased mucus production in the bronchi
- D. Rapid dissolution of pulmonary blood clots
Explanation: Ipratropium is an inhaled anticholinergic bronchodilator that reduces vagal bronchoconstriction and helps open the airways.
Correct answer: Reduced bronchial smooth muscle constriction- A. Stop the infusion and notify the prescriber
- B. Give the next dose with additional food
- C. Encourage strenuous exercise to reduce anxiety
- D. Place the patient flat and continue the infusion
Explanation: Restlessness, vomiting and dysrhythmia suggest theophylline toxicity, which can become life threatening.
Correct answer: Stop the infusion and notify the prescriber- A. I will not stop this medicine suddenly without advice
- B. I can stop it once my breathing improves
- C. I should double the dose after every missed tablet
- D. I should take it only when an acute attack begins
Explanation: Prolonged corticosteroid therapy suppresses adrenal function, so prednisone may need gradual tapering under medical supervision.
Correct answer: I will not stop this medicine suddenly without advice- A. Arrange urgent assessment for possible intracranial bleeding
- B. Offer oral fluids and observe for thirty minutes
- C. Administer the next anticoagulant dose as scheduled
- D. Apply a warm compress to the scalp and reassess later
Explanation: A head injury in a patient receiving anticoagulant therapy may cause concealed intracranial bleeding even without early symptoms.
Correct answer: Arrange urgent assessment for possible intracranial bleeding- A. These effects can occur from beta2 agonist stimulation
- B. These effects prove that the airway is completely blocked
- C. These effects show that the medicine has caused pneumonia
- D. These effects mean the patient should take extra doses
Explanation: Salbutamol can cause tremor and tachycardia, especially when repeated doses are taken, because beta agonist stimulation affects skeletal…
Correct answer: These effects can occur from beta2 agonist stimulationCardiovascular and Respiratory Drugs MCQs: common questions
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