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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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- 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 airway22. 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