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NCLEX Practice Exam for Pharmacology Cardiovascular Medications 2
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NCLEX Practice Exam for Pharmacology Cardiovascular Medications 2

Practice Mode

Welcome to your NCLEX Practice Exam for Pharmacology Cardiovascular Medications 2! This exam is carefully curated to help you consolidate your knowledge and gain deeper understanding on the topic.

 

✔ Exam Details

  • Number of Questions: 30 items
  • Mode: Practice Mode

✔ Exam Instructions

  1. Practice Mode: This mode aims to facilitate effective learning and review.
  2. Instant Feedback: After each question, the correct answer along with an explanation will be revealed. This is to help you understand the reasoning behind the correct answer, helping to reinforce your learning.
  3. Time Limit: There is no time limit for this exam. Take your time to understand each question and the corresponding choices.

Remember, this exam is not just a test of your knowledge, but also an opportunity to enhance your understanding and skills. Enjoy the learning journey!

 

Click 'Start Exam' when you're ready to begin. Best of luck!

💡 Hint

Think of the nitrate formulation that's commonly prescribed for maintenance therapy rather than immediate relief.

1 / 30

1. During clinical rounds, a preceptor asks student nurse Eli to identify a long-acting nitrate. Eli quickly recalls the various nitrate formulations used for angina management and selects the one known for its sustained release and extended duration of action. Which option did he correctly choose?

💡 Hint

Focus on where ACE inhibitors work within the RAAS pathway. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, so preventing its formation is key to reducing blood pressure.

2 / 30

2. Nurse Daniel is explaining to a patient how ACE inhibitors help manage their hypertension. He describes the medication’s role in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and how it modifies physiologic responses to reduce blood pressure. What effect do ACE inhibitors primarily have?

💡 Hint

Think about what can occur if this loop diuretic is pushed too quickly through the IV route.

3 / 30

3. The nurse is administering intravenous furosemide to a client admitted with fluid overload. While monitoring for possible adverse effects, the nurse remains alert for complications related to rapid administration. Which potential side effect should the nurse be most concerned about?

💡 Hint

Consider how nitrates affect vascular tone. Their primary action is vasodilation, which decreases preload and helps improve oxygen supply to ischemic heart tissue—especially critical in the early stages of an MI.

4 / 30

4. Nurse David is attending to Mr. Harrison, a 55-year-old male admitted to the emergency department with classic signs of an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Following established protocols, Nurse David administers nitroglycerin as prescribed. What is the principal beneficial outcome associated with the early administration of nitrates in patients experiencing an acute MI?

💡 Hint

Think about the key enzyme that must be blocked to prevent fibrin clot formation early in the coagulation cascade.

5 / 30

5. The nurse is preparing to administer a parenteral anticoagulant to a client at risk for thromboembolic events. Understanding the drug’s mechanism of action is essential to monitoring therapy effectiveness and preventing complications. Parenteral anticoagulants primarily interfere with which step in the clotting process?

💡 Hint

Think about the site with ample subcutaneous tissue that allows for slow, consistent absorption of anticoagulants.

6 / 30

6. The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous dose of heparin to a client for thromboprophylaxis. To ensure proper absorption and minimize complications such as bruising, the nurse selects the most appropriate site for injection. Where should the nurse administer the medication?

💡 Hint

Think about how vasodilators directly affect blood vessel tone to lower resistance and improve flow.

7 / 30

7. While reviewing cardiovascular medications, Nurse Terrence is quizzing himself on drug classifications. When considering vasodilators, he recalls their primary mechanism of action and their role in treating cardiovascular conditions. What defines how vasodilators work?

💡 Hint

Think about the specific antidote that binds directly to heparin and neutralizes its anticoagulant effect.

8 / 30

8. The nurse is caring for a client who has received an excessive dose of heparin and is showing signs of bleeding. The healthcare provider orders a reversal agent. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer to counteract the effects of heparin?

💡 Hint

Think about the potency of this diuretic class compared to loop or thiazide diuretics.

9 / 30

9. The nurse is reviewing a medication list for a client prescribed a potassium-sparing diuretic as part of their antihypertensive regimen. Understanding the drug class is essential for proper monitoring. What general characteristic applies to all potassium-sparing diuretics?

💡 Hint

Managing PVD effectively goes beyond medication—think holistic prevention and daily self-care routines.

10 / 30

10. Nurse Yara is providing discharge education to a client prescribed medication for peripheral vascular disease (PVD). As part of her teaching, she emphasizes lifestyle changes and self-care practices that support medication effectiveness and prevent complications. What should she include?

💡 Hint

The key to therapeutic communication is validating the patient’s feelings and encouraging collaboration. Avoid minimizing concerns or offering premature reassurance—start by listening and gathering more information.

11 / 30

11. Mr. Hollis, a hypertensive patient recently started on captopril, expresses frustration about frequent medication changes. He tells Nurse Tamara, “The doctor keeps switching my meds and none work. I feel like a guinea pig.” What is the most therapeutic and appropriate response Nurse Tamara can give?

💡 Hint

Consider how blocking aldosterone affects the balance of electrolytes and fluid retention.

12 / 30

12. Nurse Clara is reviewing the effects of ACE inhibitors with a nursing student during medication rounds. She emphasizes how these medications influence the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. What is the expected result of this action?

💡 Hint

Think about how certain lipid-lowering agents work in the GI tract. One class in particular binds bile acids in the intestine, which can interfere with normal bowel movement patterns and often leads to constipation.

13 / 30

13. The nurse is monitoring a client who has recently started a lipid-lowering medication. The client reports difficulty with bowel movements, prompting the nurse to review which agent is most commonly associated with this gastrointestinal side effect. Which drug is most likely the cause?

💡 Hint

Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent clotting factors, which have varying half-lives. It doesn’t act instantly; instead, its anticoagulant effects typically become apparent after a day or more due to the time required for existing clotting factors to degrade.

14 / 30

14. The nurse is beginning warfarin therapy for a client with atrial fibrillation and is monitoring lab values to assess the medication's effectiveness. Knowing the timing of its action is essential for safe dose adjustments. When should the nurse expect the first noticeable prolongation of prothrombin time (PT) after starting therapy?

💡 Hint

Consider which organ is primarily responsible for metabolizing these medications and is at risk for toxicity.

15 / 30

15. The nurse is reviewing a new prescription for a lipid-lowering agent. Before initiating therapy, the nurse checks the client’s medical history for conditions that could increase the risk of adverse effects. What is considered the most significant contraindication to this class of medication?

💡 Hint

Think about how ACE inhibitors can influence potassium levels in the body and what foods may need to be limited.

16 / 30

16. Nurse Janelle is reviewing home care instructions with Ms. Porter, who is managing her hypertension with an ACE inhibitor. As they go over her dietary and medication practices, one of Ms. Porter’s comments raises concern and indicates she may need more education. Which statement suggests the need for further teaching?

💡 Hint

Think about the common first-dose effect of ACE inhibitors and how it can impact mobility.

17 / 30

17. Nurse Mia has just given an ACE inhibitor to Mr. Brooks, a newly diagnosed hypertensive client. As she prepares to assist him out of bed for the first time post-dose, she considers the medication’s effects and monitors closely for any immediate risks. What should Nurse Mia assess for before ambulation?

💡 Hint

Think of vasodilators’ role in reducing vascular resistance to lower elevated blood pressure.

18 / 30

18. Nurse Jessa is preparing to administer hydralazine to a patient. While reviewing the medication's purpose, she reminds herself of the primary condition vasodilators are intended to manage. What is the main therapeutic use of vasodilators?

💡 Hint

While several medications influence blood pressure and circulation, only one is specifically used to improve cerebral perfusion after neurologic events like subarachnoid hemorrhage or TIA—especially by targeting cerebral vasospasm.

19 / 30

19. Nurse Lani is reviewing the medication regimen for Mr. De Leon, a 50-year-old widower recently admitted after experiencing a transient ischemic attack (TIA). The care team plans to improve cerebral blood flow through vasodilation. Which vasodilator is most commonly used for this purpose?

💡 Hint

Think about what happens to vascular smooth muscles that allows for decreased myocardial oxygen demand.

20 / 30

20. Nurse Denise is preparing to administer a dose of nitroglycerin to a patient experiencing chest pain. As she monitors for effectiveness, she recalls the primary mechanism of action that makes nitrates beneficial in relieving angina. What effect do nitrates have on the body?

💡 Hint

Consider how shifting fluid into the vascular space might impact a client with compromised cardiac function.

21 / 30

21. A 68-year-old client with a history of mild congestive heart failure and glaucoma is receiving intravenous mannitol to help reduce intraocular pressure. The nurse is aware that careful monitoring is necessary due to the drug’s osmotic effects. What should the nurse closely assess the client for?

💡 Hint

Think about the vitamin that is fat-soluble and essential for clotting, which relies on bile for absorption.

22 / 30

22. The nurse is administering a bile acid sequestrant to a client with hyperlipidemia. While educating the client about possible nutritional concerns, the nurse explains that this medication may interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients. Which vitamin is most likely to be affected?

💡 Hint

Think about the lipoprotein that provides a protective cardiovascular effect and is encouraged to rise with treatment.

23 / 30

23. A nursing student is reviewing medications used in cardiovascular care and is focusing on lipid-lowering agents. The student understands that the therapeutic goal of these medications involves improving lipid profiles to reduce cardiovascular risk. What is the desired effect of lipid-lowering therapy?

💡 Hint

Think about how vasodilation might affect blood pressure when changing positions.

24 / 30

24. Nurse Olivia is providing discharge instructions to Mr. Reynolds, who is prescribed nitrates for angina. She emphasizes safe medication practices to avoid adverse effects. Which teaching point is most essential regarding how to manage a common side effect of nitrate therapy?

💡 Hint

Focus on how this drug class conserves potassium while promoting sodium excretion.

25 / 30

25. A clinical instructor asks a nursing student to describe the action of an aldosterone antagonist. Which of the following responses indicates the student understands the pharmacologic effect of this medication?

💡 Hint

Focus on how nitrates help balance oxygen supply and demand in the heart by reducing cardiac workload.

26 / 30

26. Nurse Carla is educating Mr. Simons, a 50-year-old client with stable angina, about his daily nitrate therapy. She explains the purpose of the medication and how it helps his heart. What therapeutic effect should Nurse Carla emphasize as the intended outcome of regular nitrate use?

💡 Hint

Consider how frequently IV or SC heparin is dosed to maintain therapeutic levels in the bloodstream.

27 / 30

27. The nurse is reviewing the pharmacokinetics of heparin before adjusting a client’s dosing schedule. Understanding how long the drug remains active in the system is key to preventing bleeding complications and ensuring therapeutic effectiveness. What is the approximate half-life of heparin?

💡 Hint

Consider how aging affects renal function and fluid regulation, increasing susceptibility to drug side effects.

28 / 30

28. The nurse is reviewing medication risks with a group of clients prescribed diuretics. One client, due to age-related physiological changes, is at greater risk for adverse effects such as electrolyte imbalances or dehydration. Which client should the nurse monitor most closely?

💡 Hint

Focus on the lipoprotein most strongly linked to plaque formation and atherosclerosis.

29 / 30

29. The nurse is educating a client recently prescribed a lipid-lowering agent as part of their cardiovascular risk reduction plan. The nurse explains that the primary marker used to evaluate the success of therapy is based on lowering which component?

💡 Hint

Think of medications that work to improve microcirculation and decrease blood viscosity in vascular conditions.

30 / 30

30. Nurse Angelo is caring for a patient recently diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. The physician has prescribed a medication to improve blood flow. As Angelo reviews the treatment plan, he recalls which drugs are commonly used for managing peripheral or cerebral vascular obstruction. Which option is correct?

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