DHA Nursing Pharmacology & Drug Administration 2

Question 1

A patient on heparin infusion has an aPTT of 200 seconds (therapeutic range 60–100 seconds). What is the priority nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Hold the heparin infusion and notify the physician immediately

Answer

An aPTT of 200 seconds is significantly supratherapeutic, indicating a high bleeding risk; the infusion must be stopped and the physician notified for dose adjustment.

Question 2

Which class of medications requires the nurse to monitor for signs of angioedema as a rare but serious side effect?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)

Answer

ACE inhibitors can cause bradykinin accumulation, which in rare cases leads to angioedema—potentially life-threatening swelling of the face, lips, and airway.

Question 3

Insulin glargine (Lantus) is classified as which type of insulin?

Accepted Answer

Long-acting basal insulin

Answer

Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin with a relatively flat, peakless profile lasting approximately 24 hours, used to control fasting blood glucose.

Question 4

A nurse notes that a prescribed medication has a narrow therapeutic index. What does this mean clinically?

Accepted Answer

The difference between the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose is small, requiring careful monitoring

Answer

A narrow therapeutic index means the effective and toxic plasma concentrations are close together, requiring frequent monitoring of drug levels and patient response.

Question 5

Which drug interaction is a contraindication when a patient is taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)?

Accepted Answer

Tyramine-rich foods and sympathomimetic drugs

Answer

MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine and catecholamines; consuming tyramine-rich foods or sympathomimetics can trigger a hypertensive crisis.

DHA Nursing Practice Test

DHA Nursing Practice Test

DHA Nursing Pharmacology & Drug Administration 2