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2023-2024 HESI Pharmacology V1
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism
and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer as prescribed to the client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D Ans: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute
hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D
need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone,
decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium
concentration.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the
mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
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1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
The mother should be instructed to administer the
medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following would indicate the presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
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Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in
the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse
reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun Ans: 4.
At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating
Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the
client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which
of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
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2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn
site Ans: 3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and
gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns to
reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client
should be informed that the medication will cause local
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the
following indicates that a systemic effect has
occurred?1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site Ans: 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
© 2025 All rights reserved
2023-2024 HESI Pharmacology V1
Questions and Answers Latest 2026
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism
and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer as prescribed to the client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D Ans: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute
hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D
need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone,
decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium
concentration.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the
mother to administer the iron with which best food item?
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
The mother should be instructed to administer the
medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following would indicate the presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
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, 3 | Page
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in
the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse
reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun Ans: 4.
At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating
Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the
client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which
of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
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, 4 | Page
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn
site Ans: 3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and
gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns to
reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client
should be informed that the medication will cause local
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the
following indicates that a systemic effect has
occurred?1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site Ans: 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
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