Pharmacology HESI Practice Exam
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1. The practical nurse (PN) administers isoproterenol (suprel) to a client with
heart block. The PN should evaluate the client for which physiological re-
sponse?: Increased heart rate
2. client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal).
What nursing action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?: Monitor for signs of
respiratory arrest.
3. A client with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prescribed am-
phetamine (Adderal). Which side effect should the practical nurse (PN) explain
is commonly experienced?: Difficulty sleeping
4. practical nurse (PN) discusses antihypertensive drug therapy with several
clients diagnosed with high blood pressure. To improve client understanding
the PN should emphasize that which medication preserves renal function in a
client with diabetes?: Captopril (Capoten).
5. The practical nurse (PN) should recommend that oral contraceptives be avoid-
ed in which group of women?: Women who smoke.
6. female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she
has been taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory
studies should the PN review for this client?: Hepatic enzymes
7. healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops
for a client who is having a cataract removal what explanation about the drug
actions should the practical nurse (PN) provide the client?: Dilates the pupil.
8. The practical nurse (PN) observes a thick white-coating on the tongue of a
client who takes fluphenazine (Prolixin). What instructions should the P rein-
force with the client about this medication?: Brush your teeth and tongue, floss, gargle, and
notify the healthcare provider
9. An older client who takes risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic, is com-
plaining of constipation. Which dietary changes should the practical nurse (PN)
recommend?: Increase daily green vegetables and bran
10. 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practi-
cal nurse (PN) that she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information
should the PN provide to the client?: The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the
infant.
1/5
, Pharmacology HESI Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_6jefcg
11. The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperi-
dine (Demerol) for postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted
pupils, and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription
should the PN give the client?: Naloxone (Narcan)
12. client who returns from surgery for bowel resection complains of severe
pain around the incision. Which assessment is most important for the practical
nurse obtain prior to the administration of morphine sulfate?: Rate of respirations
13. A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative
pain. Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for in the
client?: Constipation
14. The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), a nonsteroidal an-
tiinflammatory drug (NSAID), for a client with osteoarthritis. Which finding in
the client's history should the practical nurse (PN) report?: Peptic ulcer disease
15. The healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for a male adolescent with
an upper respiratory tract infection, who asks the practical nurse (PN) how long
the prescribed antibiotics should be taken. What information should the PN
provide?: Continue the medication until all of the prescription is taken
16. The practical nurse asks a male client who came to the clinic with an upper
respiratory infection if he has any drug allergies. The client cannot remember ir
he does or if he ever received penicillin. After administering the injection peni-
cillin, the PN tells the client to stay for 30 minutes of observation. Which finding
should the PN identify that is indicative of a reaction to the medication?: Rash,
itching, and hives
17. A client's tissue culture results indicate the wound is infected with methi-
cillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement first?: implement contact isolation precautions
18. A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of
urethritis and cystitis comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange.
Which question should the practical nurse ask to determine if the medication
has been effective?: Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
2/5
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_6jefcg
1. The practical nurse (PN) administers isoproterenol (suprel) to a client with
heart block. The PN should evaluate the client for which physiological re-
sponse?: Increased heart rate
2. client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal).
What nursing action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?: Monitor for signs of
respiratory arrest.
3. A client with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prescribed am-
phetamine (Adderal). Which side effect should the practical nurse (PN) explain
is commonly experienced?: Difficulty sleeping
4. practical nurse (PN) discusses antihypertensive drug therapy with several
clients diagnosed with high blood pressure. To improve client understanding
the PN should emphasize that which medication preserves renal function in a
client with diabetes?: Captopril (Capoten).
5. The practical nurse (PN) should recommend that oral contraceptives be avoid-
ed in which group of women?: Women who smoke.
6. female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she
has been taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory
studies should the PN review for this client?: Hepatic enzymes
7. healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops
for a client who is having a cataract removal what explanation about the drug
actions should the practical nurse (PN) provide the client?: Dilates the pupil.
8. The practical nurse (PN) observes a thick white-coating on the tongue of a
client who takes fluphenazine (Prolixin). What instructions should the P rein-
force with the client about this medication?: Brush your teeth and tongue, floss, gargle, and
notify the healthcare provider
9. An older client who takes risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic, is com-
plaining of constipation. Which dietary changes should the practical nurse (PN)
recommend?: Increase daily green vegetables and bran
10. 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practi-
cal nurse (PN) that she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information
should the PN provide to the client?: The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the
infant.
1/5
, Pharmacology HESI Practice Exam
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_6jefcg
11. The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperi-
dine (Demerol) for postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted
pupils, and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription
should the PN give the client?: Naloxone (Narcan)
12. client who returns from surgery for bowel resection complains of severe
pain around the incision. Which assessment is most important for the practical
nurse obtain prior to the administration of morphine sulfate?: Rate of respirations
13. A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative
pain. Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for in the
client?: Constipation
14. The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), a nonsteroidal an-
tiinflammatory drug (NSAID), for a client with osteoarthritis. Which finding in
the client's history should the practical nurse (PN) report?: Peptic ulcer disease
15. The healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for a male adolescent with
an upper respiratory tract infection, who asks the practical nurse (PN) how long
the prescribed antibiotics should be taken. What information should the PN
provide?: Continue the medication until all of the prescription is taken
16. The practical nurse asks a male client who came to the clinic with an upper
respiratory infection if he has any drug allergies. The client cannot remember ir
he does or if he ever received penicillin. After administering the injection peni-
cillin, the PN tells the client to stay for 30 minutes of observation. Which finding
should the PN identify that is indicative of a reaction to the medication?: Rash,
itching, and hives
17. A client's tissue culture results indicate the wound is infected with methi-
cillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What action should the practical
nurse (PN) implement first?: implement contact isolation precautions
18. A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of
urethritis and cystitis comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange.
Which question should the practical nurse ask to determine if the medication
has been effective?: Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
2/5
