Pharmacology HESI –
Elsevier Evolve, 2026 |
Practice Exam Questions
with Detailed Rationales
PDF
, 1
Pharmacology HESI – Elsevier Evolve,
2026 | Practice Exam Questions with
Detailed Rationales PDF
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?
A) How much water have you been drinking each day?
B) Does the urine color stain your toilet bowl or
undergarments?
C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or
urgency?
D) Did your urine appear cloudy or have a foul odor on voiding?
- correct answer-C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain,
burning, or urgency?
Feedback:
Phenazopyridine, an over-the-counter urinary analgesic, acts
on the mucosa of the urinary tract to relieve urinary pain,
burning, itching, or urgency (C) associated with urethritis and
cystitis. Although determining if the client is forcing fluids (A),
experiencing staining from Pyridium's side effect (B), or having
signs of a urinary infection (D) are worthwhile assessments, the
therapeutic response of Pyridium is related to urinary
discomforts only.
A male client who has been receiving an antineoplastic drug
has developed thrombocytopenia. What instructions should the
practical nurse (PN) reinforce?
A) Use suppository form of drugs.
B) Avoid large public gatherings.
C) Rise slowly when standing up.
D) Shave with an electric razor. - correct answer-D) Shave with
an electric razor.
Feedback:
1
, 2
Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of bone marrow
depression caused by several antineoplastic agents. The client
is experiencing a low platelet count and should use an electric
razor (D) to reduce his risk of bleeding. (A, B, and C) are not
indicated for a client who needs to implement
thrombocytopenia precautions.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been
taking prednisone (Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse
effect should the PN document in the client's record?
A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color. - correct answer-B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and
redistribution of fat deposition. Weight gain (B) and moon face
reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and should
be documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment
using prednisone.
A 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?
A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases. - correct answer-B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed
4 grams a day, resulting in an elevation in hepatic enzyme
values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
2
Elsevier Evolve, 2026 |
Practice Exam Questions
with Detailed Rationales
, 1
Pharmacology HESI – Elsevier Evolve,
2026 | Practice Exam Questions with
Detailed Rationales PDF
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?
A) How much water have you been drinking each day?
B) Does the urine color stain your toilet bowl or
undergarments?
C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or
urgency?
D) Did your urine appear cloudy or have a foul odor on voiding?
- correct answer-C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain,
burning, or urgency?
Feedback:
Phenazopyridine, an over-the-counter urinary analgesic, acts
on the mucosa of the urinary tract to relieve urinary pain,
burning, itching, or urgency (C) associated with urethritis and
cystitis. Although determining if the client is forcing fluids (A),
experiencing staining from Pyridium's side effect (B), or having
signs of a urinary infection (D) are worthwhile assessments, the
therapeutic response of Pyridium is related to urinary
discomforts only.
A male client who has been receiving an antineoplastic drug
has developed thrombocytopenia. What instructions should the
practical nurse (PN) reinforce?
A) Use suppository form of drugs.
B) Avoid large public gatherings.
C) Rise slowly when standing up.
D) Shave with an electric razor. - correct answer-D) Shave with
an electric razor.
Feedback:
1
, 2
Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of bone marrow
depression caused by several antineoplastic agents. The client
is experiencing a low platelet count and should use an electric
razor (D) to reduce his risk of bleeding. (A, B, and C) are not
indicated for a client who needs to implement
thrombocytopenia precautions.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been
taking prednisone (Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse
effect should the PN document in the client's record?
A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color. - correct answer-B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and
redistribution of fat deposition. Weight gain (B) and moon face
reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and should
be documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment
using prednisone.
A 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?
A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases. - correct answer-B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed
4 grams a day, resulting in an elevation in hepatic enzyme
values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
2
