HESI PHARM 315 Study Guide Latest Update 2026 |
Pass Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. The primary care provider orders peak and trough levels for a patients who is
receiving IV vancomycin every 12 hours. when should the nurse obtain a
blood specimen to measure the trough?
two hours after the next dose infuses
while the drug is infusing
approx. 30 min before the next dose is scheduled
with the morning routine lab studies
2. Before administering the initial dose of sumatriptan succinate to a patient with
a migraine headache, it is most important to determine if the patient's history
includes which problem?
- seasonal allergic rhinitis
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- coronary artery disease
- irritable bowel syndrome
3. What medication is commonly prescribed to manage extrapyramidal
symptoms associated with antipsychotic medications?
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Lithium
Benztropine
,4. Why is it important for the nurse to assess a client for hypotension before
administering labetalol?
The nurse should always administer medication without prior
assessment.
Administering labetalol to a hypotensive client could worsen their
condition and lead to serious complications.
Hypotension is not a concern when administering labetalol.
Labetalol is safe to administer regardless of blood pressure readings.
5. Why is it important for a patient to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach?
It increases the medication's potency.
It reduces the risk of side effects.
It prevents interactions with other medications.
Taking levothyroxine on an empty stomach enhances its absorption.
6. If a patient takes levothyroxine with a meal high in fiber, what potential issue
might arise?
Increased side effects
Improved metabolism of the drug
Reduced absorption of the medication
Enhanced therapeutic effect
7. The nurse is caring for an obese client who will be taking orlistat (Xenical) to
help her lose weight. Which statement indicates that the client understands
teaching about orlistat?
I may have loose stools after meals if I eat too much fat.
, This medication will suppress my appetite so I won't be hungry.
This medication will make me feel full after I eat small amounts.
This medication will help speed up my metabolism.
8. If a nurse has withheld labetalol due to hypotension, what should be the next
step in patient management?
Reassess the client's vital signs every hour.
Administer a different antihypertensive medication immediately.
Notify the health care provider for further assessment and
intervention.
Document the decision and wait for the next scheduled dose.
9. What is the primary concern for a nurse when administering terbinafine HCL
to a patient with a history of alcoholism?
Potential liver impairment
Drug interactions with other medications
Increased risk of infection
Allergic reaction to the medication
10. A nurse is teaching a client with Crohn's disease (CD) about managing the
disease with the drug adalimumab (Humira). Which instruction does the
nurse emphasize to the client?
Expect difficulty with wound healing while you are taking this drug.
Avoid large crowds and anyone who is sick.
Monitor your blood pressure and report any significant decrease in it.
, Do not take the medication if you are allergic to foods with fatty
acids.
11. The health care provider prescribes lactulose for a client with hepatic
encephalopathy. Which of the following assessment parameters should the
nurse monitor for effectiveness of this medication?
Decreased liver enzymes
Relief of constipation
Decreased ammonia levels
Relief of abdominal pain
12. A client taking atorvastatin begins to complain of muscle aches, fatigue, and
weakness. Which of the following should the nurse monitor?
the clients liver enzymes
the clients hemoglobin and hematocrit
the clients CBC
the clients creatine kinase (CK) levels
13. Why is it important for clients taking gabapentin to report symptoms of
gastric irritation?
Gastric irritation is a common side effect that does not need to be
reported.
Gastric irritation is unrelated to the effectiveness of gabapentin.
Gastric irritation is a sign that the medication is working properly.
Gastric irritation can indicate an adverse reaction to the medication
that may require intervention.
Pass Pharmacology Exam Prep
1. The primary care provider orders peak and trough levels for a patients who is
receiving IV vancomycin every 12 hours. when should the nurse obtain a
blood specimen to measure the trough?
two hours after the next dose infuses
while the drug is infusing
approx. 30 min before the next dose is scheduled
with the morning routine lab studies
2. Before administering the initial dose of sumatriptan succinate to a patient with
a migraine headache, it is most important to determine if the patient's history
includes which problem?
- seasonal allergic rhinitis
- type 2 diabetes mellitus
- coronary artery disease
- irritable bowel syndrome
3. What medication is commonly prescribed to manage extrapyramidal
symptoms associated with antipsychotic medications?
Fluoxetine
Haloperidol
Lithium
Benztropine
,4. Why is it important for the nurse to assess a client for hypotension before
administering labetalol?
The nurse should always administer medication without prior
assessment.
Administering labetalol to a hypotensive client could worsen their
condition and lead to serious complications.
Hypotension is not a concern when administering labetalol.
Labetalol is safe to administer regardless of blood pressure readings.
5. Why is it important for a patient to take levothyroxine on an empty stomach?
It increases the medication's potency.
It reduces the risk of side effects.
It prevents interactions with other medications.
Taking levothyroxine on an empty stomach enhances its absorption.
6. If a patient takes levothyroxine with a meal high in fiber, what potential issue
might arise?
Increased side effects
Improved metabolism of the drug
Reduced absorption of the medication
Enhanced therapeutic effect
7. The nurse is caring for an obese client who will be taking orlistat (Xenical) to
help her lose weight. Which statement indicates that the client understands
teaching about orlistat?
I may have loose stools after meals if I eat too much fat.
, This medication will suppress my appetite so I won't be hungry.
This medication will make me feel full after I eat small amounts.
This medication will help speed up my metabolism.
8. If a nurse has withheld labetalol due to hypotension, what should be the next
step in patient management?
Reassess the client's vital signs every hour.
Administer a different antihypertensive medication immediately.
Notify the health care provider for further assessment and
intervention.
Document the decision and wait for the next scheduled dose.
9. What is the primary concern for a nurse when administering terbinafine HCL
to a patient with a history of alcoholism?
Potential liver impairment
Drug interactions with other medications
Increased risk of infection
Allergic reaction to the medication
10. A nurse is teaching a client with Crohn's disease (CD) about managing the
disease with the drug adalimumab (Humira). Which instruction does the
nurse emphasize to the client?
Expect difficulty with wound healing while you are taking this drug.
Avoid large crowds and anyone who is sick.
Monitor your blood pressure and report any significant decrease in it.
, Do not take the medication if you are allergic to foods with fatty
acids.
11. The health care provider prescribes lactulose for a client with hepatic
encephalopathy. Which of the following assessment parameters should the
nurse monitor for effectiveness of this medication?
Decreased liver enzymes
Relief of constipation
Decreased ammonia levels
Relief of abdominal pain
12. A client taking atorvastatin begins to complain of muscle aches, fatigue, and
weakness. Which of the following should the nurse monitor?
the clients liver enzymes
the clients hemoglobin and hematocrit
the clients CBC
the clients creatine kinase (CK) levels
13. Why is it important for clients taking gabapentin to report symptoms of
gastric irritation?
Gastric irritation is a common side effect that does not need to be
reported.
Gastric irritation is unrelated to the effectiveness of gabapentin.
Gastric irritation is a sign that the medication is working properly.
Gastric irritation can indicate an adverse reaction to the medication
that may require intervention.
