1
EVOLVE PHARMACOLOGY HESI
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
A client who is transferred to the cardiac rehabilitation unit after a myocardial
infarction is ready for discharge with a new prescription for metoprolol
(Lopressor). The client asks, I don't have high blood pressure, so why did my
healthcare provider give me this medicine? What information should the practical
nurse (PN) provide?
A) Anticoagulation is the most important action of metoprolol.
B) Beta-blockers are routinely prescribed after heart damage.
C) Heart failure is prevented as a complication while healing.
D) A slower heart rate reduces the heart's oxygen demand. - correct-answer -D) A
slower heart rate reduces the heart's oxygen demand.
Feedback:
Lopressor, a beta-blocker, slows the heart rate and is prescribed after a
myocardial infarction to reduce the heart's work load and oxygen demand (D). (A,
B, and D) are incorrect.
Which serum laboratory result should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for the
effectiveness of lactulose (Cephulac)?
A) Ammonia.
B) Potassium.
C) Uric acid.
D) Triglycerides. - correct-answer -A) Ammonia.
Feedback:
Lactulose reduces blood ammonia (A) levels to improve mental status of a client
with hepatic encephalopathy resulting from cirrhosis or other liver problems.
Changes in (B, C, and D) do not evaluate the therapeutic response of lactulose.
, 2
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is receiving dexamethasone
(Decadron) after abdominal surgery. Which finding should the PN report to the
charge nurse?
A) Weight loss.
B) Impaired healing.
C) Bradycardia.
D) Hyperkalemia. - correct-answer -B) Impaired healing.
Feedback:
Glucocorticoids, such as Decadron, are used in the treatment of allergic,
inflammatory, and debilitating conditions. A common side of exogenous
corticosteroid therapy is hyperglycemia and delayed wound healing (B). (A, C, and
D) are side effects not associated with the administration of Decadron.
The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing teaching for a client who is receiving
diltiazem (Cardizem), a calcium channel blocker. Which drug action should the
practical nurse explain?
A) Increased force of contraction.
B) Decreased rate of contraction.
C) Decreased peripheral resistance.
D) Increased speed of conduction. - correct-answer -B) Decreased rate of
contraction.
Feedback:
Calcium-channel blockers decrease cardiac contractility (inotropy),
atrioventricular-node conduction (dromotropy), and heart rate (chronotropy) (B).
(A, C, and D) are not pharmacotherapeutic actions for Cardizem.
A client who received succinylcholine (Anectine), a neuromuscular blocking agent,
during a surgical procedure returns to the postoperative unit and is complaining
of thirst and wants to drink something. What assessment is most important for
the practical nurse (PN) to check before giving oral liquids?
A) Gag and swallow reflexes.
B) Appetite and interest in food.
C) Sensation and movement of all limbs.
, 3
D) Ability to breathe deeply on command. - correct-answer -A) Gag and swallow
reflexes.
Feedback:
Anectine, a neuromuscular blocking agent, paralyzes musculoskeletal muscles and
the gag reflex. To reduce the possibility of aspiration, the PN should confirm the
return of the client's gag and swallow reflexes (A) before allowing intake of food
or liquids. (B, C, and D) should be assessed but do not have the priority of
initiating oral intake post-anesthesia.
A client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal).
What nursing action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
A) Provide continuous telemetry monitoring.
B) Monitor for signs of respiratory arrest.
C) Administer prescribed naloxone (Narcan).
D) Keep a dose of diazepam at the bedside. - correct-answer -B) Monitor for signs
of respiratory arrest.
Feedback:
An overdose of baclofen (Lioresal), a centrally acting muscle relaxant, can cause
coma and respiratory depression that requires respiratory support. Monitoring
for early signs of respiratory arrest (B) is most important so immediate respiratory
resuscitation can be provided. Although telemetry (A) provides close cardiac
monitoring, early recognition of respiratory arrest is indicated due to the actions
of Lioresal. Narcan (C) is ineffective for baclofen overdose. (D) is not indicated.
A 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practical
nurse (PN) that she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information should
the PN provide to the client?
A) The medication does not cross the placental barrier.
B) Mood swings will occur if lithium is discontinued.
C) Breast milk should be discarded after each oral dose of lithium.
D) The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant. - correct-
answer -D) The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant.
Feedback:
Lithium crosses the placental barrier and is excreted in the breast milk, so the
client should formula feed her newborn. (A and C) are inaccurate information.
EVOLVE PHARMACOLOGY HESI
PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS 2026
A client who is transferred to the cardiac rehabilitation unit after a myocardial
infarction is ready for discharge with a new prescription for metoprolol
(Lopressor). The client asks, I don't have high blood pressure, so why did my
healthcare provider give me this medicine? What information should the practical
nurse (PN) provide?
A) Anticoagulation is the most important action of metoprolol.
B) Beta-blockers are routinely prescribed after heart damage.
C) Heart failure is prevented as a complication while healing.
D) A slower heart rate reduces the heart's oxygen demand. - correct-answer -D) A
slower heart rate reduces the heart's oxygen demand.
Feedback:
Lopressor, a beta-blocker, slows the heart rate and is prescribed after a
myocardial infarction to reduce the heart's work load and oxygen demand (D). (A,
B, and D) are incorrect.
Which serum laboratory result should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for the
effectiveness of lactulose (Cephulac)?
A) Ammonia.
B) Potassium.
C) Uric acid.
D) Triglycerides. - correct-answer -A) Ammonia.
Feedback:
Lactulose reduces blood ammonia (A) levels to improve mental status of a client
with hepatic encephalopathy resulting from cirrhosis or other liver problems.
Changes in (B, C, and D) do not evaluate the therapeutic response of lactulose.
, 2
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is receiving dexamethasone
(Decadron) after abdominal surgery. Which finding should the PN report to the
charge nurse?
A) Weight loss.
B) Impaired healing.
C) Bradycardia.
D) Hyperkalemia. - correct-answer -B) Impaired healing.
Feedback:
Glucocorticoids, such as Decadron, are used in the treatment of allergic,
inflammatory, and debilitating conditions. A common side of exogenous
corticosteroid therapy is hyperglycemia and delayed wound healing (B). (A, C, and
D) are side effects not associated with the administration of Decadron.
The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing teaching for a client who is receiving
diltiazem (Cardizem), a calcium channel blocker. Which drug action should the
practical nurse explain?
A) Increased force of contraction.
B) Decreased rate of contraction.
C) Decreased peripheral resistance.
D) Increased speed of conduction. - correct-answer -B) Decreased rate of
contraction.
Feedback:
Calcium-channel blockers decrease cardiac contractility (inotropy),
atrioventricular-node conduction (dromotropy), and heart rate (chronotropy) (B).
(A, C, and D) are not pharmacotherapeutic actions for Cardizem.
A client who received succinylcholine (Anectine), a neuromuscular blocking agent,
during a surgical procedure returns to the postoperative unit and is complaining
of thirst and wants to drink something. What assessment is most important for
the practical nurse (PN) to check before giving oral liquids?
A) Gag and swallow reflexes.
B) Appetite and interest in food.
C) Sensation and movement of all limbs.
, 3
D) Ability to breathe deeply on command. - correct-answer -A) Gag and swallow
reflexes.
Feedback:
Anectine, a neuromuscular blocking agent, paralyzes musculoskeletal muscles and
the gag reflex. To reduce the possibility of aspiration, the PN should confirm the
return of the client's gag and swallow reflexes (A) before allowing intake of food
or liquids. (B, C, and D) should be assessed but do not have the priority of
initiating oral intake post-anesthesia.
A client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal).
What nursing action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
A) Provide continuous telemetry monitoring.
B) Monitor for signs of respiratory arrest.
C) Administer prescribed naloxone (Narcan).
D) Keep a dose of diazepam at the bedside. - correct-answer -B) Monitor for signs
of respiratory arrest.
Feedback:
An overdose of baclofen (Lioresal), a centrally acting muscle relaxant, can cause
coma and respiratory depression that requires respiratory support. Monitoring
for early signs of respiratory arrest (B) is most important so immediate respiratory
resuscitation can be provided. Although telemetry (A) provides close cardiac
monitoring, early recognition of respiratory arrest is indicated due to the actions
of Lioresal. Narcan (C) is ineffective for baclofen overdose. (D) is not indicated.
A 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practical
nurse (PN) that she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information should
the PN provide to the client?
A) The medication does not cross the placental barrier.
B) Mood swings will occur if lithium is discontinued.
C) Breast milk should be discarded after each oral dose of lithium.
D) The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant. - correct-
answer -D) The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant.
Feedback:
Lithium crosses the placental barrier and is excreted in the breast milk, so the
client should formula feed her newborn. (A and C) are inaccurate information.
