COURSE CODE: HESI-PHARM-PRAC
EXAM DATE TIME ALLOWED
COURSE TITLE: Pharmacology Practice HESI — 2026/2027
— / — / —— 180 Minutes
INSTRUCTOR: —
◇
Pharmacology Practice HESI — 2026/2027
Comprehensive Final Examination
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY
A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (120 Marks)
Choose the single best answer for each question. Write the correct letter in the space provided.
1. A client switched from atenolol to enalapril. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause orthostatic hypotension. Rising slowly prevents dizziness and falls.
2. A female client reports vaginal discomfort, itching, and white discharge after taking amoxicillin for 5
days. Which action should the nurse discuss?
A. Discontinue the antibiotic.
B. Continue taking medication until finished.
C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
D. Use an OTC vaginal wash.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
Rationale: These symptoms indicate a yeast superinfection, which should be reported for prescribed treatment.
, 3. A client experiencing an acute asthma attack is administered a Beta 2 receptor agonist. Which
response should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Tachycardia
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Rapid resolution of wheezing and Improved pulse oximetry values
D. Reduced fever airway inflammation
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rapid resolution of wheezing and Improved pulse oximetry values
Rationale: Beta 2 agonists provide immediate bronchodilation, resolving wheezing and improving oxygenation.
4. A client on atenolol has BP 120/68, HR 58 with sinus bradycardia, PR interval 0.24. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Lower the head of the bed and assess orthostatic vitals.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor.
C. Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
D. Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor.
Rationale: BP is normal, HR is above 50 with only first-degree block. Atenolol can be administered safely.
5. The nurse prepares losartan for a client with potassium 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Repeat the serum potassium level.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (5.9) with ARB requires withholding the dose first to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias.
, 6. A client with acute status asthmaticus is prescribed: Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone
orally, Gentamicin IM. In which order should the nurse administer these?
A. Gentamicin, Prednisone, Salmeterol, Albuterol
B. Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone orally, Gentamicin IM
C. Prednisone, Albuterol, Gentamicin, Salmeterol
D. Salmeterol, Albuterol, Gentamicin, Prednisone
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone orally, Gentamicin IM
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilator first for rapid relief, then long-acting, then corticosteroid, then antibiotic last.
7. Which information should the nurse provide about a scopolamine patch for motion sickness?
A. Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B. Change the patch every other day.
C. Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D. Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Rationale: Scopolamine requires time for transdermal absorption. Peak onset is 6 hours. Duration is 72 hours.
8. Which instruction should the nurse include for a client taking metronidazole (Flagyl) 2 grams PO for
giardiasis?
A. Notify the clinic of any changes in the color of urine.
B. Avoid overexposure to the sun.
C. Stop the medication after the diarrhea resolves.
D. Take the medication with food.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Take the medication with food.
Rationale: Flagyl causes gastric distress; taking with food minimizes GI upset. Urine discoloration is expected.
EXAM DATE TIME ALLOWED
COURSE TITLE: Pharmacology Practice HESI — 2026/2027
— / — / —— 180 Minutes
INSTRUCTOR: —
◇
Pharmacology Practice HESI — 2026/2027
Comprehensive Final Examination
ALL QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY
A MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS (120 Marks)
Choose the single best answer for each question. Write the correct letter in the space provided.
1. A client switched from atenolol to enalapril. Which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors cause orthostatic hypotension. Rising slowly prevents dizziness and falls.
2. A female client reports vaginal discomfort, itching, and white discharge after taking amoxicillin for 5
days. Which action should the nurse discuss?
A. Discontinue the antibiotic.
B. Continue taking medication until finished.
C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
D. Use an OTC vaginal wash.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
Rationale: These symptoms indicate a yeast superinfection, which should be reported for prescribed treatment.
, 3. A client experiencing an acute asthma attack is administered a Beta 2 receptor agonist. Which
response should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
A. Tachycardia
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Rapid resolution of wheezing and Improved pulse oximetry values
D. Reduced fever airway inflammation
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: C. Rapid resolution of wheezing and Improved pulse oximetry values
Rationale: Beta 2 agonists provide immediate bronchodilation, resolving wheezing and improving oxygenation.
4. A client on atenolol has BP 120/68, HR 58 with sinus bradycardia, PR interval 0.24. Which action
should the nurse take?
A. Lower the head of the bed and assess orthostatic vitals.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor.
C. Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
D. Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor.
Rationale: BP is normal, HR is above 50 with only first-degree block. Atenolol can be administered safely.
5. The nurse prepares losartan for a client with potassium 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse
take first?
A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Repeat the serum potassium level.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
Rationale: Hyperkalemia (5.9) with ARB requires withholding the dose first to prevent cardiac dysrhythmias.
, 6. A client with acute status asthmaticus is prescribed: Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone
orally, Gentamicin IM. In which order should the nurse administer these?
A. Gentamicin, Prednisone, Salmeterol, Albuterol
B. Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone orally, Gentamicin IM
C. Prednisone, Albuterol, Gentamicin, Salmeterol
D. Salmeterol, Albuterol, Gentamicin, Prednisone
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: B. Albuterol puffs, Salmeterol Diskus, Prednisone orally, Gentamicin IM
Rationale: Short-acting bronchodilator first for rapid relief, then long-acting, then corticosteroid, then antibiotic last.
7. Which information should the nurse provide about a scopolamine patch for motion sickness?
A. Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B. Change the patch every other day.
C. Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D. Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: A. Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Rationale: Scopolamine requires time for transdermal absorption. Peak onset is 6 hours. Duration is 72 hours.
8. Which instruction should the nurse include for a client taking metronidazole (Flagyl) 2 grams PO for
giardiasis?
A. Notify the clinic of any changes in the color of urine.
B. Avoid overexposure to the sun.
C. Stop the medication after the diarrhea resolves.
D. Take the medication with food.
◆
✦ CORRECT ANSWER: D. Take the medication with food.
Rationale: Flagyl causes gastric distress; taking with food minimizes GI upset. Urine discoloration is expected.
