2026 HESI BSN 315
Pharmacology Practice Exams
NGN-Style Questions with
Answers & Expert Rationales
Instant Pdf Download 2026/27
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
❖ 200 Practice Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
❖ NGN-Style Questions And Answers
❖ Multiple Choice [ A,B,C & D] Questions And Answers
❖ Latest 2026/27 Updates
❖ Instant Pdf Download
,SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY (Questions
1-40)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
action should the nurse implement prior to administering
the medication?
A) Observe respiratory rate and depth
B) Assess the serum potassium level
C) Obtain the client's blood pressure
D) Monitor the serum glucose level
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Hypokalemia (decreased serum potassium)
potentiates digitalis toxicity in clients receiving digoxin. The
normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Concurrent use of
potassium-wasting diuretics (furosemide, HCTZ) significantly
increases this risk. While blood pressure and respiratory rate are
important assessments, serum potassium is the priority before
administration .
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
,A) Heart rate of 52 beats/minute
B) Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C) Peripheral edema +3
D) Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility
(positive inotropy) and improves cardiac output. A therapeutic
response includes decreased dyspnea, improved lung sounds, and
reduced edema. Bradycardia (52 bpm) is a sign of digoxin toxicity.
Edema and JVD indicate worsening heart failure .
3. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client
with pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires
immediate action?
A) Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/minute
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
significant hypokalemia (normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially
in clients also taking digoxin. Urine output of 100 mL/hr is
adequate. The nurse should monitor electrolytes before and
during therapy .
, 4. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
determine therapeutic effectiveness?
A) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Warfarin's therapeutic effect is monitored by
PT/INR, with a target INR of 2-3 for most indications (atrial
fibrillation, DVT). aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia but is not the therapeutic target for warfarin .
5. A client receiving warfarin is admitted with a major bleed.
Which medication should the nurse expect to be ordered
immediately?
A) Vitamin B12
B) Protamine sulfate
C) Vitamin K (phytonadione)
D) Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) only
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: Vitamin K reverses warfarin's effects by
promoting the synthesis of clotting factors. In major bleeding, IV
vitamin K plus FFP or prothrombin complex concentrate may be
used. Protamine sulfate is used to reverse heparin, not warfarin .
Pharmacology Practice Exams
NGN-Style Questions with
Answers & Expert Rationales
Instant Pdf Download 2026/27
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
❖ 200 Practice Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
❖ NGN-Style Questions And Answers
❖ Multiple Choice [ A,B,C & D] Questions And Answers
❖ Latest 2026/27 Updates
❖ Instant Pdf Download
,SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOLOGY (Questions
1-40)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
action should the nurse implement prior to administering
the medication?
A) Observe respiratory rate and depth
B) Assess the serum potassium level
C) Obtain the client's blood pressure
D) Monitor the serum glucose level
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Hypokalemia (decreased serum potassium)
potentiates digitalis toxicity in clients receiving digoxin. The
normal potassium level is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. Concurrent use of
potassium-wasting diuretics (furosemide, HCTZ) significantly
increases this risk. While blood pressure and respiratory rate are
important assessments, serum potassium is the priority before
administration .
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
,A) Heart rate of 52 beats/minute
B) Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C) Peripheral edema +3
D) Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility
(positive inotropy) and improves cardiac output. A therapeutic
response includes decreased dyspnea, improved lung sounds, and
reduced edema. Bradycardia (52 bpm) is a sign of digoxin toxicity.
Edema and JVD indicate worsening heart failure .
3. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client
with pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires
immediate action?
A) Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 135/85 mmHg
D) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/minute
Correct Answer: B
Expert Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
significant hypokalemia (normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially
in clients also taking digoxin. Urine output of 100 mL/hr is
adequate. The nurse should monitor electrolytes before and
during therapy .
, 4. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin.
Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
determine therapeutic effectiveness?
A) International Normalized Ratio (INR)
B) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
C) Platelet count
D) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Correct Answer: A
Expert Rationale: Warfarin's therapeutic effect is monitored by
PT/INR, with a target INR of 2-3 for most indications (atrial
fibrillation, DVT). aPTT is used to monitor heparin therapy.
Platelet count is monitored for heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia but is not the therapeutic target for warfarin .
5. A client receiving warfarin is admitted with a major bleed.
Which medication should the nurse expect to be ordered
immediately?
A) Vitamin B12
B) Protamine sulfate
C) Vitamin K (phytonadione)
D) Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) only
Correct Answer: C
Expert Rationale: Vitamin K reverses warfarin's effects by
promoting the synthesis of clotting factors. In major bleeding, IV
vitamin K plus FFP or prothrombin complex concentrate may be
used. Protamine sulfate is used to reverse heparin, not warfarin .
