BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology
Comprehensive Exam Review
2026/2027
A client with mild parkinsonism is started on oral amantadine (Symmetrel). Which
statement accurately describes the action of this medication? - ANSWER-Dopamine in
the central nervous system is increased.
The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results before a procedure in which a
neuromuscular blocking agent is a standing order. Which finding should the nurse report
to the health care provider? - ANSWER-Hypokalemia
A male client asks the nurse why condoms should not be lubricated with the spermicide
nonoxynol-9. Which response is best for the nurse to provide? - ANSWER-Nonoxynol-9
provides no protection from STDs and has been linked to the transmission of HIV.
The nurse is assessing a stuporous client in the emergency department who is
suspected of overdosing with opioids. Which agent should the nurse prepare to
administer if the client becomes comatose? - ANSWER-Naloxone hydrochloride
(Narcan)
A 2-month-old infant is scheduled to receive the first DPT immunization. What is the
preferred injection site to administer this immunization? - ANSWER-Vastus lateralis
A psychiatric client is discharged from the hospital with a prescription for haloperidol
(Haldol). Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching plan for
this client? - ANSWER-Use sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors.
A primigravida at 34 weeks of gestation is admitted to labor and delivery in preterm
labor. She is started on a terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) continuous IV infusion via pump.
This therapy is ineffective, and the baby is delivered vaginally. For which complication
should the nurse monitor in this infant during the first few hours after delivery? -
ANSWER-Hypoglycemia
A client with metastatic cancer reports severe continuous pain. Which route of
administration should the nurse use to provide the most effective continuous analgesia?
- ANSWER-Transdermal
A client who is hypertensive receives a prescription for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
When teaching about the side effects of this drug, which symptoms are most important
for the nurse to instruct the client to report? - ANSWER-Fatigue and muscle weakness
, Methylphenidate HCl (Concerta) is prescribed for daily administration to a 10-year-old
child with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In preparing a teaching plan
for the parents of this child newly diagnosed with ADHD, which instruction is most
important for the nurse to provide to the parents? - ANSWER-Administer the medication
in the morning before the child goes to school.
Prior to administering a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin), the nurse reviews the
client's current serum digoxin level, which is 1.3 ng/dL. Which action should the nurse
implement? - ANSWER-Give the dose of digoxin if the client's heart rate is within a safe
range.
The health care provider has prescribed a low-molecular-weight heparin, enoxaparin
(Lovenox) prefilled syringe, 30 mg/0.3 mL IV every 12 hours, for a client following hip
replacement. Prior to administering the first dose, which intervention is most important
for the nurse to implement? - ANSWER-Contact the health care provider to clarify the
prescription.
In administering the antiinfective agent chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) IV to a client
with bacterial meningitis, the nurse observes the client closely for signs of bone marrow
depression. Which laboratory data would be most important for the nurse to monitor? -
ANSWER-Platelet count
A client with viral influenza is receiving vitamin C, 1000 mg PO daily, and
acetaminophen elixir, 650 mg PO every 4 hours PRN. The nurse calls the health care
provider to report that the client has developed diarrhea. Which change in prescriptions
should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER-Decrease the dose of vitamin C.
A client who is receiving chlorpromazine HCl (Thorazine) to control his psychotic
behavior also has a prescription for benztropine (Cogentin). When teaching the client
and/or significant others about these medications, what should the nurse explain about
the use of benztropine (Cogentin) in the treatment plan for this client? - ANSWER-The
benztropine (Cogentin) is used to control extrapyramidal symptoms.
A female client with myasthenia gravis is taking a cholinesterase inhibitor and asks the
nurse what can be done to remedy her fatigue and difficulty swallowing. What action
should the nurse implement? - ANSWER-Develop a teaching plan for the client to self-
adjust the dose of medication in response to symptoms.
The health care provider prescribes oral contraceptives for a client who wants to
prevent pregnancy. Which information is the most important for the nurse to provide to
this client? - ANSWER-Take one pill at the same time every day until all the pills are
gone.
The nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client receiving the glucocorticoid
methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). Which nursing diagnosis reflects a problem related
Comprehensive Exam Review
2026/2027
A client with mild parkinsonism is started on oral amantadine (Symmetrel). Which
statement accurately describes the action of this medication? - ANSWER-Dopamine in
the central nervous system is increased.
The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results before a procedure in which a
neuromuscular blocking agent is a standing order. Which finding should the nurse report
to the health care provider? - ANSWER-Hypokalemia
A male client asks the nurse why condoms should not be lubricated with the spermicide
nonoxynol-9. Which response is best for the nurse to provide? - ANSWER-Nonoxynol-9
provides no protection from STDs and has been linked to the transmission of HIV.
The nurse is assessing a stuporous client in the emergency department who is
suspected of overdosing with opioids. Which agent should the nurse prepare to
administer if the client becomes comatose? - ANSWER-Naloxone hydrochloride
(Narcan)
A 2-month-old infant is scheduled to receive the first DPT immunization. What is the
preferred injection site to administer this immunization? - ANSWER-Vastus lateralis
A psychiatric client is discharged from the hospital with a prescription for haloperidol
(Haldol). Which instruction should the nurse include in the discharge teaching plan for
this client? - ANSWER-Use sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors.
A primigravida at 34 weeks of gestation is admitted to labor and delivery in preterm
labor. She is started on a terbutaline sulfate (Brethine) continuous IV infusion via pump.
This therapy is ineffective, and the baby is delivered vaginally. For which complication
should the nurse monitor in this infant during the first few hours after delivery? -
ANSWER-Hypoglycemia
A client with metastatic cancer reports severe continuous pain. Which route of
administration should the nurse use to provide the most effective continuous analgesia?
- ANSWER-Transdermal
A client who is hypertensive receives a prescription for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).
When teaching about the side effects of this drug, which symptoms are most important
for the nurse to instruct the client to report? - ANSWER-Fatigue and muscle weakness
, Methylphenidate HCl (Concerta) is prescribed for daily administration to a 10-year-old
child with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In preparing a teaching plan
for the parents of this child newly diagnosed with ADHD, which instruction is most
important for the nurse to provide to the parents? - ANSWER-Administer the medication
in the morning before the child goes to school.
Prior to administering a scheduled dose of digoxin (Lanoxin), the nurse reviews the
client's current serum digoxin level, which is 1.3 ng/dL. Which action should the nurse
implement? - ANSWER-Give the dose of digoxin if the client's heart rate is within a safe
range.
The health care provider has prescribed a low-molecular-weight heparin, enoxaparin
(Lovenox) prefilled syringe, 30 mg/0.3 mL IV every 12 hours, for a client following hip
replacement. Prior to administering the first dose, which intervention is most important
for the nurse to implement? - ANSWER-Contact the health care provider to clarify the
prescription.
In administering the antiinfective agent chloramphenicol (Chloromycetin) IV to a client
with bacterial meningitis, the nurse observes the client closely for signs of bone marrow
depression. Which laboratory data would be most important for the nurse to monitor? -
ANSWER-Platelet count
A client with viral influenza is receiving vitamin C, 1000 mg PO daily, and
acetaminophen elixir, 650 mg PO every 4 hours PRN. The nurse calls the health care
provider to report that the client has developed diarrhea. Which change in prescriptions
should the nurse anticipate? - ANSWER-Decrease the dose of vitamin C.
A client who is receiving chlorpromazine HCl (Thorazine) to control his psychotic
behavior also has a prescription for benztropine (Cogentin). When teaching the client
and/or significant others about these medications, what should the nurse explain about
the use of benztropine (Cogentin) in the treatment plan for this client? - ANSWER-The
benztropine (Cogentin) is used to control extrapyramidal symptoms.
A female client with myasthenia gravis is taking a cholinesterase inhibitor and asks the
nurse what can be done to remedy her fatigue and difficulty swallowing. What action
should the nurse implement? - ANSWER-Develop a teaching plan for the client to self-
adjust the dose of medication in response to symptoms.
The health care provider prescribes oral contraceptives for a client who wants to
prevent pregnancy. Which information is the most important for the nurse to provide to
this client? - ANSWER-Take one pill at the same time every day until all the pills are
gone.
The nurse is preparing a plan of care for a client receiving the glucocorticoid
methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol). Which nursing diagnosis reflects a problem related
