HESI Pharmacology Exit RN
Elsevier HESI
2026/2027 Academic Year
Practice Questions & Correct
Answers Plus Rationales
Latest 2026 PDF
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
✓ Practice Questions & Correct Answers 2026/27
✓ Verified Correct Answers & Rationales
✓ Instant Pdf Download
,1
Section I: Cardiovascular Pharmacology (Questions 1-30)
1. A client receiving IV heparin for deep vein thrombosis has
an aPTT of 110 seconds (control 30-40 sec). Which action
should the nurse take FIRST?
a) Increase the heparin infusion rate
b) Notify the prescriber to adjust the dose
c) Administer protamine sulfate immediately
d) Document the finding as expected
Correct Answer: b — An aPTT of 110 seconds is above the
therapeutic range (1.5–2.0 times control, approximately 45–80
seconds). The nurse should notify the prescriber for dose
adjustment. Protamine sulfate is reserved for critical bleeding or
significant overdose, not as first-line adjustment.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
a) Tachycardia
b) Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Hypertension
Correct Answer: b — Visual disturbances, including yellow-green
halos and blurred vision, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Digoxin toxicity causes bradycardia, not tachycardia.
,2
Hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity.
3. A client is prescribed amlodipine for hypertension. Which
action should the nurse implement to assess the
effectiveness of this medication?
a) Measure the client's blood pressure
b) Assess for peripheral edema
c) Monitor heart rate
d) Evaluate liver function tests
Correct Answer: a — Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium
channel blocker prescribed primarily for hypertension and
angina. The primary indicator of effectiveness is blood pressure
reduction. While peripheral edema is a common side effect
requiring monitoring, it does not indicate therapeutic
effectiveness.
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin and
furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: b — Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium wasting, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
, 3
Hypokalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-
threatening dysrhythmias.
5. A client prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension
develops a persistent dry cough. What is the nurse's best
action?
a) Instruct the client to use an over-the-counter cough
suppressant
b) Notify the healthcare provider for possible medication change
c) Document the finding as an expected side effect
d) Administer an antihistamine
Correct Answer: b — A persistent dry cough is a common side
effect of ACE inhibitors due to increased bradykinin levels. The
healthcare provider should be notified for possible medication
change to an ARB.
6. A patient with heart failure receiving furosemide 40 mg IV
twice daily and digoxin 0.125 mg orally daily has which
laboratory value that most warrants immediate nursing
intervention?
a) Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
b) Serum digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
c) Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
d) Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: a — Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity even at therapeutic digoxin
Elsevier HESI
2026/2027 Academic Year
Practice Questions & Correct
Answers Plus Rationales
Latest 2026 PDF
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS:
✓ Practice Questions & Correct Answers 2026/27
✓ Verified Correct Answers & Rationales
✓ Instant Pdf Download
,1
Section I: Cardiovascular Pharmacology (Questions 1-30)
1. A client receiving IV heparin for deep vein thrombosis has
an aPTT of 110 seconds (control 30-40 sec). Which action
should the nurse take FIRST?
a) Increase the heparin infusion rate
b) Notify the prescriber to adjust the dose
c) Administer protamine sulfate immediately
d) Document the finding as expected
Correct Answer: b — An aPTT of 110 seconds is above the
therapeutic range (1.5–2.0 times control, approximately 45–80
seconds). The nurse should notify the prescriber for dose
adjustment. Protamine sulfate is reserved for critical bleeding or
significant overdose, not as first-line adjustment.
2. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
a) Tachycardia
b) Visual disturbances (yellow-green halos)
c) Hyperkalemia
d) Hypertension
Correct Answer: b — Visual disturbances, including yellow-green
halos and blurred vision, are classic signs of digoxin toxicity.
Digoxin toxicity causes bradycardia, not tachycardia.
,2
Hypokalemia, not hyperkalemia, increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity.
3. A client is prescribed amlodipine for hypertension. Which
action should the nurse implement to assess the
effectiveness of this medication?
a) Measure the client's blood pressure
b) Assess for peripheral edema
c) Monitor heart rate
d) Evaluate liver function tests
Correct Answer: a — Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium
channel blocker prescribed primarily for hypertension and
angina. The primary indicator of effectiveness is blood pressure
reduction. While peripheral edema is a common side effect
requiring monitoring, it does not indicate therapeutic
effectiveness.
4. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin and
furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor most closely?
a) Serum sodium
b) Serum potassium
c) Serum calcium
d) Serum magnesium
Correct Answer: b — Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes
potassium wasting, increasing the risk of hypokalemia.
, 3
Hypokalemia potentiates digoxin toxicity, which can cause life-
threatening dysrhythmias.
5. A client prescribed an ACE inhibitor for hypertension
develops a persistent dry cough. What is the nurse's best
action?
a) Instruct the client to use an over-the-counter cough
suppressant
b) Notify the healthcare provider for possible medication change
c) Document the finding as an expected side effect
d) Administer an antihistamine
Correct Answer: b — A persistent dry cough is a common side
effect of ACE inhibitors due to increased bradykinin levels. The
healthcare provider should be notified for possible medication
change to an ARB.
6. A patient with heart failure receiving furosemide 40 mg IV
twice daily and digoxin 0.125 mg orally daily has which
laboratory value that most warrants immediate nursing
intervention?
a) Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
b) Serum digoxin level 0.8 ng/mL
c) Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq/L
d) Serum creatinine 1.0 mg/dL
Correct Answer: a — Furosemide causes hypokalemia, which
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity even at therapeutic digoxin
