BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology Practice Test 2026 | Most
Tested Questions | Graded A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has nausea and has a prescription for
metoclopramide intermittent IV bolus every 4 hours. The client asks the nurse
how metoclopramide will relieve her nausea. Which of the following
explanations should the nurse provide?
"The medication works by relaxing gastric muscle."
"The medication works by decreasing gastric acid secretion."
"The medication relieves nausea by slowing peristalsis."
"The medication relieves nausea by promoting gastric emptying."
2. What assessment finding in a client with emphysema indicates the need for
immediate nursing intervention?
Uncontrollable shaking
Throat irritation
Increased anxiety
Irregular rapid heartbeat
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes is unable to eat due to nausea and is feeling
faint. What should the nurse advise regarding the use of the glycogen
emergency kit?
Instruct the patient to drink water instead.
Use the glycogen emergency kit to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
Wait to see if the patient can eat something later.
Administer the glycogen emergency kit due to signs of severe
hypoglycemia.
,4. A patient taking Benzonite reports persistent coughing despite medication
use. What should the nurse's next action be?
Increase the dosage of Benzonite immediately.
Document the patient's report and continue with the current treatment
plan.
Advise the patient to stop taking Benzonite and switch to an
expectorant.
Reassess the patient's symptoms and consider alternative
treatments.
5. What is the primary nursing assessment to monitor for a client on
hydromorphone?
Measure the client's blood pressure
Assess the client's skin turgor
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
Check the client's temperature
6. If a patient using a PCA pump has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute,
what immediate nursing action should be taken before contacting the
healthcare provider?
Document the finding in the patient's chart.
Increase the PCA pump dosage.
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
Assess the patient's airway and provide supplemental oxygen if
necessary.
,7. Why is it important for the nurse to monitor hemoglobin levels in a patient
receiving ribavirin and alfa-interferon?
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is unrelated to the side effects of
ribavirin.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels helps assess liver function in hepatitis
patients.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is crucial because ribavirin can cause
hemolytic anemia, leading to fatigue and dyspnea.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is necessary to evaluate kidney function
during treatment.
8. The nurse is preparing to discharge a client with chronic kidney disease. The
nurse is teaching the client and family about administering calcium acetate 2
tablets by mouth with each meal at home. Which explanation by the nurse is
most appropriate?
"The calcium acetate helps to neutralize your gastric acids."
"The calcium acetate will help to stimulate your appetite."
"The calcium acetate will lower your serum phosphate levels."
"The calcium acetate will decrease your serum creatinine levels."
9. A patient scheduled for an elective procedure has been taking clopidogrel
bisulfate. If the nurse holds the medication, what alternative action should the
nurse take to ensure patient safety?
Administer the medication with food.
Notify the healthcare provider about the medication hold.
Schedule the patient for a different procedure.
Increase the dosage of clopidogrel bisulfate.
, 10. Interpret the significance of explaining the therapeutic effects of medication
to a client with urinary issues.
Clients should not be informed about medication effects to avoid
anxiety.
It is unnecessary to explain the effects as the client will not remember
them.
Explaining the therapeutic effects helps the client understand how
the medication alleviates symptoms and improves their condition.
The explanation is only important for the nurse's documentation.
11. Which symptom indicates that a client may be taking too much levothyroxine
sodium?
Constipation
Restlessness
Decreased appetite
Intolerance to cold
12. The nurse notes that a client has been receiving hydromorphone every six
hours for four days. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to
complete?
Count the apical and radial pulses simultaneously.
Observe for edema around the ankles.
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds.
Measure the client's capillary glucose level.
13. A client calls the clinic to ask for a prescription for "that new flu drug." He
says he has had the flu for almost 4 days and just heard about a drug that
Tested Questions | Graded A+
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has nausea and has a prescription for
metoclopramide intermittent IV bolus every 4 hours. The client asks the nurse
how metoclopramide will relieve her nausea. Which of the following
explanations should the nurse provide?
"The medication works by relaxing gastric muscle."
"The medication works by decreasing gastric acid secretion."
"The medication relieves nausea by slowing peristalsis."
"The medication relieves nausea by promoting gastric emptying."
2. What assessment finding in a client with emphysema indicates the need for
immediate nursing intervention?
Uncontrollable shaking
Throat irritation
Increased anxiety
Irregular rapid heartbeat
3. A patient with type 1 diabetes is unable to eat due to nausea and is feeling
faint. What should the nurse advise regarding the use of the glycogen
emergency kit?
Instruct the patient to drink water instead.
Use the glycogen emergency kit to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis.
Wait to see if the patient can eat something later.
Administer the glycogen emergency kit due to signs of severe
hypoglycemia.
,4. A patient taking Benzonite reports persistent coughing despite medication
use. What should the nurse's next action be?
Increase the dosage of Benzonite immediately.
Document the patient's report and continue with the current treatment
plan.
Advise the patient to stop taking Benzonite and switch to an
expectorant.
Reassess the patient's symptoms and consider alternative
treatments.
5. What is the primary nursing assessment to monitor for a client on
hydromorphone?
Measure the client's blood pressure
Assess the client's skin turgor
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds
Check the client's temperature
6. If a patient using a PCA pump has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute,
what immediate nursing action should be taken before contacting the
healthcare provider?
Document the finding in the patient's chart.
Increase the PCA pump dosage.
Encourage the patient to take deep breaths.
Assess the patient's airway and provide supplemental oxygen if
necessary.
,7. Why is it important for the nurse to monitor hemoglobin levels in a patient
receiving ribavirin and alfa-interferon?
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is unrelated to the side effects of
ribavirin.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels helps assess liver function in hepatitis
patients.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is crucial because ribavirin can cause
hemolytic anemia, leading to fatigue and dyspnea.
Monitoring hemoglobin levels is necessary to evaluate kidney function
during treatment.
8. The nurse is preparing to discharge a client with chronic kidney disease. The
nurse is teaching the client and family about administering calcium acetate 2
tablets by mouth with each meal at home. Which explanation by the nurse is
most appropriate?
"The calcium acetate helps to neutralize your gastric acids."
"The calcium acetate will help to stimulate your appetite."
"The calcium acetate will lower your serum phosphate levels."
"The calcium acetate will decrease your serum creatinine levels."
9. A patient scheduled for an elective procedure has been taking clopidogrel
bisulfate. If the nurse holds the medication, what alternative action should the
nurse take to ensure patient safety?
Administer the medication with food.
Notify the healthcare provider about the medication hold.
Schedule the patient for a different procedure.
Increase the dosage of clopidogrel bisulfate.
, 10. Interpret the significance of explaining the therapeutic effects of medication
to a client with urinary issues.
Clients should not be informed about medication effects to avoid
anxiety.
It is unnecessary to explain the effects as the client will not remember
them.
Explaining the therapeutic effects helps the client understand how
the medication alleviates symptoms and improves their condition.
The explanation is only important for the nurse's documentation.
11. Which symptom indicates that a client may be taking too much levothyroxine
sodium?
Constipation
Restlessness
Decreased appetite
Intolerance to cold
12. The nurse notes that a client has been receiving hydromorphone every six
hours for four days. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to
complete?
Count the apical and radial pulses simultaneously.
Observe for edema around the ankles.
Auscultate the client's bowel sounds.
Measure the client's capillary glucose level.
13. A client calls the clinic to ask for a prescription for "that new flu drug." He
says he has had the flu for almost 4 days and just heard about a drug that
