Page 1 of 84
BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam
Practice Questions with Rationales
Pharmacology High Yield Review Pass
Your BSN HESI Pharmacology Exam
with Confidence
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 | Cardiovascular Medications | 1 to 25 |
| 2 | Endocrine Medications | 26 to 45 |
| 3 | Psychiatric and Neurological Medications | 46 to 65 |
| 4 | Anti Infectives and Antibiotics | 66 to 85 |
| 5 | Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Medications | 86 to 100 |
| 6 | Anticoagulants and Hematologic Agents | 101 to 115 |
| 7 | Renal and Fluid Electrolyte Medications | 116 to 130 |
| 8 | Comprehensive Pharmacology Review | 131 to 170 |
---
## SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with congestive heart
failure. Which assessment finding is most important to check before
giving the dose
, Page 2 of 84
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum potassium
C. Respiratory rate
D. Liver enzymes
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER B
Rationale Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium before and
during therapy. Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
Blood glucose respiratory rate and liver enzymes are not the priority
assessment before furosemide administration .
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which laboratory value
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq per L
B. Serum potassium 4.5 mEq per L
C. Serum calcium 9.0 mg per dL
D. Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq per L
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER A
Rationale Hypokalemia or low potassium increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal potassium range is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq per L. A
potassium level of 3.2 mEq per L is below normal and predisposes the
client to digoxin toxicity. The other values are within normal limits .
Question 3
A client who takes digoxin develops nausea visual changes and
bradycardia. The nurse recognizes this as
, Page 3 of 84
A. Signs of hypokalemia
B. Normal side effects
C. Signs of digoxin toxicity
D. An allergic reaction
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER C
Rationale Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, visual disturbances
such as yellow halos, and bradycardia are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity. The nurse should check serum digoxin levels and potassium
levels. The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5 to 2.0 ng per mL .
Question 4
A nurse is administering digoxin to a client with an apical pulse of 52
beats per minute. Which action should the nurse take
A. Administer the dose and document the finding
B. Administer the dose with food to increase absorption
C. Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer half the dose and recheck the pulse in one hour
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER C
Rationale Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and withhold the medication if the heart
rate is below 60 beats per minute. The healthcare provider should be
notified before administering the dose .
Question 5
A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. Which condition
would require caution or avoidance
, Page 4 of 84
A. Asthma exacerbation
B. Migraine headaches
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Sinus bradycardia and heart block
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER D
Rationale Beta blockers lower heart rate and AV conduction. They
should be avoided in clients with sinus bradycardia and heart block. Use
caution with reactive airway disease but cardioselective beta blockers
are preferred. The nurse should monitor heart rate and blood pressure
before administration .
Question 6
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for metoprolol. Which instruction should the nurse include
A. Stop taking the medication immediately if you feel dizzy
B. Monitor your heart rate before taking the medication and hold if less
than 60 beats per minute
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach to increase absorption
D. Increase your intake of potassium rich foods
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER B
Rationale Clients taking metoprolol should monitor their heart rate
before each dose and hold the medication if the pulse is less than 60
beats per minute. Beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly as this
can cause rebound hypertension and angina. The medication can be
taken with or without food .
Question 7
BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam
Practice Questions with Rationales
Pharmacology High Yield Review Pass
Your BSN HESI Pharmacology Exam
with Confidence
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 1 | Cardiovascular Medications | 1 to 25 |
| 2 | Endocrine Medications | 26 to 45 |
| 3 | Psychiatric and Neurological Medications | 46 to 65 |
| 4 | Anti Infectives and Antibiotics | 66 to 85 |
| 5 | Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Medications | 86 to 100 |
| 6 | Anticoagulants and Hematologic Agents | 101 to 115 |
| 7 | Renal and Fluid Electrolyte Medications | 116 to 130 |
| 8 | Comprehensive Pharmacology Review | 131 to 170 |
---
## SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide to a client with congestive heart
failure. Which assessment finding is most important to check before
giving the dose
, Page 2 of 84
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum potassium
C. Respiratory rate
D. Liver enzymes
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER B
Rationale Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause significant
hypokalemia. The nurse should monitor serum potassium before and
during therapy. Hypokalemia increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias.
Blood glucose respiratory rate and liver enzymes are not the priority
assessment before furosemide administration .
Question 2
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which laboratory value
increases the risk of digoxin toxicity
A. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq per L
B. Serum potassium 4.5 mEq per L
C. Serum calcium 9.0 mg per dL
D. Serum magnesium 2.0 mEq per L
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER A
Rationale Hypokalemia or low potassium increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal potassium range is 3.5 to 5.0 mEq per L. A
potassium level of 3.2 mEq per L is below normal and predisposes the
client to digoxin toxicity. The other values are within normal limits .
Question 3
A client who takes digoxin develops nausea visual changes and
bradycardia. The nurse recognizes this as
, Page 3 of 84
A. Signs of hypokalemia
B. Normal side effects
C. Signs of digoxin toxicity
D. An allergic reaction
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER C
Rationale Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, visual disturbances
such as yellow halos, and bradycardia are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity. The nurse should check serum digoxin levels and potassium
levels. The therapeutic range for digoxin is 0.5 to 2.0 ng per mL .
Question 4
A nurse is administering digoxin to a client with an apical pulse of 52
beats per minute. Which action should the nurse take
A. Administer the dose and document the finding
B. Administer the dose with food to increase absorption
C. Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider
D. Administer half the dose and recheck the pulse in one hour
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER C
Rationale Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse for one full minute and withhold the medication if the heart
rate is below 60 beats per minute. The healthcare provider should be
notified before administering the dose .
Question 5
A client is prescribed metoprolol for hypertension. Which condition
would require caution or avoidance
, Page 4 of 84
A. Asthma exacerbation
B. Migraine headaches
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Sinus bradycardia and heart block
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER D
Rationale Beta blockers lower heart rate and AV conduction. They
should be avoided in clients with sinus bradycardia and heart block. Use
caution with reactive airway disease but cardioselective beta blockers
are preferred. The nurse should monitor heart rate and blood pressure
before administration .
Question 6
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client with a new
prescription for metoprolol. Which instruction should the nurse include
A. Stop taking the medication immediately if you feel dizzy
B. Monitor your heart rate before taking the medication and hold if less
than 60 beats per minute
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach to increase absorption
D. Increase your intake of potassium rich foods
Correct VERIFIED ANSWER B
Rationale Clients taking metoprolol should monitor their heart rate
before each dose and hold the medication if the pulse is less than 60
beats per minute. Beta blockers should not be stopped abruptly as this
can cause rebound hypertension and angina. The medication can be
taken with or without food .
Question 7
