HESI PHARM 315 Exam Prep 2026/2027 | Questions &
Correct Answers | Graded A+
1. What is the primary concern when a client on atorvastatin shows an increased
serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) level?
Excessive bruising.
Nausea and vomiting.
Peripheral edema.
Muscle tenderness.
2. If a patient receiving naloxone continues to exhibit respiratory depression
despite a second dose, what should the nurse consider next?
Increasing the naloxone dosage beyond the recommended amount.
Administering oxygen without further assessment.
Discontinuing all medications immediately.
Consulting the healthcare provider for further interventions.
3. The nurse provides care for a client receiving cimetidine. The client reports
resuming smoking and experiencing gastric pain about one hour after meals.
Which response by the nurse is best?
"Smoking interferes with the medication's effectiveness, and you are
no longer receiving the full anti-ulcer effect."
"The medication may cause you to feel sick whenever you smoke."
"Smoking decreases stomach acid production, so you will not digest
foods as easily."
"Nicotine can increase feelings of anxiety and restlessness, which the
medication lowers."
,4. The client is receiving ciprofloxacin 400mg in 200ml over 60 minutes IV every
12 hours for a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The tubing drop
factor is 10 gtts/ml. How many drops per minute will the nurse administer?
33 gtts/min
21 gtts/min
42 gtts/min
28 gtts/min
5. What is the classification of asthma that indicates a client is experiencing
symptoms more than twice a week but less than daily?
Mild persistent asthma
Severe persistent asthma
Moderate persistent asthma
Mild intermittent asthma
6. Describe why monitoring blood pressure is crucial for a patient prescribed
tamsulosin.
Monitoring blood pressure is important to ensure the medication is
effective in treating BPH.
Monitoring blood pressure helps assess the patient's overall fluid
balance.
Monitoring blood pressure is necessary to evaluate the patient's
kidney function.
Monitoring blood pressure is crucial because tamsulosin can cause
hypotension, which may lead to dizziness or falls.
,7. What condition in a patient's history would require the nurse to consult with
the registered nurse before administering asparaginase?
Myocardial infarction
Pancreatitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Diabetes mellitus
8. A patient on antipsychotic medication presents with severe muscle stiffness
and tremors. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
Administer benztropine as prescribed.
Schedule a psychiatric evaluation.
Increase the dosage of the antipsychotic medication.
Provide the patient with a warm compress.
9. Why is it important for the nurse to assess a client for hypotension before
administering labetalol?
The nurse should always administer medication without prior
assessment.
Administering labetalol to a hypotensive client could worsen their
condition and lead to serious complications.
Hypotension is not a concern when administering labetalol.
Labetalol is safe to administer regardless of blood pressure readings.
10. What is the primary measurement used to assess the effectiveness of orlistat
in a weight management program?
Depression screening
, Daily calorie count
Body mass index
Serum protein levels
11. What is the appropriate action for a nurse when a client's total calcium level
is significantly elevated after administering calcitriol and calcium carbonate?
Hold the calcium carbonate, but administer the calcitriol as
scheduled.
Administer both prescribed medications as scheduled.
Hold both medications until contacting the healthcare provider.
Hold the calcitriol, but administer the calcium carbonate as
scheduled.
12. The family asks why a client with Parkinson's disease has dark urine. Which
response should the nurse make?
"This may be a side effect of the medication."
"This could be associated with taking the medication with fruit juice."
"This is a side effect of taking acetaminophen with the medication for
Parkinson's."
"This may be a result of not drinking enough water."
13. A nurse is caring for a patient with moderate persistent asthma who reports
increased shortness of breath. What should the nurse prioritize in their
assessment?
Assessing the patient's peak expiratory flow rate and respiratory
status
Checking the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
Correct Answers | Graded A+
1. What is the primary concern when a client on atorvastatin shows an increased
serum creatine phosphokinase (CK) level?
Excessive bruising.
Nausea and vomiting.
Peripheral edema.
Muscle tenderness.
2. If a patient receiving naloxone continues to exhibit respiratory depression
despite a second dose, what should the nurse consider next?
Increasing the naloxone dosage beyond the recommended amount.
Administering oxygen without further assessment.
Discontinuing all medications immediately.
Consulting the healthcare provider for further interventions.
3. The nurse provides care for a client receiving cimetidine. The client reports
resuming smoking and experiencing gastric pain about one hour after meals.
Which response by the nurse is best?
"Smoking interferes with the medication's effectiveness, and you are
no longer receiving the full anti-ulcer effect."
"The medication may cause you to feel sick whenever you smoke."
"Smoking decreases stomach acid production, so you will not digest
foods as easily."
"Nicotine can increase feelings of anxiety and restlessness, which the
medication lowers."
,4. The client is receiving ciprofloxacin 400mg in 200ml over 60 minutes IV every
12 hours for a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. The tubing drop
factor is 10 gtts/ml. How many drops per minute will the nurse administer?
33 gtts/min
21 gtts/min
42 gtts/min
28 gtts/min
5. What is the classification of asthma that indicates a client is experiencing
symptoms more than twice a week but less than daily?
Mild persistent asthma
Severe persistent asthma
Moderate persistent asthma
Mild intermittent asthma
6. Describe why monitoring blood pressure is crucial for a patient prescribed
tamsulosin.
Monitoring blood pressure is important to ensure the medication is
effective in treating BPH.
Monitoring blood pressure helps assess the patient's overall fluid
balance.
Monitoring blood pressure is necessary to evaluate the patient's
kidney function.
Monitoring blood pressure is crucial because tamsulosin can cause
hypotension, which may lead to dizziness or falls.
,7. What condition in a patient's history would require the nurse to consult with
the registered nurse before administering asparaginase?
Myocardial infarction
Pancreatitis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Diabetes mellitus
8. A patient on antipsychotic medication presents with severe muscle stiffness
and tremors. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
Administer benztropine as prescribed.
Schedule a psychiatric evaluation.
Increase the dosage of the antipsychotic medication.
Provide the patient with a warm compress.
9. Why is it important for the nurse to assess a client for hypotension before
administering labetalol?
The nurse should always administer medication without prior
assessment.
Administering labetalol to a hypotensive client could worsen their
condition and lead to serious complications.
Hypotension is not a concern when administering labetalol.
Labetalol is safe to administer regardless of blood pressure readings.
10. What is the primary measurement used to assess the effectiveness of orlistat
in a weight management program?
Depression screening
, Daily calorie count
Body mass index
Serum protein levels
11. What is the appropriate action for a nurse when a client's total calcium level
is significantly elevated after administering calcitriol and calcium carbonate?
Hold the calcium carbonate, but administer the calcitriol as
scheduled.
Administer both prescribed medications as scheduled.
Hold both medications until contacting the healthcare provider.
Hold the calcitriol, but administer the calcium carbonate as
scheduled.
12. The family asks why a client with Parkinson's disease has dark urine. Which
response should the nurse make?
"This may be a side effect of the medication."
"This could be associated with taking the medication with fruit juice."
"This is a side effect of taking acetaminophen with the medication for
Parkinson's."
"This may be a result of not drinking enough water."
13. A nurse is caring for a patient with moderate persistent asthma who reports
increased shortness of breath. What should the nurse prioritize in their
assessment?
Assessing the patient's peak expiratory flow rate and respiratory
status
Checking the patient's blood pressure and heart rate
