HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXIT PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - Correct Answer-1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy.
Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
2.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
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, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
4. Palms of the hands - Correct Answer-2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is
higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability is
poor (back, palms, soles).
3.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - Correct Answer-1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid
appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
4) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer-3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
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, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
lowering the serum calcium concentration.
5.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best
food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - Correct Answer-4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be
instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in
absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
6.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
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, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
4. Decreased respirations - Correct Answer-1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
7.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have
applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - Correct Answer-4. At least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to
the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
8.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and
burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4|Page
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXIT PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE 200 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
|ALREADY GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - Correct Answer-1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy.
Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
2.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
1|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
4. Palms of the hands - Correct Answer-2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is
higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability is
poor (back, palms, soles).
3.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - Correct Answer-1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid
appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
4) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer-3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
2|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
lowering the serum calcium concentration.
5.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best
food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - Correct Answer-4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be
instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in
absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
6.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
3|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exit Practice Exam
4. Decreased respirations - Correct Answer-1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
7.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have
applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - Correct Answer-4. At least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to
the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
8.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and
burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4|Page
