HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM VERSION V2 WITH NGN /PHARMACOLOGY
HESI RN WITH NGN ACTUAL EXAM WITH OVER 65 QUESTION AND ANSWERS.
(REVIEW OF IMPORTANT POINTS)
Course
HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 54/min
B. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
C. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin slows conduction and decreases heart rate. A low apical pulse (commonly
below 60/min) requires holding the medication and notifying the provider.
Important Point:
Digoxin toxicity signs: nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, confusion, bradycardia.
Low potassium increases risk of digoxin toxicity.
2. A client taking warfarin asks why regular blood tests are required. Which response by
the nurse is correct?
A. "The tests determine if your blood pressure medication is effective."
B. "The tests measure how quickly your blood clots."
C. "The tests check your kidney function."
D. "The tests determine your cholesterol level."
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using PT/INR because excessive anticoagulation
increases bleeding risk.
Important Point:
Warfarin antidote: Vitamin K.
Monitor INR regularly.
3. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 8/min.
Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
,A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Important Point:
Opioid adverse effects:
Respiratory depression
Constipation
Sedation
Urinary retention
4. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take with calcium supplements.
B. Take on an empty stomach in the morning.
C. Take only when symptoms occur.
D. Stop medication when thyroid levels normalize.
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach.
Important Point:
Avoid taking with:
Calcium
Iron
Antacids
5. A client receiving insulin becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
,C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be assessed immediately.
Important Point:
Hypoglycemia symptoms:
Tremors
Sweating
Confusion
Tachycardia
6. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a client receiving furosemide?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Platelets
D. Calcium
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, increasing risk of dysrhythmias.
Important Point:
Furosemide adverse effects:
Hypokalemia
Dehydration
Hypotension
7. A nurse is teaching a client taking antibiotics. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop when I feel better."
B. "I will complete the entire prescription."
C. "I will double doses if I miss one."
D. "I can share leftover medication."
Answer: B
, Rationale: Completing antibiotics prevents treatment failure and resistance.
8. Which medication requires monitoring of potassium levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Furosemide
D. Mannitol
Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing and can cause hyperkalemia.
9. A client taking an ACE inhibitor develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Give the next dose
B. Recognize possible angioedema and seek emergency intervention
C. Encourage fluids
D. Place the client supine
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause life-threatening angioedema affecting the airway.
10. Which medication is commonly used as a rescue medication for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Salmeterol
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid bronchodilation.
11. A client taking prednisone should be monitored for which adverse effect?
A. Infection risk
B. Low blood glucose
HESI RN WITH NGN ACTUAL EXAM WITH OVER 65 QUESTION AND ANSWERS.
(REVIEW OF IMPORTANT POINTS)
Course
HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding requires the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 54/min
B. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
C. Potassium level 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin slows conduction and decreases heart rate. A low apical pulse (commonly
below 60/min) requires holding the medication and notifying the provider.
Important Point:
Digoxin toxicity signs: nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, confusion, bradycardia.
Low potassium increases risk of digoxin toxicity.
2. A client taking warfarin asks why regular blood tests are required. Which response by
the nurse is correct?
A. "The tests determine if your blood pressure medication is effective."
B. "The tests measure how quickly your blood clots."
C. "The tests check your kidney function."
D. "The tests determine your cholesterol level."
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using PT/INR because excessive anticoagulation
increases bleeding risk.
Important Point:
Warfarin antidote: Vitamin K.
Monitor INR regularly.
3. A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse with a respiratory rate of 8/min.
Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer?
,A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Acetylcysteine
Answer: A
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.
Important Point:
Opioid adverse effects:
Respiratory depression
Constipation
Sedation
Urinary retention
4. Which instruction should the nurse provide to a client taking levothyroxine?
A. Take with calcium supplements.
B. Take on an empty stomach in the morning.
C. Take only when symptoms occur.
D. Stop medication when thyroid levels normalize.
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best when taken on an empty stomach.
Important Point:
Avoid taking with:
Calcium
Iron
Antacids
5. A client receiving insulin becomes shaky, sweaty, and confused. What is the nurse’s
priority action?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose level
,C. Encourage exercise
D. Restrict fluids
Answer: B
Rationale: These are signs of hypoglycemia. Blood glucose should be assessed immediately.
Important Point:
Hypoglycemia symptoms:
Tremors
Sweating
Confusion
Tachycardia
6. Which laboratory value is most important to monitor for a client receiving furosemide?
A. Potassium
B. Hemoglobin
C. Platelets
D. Calcium
Answer: A
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, increasing risk of dysrhythmias.
Important Point:
Furosemide adverse effects:
Hypokalemia
Dehydration
Hypotension
7. A nurse is teaching a client taking antibiotics. Which statement indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop when I feel better."
B. "I will complete the entire prescription."
C. "I will double doses if I miss one."
D. "I can share leftover medication."
Answer: B
, Rationale: Completing antibiotics prevents treatment failure and resistance.
8. Which medication requires monitoring of potassium levels?
A. Spironolactone
B. Hydrochlorothiazide
C. Furosemide
D. Mannitol
Answer: A
Rationale: Spironolactone is potassium-sparing and can cause hyperkalemia.
9. A client taking an ACE inhibitor develops swelling of the lips and tongue. What should
the nurse do first?
A. Give the next dose
B. Recognize possible angioedema and seek emergency intervention
C. Encourage fluids
D. Place the client supine
Answer: B
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause life-threatening angioedema affecting the airway.
10. Which medication is commonly used as a rescue medication for acute asthma
symptoms?
A. Albuterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Montelukast
D. Salmeterol
Answer: A
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2 agonist used for rapid bronchodilation.
11. A client taking prednisone should be monitored for which adverse effect?
A. Infection risk
B. Low blood glucose
