HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM /NGN HESI PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM TEST BANK 2026/2027 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE ACCURATE EXAM COMPLETE
REAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (RELIABLE SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED
VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+ |FULL
REVISED NGN HESI PHARMACOLOGY REAL EXAM |JUST
RELEASED
1. A nurse administers naloxone to a patient receiving morphine. What is the
expected outcome?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased analgesia
C. Sedation
D. Increased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: D. Increased respiratory rate
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory
depression caused by opioids like morphine. It competitively blocks opioid
receptors, rapidly reversing the effects of opioid agonists. The primary
therapeutic goal is restoration of adequate respiratory drive. Increased
respiratory rate is the direct expected outcome; the other options represent
either adverse effects or incorrect expectations.
2. Which laboratory value should be monitored in a patient taking warfarin?
,A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Potassium
Correct Answer: C. INR
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized
Ratio (INR) to ensure therapeutic anticoagulation and prevent bleeding
complications. The therapeutic INR range is typically 2.0 to 3.0 for most
indications. Hemoglobin and platelet count are monitored for bleeding but do
not reflect warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Potassium is unrelated to warfarin
therapy.
3. A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the nurse's
best action?
A. Administer a cough suppressant
B. Discontinue the medication immediately
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Reassure the patient that this is unrelated
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent dry
cough due to accumulation of bradykinin. This is a well-documented side
effect that may require switching to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).
The nurse should notify the provider for evaluation and potential medication
,change. Cough suppressants are ineffective, and discontinuation without
provider notification is unsafe.
4. Which medication should be readily available when administering insulin?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Glucose or glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: B. Glucose or glucagon
Rationale: Insulin can cause hypoglycemia as a significant adverse effect.
Rapid treatment of hypoglycemia requires glucose (oral or IV) or glucagon (for
severe cases when the patient cannot swallow). Protamine sulfate reverses
heparin, vitamin K reverses warfarin, and naloxone reverses opioids—none are
appropriate for insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
5. A patient taking digoxin develops nausea and visual disturbances. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer potassium
B. Give the next dose early
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Encourage fluid intake
Correct Answer: C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
, Rationale: Nausea and visual disturbances (halos, blurring, yellow-green
vision) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity and require immediate evaluation.
The medication should be withheld, and the healthcare provider should be
notified for assessment of digoxin levels and potential antidote administration
(digoxin immune Fab).
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure 132/78 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
D. Oxygen saturation 97%
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. An apical pulse below 60 beats/min in
adults is a common reason to withhold the medication because administration
may worsen bradycardia and increase the risk of dysrhythmias. The blood
pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are within acceptable limits
and do not independently require withholding the medication.
7. Which medication is classified as a beta-blocker?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metoprolol
EXAM TEST BANK 2026/2027 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND STUDY GUIDE ACCURATE EXAM COMPLETE
REAL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (RELIABLE SOLUTIONS) CURRENTLY UPDATED
VERSION 2026 EDITION |GUARANTEED SUCCESS A+ |FULL
REVISED NGN HESI PHARMACOLOGY REAL EXAM |JUST
RELEASED
1. A nurse administers naloxone to a patient receiving morphine. What is the
expected outcome?
A. Decreased blood pressure
B. Increased analgesia
C. Sedation
D. Increased respiratory rate
Correct Answer: D. Increased respiratory rate
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory
depression caused by opioids like morphine. It competitively blocks opioid
receptors, rapidly reversing the effects of opioid agonists. The primary
therapeutic goal is restoration of adequate respiratory drive. Increased
respiratory rate is the direct expected outcome; the other options represent
either adverse effects or incorrect expectations.
2. Which laboratory value should be monitored in a patient taking warfarin?
,A. Hemoglobin
B. Platelet count
C. INR
D. Potassium
Correct Answer: C. INR
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized
Ratio (INR) to ensure therapeutic anticoagulation and prevent bleeding
complications. The therapeutic INR range is typically 2.0 to 3.0 for most
indications. Hemoglobin and platelet count are monitored for bleeding but do
not reflect warfarin's anticoagulant effect. Potassium is unrelated to warfarin
therapy.
3. A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What is the nurse's
best action?
A. Administer a cough suppressant
B. Discontinue the medication immediately
C. Notify the healthcare provider
D. Reassure the patient that this is unrelated
Correct Answer: C. Notify the healthcare provider
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent dry
cough due to accumulation of bradykinin. This is a well-documented side
effect that may require switching to an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB).
The nurse should notify the provider for evaluation and potential medication
,change. Cough suppressants are ineffective, and discontinuation without
provider notification is unsafe.
4. Which medication should be readily available when administering insulin?
A. Protamine sulfate
B. Glucose or glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Naloxone
Correct Answer: B. Glucose or glucagon
Rationale: Insulin can cause hypoglycemia as a significant adverse effect.
Rapid treatment of hypoglycemia requires glucose (oral or IV) or glucagon (for
severe cases when the patient cannot swallow). Protamine sulfate reverses
heparin, vitamin K reverses warfarin, and naloxone reverses opioids—none are
appropriate for insulin-induced hypoglycemia.
5. A patient taking digoxin develops nausea and visual disturbances. What is
the nurse's priority action?
A. Administer potassium
B. Give the next dose early
C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
D. Encourage fluid intake
Correct Answer: C. Withhold the medication and notify the provider
, Rationale: Nausea and visual disturbances (halos, blurring, yellow-green
vision) are classic signs of digoxin toxicity and require immediate evaluation.
The medication should be withheld, and the healthcare provider should be
notified for assessment of digoxin levels and potential antidote administration
(digoxin immune Fab).
6. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure.
Which assessment finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and
notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure 132/78 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate 18/min
C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
D. Oxygen saturation 97%
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse 54 beats/min
Rationale: Digoxin slows the heart rate. An apical pulse below 60 beats/min in
adults is a common reason to withhold the medication because administration
may worsen bradycardia and increase the risk of dysrhythmias. The blood
pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation are within acceptable limits
and do not independently require withholding the medication.
7. Which medication is classified as a beta-blocker?
A. Lisinopril
B. Metoprolol
