HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE (2026-27)
Question 1
The nurse reviews the new prescription, phenelzine (Nardil), a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), for a client with depression on the psychiatric unit.
Which information is most important for the nurse to assess?
A. Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine rich foods
B. Reports of nausea or vomiting
C. Therapeutic serum drug levels
D. Blood pressure and pulse prior to taking each dose
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 2
The nurse is administering haloperidol 0.5 mg IM PRN to a client for the first
time. What side effects should the nurse assess thr client during the initial
dose?
A. Bradykinesia
B. Dystonia
C. Somatization
D. Akathisia
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Question 3
While reviewing the client's electronic medical record (EMR), the nurse
assesses a client who is at risk for a possible interaction with an over-the-
counter (OTC) decongestant.
,Which client health history should the nurse report to the health care provider
concerning the OTC medication? (Select all that apply)
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM)
B. Closed angle glaucome
C. Chronic hypertension
D. Rheumatoid arthritis
E. Crohn's
disease
CORRECT
ANSWER B,C
Question 4
A client prescribed ipratropium reports nausea, blurred vision, headaches, and
insomnia after using the inhaler. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A. Withhold the medication and report symptoms and vital signs to the healthcare
provider
B. Give PRN medication for nausea and vomiting and evaluate client in 30 minutes
C. reassure client that the ipratropium given will alleviate the symptoms
D. Delay administration of ipratropium until the next maintenance medication is
scheduled
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 5
A client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is experiencing profound weakness,
blurry
vision, and shooting pains in both legs. Which medication is considered the best
course of treatment for the nurse to administer?
,A. High dose methylprednisolone intravenously
B. Baclofen three times a day
C. Broad spectrum antibiotic coverage orally
D. Immunomodulatory drug therapy periodically
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 6
The nurse administers 30 mL of lactulose for a client with stage 2 hepatic
encephalopathy. Which assessment finding would indicate the medication is
being therapeutic?
A. A decrease in blood ammonia levels
B. A softening in the stools
C. An increase in glucose absorption
D. A suppression of gut acidification
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 7
The nurse is teaching a client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
about neutral protamine Hagedor (NPH) insulin. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of how the medication works?
, A. It facilitates the transport of glucose into the cells
B. It stimulates the function of beta cells in the pancreas
C. It increases the intracellular receptor site sensitivity
D. It delays the carbohydrate digestion and absorption
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 8
The nurse should withhold which medication if a client reports nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea?
A. Colchicine (Mitigare, Colcrys)
B. Erythromycin (E-mycin)
C. Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
D. Labetolol (Normodyne)
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 9
A client newly prescribed esomeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) asks the nurse how the medication will help. Which is the best
explanation to provide the
client?
A. It will promote rapid tissue healing
B. It will increase gastric emptying
ANSWERS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE (2026-27)
Question 1
The nurse reviews the new prescription, phenelzine (Nardil), a monoamine
oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), for a client with depression on the psychiatric unit.
Which information is most important for the nurse to assess?
A. Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine rich foods
B. Reports of nausea or vomiting
C. Therapeutic serum drug levels
D. Blood pressure and pulse prior to taking each dose
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 2
The nurse is administering haloperidol 0.5 mg IM PRN to a client for the first
time. What side effects should the nurse assess thr client during the initial
dose?
A. Bradykinesia
B. Dystonia
C. Somatization
D. Akathisia
CORRECT ANSWER
B
Question 3
While reviewing the client's electronic medical record (EMR), the nurse
assesses a client who is at risk for a possible interaction with an over-the-
counter (OTC) decongestant.
,Which client health history should the nurse report to the health care provider
concerning the OTC medication? (Select all that apply)
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM)
B. Closed angle glaucome
C. Chronic hypertension
D. Rheumatoid arthritis
E. Crohn's
disease
CORRECT
ANSWER B,C
Question 4
A client prescribed ipratropium reports nausea, blurred vision, headaches, and
insomnia after using the inhaler. Which action should the nurse implement first?
A. Withhold the medication and report symptoms and vital signs to the healthcare
provider
B. Give PRN medication for nausea and vomiting and evaluate client in 30 minutes
C. reassure client that the ipratropium given will alleviate the symptoms
D. Delay administration of ipratropium until the next maintenance medication is
scheduled
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 5
A client diagnosed with multiple sclerosis is experiencing profound weakness,
blurry
vision, and shooting pains in both legs. Which medication is considered the best
course of treatment for the nurse to administer?
,A. High dose methylprednisolone intravenously
B. Baclofen three times a day
C. Broad spectrum antibiotic coverage orally
D. Immunomodulatory drug therapy periodically
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 6
The nurse administers 30 mL of lactulose for a client with stage 2 hepatic
encephalopathy. Which assessment finding would indicate the medication is
being therapeutic?
A. A decrease in blood ammonia levels
B. A softening in the stools
C. An increase in glucose absorption
D. A suppression of gut acidification
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 7
The nurse is teaching a client who is newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes
about neutral protamine Hagedor (NPH) insulin. Which statement by the client
indicates an understanding of how the medication works?
, A. It facilitates the transport of glucose into the cells
B. It stimulates the function of beta cells in the pancreas
C. It increases the intracellular receptor site sensitivity
D. It delays the carbohydrate digestion and absorption
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 8
The nurse should withhold which medication if a client reports nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea?
A. Colchicine (Mitigare, Colcrys)
B. Erythromycin (E-mycin)
C. Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
D. Labetolol (Normodyne)
CORRECT ANSWER
A
Question 9
A client newly prescribed esomeprazole for gastroesophageal reflux disease
(GERD) asks the nurse how the medication will help. Which is the best
explanation to provide the
client?
A. It will promote rapid tissue healing
B. It will increase gastric emptying
