PN HESI Pharmacology Exam 2026 Review
Complete Test Bank -Questions with
ANSWER💕✔s & Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient. Which action demonstrates safe medication
preparation?
A. Preparing medications in a busy area to save time and increase efficiency
B. Working alone with good lighting and checking the medication label three times
C. Transferring medications to unlabeled bottles for easier access
D. Preparing medications for multiple patients simultaneously to streamline care
ANSWER💕✔: B. Working alone with good lighting and checking the medication label three times
Rationale:
,Option A is incorrect because preparing medications in a busy area increases the risk of distractions and
medication errors. Safe medication administration requires a quiet, well-lit environment free from
interruptions.
Option B is correct as it describes the three checks of medication administration: checking the label
when removing the medication from storage, before preparing it, and before returning it to storage.
Good lighting and working alone minimize errors.
Option C is incorrect because transferring medications to unlabeled bottles violates safety standards and
increases the risk of administering the wrong medication.
Option D is incorrect because preparing medications for multiple patients at once increases the risk of
cross-contamination and administration errors. The nurse should prepare one patient's medications at a
time.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following is the correct order for verifying a patient's identity before medication
administration?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth, then check the identification band
B. Check the identification band only if the patient is unable to respond
C. Verify the room number and bed number match the medication administration record
D. Ask the patient's family member to confirm the patient's identity
ANSWER💕✔: A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth, then check the identification
band
Rationale:
,Option A is correct because using two patient identifiers (name and date of birth) and comparing them
to the identification band and medication administration record (MAR) is the standard of care for
patient identification.
Option B is incorrect because the identification band should always be checked regardless of the
patient's ability to respond. For patients who cannot respond, use alternative methods such as checking
the band and medical record number.
Option C is incorrect because room and bed numbers are not reliable identifiers as patients may be
moved or transferred.
Option D is incorrect because family members may not know the patient's accurate identification
information, and the nurse is responsible for verifying identity using official identifiers.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is administering medications via the oral route. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Crush all medications and mix them with applesauce for easier swallowing
B. Administer medications with a full glass of water unless contraindicated
C. Place medications on the bedside table for the patient to take later
D. Administer medications without checking the patient's ability to swallow
ANSWER💕✔: B. Administer medications with a full glass of water unless contraindicated
Rationale:
, Option A is incorrect because not all medications should be crushed (e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-
release formulations). Crushing these medications can alter their absorption and effectiveness.
Option B is correct because administering oral medications with adequate fluid (unless fluid restriction
or other contraindications exist) helps with swallowing and absorption.
Option C is incorrect because leaving medications for patients to take later increases the risk of missed
doses, incorrect timing, and potential medication errors.
Option D is incorrect because the nurse must assess the patient's ability to swallow before administering
oral medications to prevent aspiration.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is reviewing the "Rights of Medication Administration." Which of the following is NOT one of
the standard rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right time
D. Right room number
ANSWER💕✔: D. Right room number
Rationale:
Option A is incorrect because "Right patient" is one of the standard rights of medication administration.
The nurse must verify the patient's identity before giving medications.
Complete Test Bank -Questions with
ANSWER💕✔s & Rationales
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY
QUESTION 1
A nurse is preparing to administer medications to a patient. Which action demonstrates safe medication
preparation?
A. Preparing medications in a busy area to save time and increase efficiency
B. Working alone with good lighting and checking the medication label three times
C. Transferring medications to unlabeled bottles for easier access
D. Preparing medications for multiple patients simultaneously to streamline care
ANSWER💕✔: B. Working alone with good lighting and checking the medication label three times
Rationale:
,Option A is incorrect because preparing medications in a busy area increases the risk of distractions and
medication errors. Safe medication administration requires a quiet, well-lit environment free from
interruptions.
Option B is correct as it describes the three checks of medication administration: checking the label
when removing the medication from storage, before preparing it, and before returning it to storage.
Good lighting and working alone minimize errors.
Option C is incorrect because transferring medications to unlabeled bottles violates safety standards and
increases the risk of administering the wrong medication.
Option D is incorrect because preparing medications for multiple patients at once increases the risk of
cross-contamination and administration errors. The nurse should prepare one patient's medications at a
time.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following is the correct order for verifying a patient's identity before medication
administration?
A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth, then check the identification band
B. Check the identification band only if the patient is unable to respond
C. Verify the room number and bed number match the medication administration record
D. Ask the patient's family member to confirm the patient's identity
ANSWER💕✔: A. Ask the patient to state their name and date of birth, then check the identification
band
Rationale:
,Option A is correct because using two patient identifiers (name and date of birth) and comparing them
to the identification band and medication administration record (MAR) is the standard of care for
patient identification.
Option B is incorrect because the identification band should always be checked regardless of the
patient's ability to respond. For patients who cannot respond, use alternative methods such as checking
the band and medical record number.
Option C is incorrect because room and bed numbers are not reliable identifiers as patients may be
moved or transferred.
Option D is incorrect because family members may not know the patient's accurate identification
information, and the nurse is responsible for verifying identity using official identifiers.
QUESTION 3
A nurse is administering medications via the oral route. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Crush all medications and mix them with applesauce for easier swallowing
B. Administer medications with a full glass of water unless contraindicated
C. Place medications on the bedside table for the patient to take later
D. Administer medications without checking the patient's ability to swallow
ANSWER💕✔: B. Administer medications with a full glass of water unless contraindicated
Rationale:
, Option A is incorrect because not all medications should be crushed (e.g., enteric-coated or sustained-
release formulations). Crushing these medications can alter their absorption and effectiveness.
Option B is correct because administering oral medications with adequate fluid (unless fluid restriction
or other contraindications exist) helps with swallowing and absorption.
Option C is incorrect because leaving medications for patients to take later increases the risk of missed
doses, incorrect timing, and potential medication errors.
Option D is incorrect because the nurse must assess the patient's ability to swallow before administering
oral medications to prevent aspiration.
QUESTION 4
The nurse is reviewing the "Rights of Medication Administration." Which of the following is NOT one of
the standard rights?
A. Right patient
B. Right dose
C. Right time
D. Right room number
ANSWER💕✔: D. Right room number
Rationale:
Option A is incorrect because "Right patient" is one of the standard rights of medication administration.
The nurse must verify the patient's identity before giving medications.
