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BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1 – 2026/2027 Actual
Questions with Revised Answers, 100% Verified - Nightingale
College
Question 1
A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, especially
in patients taking digoxin. Monitor serum potassium and assess for muscle
weakness, leg cramps, and irregular pulse.
Question 2
Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A) Vitamin K
B) Protamine sulfate
C) Naloxone
D) Flumazenil
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate reverses heparin's anticoagulant effect by binding to
heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin. Naloxone reverses opioids; flumazenil
reverses benzodiazepines.
Question 3
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A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Before administering, the nurse
should check:
A) Respiratory rate
B) Apical pulse for 1 full minute
C) Blood glucose
D) Temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and dysrhythmias. Hold if apical pulse is
<60 bpm in adults (or per facility policy) and notify the provider. Also monitor for
signs of toxicity: nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (yellow halos), and
dysrhythmias.
Question 4
Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a patient about taking
levothyroxine?
A) Take at bedtime with a full meal
B) Take in the morning on an empty stomach with water
C) Take with calcium supplements to improve absorption
D) Take only when symptoms are severe
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach
with water, at least 30–60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize absorption.
Calcium, iron, and antacids interfere with absorption and should be separated by
at least 4 hours.
Question 5
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which serious adverse
effect requires immediate reporting?
A) Weight loss
B) Lactic acidosis
,3
C) Drowsiness
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin can cause rare but life-threatening lactic acidosis, especially
in patients with renal impairment, liver disease, or excessive alcohol use.
Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, abdominal discomfort, and rapid
breathing. Monitor renal function and hold before contrast dye procedures.
Question 6
Which medication is a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A) Albuterol
B) Diphenhydramine
C) Epinephrine
D) Prednisone
Answer: C
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for anaphylaxis because it causes
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and decreases edema. Antihistamines and
corticosteroids are adjunctive but do not replace epinephrine.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test monitors therapeutic
effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin's effect is monitored by INR (international normalized ratio),
with a typical therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0 for most indications. aPTT monitors
heparin.
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Question 8
Which adverse effect is associated with aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin)?
A) Hepatotoxicity
B) Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity
C) Cardiotoxicity
D) Bone marrow suppression
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause irreversible ototoxicity (hearing loss,
tinnitus) and nephrotoxicity. Monitor BUN, creatinine, urine output, and hearing.
Peak and trough levels are often monitored.
Question 9
The nurse is teaching a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
about dietary restrictions. Which food should be avoided?
A) Fresh fruit
B) Aged cheese
C) Whole grains
D) Lean chicken
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats,
red wine, fermented products) causing hypertensive crisis. Patients must avoid
these foods.
Question 10
Which medication is used to reverse opioid overdose?
A) Flumazenil
B) Naloxone
BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1 – 2026/2027 Actual
Questions with Revised Answers, 100% Verified - Nightingale
College
Question 1
A patient is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value
should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum glucose
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases potassium excretion,
leading to hypokalemia. Hypokalemia can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, especially
in patients taking digoxin. Monitor serum potassium and assess for muscle
weakness, leg cramps, and irregular pulse.
Question 2
Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A) Vitamin K
B) Protamine sulfate
C) Naloxone
D) Flumazenil
Answer: B
Rationale: Protamine sulfate reverses heparin's anticoagulant effect by binding to
heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin. Naloxone reverses opioids; flumazenil
reverses benzodiazepines.
Question 3
,2
A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Before administering, the nurse
should check:
A) Respiratory rate
B) Apical pulse for 1 full minute
C) Blood glucose
D) Temperature
Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia and dysrhythmias. Hold if apical pulse is
<60 bpm in adults (or per facility policy) and notify the provider. Also monitor for
signs of toxicity: nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances (yellow halos), and
dysrhythmias.
Question 4
Which instruction should the nurse include when teaching a patient about taking
levothyroxine?
A) Take at bedtime with a full meal
B) Take in the morning on an empty stomach with water
C) Take with calcium supplements to improve absorption
D) Take only when symptoms are severe
Answer: B
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken in the morning on an empty stomach
with water, at least 30–60 minutes before breakfast, to maximize absorption.
Calcium, iron, and antacids interfere with absorption and should be separated by
at least 4 hours.
Question 5
A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which serious adverse
effect requires immediate reporting?
A) Weight loss
B) Lactic acidosis
,3
C) Drowsiness
D) Dry mouth
Answer: B
Rationale: Metformin can cause rare but life-threatening lactic acidosis, especially
in patients with renal impairment, liver disease, or excessive alcohol use.
Symptoms include muscle pain, weakness, abdominal discomfort, and rapid
breathing. Monitor renal function and hold before contrast dye procedures.
Question 6
Which medication is a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
A) Albuterol
B) Diphenhydramine
C) Epinephrine
D) Prednisone
Answer: C
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for anaphylaxis because it causes
vasoconstriction, bronchodilation, and decreases edema. Antihistamines and
corticosteroids are adjunctive but do not replace epinephrine.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory test monitors therapeutic
effect?
A) aPTT
B) INR
C) Platelet count
D) Bleeding time
Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin's effect is monitored by INR (international normalized ratio),
with a typical therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0 for most indications. aPTT monitors
heparin.
, 4
Question 8
Which adverse effect is associated with aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin)?
A) Hepatotoxicity
B) Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity
C) Cardiotoxicity
D) Bone marrow suppression
Answer: B
Rationale: Aminoglycosides can cause irreversible ototoxicity (hearing loss,
tinnitus) and nephrotoxicity. Monitor BUN, creatinine, urine output, and hearing.
Peak and trough levels are often monitored.
Question 9
The nurse is teaching a patient taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
about dietary restrictions. Which food should be avoided?
A) Fresh fruit
B) Aged cheese
C) Whole grains
D) Lean chicken
Answer: B
Rationale: MAOIs interact with tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats,
red wine, fermented products) causing hypertensive crisis. Patients must avoid
these foods.
Question 10
Which medication is used to reverse opioid overdose?
A) Flumazenil
B) Naloxone
