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
1
,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:
2
,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
3
, rate, and oxygen saturation are within acceptable limits and do not independently
require withholding the medication.
7. Which statement by a patient indicates a need for further teaching about
tramadol?
A. "I should avoid driving until I know how this affects me."
B. "I can take this with my other antidepressant without any concerns."
C. "I will not drink alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "I will call my provider if I have a seizure."
Correct Answer: B. "I can take this with my other antidepressant without any
concerns."
Rationale:
Tramadol combined with serotonergic drugs such as antidepressants increases the
risk of serotonin syndrome and lowers the seizure threshold. This statement shows
a misunderstanding requiring further education.
8. A nurse is administering hydromorphone. Which patient assessment
finding requires the nurse to hold the dose and notify the provider?
A. Pain score of 6/10
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Sedation score of 4 on a 5-point scale with respirations of 9/min
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C. Sedation score of 4 on a 5-point scale with respirations of
9/min
Rationale:
Excessive sedation combined with a low respiratory rate signals opioid-induced
respiratory depression risk. The dose should be held and the provider notified
rather than administering further opioid.
4
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
1
,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:
2
,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
3
, rate, and oxygen saturation are within acceptable limits and do not independently
require withholding the medication.
7. Which statement by a patient indicates a need for further teaching about
tramadol?
A. "I should avoid driving until I know how this affects me."
B. "I can take this with my other antidepressant without any concerns."
C. "I will not drink alcohol while taking this medication."
D. "I will call my provider if I have a seizure."
Correct Answer: B. "I can take this with my other antidepressant without any
concerns."
Rationale:
Tramadol combined with serotonergic drugs such as antidepressants increases the
risk of serotonin syndrome and lowers the seizure threshold. This statement shows
a misunderstanding requiring further education.
8. A nurse is administering hydromorphone. Which patient assessment
finding requires the nurse to hold the dose and notify the provider?
A. Pain score of 6/10
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mm Hg
C. Sedation score of 4 on a 5-point scale with respirations of 9/min
D. Mild nausea
Correct Answer: C. Sedation score of 4 on a 5-point scale with respirations of
9/min
Rationale:
Excessive sedation combined with a low respiratory rate signals opioid-induced
respiratory depression risk. The dose should be held and the provider notified
rather than administering further opioid.
4
