HESI Pharmacology Test Bank (31 Real and
Practice Exam Versions, 2100+ Q and A,
Latest-2022) / Pharmacology HESI Test
Bank |Complete Document for HESI Exam
Section 1: Principles of Pharmacology & Medication Administration (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the enteral route. Which of the
following is an example of this route?
A. Intramuscular (IM) injection
B. Sublingual (SL) tablet
C. Oral (PO) capsule
D. Intravenous (IV) push
Correct Answer: C. Oral (PO) capsule
Rationale: The enteral route refers to the administration of medication directly into the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes oral (PO), sublingual (SL), buccal, and rectal routes. Oral
capsules are a common form of enteral medication. IM, IV, and subcutaneous are parenteral
routes.
2. A nurse is reviewing a client's medication administration record (MAR) and notes an order
for "digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The pharmacy sends digoxin 0.125 mg tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 2 tablets
Rationale: To calculate the correct dose, use the formula: (Desired dose / Available dose) x
Quantity. Desired = 0.25 mg, Available = 0.125 mg, Quantity = 1 tablet. (0.25 mg / 0.125 mg) x 1
tablet = 2 tablets.
3. Which of the following is the most important action by the nurse before administering any
medication?
A. Check the client's diagnosis.
,B. Verify the client's allergies.
C. Assess the client's vital signs.
D. Review the client's lab values.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's allergies.
Rationale: Verifying allergies is a critical safety check and one of the "Rights" of medication
administration. Administering a medication to which a client is allergic can cause a severe, life-
threatening reaction. While vital signs and labs are important, allergy verification is paramount
for every medication.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a newly prescribed medication. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take the medication at the same time every day."
B. "I can stop taking the medication as soon as I feel better."
C. "I should report any unusual side effects to my doctor."
D. "I will use a pill organizer to help me remember my doses."
Correct Answer: B. "I can stop taking the medication as soon as I feel better."
Rationale: Clients should never stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting their
healthcare provider, especially for medications like antibiotics, antihypertensives, or
antidepressants. Stopping abruptly can lead to a return of symptoms, withdrawal effects, or
development of resistance.
5. Which of the following routes provides the most rapid onset of action?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Correct Answer: D. Intravenous
Rationale: The intravenous (IV) route bypasses the absorption process entirely, delivering
the medication directly into the bloodstream. This results in the most immediate onset of
action. Oral medications must be absorbed through the GI tract, which is a slower process.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
B. Massage the site after injection.
C. Use a 45- or 90-degree angle.
D. Use a 1-inch needle.
, Correct Answer: C. Use a 45- or 90-degree angle.
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections, a 45- or 90-degree angle is used, depending on the
amount of subcutaneous tissue. The nurse should NOT aspirate or massage the site for heparin
injections, as this can cause bleeding and hematoma. A short, thin needle (e.g., 3/8 to 5/8 inch)
is typically used.
7. A client is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. The nurse understands that
this means:
A. The medication will be excreted rapidly.
B. A larger portion of the drug is active in the bloodstream.
C. The medication has a longer duration of action.
D. The medication is more likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Correct Answer: C. The medication has a longer duration of action.
Rationale: When a drug is highly protein-bound, it attaches to proteins like albumin in the
blood. Only the unbound (free) portion of the drug is pharmacologically active. A high degree of
protein binding creates a reservoir of the drug in the bloodstream, leading to a longer duration
of action and a slower onset.
8. Which of the following are considered the "Nine Rights" of medication administration?
(SATA)
A. Right Client
B. Right Medication
C. Right Dose
D. Right Route
E. Right Time
F. Right Documentation
G. Right Diagnosis
H. Right to Refuse
I. Right Reason
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I
Rationale: The "Nine Rights" of medication administration are: Right Client, Right
Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Documentation, Right Reason, Right to
Refuse, and Right Assessment. "Right Diagnosis" is not one of the standard rights.
9. A nurse is calculating a pediatric dose. The child weighs 22 lbs. What is the child's weight in
kilograms? (Round to the nearest tenth.)
A. 10 kg
B. 10.0 kg
, C. 44 kg
D. 2.2 kg
Correct Answer: B. 10.0 kg
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2. 22 lbs / 2.2 =
10 kg. The answer should be recorded as 10.0 kg to reflect the precision of the calculation.
10. A nurse is administering a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index. What is the
most important nursing implication of this?
A. The medication should be administered with food.
B. The client's response to the medication should be monitored closely.
C. The medication is likely to cause an allergic reaction.
D. The medication's blood levels should be monitored closely.
Correct Answer: D. The medication's blood levels should be monitored closely.
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index (NTI) means there is a small difference between the
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Medications with an NTI (e.g., digoxin, warfarin, lithium)
require frequent monitoring of serum blood levels to ensure they remain within the therapeutic
range and to prevent toxicity.
11. Which of the following is a common example of a medication that is administered via the
sublingual route?
A. Lisinopril
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Metformin
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is commonly administered sublingually (under the tongue) for the
rapid relief of angina. The sublingual route allows for rapid absorption directly into the
bloodstream, bypassing the first-pass effect of the liver.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult client.
Which site is generally preferred for most IM injections?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for IM injections in adults and children
Practice Exam Versions, 2100+ Q and A,
Latest-2022) / Pharmacology HESI Test
Bank |Complete Document for HESI Exam
Section 1: Principles of Pharmacology & Medication Administration (Questions 1-25)
1. A nurse is preparing to administer a medication via the enteral route. Which of the
following is an example of this route?
A. Intramuscular (IM) injection
B. Sublingual (SL) tablet
C. Oral (PO) capsule
D. Intravenous (IV) push
Correct Answer: C. Oral (PO) capsule
Rationale: The enteral route refers to the administration of medication directly into the
gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes oral (PO), sublingual (SL), buccal, and rectal routes. Oral
capsules are a common form of enteral medication. IM, IV, and subcutaneous are parenteral
routes.
2. A nurse is reviewing a client's medication administration record (MAR) and notes an order
for "digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily." The pharmacy sends digoxin 0.125 mg tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 2 tablets
Rationale: To calculate the correct dose, use the formula: (Desired dose / Available dose) x
Quantity. Desired = 0.25 mg, Available = 0.125 mg, Quantity = 1 tablet. (0.25 mg / 0.125 mg) x 1
tablet = 2 tablets.
3. Which of the following is the most important action by the nurse before administering any
medication?
A. Check the client's diagnosis.
,B. Verify the client's allergies.
C. Assess the client's vital signs.
D. Review the client's lab values.
Correct Answer: B. Verify the client's allergies.
Rationale: Verifying allergies is a critical safety check and one of the "Rights" of medication
administration. Administering a medication to which a client is allergic can cause a severe, life-
threatening reaction. While vital signs and labs are important, allergy verification is paramount
for every medication.
4. A nurse is teaching a client about a newly prescribed medication. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take the medication at the same time every day."
B. "I can stop taking the medication as soon as I feel better."
C. "I should report any unusual side effects to my doctor."
D. "I will use a pill organizer to help me remember my doses."
Correct Answer: B. "I can stop taking the medication as soon as I feel better."
Rationale: Clients should never stop taking a prescribed medication without consulting their
healthcare provider, especially for medications like antibiotics, antihypertensives, or
antidepressants. Stopping abruptly can lead to a return of symptoms, withdrawal effects, or
development of resistance.
5. Which of the following routes provides the most rapid onset of action?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Correct Answer: D. Intravenous
Rationale: The intravenous (IV) route bypasses the absorption process entirely, delivering
the medication directly into the bloodstream. This results in the most immediate onset of
action. Oral medications must be absorbed through the GI tract, which is a slower process.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
A. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
B. Massage the site after injection.
C. Use a 45- or 90-degree angle.
D. Use a 1-inch needle.
, Correct Answer: C. Use a 45- or 90-degree angle.
Rationale: For subcutaneous injections, a 45- or 90-degree angle is used, depending on the
amount of subcutaneous tissue. The nurse should NOT aspirate or massage the site for heparin
injections, as this can cause bleeding and hematoma. A short, thin needle (e.g., 3/8 to 5/8 inch)
is typically used.
7. A client is prescribed a medication that is highly protein-bound. The nurse understands that
this means:
A. The medication will be excreted rapidly.
B. A larger portion of the drug is active in the bloodstream.
C. The medication has a longer duration of action.
D. The medication is more likely to cause an allergic reaction.
Correct Answer: C. The medication has a longer duration of action.
Rationale: When a drug is highly protein-bound, it attaches to proteins like albumin in the
blood. Only the unbound (free) portion of the drug is pharmacologically active. A high degree of
protein binding creates a reservoir of the drug in the bloodstream, leading to a longer duration
of action and a slower onset.
8. Which of the following are considered the "Nine Rights" of medication administration?
(SATA)
A. Right Client
B. Right Medication
C. Right Dose
D. Right Route
E. Right Time
F. Right Documentation
G. Right Diagnosis
H. Right to Refuse
I. Right Reason
Correct Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F, H, I
Rationale: The "Nine Rights" of medication administration are: Right Client, Right
Medication, Right Dose, Right Route, Right Time, Right Documentation, Right Reason, Right to
Refuse, and Right Assessment. "Right Diagnosis" is not one of the standard rights.
9. A nurse is calculating a pediatric dose. The child weighs 22 lbs. What is the child's weight in
kilograms? (Round to the nearest tenth.)
A. 10 kg
B. 10.0 kg
, C. 44 kg
D. 2.2 kg
Correct Answer: B. 10.0 kg
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2. 22 lbs / 2.2 =
10 kg. The answer should be recorded as 10.0 kg to reflect the precision of the calculation.
10. A nurse is administering a medication that has a narrow therapeutic index. What is the
most important nursing implication of this?
A. The medication should be administered with food.
B. The client's response to the medication should be monitored closely.
C. The medication is likely to cause an allergic reaction.
D. The medication's blood levels should be monitored closely.
Correct Answer: D. The medication's blood levels should be monitored closely.
Rationale: A narrow therapeutic index (NTI) means there is a small difference between the
therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Medications with an NTI (e.g., digoxin, warfarin, lithium)
require frequent monitoring of serum blood levels to ensure they remain within the therapeutic
range and to prevent toxicity.
11. Which of the following is a common example of a medication that is administered via the
sublingual route?
A. Lisinopril
B. Nitroglycerin
C. Metformin
D. Atorvastatin
Correct Answer: B. Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is commonly administered sublingually (under the tongue) for the
rapid relief of angina. The sublingual route allows for rapid absorption directly into the
bloodstream, bypassing the first-pass effect of the liver.
12. A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult client.
Which site is generally preferred for most IM injections?
A. Deltoid
B. Ventrogluteal
C. Dorsogluteal
D. Vastus lateralis
Correct Answer: B. Ventrogluteal
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is the preferred site for IM injections in adults and children
