PHARM HESI PRACTICE QUIZ: PAIN
MANAGEMENT & MEDICATION
PROTOCOLS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
2026/2027 UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of Morphine Sulfate for post-
operative pain has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. Which nursing action is the
priority?
A. Stop the Morphine infusion immediately.
B. Administer the prescribed PRN dose of Naloxone.
C. Check the patient’s oxygen saturation levels.
D. Stimulate the patient to take deep breaths.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the priority. The infusion must be stopped immediately
to prevent further respiratory depression before other interventions like Naloxone
administration occur.
2. When administering Naloxone to a patient with opioid-induced respiratory depression, the
nurse should be aware that the half-life of Naloxone is:
A. Longer than the half-life of most opioids.
,B. Long enough to require only one dose.
C. Equivalent to the half-life of Morphine.
D. Shorter than the half-life of most opioids.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids. The nurse
must monitor the patient closely as the effects of the opioid may return, necessitating
repeat doses of Naloxone.
3. A client is prescribed Acetaminophen for mild pain. What is the maximum recommended
daily dose for a healthy adult to prevent hepatotoxicity?
A. 2,000 mg
B. 4,000 mg
C. 3,000 mg
D. 5,000 mg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The maximum recommended dose for a healthy adult is 4,000
mg (4 grams) per 24 hours to prevent liver damage.
4. Why should Aspirin be avoided in children and adolescents with viral infections like
influenza or varicella?
A. It increases the risk of metabolic acidosis.
, B. It leads to acute renal failure.
C. It may cause Reye’s Syndrome.
D. It causes premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Aspirin is linked to Reye’s Syndrome in children with viral
illnesses, a rare but fatal condition involving brain and liver swelling.
5. A patient is applying a Fentanyl transdermal patch for chronic pain. Which instruction
should the nurse emphasize?
A. Avoid exposing the patch area to direct external heat sources.
B. Change the patch every 24 hours.
C. Apply a heating pad over the patch to increase absorption.
D. Dispose of the patch in the regular trash can.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: External heat can accelerate the release of Fentanyl from the
patch, leading to a potentially fatal overdose.
6. Ketorolac (Toradol) is an NSAID used for short-term pain management. What is the
maximum duration for its use?
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
MANAGEMENT & MEDICATION
PROTOCOLS QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS WITH VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
2026/2027 UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient receiving a continuous intravenous infusion of Morphine Sulfate for post-
operative pain has a respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute. Which nursing action is the
priority?
A. Stop the Morphine infusion immediately.
B. Administer the prescribed PRN dose of Naloxone.
C. Check the patient’s oxygen saturation levels.
D. Stimulate the patient to take deep breaths.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Safety is the priority. The infusion must be stopped immediately
to prevent further respiratory depression before other interventions like Naloxone
administration occur.
2. When administering Naloxone to a patient with opioid-induced respiratory depression, the
nurse should be aware that the half-life of Naloxone is:
A. Longer than the half-life of most opioids.
,B. Long enough to require only one dose.
C. Equivalent to the half-life of Morphine.
D. Shorter than the half-life of most opioids.
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Naloxone has a shorter half-life than most opioids. The nurse
must monitor the patient closely as the effects of the opioid may return, necessitating
repeat doses of Naloxone.
3. A client is prescribed Acetaminophen for mild pain. What is the maximum recommended
daily dose for a healthy adult to prevent hepatotoxicity?
A. 2,000 mg
B. 4,000 mg
C. 3,000 mg
D. 5,000 mg
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: The maximum recommended dose for a healthy adult is 4,000
mg (4 grams) per 24 hours to prevent liver damage.
4. Why should Aspirin be avoided in children and adolescents with viral infections like
influenza or varicella?
A. It increases the risk of metabolic acidosis.
, B. It leads to acute renal failure.
C. It may cause Reye’s Syndrome.
D. It causes premature closure of the ductus arteriosus.
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Aspirin is linked to Reye’s Syndrome in children with viral
illnesses, a rare but fatal condition involving brain and liver swelling.
5. A patient is applying a Fentanyl transdermal patch for chronic pain. Which instruction
should the nurse emphasize?
A. Avoid exposing the patch area to direct external heat sources.
B. Change the patch every 24 hours.
C. Apply a heating pad over the patch to increase absorption.
D. Dispose of the patch in the regular trash can.
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: External heat can accelerate the release of Fentanyl from the
patch, leading to a potentially fatal overdose.
6. Ketorolac (Toradol) is an NSAID used for short-term pain management. What is the
maximum duration for its use?
A. 3 days
B. 7 days
