EVOLVE PHARMACOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM WITH 62
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of urethritis and
cystitis comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange. Which question should the
practical nurse ask to determine if the medication has been effective?
A) How much water have you been drinking each day?
B) Does the urine color stain your toilet bowl or undergarments?
C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
D) Did your urine appear cloudy or have a foul odor on voiding?: C) Have you had any
relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
Feedback:
Phenazopyridine, an over-the-counter urinary analgesic, acts on the mucosa of the urinary
tract to relieve urinary pain, burning, itching, or urgency (C) associated with urethritis and
cystitis. Although determining if the client is forcing fluids (A), experiencing staining from
Pyridium's side effect (B), or having signs of a urinary infection (D) are worthwhile
assessments, the therapeutic response of Pyridium is related to urinary discomforts only.
2. A male client who has been receiving an antineoplastic drug has developed
thrombocytopenia. What instructions should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce?
A) Use suppository form of drugs.
B) Avoid large public gatherings.
C) Rise slowly when standing up.
D) Shave with an electric razor.: D) Shave with an electric razor.
Feedback:
,Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of bone marrow depression caused by several
antineoplastic agents. The client is experiencing a low platelet count and should use an
electric razor (D) to reduce his risk of bleeding. (A, B, and C) are not indicated for a client
who needs to implement thrombocytopenia precautions.
3. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone
(Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse effect should the PN document in the client's
record? A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color.: B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and redistribution of fat deposition.
Weight gain (B) and moon face reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and
should be documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment using prednisone.
4. A female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has been
taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN
review for this client? A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases.: B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed 4 grams a day, resulting in
an elevation in hepatic enzyme values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
, 5. A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain.
Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for with the client?
A) Constipation.
B) Photosensitivity.
C) Decreased heart rate.
D) Frequent urination.: A) Constipation.
Feedback:
Opioid analgesics slow peristalsis, which leads to constipation (A), a common side effect of
opiates. (B, C, and D) are not associated with opioid analgesics.
6. Which action should the practical nurse implement when administering a buccal
medication?
A) Encourage the client to swallow.
B) Administer water with medication.
C) Ensure the medication is positioned under the tongue.
D) Place the medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.: D) Place the
medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.
Feedback:
Buccal medications are placed between the upper molar teeth and the cheek (D) for
absorption by the capillaries of the oral mucosa. The client should be cautioned against
swallowing, not (A). Buccal medications are not administered with water (B).
(C) describes sublingual administration.
7. What assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain prior to
initiating medication therapy with phenelzine (Nardil) for a client with depression?
A) Activity level.
B) Mood and affect.
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS GRADED A+
1. A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of urethritis and
cystitis comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange. Which question should the
practical nurse ask to determine if the medication has been effective?
A) How much water have you been drinking each day?
B) Does the urine color stain your toilet bowl or undergarments?
C) Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
D) Did your urine appear cloudy or have a foul odor on voiding?: C) Have you had any
relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
Feedback:
Phenazopyridine, an over-the-counter urinary analgesic, acts on the mucosa of the urinary
tract to relieve urinary pain, burning, itching, or urgency (C) associated with urethritis and
cystitis. Although determining if the client is forcing fluids (A), experiencing staining from
Pyridium's side effect (B), or having signs of a urinary infection (D) are worthwhile
assessments, the therapeutic response of Pyridium is related to urinary discomforts only.
2. A male client who has been receiving an antineoplastic drug has developed
thrombocytopenia. What instructions should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce?
A) Use suppository form of drugs.
B) Avoid large public gatherings.
C) Rise slowly when standing up.
D) Shave with an electric razor.: D) Shave with an electric razor.
Feedback:
,Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of bone marrow depression caused by several
antineoplastic agents. The client is experiencing a low platelet count and should use an
electric razor (D) to reduce his risk of bleeding. (A, B, and C) are not indicated for a client
who needs to implement thrombocytopenia precautions.
3. The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone
(Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse effect should the PN document in the client's
record? A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color.: B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and redistribution of fat deposition.
Weight gain (B) and moon face reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and
should be documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment using prednisone.
4. A female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has been
taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN
review for this client? A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases.: B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed 4 grams a day, resulting in
an elevation in hepatic enzyme values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
, 5. A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain.
Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for with the client?
A) Constipation.
B) Photosensitivity.
C) Decreased heart rate.
D) Frequent urination.: A) Constipation.
Feedback:
Opioid analgesics slow peristalsis, which leads to constipation (A), a common side effect of
opiates. (B, C, and D) are not associated with opioid analgesics.
6. Which action should the practical nurse implement when administering a buccal
medication?
A) Encourage the client to swallow.
B) Administer water with medication.
C) Ensure the medication is positioned under the tongue.
D) Place the medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.: D) Place the
medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.
Feedback:
Buccal medications are placed between the upper molar teeth and the cheek (D) for
absorption by the capillaries of the oral mucosa. The client should be cautioned against
swallowing, not (A). Buccal medications are not administered with water (B).
(C) describes sublingual administration.
7. What assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain prior to
initiating medication therapy with phenelzine (Nardil) for a client with depression?
A) Activity level.
B) Mood and affect.
