BSN HESI 315 PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
V1 (LATEST 2024/ 2025 UPDATE) EXAM WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE
100%CORRECTANSWERS WITH VERIFIED AND
WELL EXPLAINEDRATIONALES ALREADY
GRADED A+ BY EXPERTS
What teaching should the nurse provide a client who has received a new prescription for
sildenafil? (Select all that apply.)
1.Frequent use can lead to the development of hypertension.
2.Most effective if taken after at least 6 hours of REM sleep.
3.Take within 30 to 60 minutes of sexual stimulation.
4.Report rebound priapism that occurs for 4 hours or more.
5.Can cause facial flushing and headache.
3.Take within 30 to 60 minutes of sexual stimulation.
4.Report rebound priapism that occurs for 4 hours or more.
5.Can cause facial flushing and headache.
Rationale
Sildenafil enhances the natural response to sexual stimuli, so a client should be
instructed to take Viagra within 30 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse to provide
adequate time to enhance penile erection. Sildenafil does not cause erection directly,
but priapism can occur and should be reported to the healthcare provider if it persists.
Common side effects include headaches, facial flushing, and diarrhea. Sildenafil can
potentiate vasodilators, such as alpha-adrenergic blockers, nitroglycerin, and other
nitrates used for angina pectoris, and may cause hypotension, which decreases
perfusion to vital organs.
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate to treat bipolar disorder.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers?
1.Offer the morning dose of the medicine before breakfast.
2.Have the client chew the pill if it is difficult to swallow.
3.Encourage high energy fluid intake by providing sports drinks or sodas.
4.Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation.
,Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation.
Rationale
Lithium carbonate causes hypothyroidism in 1 to 4% of those clients receiving the
medication, so caregivers should assess for signs of hypothyroidism, including fatigue
and constipation (early signs) and myxedema or goiter (late symptoms).
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
When prescribed for a client with hepatic encephalopathy, which is the therapeutic
action of lactulose?
1.Lowers the pH of the colon.
2.Softens the stool.
3.Increases glucose absorption.
4.Stimulates peristalsis.
Lowers the pH of the colon.
Rationale
Colonic bacteria digest lactulose to create a drug-induced acidic and hyperosmotic
environment that draws water and blood ammonia into the colon. The physiologic action
of lactulose for the client with hepatic encephalopathy is to lower the pH of the colon
which inhibits the diffusion of ammonia into the bloodstream.
A female client receives a prescription for cefadroxil for a urinary tract infection. The
client informs the nurse that she is currently taking oral contraceptives (OCP). Which
information is important for the nurse to share with the client?
1.The antibiotic may be less effective while taking OCP.
2.The medication combination potentiates the risk of adverse reactions.
3.Avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking the antibiotic.
4.Use an additional form of contraception until your menstrual cycle.
Use an additional form of contraception until your menstrual cycle.
Rationale
Cephalosporins such as cefadroxil can potentially decrease the efficacy of oral
contraceptives, so the client should be instructed to use an additional form of
contraception. Further study is needed to determine if a correlation exists.
A client receives a prescription for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for a urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which instruction should the nurse provide the client?
1.Ingest food prior to taking the antibiotic.
2.Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
3.Take the medication with grapefruit juice.
4.Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
, Rationale
To decrease the risk of renal damage due to crystalluria associated with
sulfamethoxazole, the client should be instructed to consume at least 8 glasses of water
a day. To increase absorption, sulfamethoxazole should be given on an empty stomach.
The nurse reviews the new prescription, phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI), for a client on the psychiatric unit with depression. Which information is most
important for the nurse to assess?
1.Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine-rich foods.
2.Complaints of nausea or vomiting.
3.Therapeutic serum drug levels.
4.Blood pressure and pulse prior to taking each dose
Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine-rich foods.
Rationale
The consumption of any type of tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheeses,
fermented fruits and vegetables, smoked or cured meats, dark wines, and other
alcoholic products should be avoided when a client is prescribed an MAOI due to the
food-drug interaction causing a hypertensive crisis which can lead to a hemorrhagic
stroke.
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
A male client with meningitis is prescribed cefotaxime IV and asks the nurse why he
cannot receive an oral drug, such as cefaclor or cefadroxil, that he has taken before for
infections. How should the nurse respond when considering the actions of
cephalosporins?
1.Cefazolin is another IV antibiotic that can be prescribed.
2.Cefaclor is a good alternative to suggest to the healthcare provider.
3.Cefadroxil is usually prescribed when the IV is discontinued.
4.Cefotaxime provides therapeutic CNS concentrations.
Cefotaxime provides therapeutic CNS concentrations.
Rationale
According to research studies, only third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime
and ceftazidime have been shown effective in treating bacterial meningitis with the
exception of cefuroxime, the only second-generation cephalosporin shown to be
effective. First-generation cephalosporins have not been successful in the treatment of
bacterial meningitis. IV administration of these antibiotics is the preferred route of
administration due to oral administration medication levels tend to be too low to be
effective in comparison to parental administration.
A client receives a prescription for esomeprazole for heartburn. Which finding in the
client's history should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering
the prescription?
V1 (LATEST 2024/ 2025 UPDATE) EXAM WITH
ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND COMPLETE
100%CORRECTANSWERS WITH VERIFIED AND
WELL EXPLAINEDRATIONALES ALREADY
GRADED A+ BY EXPERTS
What teaching should the nurse provide a client who has received a new prescription for
sildenafil? (Select all that apply.)
1.Frequent use can lead to the development of hypertension.
2.Most effective if taken after at least 6 hours of REM sleep.
3.Take within 30 to 60 minutes of sexual stimulation.
4.Report rebound priapism that occurs for 4 hours or more.
5.Can cause facial flushing and headache.
3.Take within 30 to 60 minutes of sexual stimulation.
4.Report rebound priapism that occurs for 4 hours or more.
5.Can cause facial flushing and headache.
Rationale
Sildenafil enhances the natural response to sexual stimuli, so a client should be
instructed to take Viagra within 30 to 60 minutes before sexual intercourse to provide
adequate time to enhance penile erection. Sildenafil does not cause erection directly,
but priapism can occur and should be reported to the healthcare provider if it persists.
Common side effects include headaches, facial flushing, and diarrhea. Sildenafil can
potentiate vasodilators, such as alpha-adrenergic blockers, nitroglycerin, and other
nitrates used for angina pectoris, and may cause hypotension, which decreases
perfusion to vital organs.
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate to treat bipolar disorder.
Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers?
1.Offer the morning dose of the medicine before breakfast.
2.Have the client chew the pill if it is difficult to swallow.
3.Encourage high energy fluid intake by providing sports drinks or sodas.
4.Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation.
,Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation.
Rationale
Lithium carbonate causes hypothyroidism in 1 to 4% of those clients receiving the
medication, so caregivers should assess for signs of hypothyroidism, including fatigue
and constipation (early signs) and myxedema or goiter (late symptoms).
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
When prescribed for a client with hepatic encephalopathy, which is the therapeutic
action of lactulose?
1.Lowers the pH of the colon.
2.Softens the stool.
3.Increases glucose absorption.
4.Stimulates peristalsis.
Lowers the pH of the colon.
Rationale
Colonic bacteria digest lactulose to create a drug-induced acidic and hyperosmotic
environment that draws water and blood ammonia into the colon. The physiologic action
of lactulose for the client with hepatic encephalopathy is to lower the pH of the colon
which inhibits the diffusion of ammonia into the bloodstream.
A female client receives a prescription for cefadroxil for a urinary tract infection. The
client informs the nurse that she is currently taking oral contraceptives (OCP). Which
information is important for the nurse to share with the client?
1.The antibiotic may be less effective while taking OCP.
2.The medication combination potentiates the risk of adverse reactions.
3.Avoid prolonged sun exposure while taking the antibiotic.
4.Use an additional form of contraception until your menstrual cycle.
Use an additional form of contraception until your menstrual cycle.
Rationale
Cephalosporins such as cefadroxil can potentially decrease the efficacy of oral
contraceptives, so the client should be instructed to use an additional form of
contraception. Further study is needed to determine if a correlation exists.
A client receives a prescription for sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim for a urinary tract
infection (UTI). Which instruction should the nurse provide the client?
1.Ingest food prior to taking the antibiotic.
2.Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
3.Take the medication with grapefruit juice.
4.Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
, Rationale
To decrease the risk of renal damage due to crystalluria associated with
sulfamethoxazole, the client should be instructed to consume at least 8 glasses of water
a day. To increase absorption, sulfamethoxazole should be given on an empty stomach.
The nurse reviews the new prescription, phenelzine, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI), for a client on the psychiatric unit with depression. Which information is most
important for the nurse to assess?
1.Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine-rich foods.
2.Complaints of nausea or vomiting.
3.Therapeutic serum drug levels.
4.Blood pressure and pulse prior to taking each dose
Consumption of any alcohol or tyramine-rich foods.
Rationale
The consumption of any type of tyramine-containing foods such as aged cheeses,
fermented fruits and vegetables, smoked or cured meats, dark wines, and other
alcoholic products should be avoided when a client is prescribed an MAOI due to the
food-drug interaction causing a hypertensive crisis which can lead to a hemorrhagic
stroke.
We have an expert-written solution to this problem!
A male client with meningitis is prescribed cefotaxime IV and asks the nurse why he
cannot receive an oral drug, such as cefaclor or cefadroxil, that he has taken before for
infections. How should the nurse respond when considering the actions of
cephalosporins?
1.Cefazolin is another IV antibiotic that can be prescribed.
2.Cefaclor is a good alternative to suggest to the healthcare provider.
3.Cefadroxil is usually prescribed when the IV is discontinued.
4.Cefotaxime provides therapeutic CNS concentrations.
Cefotaxime provides therapeutic CNS concentrations.
Rationale
According to research studies, only third-generation cephalosporins such as cefotaxime
and ceftazidime have been shown effective in treating bacterial meningitis with the
exception of cefuroxime, the only second-generation cephalosporin shown to be
effective. First-generation cephalosporins have not been successful in the treatment of
bacterial meningitis. IV administration of these antibiotics is the preferred route of
administration due to oral administration medication levels tend to be too low to be
effective in comparison to parental administration.
A client receives a prescription for esomeprazole for heartburn. Which finding in the
client's history should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering
the prescription?
