HESI Pharmacology With all Correct
Answers Graded A+ 2024/2025
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism
and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - ANSWER-3. Calcitonin
(Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of
acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of
vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by
inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs
the mother to administer the iron with which best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
, 4. Orange juice - ANSWER-4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
The mother should be instructed to administer the
medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis
of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following would indicate the presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - ANSWER-1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim
in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse
reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
, 4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun -
ANSWER-4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the
sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the
client with a burn injury. When applying the medication,
the client complains of local discomfort and burning.
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn
site - ANSWER-3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns
to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
client should be informed that the medication will cause
local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the
following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
, 1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - ANSWER-
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should
be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4
describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated
blood pressure may be expected from the pain that
occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne.
Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - ANSWER-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood
triglyceride levels should be measured before treatment
and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do
not need to be monitored specifically during this
treatment.
Answers Graded A+ 2024/2025
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism
and notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13
mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - ANSWER-3. Calcitonin
(Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for
the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of
acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of
vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by
inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old
child with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs
the mother to administer the iron with which best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
, 4. Orange juice - ANSWER-4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
The mother should be instructed to administer the
medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis
of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following would indicate the presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - ANSWER-1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim
in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse
reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
, 4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun -
ANSWER-4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the
sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the
client with a burn injury. When applying the medication,
the client complains of local discomfort and burning.
Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing
action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn
site - ANSWER-3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns
to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
client should be informed that the medication will cause
local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical
mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The
nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the
following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
, 1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - ANSWER-
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should
be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4
describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated
blood pressure may be expected from the pain that
occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne.
Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - ANSWER-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood
triglyceride levels should be measured before treatment
and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do
not need to be monitored specifically during this
treatment.
