PHARMACOLOGY HESI RN 2025 EXAM LATEST
ACTUAL EXAM (3 VERSIONS) QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen Naproxen twice daily for a client with
osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after three weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? -
answers-Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone Aldactone. Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications? - answers-
Refrain for eating foods high in potassium
A client asks the nurse if glipizide Glucotrol is an oral insulin. Which response should
the nurse provide? - answers-"Yes, it is an oral insulin and is distributed, metabolized,
and excreted in the same manner as insulin."
A client with a dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide Pronestyl in 4 divided doses over
the next 24 hours. What dosing schedule is best for the nurse to implement? - answers-
q6h
An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch Transderm Scop to
prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should the nurse provide
to the client? - answers-Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved? - answers-Client states chest pain is relieved.
Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client is being discharged with
a prescription for warfarin Coumadin. In conducting discharge teaching, the nurse
advises the client to have which diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge? -
answers-Prothrombin Time (PT/INR).
. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate Keflex for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription? - answers-Penicillin
,A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload? - answers-Nitroglycerin
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-
release oxycodone prescription? - answers-Every 12 hours
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. What is
the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level? - answers-Immediately before
the next antibiotic dose is given
After abdominal surgery, a male client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin
LMWH. During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse why he is
receiving this medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? -
answers-This medication is a blood thinner given to prevent blood clot formation
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa Sinemet. Which
observation by the nurse should indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - answers-Lessening of tremors
A client is receiving metoprolol Lopressor SR. What assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain? - answers-Blood pressure
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting.
Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client? - answers-
Epinephrine
A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition? - answers-Heart failure
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside Arc-C for chemotherapy? - answers-Inspect the
client's oral mucosa for ulcerations
Which drug is used as a palliative treatment for a client with tumor-induced spinal cord
compression? - answers-Dexamethasone Decadron
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist valsartan Diovan has been achieved? - answers-Blood pressure
reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
. Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis? - answers-Bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol
,A client receiving Doxorubicin Adriamycin intravenously IV complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - answers-Discontinue the IV fluids
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone Adactone for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement? - answers-Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone Narcan for a client in the emergency room.
Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective? -
answers-The client's respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old
client with arthritis. The client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions because
her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse implement? - answers-Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately
A client is taking hydromorphone Dilaudid PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid
IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate Stadol IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The
client received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain
medication. What intervention should the nurse implement? - answers-Administer only
the Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia PCA pump with a
client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV
per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally
per hour. What assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? -
answers-The rate and depth of the client's respirations
A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine Intropin and an IV of normal saline at
50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20 ml/hour for the
last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate? - answers-Notify the
healthcare provider of the urinary output
A client receiving albuterol Proventil tablets complains of nausea every evening with her
9 p.m. dose. What action should the nurse take to alleviate this side effect? - answers-
Administer the dose with a snack
Which method of medication administration provides the client with the greatest first-
pass effect? - answers-Oral
In evaluating the effects of lactulose Cephulac, which outcome should indicate that the
drug is performing as intended? - answers-Two or three soft stools per day
, Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status asthmaticus
is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the nurse administer the
prescribed medications? Arrange from first to last.
A) Prednisone Deltasone orally.
B) Gentamicin Garamycin IM.
C) Albuterol Proventil puffs.
D) Salmeterol Serevent Diskus. - answers-The best sequence of administration is C, D,
A and B
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass is likely to receive a
prescription that is adjusted based on which pharmacokinetic process? - answers-
Distribution
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic? - answers-Benzodiazepines
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications during
the use of an opioid analgesic? - answers-A young adult with inflammatory bowel
disease
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil PTU. The nurse knows
that the action of this drug is to - answers-inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid
gland
A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What adverse effects associated with thyroid hormone toxicity should
the nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider? - answers-
Tachycardia and chest pain
A client is receiving ampicillin sodium Omnipen for a sinus infection. The nurse should
instruct the client to notify the healthcare provider immediately if which symptom
occurs? - answers-Rash
33. In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine Sandimmune, the
nurse should encourage the client to report which adverse response to the healthcare
provider? - answers-Presence of hand tremors
A client with congestive heart failure CHF is being discharged with a new prescription
for the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor captopril Capoten. The nurse's
discharge instruction should include reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
- answers-Dizziness
. A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis
in adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be contraindicated for this
client? - answers-Pentobarbital sodium, Nembutal Sodium for sleep
ACTUAL EXAM (3 VERSIONS) QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen Naproxen twice daily for a client with
osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after three weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? -
answers-Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone Aldactone. Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications? - answers-
Refrain for eating foods high in potassium
A client asks the nurse if glipizide Glucotrol is an oral insulin. Which response should
the nurse provide? - answers-"Yes, it is an oral insulin and is distributed, metabolized,
and excreted in the same manner as insulin."
A client with a dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide Pronestyl in 4 divided doses over
the next 24 hours. What dosing schedule is best for the nurse to implement? - answers-
q6h
An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch Transderm Scop to
prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should the nurse provide
to the client? - answers-Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved? - answers-Client states chest pain is relieved.
Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client is being discharged with
a prescription for warfarin Coumadin. In conducting discharge teaching, the nurse
advises the client to have which diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge? -
answers-Prothrombin Time (PT/INR).
. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate Keflex for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription? - answers-Penicillin
,A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload? - answers-Nitroglycerin
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-
release oxycodone prescription? - answers-Every 12 hours
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. What is
the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level? - answers-Immediately before
the next antibiotic dose is given
After abdominal surgery, a male client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin
LMWH. During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse why he is
receiving this medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? -
answers-This medication is a blood thinner given to prevent blood clot formation
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa Sinemet. Which
observation by the nurse should indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - answers-Lessening of tremors
A client is receiving metoprolol Lopressor SR. What assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain? - answers-Blood pressure
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting.
Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client? - answers-
Epinephrine
A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition? - answers-Heart failure
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside Arc-C for chemotherapy? - answers-Inspect the
client's oral mucosa for ulcerations
Which drug is used as a palliative treatment for a client with tumor-induced spinal cord
compression? - answers-Dexamethasone Decadron
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist valsartan Diovan has been achieved? - answers-Blood pressure
reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
. Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis? - answers-Bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol
,A client receiving Doxorubicin Adriamycin intravenously IV complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - answers-Discontinue the IV fluids
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone Adactone for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement? - answers-Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone Narcan for a client in the emergency room.
Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective? -
answers-The client's respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old
client with arthritis. The client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions because
her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse implement? - answers-Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately
A client is taking hydromorphone Dilaudid PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid
IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate Stadol IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The
client received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain
medication. What intervention should the nurse implement? - answers-Administer only
the Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia PCA pump with a
client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV
per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally
per hour. What assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? -
answers-The rate and depth of the client's respirations
A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine Intropin and an IV of normal saline at
50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20 ml/hour for the
last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate? - answers-Notify the
healthcare provider of the urinary output
A client receiving albuterol Proventil tablets complains of nausea every evening with her
9 p.m. dose. What action should the nurse take to alleviate this side effect? - answers-
Administer the dose with a snack
Which method of medication administration provides the client with the greatest first-
pass effect? - answers-Oral
In evaluating the effects of lactulose Cephulac, which outcome should indicate that the
drug is performing as intended? - answers-Two or three soft stools per day
, Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status asthmaticus
is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the nurse administer the
prescribed medications? Arrange from first to last.
A) Prednisone Deltasone orally.
B) Gentamicin Garamycin IM.
C) Albuterol Proventil puffs.
D) Salmeterol Serevent Diskus. - answers-The best sequence of administration is C, D,
A and B
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass is likely to receive a
prescription that is adjusted based on which pharmacokinetic process? - answers-
Distribution
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic? - answers-Benzodiazepines
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications during
the use of an opioid analgesic? - answers-A young adult with inflammatory bowel
disease
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil PTU. The nurse knows
that the action of this drug is to - answers-inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid
gland
A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What adverse effects associated with thyroid hormone toxicity should
the nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider? - answers-
Tachycardia and chest pain
A client is receiving ampicillin sodium Omnipen for a sinus infection. The nurse should
instruct the client to notify the healthcare provider immediately if which symptom
occurs? - answers-Rash
33. In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine Sandimmune, the
nurse should encourage the client to report which adverse response to the healthcare
provider? - answers-Presence of hand tremors
A client with congestive heart failure CHF is being discharged with a new prescription
for the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor captopril Capoten. The nurse's
discharge instruction should include reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
- answers-Dizziness
. A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis
in adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be contraindicated for this
client? - answers-Pentobarbital sodium, Nembutal Sodium for sleep
