HESI Pharmacology Specialty Exam Questions
Instructions
The following are 80 multiple-choice questions designed for the HESI Pharmacology Spe-
cialty Exam. Each question includes four answer options (A–D). Select the best answer
for each question. Topics include drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects,
contraindications, safe dosages, and nursing interventions.
1. A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What is the
primary mechanism of action of this medication?
A. Inhibits sodium-potassium ATPase in cardiac cells
B. Blocks sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle
C. Increases calcium release in cardiac muscle
D. Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
Correct Answer: B. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that blocks sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the loop of Henle, promoting diuresis.
2. Which side effect should a nurse monitor for in a patient taking lisinopril?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A. Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause hyperkalemia due to
reduced aldosterone secretion.
3. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Correct Answer: B. Warfarin’s anticoagulant effect is monitored using INR to en-
sure therapeutic levels.
4. Metformin is contraindicated in which condition?
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B. Renal impairment
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B. Metformin is contraindicated in renal impairment due to the
risk of lactic acidosis.
1
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine 4 mg IV. The available concentration
is 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.6 mL
D. 0.8 mL
Correct Answer: B. Calculation: 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.4 mL.
6. A patient receiving heparin therapy develops signs of bleeding. What is the anti-
dote for heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: B. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin overdose, neutral-
izing its anticoagulant effects.
7. Which nursing intervention is priority for a patient receiving digoxin?
A. Monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity
B. Encourage a high-sodium diet
C. Administer with grapefruit juice
D. Check blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: A. Monitoring for digoxin toxicity (e.g., nausea, vision changes)
is critical due to its narrow therapeutic index.
8. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. What is the drug’s classification?
A. Anticholinergic
B. Beta-2 adrenergic agonist
C. Leukotriene modifier
D. Corticosteroid
Correct Answer: B. Albuterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist that promotes bron-
chodilation.
9. What is a common side effect of atorvastatin?
A. Muscle pain
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: A. Atorvastatin, a statin, commonly causes muscle pain or my-
opathy.
10. A nurse is administering insulin glargine. When is the onset of action for this
medication?
A. 15–30 minutes
B. 1–2 hours
C. 4–6 hours
D. 12–24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Insulin glargine has an onset of action of 1–2 hours and provides
long-acting glycemic control.
11. Which medication is contraindicated in patients with a sulfa allergy?
2
Instructions
The following are 80 multiple-choice questions designed for the HESI Pharmacology Spe-
cialty Exam. Each question includes four answer options (A–D). Select the best answer
for each question. Topics include drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects,
contraindications, safe dosages, and nursing interventions.
1. A nurse is administering furosemide to a patient with heart failure. What is the
primary mechanism of action of this medication?
A. Inhibits sodium-potassium ATPase in cardiac cells
B. Blocks sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle
C. Increases calcium release in cardiac muscle
D. Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme
Correct Answer: B. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that blocks sodium and chloride
reabsorption in the loop of Henle, promoting diuresis.
2. Which side effect should a nurse monitor for in a patient taking lisinopril?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
Correct Answer: A. Lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, can cause hyperkalemia due to
reduced aldosterone secretion.
3. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor?
A. Platelet count
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT)
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Correct Answer: B. Warfarin’s anticoagulant effect is monitored using INR to en-
sure therapeutic levels.
4. Metformin is contraindicated in which condition?
A. Type 1 diabetes mellitus
B. Renal impairment
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: B. Metformin is contraindicated in renal impairment due to the
risk of lactic acidosis.
1
, 5. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine 4 mg IV. The available concentration
is 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.6 mL
D. 0.8 mL
Correct Answer: B. Calculation: 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.4 mL.
6. A patient receiving heparin therapy develops signs of bleeding. What is the anti-
dote for heparin?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: B. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for heparin overdose, neutral-
izing its anticoagulant effects.
7. Which nursing intervention is priority for a patient receiving digoxin?
A. Monitor for signs of digoxin toxicity
B. Encourage a high-sodium diet
C. Administer with grapefruit juice
D. Check blood glucose levels
Correct Answer: A. Monitoring for digoxin toxicity (e.g., nausea, vision changes)
is critical due to its narrow therapeutic index.
8. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. What is the drug’s classification?
A. Anticholinergic
B. Beta-2 adrenergic agonist
C. Leukotriene modifier
D. Corticosteroid
Correct Answer: B. Albuterol is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist that promotes bron-
chodilation.
9. What is a common side effect of atorvastatin?
A. Muscle pain
B. Hyperglycemia
C. Bradycardia
D. Hypokalemia
Correct Answer: A. Atorvastatin, a statin, commonly causes muscle pain or my-
opathy.
10. A nurse is administering insulin glargine. When is the onset of action for this
medication?
A. 15–30 minutes
B. 1–2 hours
C. 4–6 hours
D. 12–24 hours
Correct Answer: B. Insulin glargine has an onset of action of 1–2 hours and provides
long-acting glycemic control.
11. Which medication is contraindicated in patients with a sulfa allergy?
2
