HESI Pharmacology Exit Exam 2024
Actual Questions with Detailed
Clinical Rationales | 100% Verified |
Original Copy
Prepared for HESI RN Students
Focus: Drug Classifications, Adverse Effects, Dosage Safety, Clinical
Application
Generated on June 6, 2025
, Contents
1 Drug Classifications 2
2 Adverse Effects 6
3 Dosage Safety 10
4 Clinical Application 13
5 Answer Key 17
1
, 1 Drug Classifications
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol to a client with hyperten-
sion. Which drug classification does metoprolol belong to?
A) Calcium channel blocker
B) Beta-blocker
C) ACE inhibitor
D) Diuretic Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that reduces heart rate and
blood pressure by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors. Calcium channel blockers (e.g.,
amlodipine) relax blood vessels, ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) block angiotensin II for-
mation, and diuretics (e.g., furosemide) promote fluid excretion. Correct answer: B)
Beta-blocker.
Question 2: A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. What is the primary classi-
fication of this medication?
A) Antiarrhythmic
B) Cardiac glycoside
C) Beta-agonist
D) Anticoagulant Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases myocar-
dial contractility and decreases heart rate. Antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone) stabilize
cardiac rhythm, beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol) stimulate beta receptors, and anticoag-
ulants (e.g., heparin) prevent clotting. Correct answer: B) Cardiac glycoside.
Question 3: Which medication is classified as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor?
A) Atorvastatin
B) Losartan
C) Amlodipine
D) Metformin Rationale: Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
that lowers cholesterol by inhibiting its synthesis. Losartan is an ARB, amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and metformin is a biguanide for diabetes. Correct answer:
A) Atorvastatin.
Question 4: A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide. What is the drug
classification?
A) Sulfonylurea
B) Biguanide
C) DPP-4 inhibitor
D) Thiazolidinedione Rationale: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin
release from pancreatic beta cells. Biguanides (e.g., metformin) reduce hepatic glu-
cose production, DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin) enhance incretin activity, and thia-
zolidinediones (e.g., pioglitazone) improve insulin sensitivity. Correct answer: A) Sul-
fonylurea.
Question 5: A nurse administers albuterol to a client with asthma. What is the classi-
fication of albuterol?
2
Actual Questions with Detailed
Clinical Rationales | 100% Verified |
Original Copy
Prepared for HESI RN Students
Focus: Drug Classifications, Adverse Effects, Dosage Safety, Clinical
Application
Generated on June 6, 2025
, Contents
1 Drug Classifications 2
2 Adverse Effects 6
3 Dosage Safety 10
4 Clinical Application 13
5 Answer Key 17
1
, 1 Drug Classifications
Question 1: A nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol to a client with hyperten-
sion. Which drug classification does metoprolol belong to?
A) Calcium channel blocker
B) Beta-blocker
C) ACE inhibitor
D) Diuretic Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that reduces heart rate and
blood pressure by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors. Calcium channel blockers (e.g.,
amlodipine) relax blood vessels, ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril) block angiotensin II for-
mation, and diuretics (e.g., furosemide) promote fluid excretion. Correct answer: B)
Beta-blocker.
Question 2: A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. What is the primary classi-
fication of this medication?
A) Antiarrhythmic
B) Cardiac glycoside
C) Beta-agonist
D) Anticoagulant Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that increases myocar-
dial contractility and decreases heart rate. Antiarrhythmics (e.g., amiodarone) stabilize
cardiac rhythm, beta-agonists (e.g., albuterol) stimulate beta receptors, and anticoag-
ulants (e.g., heparin) prevent clotting. Correct answer: B) Cardiac glycoside.
Question 3: Which medication is classified as an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor?
A) Atorvastatin
B) Losartan
C) Amlodipine
D) Metformin Rationale: Atorvastatin is an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)
that lowers cholesterol by inhibiting its synthesis. Losartan is an ARB, amlodipine is a
calcium channel blocker, and metformin is a biguanide for diabetes. Correct answer:
A) Atorvastatin.
Question 4: A client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide. What is the drug
classification?
A) Sulfonylurea
B) Biguanide
C) DPP-4 inhibitor
D) Thiazolidinedione Rationale: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that stimulates insulin
release from pancreatic beta cells. Biguanides (e.g., metformin) reduce hepatic glu-
cose production, DPP-4 inhibitors (e.g., sitagliptin) enhance incretin activity, and thia-
zolidinediones (e.g., pioglitazone) improve insulin sensitivity. Correct answer: A) Sul-
fonylurea.
Question 5: A nurse administers albuterol to a client with asthma. What is the classi-
fication of albuterol?
2
