HESI Pharmacology Exam 2023
Test Bank With Rationale
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
ANS: 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. The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a
client.
The nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex).
Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would
suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
ANS: 1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to
moderate acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the
growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the
proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
3. Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is
human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse
reinforces medication instructions and tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
, 2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
ANS: 1.Avoid sun exposure.
Rationale:
Saquinavir (Invirase) is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor)
used with other antiretroviral medications to manage human
immunodeficiency virus infection. Saquinavir is administered
with meals and is best absorbed if the client consumes high-
calorie, high- fat meals. Saquinavir can cause
photosensitivity, and the nurse should instruct the client to
avoid sun exposure.
4. Ketoconazole is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
candidiasis. Select the interventions that the nurse includes
when administering this medication. Select all that apply.
1. Restrict fluid intake.
2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
4. Administer the medication with an antacid.
, 5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
6. Administer the medication on an empty stomach.
ANS: 2. Instructthe client to avoid alcohol., 3. Monitor hepatic
and
liver function studies., 5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the
sun. Rationale:
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. It is administered with
food (not on an empty stomach) and antacids are avoided for 2
hours after taking the medication to ensure absorption. The
medication is hepatotoxic and the nurse monitors liver function
studies. The client is instructed to avoid exposure to the sun
because the medication increases photosensitivity. The client is
also instructed to avoid alcohol. There is no reason for the client
to restrict fluid intake. In fact, this could be harmful to the
client.
5. A client with human immunodeficiency virus is taking
nevirapine (Viramune). The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effects of the medication? Select all that apply.
1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
3. Hyperglycemia
4. Peripheral neuropathy
Test Bank With Rationale
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
ANS: 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. The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a
client.
The nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex).
Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would
suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
ANS: 1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to
moderate acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the
growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the
proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
3. Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is
human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse
reinforces medication instructions and tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
, 2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
ANS: 1.Avoid sun exposure.
Rationale:
Saquinavir (Invirase) is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor)
used with other antiretroviral medications to manage human
immunodeficiency virus infection. Saquinavir is administered
with meals and is best absorbed if the client consumes high-
calorie, high- fat meals. Saquinavir can cause
photosensitivity, and the nurse should instruct the client to
avoid sun exposure.
4. Ketoconazole is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
candidiasis. Select the interventions that the nurse includes
when administering this medication. Select all that apply.
1. Restrict fluid intake.
2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
4. Administer the medication with an antacid.
, 5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
6. Administer the medication on an empty stomach.
ANS: 2. Instructthe client to avoid alcohol., 3. Monitor hepatic
and
liver function studies., 5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the
sun. Rationale:
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. It is administered with
food (not on an empty stomach) and antacids are avoided for 2
hours after taking the medication to ensure absorption. The
medication is hepatotoxic and the nurse monitors liver function
studies. The client is instructed to avoid exposure to the sun
because the medication increases photosensitivity. The client is
also instructed to avoid alcohol. There is no reason for the client
to restrict fluid intake. In fact, this could be harmful to the
client.
5. A client with human immunodeficiency virus is taking
nevirapine (Viramune). The nurse should monitor for which
adverse effects of the medication? Select all that apply.
1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
3. Hyperglycemia
4. Peripheral neuropathy
