Pharmacology HESI Practice Exam
Questions and Already Passed
Answers (2025-2026) Updated.
The practical nurse (PN) administers isoproterenol (suprel) to a client with heart block. The PN
should evaluate the client for which physiological response? - Answer Increased heart rate
client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal). What nursing action
should the practical nurse (PN) implement? - Answer Monitor for signs of respiratory arrest.
A client with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prescribed amphetamine
(Adderal). Which side effect should the practical nurse (PN) explain is commonly experienced? -
Answer Difficulty sleeping
practical nurse (PN) discusses antihypertensive drug therapy with several clients diagnosed with
high blood pressure. To improve client understanding the PN should emphasize that which
medication preserves renal function in a client with diabetes? - Answer Captopril (Capoten).
The practical nurse (PN) should recommend that oral contraceptives be avoided in which group
of women? - Answer Women who smoke.
female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has been taking at
least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN review for this
client? - Answer Hepatic enzymes
healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops for a client who is
having a cataract removal what explanation about the drug actions should the practical nurse
(PN) provide the client? - Answer Dilates the pupil.
The practical nurse (PN) observes a thick white-coating on the tongue of a client who takes
fluphenazine (Prolixin). What instructions should the P reinforce with the client about this
medication? - Answer Brush your teeth and tongue, floss, gargle, and notify the healthcare
provider
An older client who takes risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic, is complaining of
constipation. Which dietary changes should the practical nurse (PN) recommend? - Answer
, 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practical nurse (PN) that
she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information should the PN provide to the client? -
Answer The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant.
The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperidine (Demerol) for
postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted pupils, and a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription should the PN give the client? - Answer Naloxone
(Narcan)
client who returns from surgery for bowel resection complains of severe pain around the
incision. Which assessment is most important for the practical nurse obtain prior to the
administration of morphine sulfate? - Answer Rate of respirations
A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain. Which
adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for in the client? - Answer Constipation
The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
(NSAID), for a client with osteoarthritis. Which finding in the client's history should the practical
nurse (PN) report? - Answer Peptic ulcer disease
The healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for a male adolescent with an upper respiratory
tract infection, who asks the practical nurse (PN) how long the prescribed antibiotics should be
taken. What information should the PN provide? - Answer Continue the medication until all of
the prescription is taken
The practical nurse asks a male client who came to the clinic with an upper respiratory infection
if he has any drug allergies. The client cannot remember ir he does or if he ever received
penicillin. After administering the injection penicillin, the PN tells the client to stay for 30
minutes of observation. Which finding should the PN identify that is indicative of a reaction to
the medication? - Answer Rash, itching, and hives
A client's tissue culture results indicate the wound is infected with methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement first? -
Answer implement contact isolation precautions
A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of urethritis and cystitis
comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange. Which question should the practical
nurse ask to determine if the medication has been effective? - Answer Have you had any relief
Questions and Already Passed
Answers (2025-2026) Updated.
The practical nurse (PN) administers isoproterenol (suprel) to a client with heart block. The PN
should evaluate the client for which physiological response? - Answer Increased heart rate
client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal). What nursing action
should the practical nurse (PN) implement? - Answer Monitor for signs of respiratory arrest.
A client with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prescribed amphetamine
(Adderal). Which side effect should the practical nurse (PN) explain is commonly experienced? -
Answer Difficulty sleeping
practical nurse (PN) discusses antihypertensive drug therapy with several clients diagnosed with
high blood pressure. To improve client understanding the PN should emphasize that which
medication preserves renal function in a client with diabetes? - Answer Captopril (Capoten).
The practical nurse (PN) should recommend that oral contraceptives be avoided in which group
of women? - Answer Women who smoke.
female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has been taking at
least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN review for this
client? - Answer Hepatic enzymes
healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops for a client who is
having a cataract removal what explanation about the drug actions should the practical nurse
(PN) provide the client? - Answer Dilates the pupil.
The practical nurse (PN) observes a thick white-coating on the tongue of a client who takes
fluphenazine (Prolixin). What instructions should the P reinforce with the client about this
medication? - Answer Brush your teeth and tongue, floss, gargle, and notify the healthcare
provider
An older client who takes risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic, is complaining of
constipation. Which dietary changes should the practical nurse (PN) recommend? - Answer
, 35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practical nurse (PN) that
she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information should the PN provide to the client? -
Answer The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant.
The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperidine (Demerol) for
postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted pupils, and a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription should the PN give the client? - Answer Naloxone
(Narcan)
client who returns from surgery for bowel resection complains of severe pain around the
incision. Which assessment is most important for the practical nurse obtain prior to the
administration of morphine sulfate? - Answer Rate of respirations
A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain. Which
adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for in the client? - Answer Constipation
The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug
(NSAID), for a client with osteoarthritis. Which finding in the client's history should the practical
nurse (PN) report? - Answer Peptic ulcer disease
The healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for a male adolescent with an upper respiratory
tract infection, who asks the practical nurse (PN) how long the prescribed antibiotics should be
taken. What information should the PN provide? - Answer Continue the medication until all of
the prescription is taken
The practical nurse asks a male client who came to the clinic with an upper respiratory infection
if he has any drug allergies. The client cannot remember ir he does or if he ever received
penicillin. After administering the injection penicillin, the PN tells the client to stay for 30
minutes of observation. Which finding should the PN identify that is indicative of a reaction to
the medication? - Answer Rash, itching, and hives
A client's tissue culture results indicate the wound is infected with methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement first? -
Answer implement contact isolation precautions
A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of urethritis and cystitis
comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange. Which question should the practical
nurse ask to determine if the medication has been effective? - Answer Have you had any relief
