Page 1 of 120
BSN 315 HESI RN SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM VERSION 1 AND VERSION 2 COMPLETE
500+ QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
BSN 315 HESI RN SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY EXAM V1
QUESTION: Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (Inderal)?
Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. - ANSWER-B:
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block represents the most serious adverse effects of beta-
blocking agents. AV block is generally associated with bradycardia and results in potentially life-
threatening decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing secondary to bronchospasm
and hypotension represent life-threatening respiratory and cardiac disorders.
QUESTION: A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch. Which
assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has been achieved?
Client denies recent episodes of angina.
Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
1
,Page 2 of 120
Client denies recent nausea or vomiting.
Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg. - ANSWER-D:
Catapres acts as a centrally-acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. A reduction of the
blood pressure to 140/70 mmHg indicates a reduction in hypertension.
QUESTION: A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage
nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement
reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low potassium levels can cause muscle
spasms.
Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled appointment to assess hyponatremia, a
cause of cramping.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an
indication of a serious side effect.
Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the drug to enhance the effectiveness of
the drug. - ANSWER-C:
Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and weakness, is a serious, and potentially life-
threatening, complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated immediately by the healthcare
provider.
QUESTION: Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high
dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
2
,Page 3 of 120
Loperamide (Imodium).
Probanthine (Propantheline).
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - ANSWER-C:
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate
preparation).
QUESTION: A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be contraindicated for this
client?
Liothyronine (Cytomel) to replace iodine.
Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention.
Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep.
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) for angina pain. - ANSWER-C:
Persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates and
anesthetics.
QUESTION: The nurse is teaching a client with cancer about opioid management for intractable
pain and tolerance related side effects. The nurse should prepare the client for which side
effect that is most likely to persist during long-term use of opioids?
3
, Page 4 of 120
Sedation.
Constipation.
Urinary retention.
Respiratory depression. - ANSWER-B:
The client should be prepared to implement measures for constipation which is the most likely
persistent side effect related to opioid use. Tolerance to opiate narcotics is common, and the
client may experience less sedation and respiratory depression as analgesic use continues.
Opioids increase the tone in the urinary bladder sphincter, which causes retention but may
subside. The most likely persistent side effect is constipation.
QUESTION: 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?
q6h.
QID.
AC and bedtime.
PC and bedtime. - ANSWER-A:
Pronestyl is a class 1A antidysrhythmic. It should be taken around-the-clock, so that a stable
blood level of the drug can be maintained, thereby decreasing the possibility of hypotension (an
adverse effect) occurring because of too much of the drug circulating systemically at any
particular time of day. Pronestyl may be given with food if GI distress is a problem.
Which method of medication administration provides the client with the greatest first-pass
effect?
4
BSN 315 HESI RN SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY
EXAM VERSION 1 AND VERSION 2 COMPLETE
500+ QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
BSN 315 HESI RN SPECIALTY PHARMACOLOGY EXAM V1
QUESTION: Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (Inderal)?
Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. - ANSWER-B:
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block represents the most serious adverse effects of beta-
blocking agents. AV block is generally associated with bradycardia and results in potentially life-
threatening decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing secondary to bronchospasm
and hypotension represent life-threatening respiratory and cardiac disorders.
QUESTION: A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch. Which
assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has been achieved?
Client denies recent episodes of angina.
Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
1
,Page 2 of 120
Client denies recent nausea or vomiting.
Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg. - ANSWER-D:
Catapres acts as a centrally-acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. A reduction of the
blood pressure to 140/70 mmHg indicates a reduction in hypertension.
QUESTION: A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage
nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement
reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low potassium levels can cause muscle
spasms.
Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled appointment to assess hyponatremia, a
cause of cramping.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an
indication of a serious side effect.
Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the drug to enhance the effectiveness of
the drug. - ANSWER-C:
Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and weakness, is a serious, and potentially life-
threatening, complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated immediately by the healthcare
provider.
QUESTION: Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high
dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
2
,Page 3 of 120
Loperamide (Imodium).
Probanthine (Propantheline).
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - ANSWER-C:
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate
preparation).
QUESTION: A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be contraindicated for this
client?
Liothyronine (Cytomel) to replace iodine.
Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention.
Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep.
Nitroglycerin (Nitrostat) for angina pain. - ANSWER-C:
Persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates and
anesthetics.
QUESTION: The nurse is teaching a client with cancer about opioid management for intractable
pain and tolerance related side effects. The nurse should prepare the client for which side
effect that is most likely to persist during long-term use of opioids?
3
, Page 4 of 120
Sedation.
Constipation.
Urinary retention.
Respiratory depression. - ANSWER-B:
The client should be prepared to implement measures for constipation which is the most likely
persistent side effect related to opioid use. Tolerance to opiate narcotics is common, and the
client may experience less sedation and respiratory depression as analgesic use continues.
Opioids increase the tone in the urinary bladder sphincter, which causes retention but may
subside. The most likely persistent side effect is constipation.
QUESTION: 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?
q6h.
QID.
AC and bedtime.
PC and bedtime. - ANSWER-A:
Pronestyl is a class 1A antidysrhythmic. It should be taken around-the-clock, so that a stable
blood level of the drug can be maintained, thereby decreasing the possibility of hypotension (an
adverse effect) occurring because of too much of the drug circulating systemically at any
particular time of day. Pronestyl may be given with food if GI distress is a problem.
Which method of medication administration provides the client with the greatest first-pass
effect?
4
