BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam V2 (Latest Update 2025/2026) | 75
Questions and Answers | 100% Correct |
Grade A – Nightingale
Instructions
This exam contains 75 NCLEX-style questions for the BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty
Pharmacology Exam V2 (2024/2025) at Nightingale College. Questions cover key topics,
including drug administration, dosage calculations, patient education, adverse effects, and
nursing considerations for major drug classes (cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine,
gastrointestinal, neurological, and anti-infective). Read each question carefully and select the
best answer(s). For "Select all that apply" questions, choose all correct options. Answers are
provided in blue, with rationales immediately following each question. The review is divided
into sections: Drug Administration and Safety, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Respiratory
Pharmacology, Endocrine Pharmacology, Gastrointestinal Pharmacology, Neurological
Pharmacology, and Anti-Infective Pharmacology. Use this resource to ensure a comprehensive
review for a guaranteed pass.
Section 1: Drug Administration and Safety (Questions 1–15)
1. A client is using the nasal spray hormone calcitonin to reduce bone loss from
osteoporosis. To reduce rhinitis associated with the administration of nasal spray,
which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Administer during meals
B. Use a decongestant prior to administration
C. Alternate nostrils with each dose
D. Avoid nasal sprays entirely
Answer: Use a decongestant prior to administration
Rationale: Using a decongestant before calcitonin nasal spray reduces rhinitis by
clearing nasal passages, ensuring effective drug delivery.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous heparin. Which site is
appropriate?
A. Deltoid muscle
, B. Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
C. Thigh
D. Upper arm
Answer: Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
Rationale: Heparin is administered in the abdomen, at least 2 inches from the umbilicus,
to ensure safe absorption and minimize tissue damage.
3. A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12 hours to be
infused over 1 hour. The IV bag contains 400 mg in 200 mL D5W. How many
mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to deliver?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 200 mL/hr
C. 300 mL/hr
D. 400 mL/hr
Answer: 200 mL/hr
Rationale: The entire 200 mL bag is infused over 1 hour, so the pump is set to 200
mL/hr.
4. Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, what is the most important
assessment for the nurse to perform?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel movement frequency and consistency
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Bowel movement frequency and consistency
Rationale: Assessing bowel movement frequency and consistency ensures the laxative is
indicated and safe.
5. A client being discharged is prescribed an antibiotic with a dosage three times
higher than in the hospital. Which route of administration should the nurse
anticipate has the greatest first-pass effect?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: Oral
Rationale: Oral medications undergo significant first-pass metabolism in the liver,
reducing bioavailability.
6. A nurse is calculating a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for a client weighing 70 kg. How many mg
should the nurse administer?
A. 25 mg
, B. 30 mg
C. 35 mg
D. 40 mg
Answer: 35 mg
Rationale: 0.5 mg/kg × 70 kg = 35 mg.
7. What is a critical step before administering any medication?
A. Administer without checking the order
B. Verify patient identity with two identifiers
C. Skip allergy checks
D. Ignore the medication label
Answer: Verify patient identity with two identifiers
Rationale: Verifying identity with two identifiers ensures the right patient receives the
medication.
8. A client with a penicillin allergy is prescribed cephalexin. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer as ordered
B. Question the order
C. Administer with an antihistamine
D. Document as normal
Answer: Question the order
Rationale: Cephalexin, a cephalosporin, has a cross-allergy with penicillins and is
contraindicated.
9. A nurse identifies a medication error. What is the appropriate action?
A. Ignore the error
B. Report to the provider and document
C. Administer a second dose
D. Avoid informing the client
Answer: Report to the provider and document
Rationale: Reporting and documenting errors ensures patient safety and appropriate
follow-up.
10. What should a nurse teach a client about medication adherence? (Select all that
apply)
A. Take medications as prescribed
B. Skip doses if feeling better
C. Report side effects to the provider
D. Store medications in a cool, dry place
E. Share medications with others
Exam V2 (Latest Update 2025/2026) | 75
Questions and Answers | 100% Correct |
Grade A – Nightingale
Instructions
This exam contains 75 NCLEX-style questions for the BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty
Pharmacology Exam V2 (2024/2025) at Nightingale College. Questions cover key topics,
including drug administration, dosage calculations, patient education, adverse effects, and
nursing considerations for major drug classes (cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine,
gastrointestinal, neurological, and anti-infective). Read each question carefully and select the
best answer(s). For "Select all that apply" questions, choose all correct options. Answers are
provided in blue, with rationales immediately following each question. The review is divided
into sections: Drug Administration and Safety, Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Respiratory
Pharmacology, Endocrine Pharmacology, Gastrointestinal Pharmacology, Neurological
Pharmacology, and Anti-Infective Pharmacology. Use this resource to ensure a comprehensive
review for a guaranteed pass.
Section 1: Drug Administration and Safety (Questions 1–15)
1. A client is using the nasal spray hormone calcitonin to reduce bone loss from
osteoporosis. To reduce rhinitis associated with the administration of nasal spray,
which instruction should the nurse provide?
A. Administer during meals
B. Use a decongestant prior to administration
C. Alternate nostrils with each dose
D. Avoid nasal sprays entirely
Answer: Use a decongestant prior to administration
Rationale: Using a decongestant before calcitonin nasal spray reduces rhinitis by
clearing nasal passages, ensuring effective drug delivery.
2. A nurse is preparing to administer subcutaneous heparin. Which site is
appropriate?
A. Deltoid muscle
, B. Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
C. Thigh
D. Upper arm
Answer: Abdomen, 2 inches from the umbilicus
Rationale: Heparin is administered in the abdomen, at least 2 inches from the umbilicus,
to ensure safe absorption and minimize tissue damage.
3. A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12 hours to be
infused over 1 hour. The IV bag contains 400 mg in 200 mL D5W. How many
mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to deliver?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 200 mL/hr
C. 300 mL/hr
D. 400 mL/hr
Answer: 200 mL/hr
Rationale: The entire 200 mL bag is infused over 1 hour, so the pump is set to 200
mL/hr.
4. Before administering a laxative to a bedfast client, what is the most important
assessment for the nurse to perform?
A. Blood pressure
B. Bowel movement frequency and consistency
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: Bowel movement frequency and consistency
Rationale: Assessing bowel movement frequency and consistency ensures the laxative is
indicated and safe.
5. A client being discharged is prescribed an antibiotic with a dosage three times
higher than in the hospital. Which route of administration should the nurse
anticipate has the greatest first-pass effect?
A. Oral
B. Sublingual
C. Intravenous
D. Subcutaneous
Answer: Oral
Rationale: Oral medications undergo significant first-pass metabolism in the liver,
reducing bioavailability.
6. A nurse is calculating a dose of 0.5 mg/kg for a client weighing 70 kg. How many mg
should the nurse administer?
A. 25 mg
, B. 30 mg
C. 35 mg
D. 40 mg
Answer: 35 mg
Rationale: 0.5 mg/kg × 70 kg = 35 mg.
7. What is a critical step before administering any medication?
A. Administer without checking the order
B. Verify patient identity with two identifiers
C. Skip allergy checks
D. Ignore the medication label
Answer: Verify patient identity with two identifiers
Rationale: Verifying identity with two identifiers ensures the right patient receives the
medication.
8. A client with a penicillin allergy is prescribed cephalexin. What should the nurse
do?
A. Administer as ordered
B. Question the order
C. Administer with an antihistamine
D. Document as normal
Answer: Question the order
Rationale: Cephalexin, a cephalosporin, has a cross-allergy with penicillins and is
contraindicated.
9. A nurse identifies a medication error. What is the appropriate action?
A. Ignore the error
B. Report to the provider and document
C. Administer a second dose
D. Avoid informing the client
Answer: Report to the provider and document
Rationale: Reporting and documenting errors ensures patient safety and appropriate
follow-up.
10. What should a nurse teach a client about medication adherence? (Select all that
apply)
A. Take medications as prescribed
B. Skip doses if feeling better
C. Report side effects to the provider
D. Store medications in a cool, dry place
E. Share medications with others
