1
HESI PHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 LATEST VERSION
QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after
initiation of the Lipitor prescription, the nurse assesses the client. Which finding
requires the most immediate intervention? -ANS-Heartburn.
Headache.
Constipation.
Vomiting. Correct
Vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since
Lipitor increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate
intervention by the nurse.
The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with angina.
Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching plan? -
ANS-Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly. Correct
Take the medication with food only.
,2
Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.
An expected side effect of nitrates is orthostatic hypotension and the nurse should
instruct the client to prevent it by rising slowly.
The nurse is reviewing admission prescriptions for a client with myxedema. The nurse
should clarify with the healthcare provider which prescription for the client? -ANS-
Liothyronine to replace iodine.
Furosemid for relief of fluid retention.
Pentobarbital sodium for sleep. Correct
Nitroglycerin for angina pain.
Clients with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates and
anesthetics and should not be prescribed these
medications if possible.
The nurse is providing care for a client prescribed propranolol. Which symptoms should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider
immediately? -ANS-Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block. Correct
,3
Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea.
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.
A client asks the nurse if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. Which response should
the nurse provide? -ANS-"Yes, it is an oral insulin and has the same actions and
properties as intermediate insulin."
"Yes, it is an oral insulin and is distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the same
manner as insulin."
"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used only when some beta cell function is
present." Correct
"No, it is not an oral insulin, but it is effective for those who are resistant to injectable
insulins."
An effective oral form of insulin has not yet been developed because when insulin is
taken orally, it is destroyed by digestive enzymes.
, 4
Glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral hypoglycemic agent that enhances pancreatic
production of insulin.
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for chemotherapy? -ANS-Hydrate the
client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations. Correct
Monitor the client's urine pH for increased acidity.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity.
A 43-year-old female client is prescribed thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. Which adverse effects should the nurse
instruct the client to report immediately to the healthcare provider? -ANS-Tinnitus
and dizziness.
Tachycardia and chest pain. Correct
Dry skin and intolerance to cold.
HESI PHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL EXAM 2 0 2 5 - 2 6 LATEST VERSION
QUESTION AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after
initiation of the Lipitor prescription, the nurse assesses the client. Which finding
requires the most immediate intervention? -ANS-Heartburn.
Headache.
Constipation.
Vomiting. Correct
Vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since
Lipitor increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate
intervention by the nurse.
The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with angina.
Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching plan? -
ANS-Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly. Correct
Take the medication with food only.
,2
Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods.
An expected side effect of nitrates is orthostatic hypotension and the nurse should
instruct the client to prevent it by rising slowly.
The nurse is reviewing admission prescriptions for a client with myxedema. The nurse
should clarify with the healthcare provider which prescription for the client? -ANS-
Liothyronine to replace iodine.
Furosemid for relief of fluid retention.
Pentobarbital sodium for sleep. Correct
Nitroglycerin for angina pain.
Clients with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates and
anesthetics and should not be prescribed these
medications if possible.
The nurse is providing care for a client prescribed propranolol. Which symptoms should
the nurse report to the healthcare provider
immediately? -ANS-Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block. Correct
,3
Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea.
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.
A client asks the nurse if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. Which response should
the nurse provide? -ANS-"Yes, it is an oral insulin and has the same actions and
properties as intermediate insulin."
"Yes, it is an oral insulin and is distributed, metabolized, and excreted in the same
manner as insulin."
"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used only when some beta cell function is
present." Correct
"No, it is not an oral insulin, but it is effective for those who are resistant to injectable
insulins."
An effective oral form of insulin has not yet been developed because when insulin is
taken orally, it is destroyed by digestive enzymes.
, 4
Glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral hypoglycemic agent that enhances pancreatic
production of insulin.
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for chemotherapy? -ANS-Hydrate the
client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations. Correct
Monitor the client's urine pH for increased acidity.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity.
A 43-year-old female client is prescribed thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. Which adverse effects should the nurse
instruct the client to report immediately to the healthcare provider? -ANS-Tinnitus
and dizziness.
Tachycardia and chest pain. Correct
Dry skin and intolerance to cold.
