2025 HESI Pharmacology V1 Questions
And Answers
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 asprescribed tothe client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - (Correct Answer) `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.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - (Correct Answer) `4. Orange juice
Rationale:
,Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be
instructed toadminister the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption.
Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which ofthe following would indicate thepresence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - (Correct Answer) `1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea arenot associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they haveapplied
sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
l
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure tothe sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - (Correct Answer) `4. At least 30
l
minutes before exposure tothe sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the
l
sun sothat they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after
swimming or sweating
,Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When
applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which
of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site - (Correct Answer) `3.
Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and
is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should
be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is
a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
The burn client is receiving treatments oftopical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) tothe
site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?1.Hyperventilation
2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site - (Correct Answer) `1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of
acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored
for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication
should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than
syeffects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a
burn injury.
Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the administration of
this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
, 1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - (Correct Answer) `2. Triglyceride level
l
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levelsshould be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored
specifically during this treatment.
A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP)
prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would
contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - (Correct Answer) `1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of
isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4
are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin
The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse would
monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medication if the
medication were being applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
And Answers
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 asprescribed tothe client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - (Correct Answer) `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.
Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - (Correct Answer) `4. Orange juice
Rationale:
,Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be
instructed toadminister the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in absorption.
Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which ofthe following would indicate thepresence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - (Correct Answer) `1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea arenot associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they haveapplied
sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most
l
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure tothe sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - (Correct Answer) `4. At least 30
l
minutes before exposure tothe sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the
l
sun sothat they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after
swimming or sweating
,Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When
applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which
of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site - (Correct Answer) `3.
Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and
is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should
be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is
a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
The burn client is receiving treatments oftopical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) tothe
site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?1.Hyperventilation
2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site - (Correct Answer) `1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of
acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored
for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication
should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than
syeffects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a
burn injury.
Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the administration of
this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
, 1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - (Correct Answer) `2. Triglyceride level
l
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levelsshould be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored
specifically during this treatment.
A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP)
prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would
contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - (Correct Answer) `1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of
isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4
are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin
The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse would
monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medication if the
medication were being applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
