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Pharmacology HESI PN Retake Exam 2025: 100 Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Guaranteed Pass | Latest Version
1) 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 as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Large doses of vitamin D
4. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2) 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
Rationale: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to
administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C.
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3) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can
result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
4) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The
nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so
that they can penetrate the skin.
5) 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
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. The client
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should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction.
6) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the 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
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of acid,
thereby causing acidosis. Clients should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation).
7) 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
Rationale: Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be measured
before treatment and periodically thereafter.
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8) 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
Rationale: Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of
isotretinoin toxicity. Vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy.
9) 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
4. Palms of the hands
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia).
10) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client is
taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client
is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne.
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Pharmacology HESI PN Retake Exam 2025: 100 Verified
Questions & Answers with Detailed Rationales |
Guaranteed Pass | Latest Version
1) 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 as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Large doses of vitamin D
4. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption and lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2) 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
Rationale: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to
administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C.
1|Page
, A+
3) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can
result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
4) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The
nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale: Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so
that they can penetrate the skin.
5) 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
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms. The client
2|Page
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should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
reaction.
6) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the 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
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretion of acid,
thereby causing acidosis. Clients should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation).
7) 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
Rationale: Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be measured
before treatment and periodically thereafter.
3|Page
, A+
8) 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
Rationale: Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of
isotretinoin toxicity. Vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy.
9) 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
4. Palms of the hands
Correct Answer: 2
Rationale: Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia).
10) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client is
taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client
is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne.
4|Page
