A+
HESI Pharmacology Exam Mastery: 400+
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
Get Instant Access to 100% Verified Test Bank Questions! | Complete, Accurate, and Up
to Date | Fully Verified Answers | Instant Download Available Right After Purchase
| Perfect for Study Prep, Tutors, or Self-Practice | Trusted by Students & Educators.
1. A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a client who has
diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when collecting the specimen?
A. Instruct the client to defecate into the toilet bowl
SmartStudyHq
-incorrect: The nurse should have the client defecate into a bedpan or a container for stool collection. The
toilet water can dilute and contaminate the liquid specimen.
B. Transfer the specimen to a sterile container
-incorrect: The nurse should place the stool specimen in a clean container using a tongue depressor.
C. Refrigerate the collected specimen
-incorrect: The nurse should send the collected stool specimen immediately to the laboratory after labeling
the specimen properly to prevent contamination with microorganisms and keep the specimen from getting
cold.
D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag
-The nurse should place the specimen collection container in a biohazard bag with the client label on the
container and the bag for easy identification. This will also prevent contamination with microorganisms.
1
, A+
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and requires suctioning. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Hyper oxygenate the client before suctioning
-The nurse should use a manual resuscitation bag to hyper oxygenate the client for several minutes prior to
suctioning.
B. Insert the catheter during exhalation
-incorrect: The nurse should insert the catheter during inhalation
C. Apply suction during insertion of the catheter
-incorrect: Applying suction while inserting the catheter increases the risk of damage to the tracheal mucosa
and removes oxygen from the airways.
D. Apply suction for no more than 15 secs
-incorrect: The nurse should apply suction for no more than 10 seconds
SmartStudyHq
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client regarding protein intake. Which of the following foods
should the nurse include as an example of an incomplete protein?
A. Eggs
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
B. Soybeans
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
C. Lentils
-Incomplete proteins are missing 1 or more of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of protein
in the body. Examples of incomplete proteins include lentils, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds.
D. Yogurt
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
2
, A+
4. A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to a long-term care facility for rehabilitation
after a total hip arthroplasty. At which of the following times should the nurse begin discharge
planning?
A. One week prior to the client‟s discharge
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge a week prior to the event might not allow sufficient
time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
B. Upon the client‟s admission to the care facility
-The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time that the client is admitted to the facility.
C. Once the discharge date is identified
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge once the discharge date is identified might not allow
sufficient time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
D. When the client addresses the topic with the nurse
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge once the discharge date is identified might not allow
SmartStudyHq
sufficient time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse plan to take?
A. Insert the rectal tube 15.2 cm (6 in)
-incorrect: The nurse should insert the rectal tube 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)
B. Wear sterile gloves to insert the tubing
-incorrect: The nurse should wear clean (nonsterile) gloves to prevent contamination.
C. Position the client on his left side
-Positioning is an important aspect of administering an enema. Having the client lie on his left side facilitates
the flow of the enema solution into the sigmoid and descending colon.
D. Hold the solution bag 91 cm (36 inch) above the client‟s rectum
-incorrect: The nurse should hold the solution bag 30 cm (12 in) above the client‟s rectum for a low enema
and 45 cm (18 in) for a high enema. If the nurse holds the solution bag too high, the solution might run in too
fast, causing discomfort and spasms that make retaining the enema more difficult.
3
, A+
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has bilateral cats on her hands. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take when assisting the client with feeding?
A. Sit at the bedside when feeding the client
-The nurse should avoid appearing to be in a hurry. Sitting at the bedside provides the client with the nurse‟s
full attention during the feeding
B. Order pureed foods
-incorrect: Without any mouth or throat injuries that make chewing or swallowing difficult, the client should
be served foods of an appropriate variety of textures. Pureed foods are for clients who cannot chew, have
difficulty swallowing, or do not have teeth.
C. Make sure feedings are provided at room temperature
-incorrect: The nurse should ask the client if the food is the correct temperature
D. Offer the client a drink of fluid after every bite
-incorrect: If the client is unable to communicate, the nurse should offer the client fluids after every 3 or 4
SmartStudyHq
mouthfuls. However, there is no indication that this client is unable to communicate. Therefore, the client
should tell the nurse when she would like a drink.
6. A nurse is administering an IM injection to a 5-month-old infant. Which of the following
injection sites should the nurse use?
A. Deltoid
-incorrect: The nurse can use the deltoid muscle for injecting small volumes of medication for children 18
months of age or older, but its proximity to several nerves and arteries make it a riskier choice.
B. Ventrogluteal
-incorrect: This is a safe site for IM injections for clients older than 7 months.
C. Vastus lateralis
-The nurse should use the vastus lateralis site over the anterior thigh for IM injections for infants and
children.
D. Dorsogluteal
-incorrect: This site is unsafe to use because of its proximity to the sciatic nerve and the superior gluteal
nerve and artery.
4
HESI Pharmacology Exam Mastery: 400+
Practice Questions with Detailed Rationales
Get Instant Access to 100% Verified Test Bank Questions! | Complete, Accurate, and Up
to Date | Fully Verified Answers | Instant Download Available Right After Purchase
| Perfect for Study Prep, Tutors, or Self-Practice | Trusted by Students & Educators.
1. A nurse is planning to collect a stool specimen for ova and parasites from a client who has
diarrhea. Which of the following actions should the nurse take when collecting the specimen?
A. Instruct the client to defecate into the toilet bowl
SmartStudyHq
-incorrect: The nurse should have the client defecate into a bedpan or a container for stool collection. The
toilet water can dilute and contaminate the liquid specimen.
B. Transfer the specimen to a sterile container
-incorrect: The nurse should place the stool specimen in a clean container using a tongue depressor.
C. Refrigerate the collected specimen
-incorrect: The nurse should send the collected stool specimen immediately to the laboratory after labeling
the specimen properly to prevent contamination with microorganisms and keep the specimen from getting
cold.
D. Place the stool specimen collection container in a biohazard bag
-The nurse should place the specimen collection container in a biohazard bag with the client label on the
container and the bag for easy identification. This will also prevent contamination with microorganisms.
1
, A+
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has a tracheostomy and requires suctioning. Which of the
following actions should the nurse take?
A. Hyper oxygenate the client before suctioning
-The nurse should use a manual resuscitation bag to hyper oxygenate the client for several minutes prior to
suctioning.
B. Insert the catheter during exhalation
-incorrect: The nurse should insert the catheter during inhalation
C. Apply suction during insertion of the catheter
-incorrect: Applying suction while inserting the catheter increases the risk of damage to the tracheal mucosa
and removes oxygen from the airways.
D. Apply suction for no more than 15 secs
-incorrect: The nurse should apply suction for no more than 10 seconds
SmartStudyHq
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client regarding protein intake. Which of the following foods
should the nurse include as an example of an incomplete protein?
A. Eggs
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
B. Soybeans
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
C. Lentils
-Incomplete proteins are missing 1 or more of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of protein
in the body. Examples of incomplete proteins include lentils, vegetables, grains, nuts, and seeds.
D. Yogurt
-incorrect: this is a complete protein, contains all of the essential amino acids necessary for the synthesis of
protein in the body.
2
, A+
4. A nurse is caring for a client who was admitted to a long-term care facility for rehabilitation
after a total hip arthroplasty. At which of the following times should the nurse begin discharge
planning?
A. One week prior to the client‟s discharge
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge a week prior to the event might not allow sufficient
time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
B. Upon the client‟s admission to the care facility
-The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time that the client is admitted to the facility.
C. Once the discharge date is identified
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge once the discharge date is identified might not allow
sufficient time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
D. When the client addresses the topic with the nurse
-incorrect: Beginning to plan for the client‟s discharge once the discharge date is identified might not allow
SmartStudyHq
sufficient time for planning. The nurse should begin discharge planning at the time of admission.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer a cleansing enema to a client. Which of the following actions
should the nurse plan to take?
A. Insert the rectal tube 15.2 cm (6 in)
-incorrect: The nurse should insert the rectal tube 7 to 10 cm (3 to 4 in)
B. Wear sterile gloves to insert the tubing
-incorrect: The nurse should wear clean (nonsterile) gloves to prevent contamination.
C. Position the client on his left side
-Positioning is an important aspect of administering an enema. Having the client lie on his left side facilitates
the flow of the enema solution into the sigmoid and descending colon.
D. Hold the solution bag 91 cm (36 inch) above the client‟s rectum
-incorrect: The nurse should hold the solution bag 30 cm (12 in) above the client‟s rectum for a low enema
and 45 cm (18 in) for a high enema. If the nurse holds the solution bag too high, the solution might run in too
fast, causing discomfort and spasms that make retaining the enema more difficult.
3
, A+
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has bilateral cats on her hands. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take when assisting the client with feeding?
A. Sit at the bedside when feeding the client
-The nurse should avoid appearing to be in a hurry. Sitting at the bedside provides the client with the nurse‟s
full attention during the feeding
B. Order pureed foods
-incorrect: Without any mouth or throat injuries that make chewing or swallowing difficult, the client should
be served foods of an appropriate variety of textures. Pureed foods are for clients who cannot chew, have
difficulty swallowing, or do not have teeth.
C. Make sure feedings are provided at room temperature
-incorrect: The nurse should ask the client if the food is the correct temperature
D. Offer the client a drink of fluid after every bite
-incorrect: If the client is unable to communicate, the nurse should offer the client fluids after every 3 or 4
SmartStudyHq
mouthfuls. However, there is no indication that this client is unable to communicate. Therefore, the client
should tell the nurse when she would like a drink.
6. A nurse is administering an IM injection to a 5-month-old infant. Which of the following
injection sites should the nurse use?
A. Deltoid
-incorrect: The nurse can use the deltoid muscle for injecting small volumes of medication for children 18
months of age or older, but its proximity to several nerves and arteries make it a riskier choice.
B. Ventrogluteal
-incorrect: This is a safe site for IM injections for clients older than 7 months.
C. Vastus lateralis
-The nurse should use the vastus lateralis site over the anterior thigh for IM injections for infants and
children.
D. Dorsogluteal
-incorrect: This site is unsafe to use because of its proximity to the sciatic nerve and the superior gluteal
nerve and artery.
4
