HESI RN Pharmacology Q-Bank –
2025–2026 Edition
Verified Questions with Detailed
Rationales
📘 Document Type:
Question Bank for HESI RN Students
📅 Updated:
2025–2026 Academic Year
📚 Includes:
100+ Pharmacology Practice Questions
NCLEX/HESI-Style Format
Multiple Choice, SATA & Clinical Judgment
Verified Correct Answers
Detailed Answer Rationales
💼 Best Used For:
HESI RN Pharmacology Prep | NCLEX Review | Nursing Exam Success
,Welcome to the HESI RN Pharmacology Q-Bank (2025–2026 Edition), created by
HealthStudyPro to support nursing students preparing for the HESI exit exam and NCLEX-RN
with focused, high-yield pharmacology practice.
This question bank includes 100+ carefully selected questions, designed in the HESI exam
style, covering critical pharmacology concepts tested in real clinical settings. Each question is
followed by a correct answer and a brief but thorough rationale to help you not just
memorize, but understand the “why” behind each answer.
,Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client with heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
✅ Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
🧠 Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium excretion. The nurse should monitor for
hypokalemia, which can cause muscle cramps, weakness, or cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the following instructions is most
important for the nurse to include?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables entirely
B. Report signs of bleeding ✅
C. Take with antacids to prevent stomach upset
D. Expect your urine to turn orange
✅ Correct Answer: B. Report signs of bleeding
🧠 Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Patients should be instructed to watch for signs of bleeding
(bruising, gum bleeding, black stools). Vitamin K intake should be consistent, not eliminated.
Question 3
A nurse is reviewing a new order for digoxin (Lanoxin). What is the priority nursing
assessment before administering the drug?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Apical pulse ✅
D. Bowel sounds
, ✅ Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse
🧠 Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be checked for 1 full minute, and the
drug should be held if the heart rate is <60 bpm.
Question 4
Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient receiving gentamicin?
A. Constipation
B. Tinnitus ✅
C. Rash
D. Hypertension
✅ Correct Answer: B. Tinnitus
🧠 Rationale:
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is ototoxic. Tinnitus, hearing loss, or balance
issues should be reported immediately.
Question 5
A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What should the nurse anticipate?
A. The medication dose will be increased
B. The patient should increase fluid intake
C. The medication may be discontinued ✅
D. This is an expected side effect, and no action is needed
✅ Correct Answer: C. The medication may be discontinued
🧠 Rationale:
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a dry cough. It’s often persistent and
uncomfortable, leading providers to switch the patient to an ARB (like losartan).
Question 6
Which lab value should be monitored when a patient is on heparin therapy?
2025–2026 Edition
Verified Questions with Detailed
Rationales
📘 Document Type:
Question Bank for HESI RN Students
📅 Updated:
2025–2026 Academic Year
📚 Includes:
100+ Pharmacology Practice Questions
NCLEX/HESI-Style Format
Multiple Choice, SATA & Clinical Judgment
Verified Correct Answers
Detailed Answer Rationales
💼 Best Used For:
HESI RN Pharmacology Prep | NCLEX Review | Nursing Exam Success
,Welcome to the HESI RN Pharmacology Q-Bank (2025–2026 Edition), created by
HealthStudyPro to support nursing students preparing for the HESI exit exam and NCLEX-RN
with focused, high-yield pharmacology practice.
This question bank includes 100+ carefully selected questions, designed in the HESI exam
style, covering critical pharmacology concepts tested in real clinical settings. Each question is
followed by a correct answer and a brief but thorough rationale to help you not just
memorize, but understand the “why” behind each answer.
,Question 1
A nurse is administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client with heart failure. Which electrolyte
imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✅
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
✅ Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
🧠 Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium excretion. The nurse should monitor for
hypokalemia, which can cause muscle cramps, weakness, or cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the following instructions is most
important for the nurse to include?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables entirely
B. Report signs of bleeding ✅
C. Take with antacids to prevent stomach upset
D. Expect your urine to turn orange
✅ Correct Answer: B. Report signs of bleeding
🧠 Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant. Patients should be instructed to watch for signs of bleeding
(bruising, gum bleeding, black stools). Vitamin K intake should be consistent, not eliminated.
Question 3
A nurse is reviewing a new order for digoxin (Lanoxin). What is the priority nursing
assessment before administering the drug?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Apical pulse ✅
D. Bowel sounds
, ✅ Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse
🧠 Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The apical pulse should be checked for 1 full minute, and the
drug should be held if the heart rate is <60 bpm.
Question 4
Which adverse effect should the nurse monitor for in a patient receiving gentamicin?
A. Constipation
B. Tinnitus ✅
C. Rash
D. Hypertension
✅ Correct Answer: B. Tinnitus
🧠 Rationale:
Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is ototoxic. Tinnitus, hearing loss, or balance
issues should be reported immediately.
Question 5
A patient taking lisinopril reports a persistent dry cough. What should the nurse anticipate?
A. The medication dose will be increased
B. The patient should increase fluid intake
C. The medication may be discontinued ✅
D. This is an expected side effect, and no action is needed
✅ Correct Answer: C. The medication may be discontinued
🧠 Rationale:
ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a dry cough. It’s often persistent and
uncomfortable, leading providers to switch the patient to an ARB (like losartan).
Question 6
Which lab value should be monitored when a patient is on heparin therapy?
