VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
PART I — NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES (25 QUESTIONS)
===============================
📘 CASE STUDY 1 — HEART FAILURE EXACERBATION (Questions
1–5)
Patient: 72-year-old with acute HF.
Meds: Furosemide IV, carvedilol, lisinopril, potassium chloride.
1. (Matrix: Match drug → expected effect)
Drugs:
Furosemide
Carvedilol
Lisinopril
Potassium chloride
Effects:
Decrease preload
Lower potassium loss
,VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
Reduce HR/BP
Vasodilation
Answer:
Furosemide → Decrease preload
Carvedilol → Reduce HR/BP
Lisinopril → Vasodilation
Potassium → Lower potassium loss
Rationale: Furosemide removes fluid; carvedilol lowers workload;
ACE inhibitors dilate vessels; potassium replaces losses.
2. (Multiple-response)
Which findings indicate furosemide is too effective?
A. BP 82/48
B. Weight ↓ 2 lbs overnight
C. Potassium 3.0
,VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
D. Crackles improved
E. Urine output 2000 mL
Answer: A, C
Rationale: Hypotension + hypokalemia require immediate
correction.
3. (Cloze)
Before giving carvedilol, the nurse must check the patient’s
______.
Answer: Heart rate
Rationale: Hold if HR <60.
4.
Which symptom is an ACE inhibitor adverse effect?
A. Dry cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Chest pain
D. Constipation
Answer: A
, VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
5. (Priority)
Which finding requires first action?
A. 1+ edema
B. Sodium 138
C. Potassium 2.9
D. HR 64
Answer: C
Rationale: Life-threatening arrhythmias possible.
📘 CASE STUDY 2 — COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA
(Questions 6–10)
Patient: 55-year-old on IV ceftriaxone, albuterol PRN,
acetaminophen.
6. (Matrix: Expected vs Unexpected)
Findings:
WBC 7,200
Rash
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
PART I — NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES (25 QUESTIONS)
===============================
📘 CASE STUDY 1 — HEART FAILURE EXACERBATION (Questions
1–5)
Patient: 72-year-old with acute HF.
Meds: Furosemide IV, carvedilol, lisinopril, potassium chloride.
1. (Matrix: Match drug → expected effect)
Drugs:
Furosemide
Carvedilol
Lisinopril
Potassium chloride
Effects:
Decrease preload
Lower potassium loss
,VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
Reduce HR/BP
Vasodilation
Answer:
Furosemide → Decrease preload
Carvedilol → Reduce HR/BP
Lisinopril → Vasodilation
Potassium → Lower potassium loss
Rationale: Furosemide removes fluid; carvedilol lowers workload;
ACE inhibitors dilate vessels; potassium replaces losses.
2. (Multiple-response)
Which findings indicate furosemide is too effective?
A. BP 82/48
B. Weight ↓ 2 lbs overnight
C. Potassium 3.0
,VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
D. Crackles improved
E. Urine output 2000 mL
Answer: A, C
Rationale: Hypotension + hypokalemia require immediate
correction.
3. (Cloze)
Before giving carvedilol, the nurse must check the patient’s
______.
Answer: Heart rate
Rationale: Hold if HR <60.
4.
Which symptom is an ACE inhibitor adverse effect?
A. Dry cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Chest pain
D. Constipation
Answer: A
, VERSION 3 — HESI + NGN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM (100
ORIGINAL QUESTIONS + RATIONALES)
5. (Priority)
Which finding requires first action?
A. 1+ edema
B. Sodium 138
C. Potassium 2.9
D. HR 64
Answer: C
Rationale: Life-threatening arrhythmias possible.
📘 CASE STUDY 2 — COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA
(Questions 6–10)
Patient: 55-year-old on IV ceftriaxone, albuterol PRN,
acetaminophen.
6. (Matrix: Expected vs Unexpected)
Findings:
WBC 7,200
Rash
