HESI PHARMACOLOGY V1
EXAM STUDY GUIDE. GRADED
A+. QUESTIONS AND 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS. LATEST
2025/2026 UPDATE
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. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-4. Orange juice
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. 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 of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - Ans✔✔-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 are not associated with
salicylism.
,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 - Ans✔✔-4. At least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun so that 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 - Ans✔✔-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 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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
EXAM STUDY GUIDE. GRADED
A+. QUESTIONS AND 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS. LATEST
2025/2026 UPDATE
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. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-4. Orange juice
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. 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 of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - Ans✔✔-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 are not associated with
salicylism.
,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 - Ans✔✔-4. At least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun so that 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 - Ans✔✔-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 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 - Ans✔✔-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 - Ans✔✔-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
