2026 HESI PHARMACOLOGY FINAL CORRECT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is the peak time for long acting insulin? - ✔✔8-10 hours
✔✔What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia? - ✔✔Cool and clammy skin,
confused, weakness, palpitations, irritable, and hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
✔✔What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia? - ✔✔The 3 Ps: Polyphagia,
polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, headache, and blurred vision.
Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the breath, abdominal
pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
✔✔Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a patient before
administering a blood transfusion? - ✔✔diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
✔✔What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion? - ✔✔
✔✔What are isotonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution used to replace or maintain fluid and
electrolyte levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
✔✔What are hypotonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution with lower concentration of stuff on the
outside of the cell causing the fluids to move into the cell causing the cell to swell.
,This type of solution is used to rehydrate the patient.
0.45% NS, 0.25% NS, 2.5% Dextrose
✔✔What are hypertonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution with higher concentration of stuff on
the outside of the cell causing the fluids to leave the cell and causing the cell to shrink.
This type of solutions is used to reduce swelling.
D5 0.5% NS, D10W
✔✔How would you safely administer narcotics? - ✔✔Ask about allergies.
Obtain baseline vitals.
Assess respiratory functions.
Ask about any constipation issues.
Needs 2 people to verify and waste.
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of opioids? - ✔✔Naloxone (Narcan)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of acetaminophen? - ✔✔Acetylcysteine
(Mucomyst)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of heparin (? - ✔✔Protamine Sulfate
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of warfarin (Coumadin)? - ✔✔Vitamin K
(Phytonadione)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of digitalis (Digoxin)? - ✔✔Digoxin Immune Fab
Toxicity Level: > 2.0 ng/mL
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of insulin? - ✔✔Glucose D50
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of theophylline? - ✔✔Esmolol it's also the antidote
for caffeine overdose.
Toxicity Level: 20 mcg/mL
✔✔What is the antidote for extrapyramidal symptoms? - ✔✔Benztropine (Cogentin) or
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
✔✔What is the antidote for neuroleptic malignant syndrome? - ✔✔Lorazepam (Ativan)
✔✔What is the antidote for cholinergic crisis? - ✔✔Donepezil (Aricept)
, ✔✔What is a PCA pump? - ✔✔Patient Controlled Analgesic - delivers set amount of
pain medication with push of a button
✔✔Why would a patient be put on a PCA pump? - ✔✔PCA pumps provide a more
constant blood serum level of the drug compared to conventional analgesia.
✔✔Which medication is most common administered via PCA pump? - ✔✔morphine
✔✔A hospitalized patient has been complaining that she is having issues sleeping the
past few nights. Which medication would the nurse anticipate that the HCP will
prescribe for the patient? - ✔✔zolpidem (Ambien)
Treats insomnia.
✔✔What are the side effects of zolpidem (Ambien)? - ✔✔Headache and dizziness
✔✔What teachings should the nurse give about zolpidem (Ambien)? - ✔✔Do not drive
due to drowsiness and dizziness effects of medication.
Do not take with alcohol.
Use sleep promoting techniques: drink milk, quiet environment, reading, & avoid
caffeinated drinks.
✔✔An unconscious patient was admitted to the hospital with respiration of 10 breaths
per minute and pinpoint pupils. Which medication should the nurse anticipate to
administer to this patient? - ✔✔Naloxone (Narcan)
Monitor for respiratory depression after administration.
✔✔What are the side effects if naloxone (Narcan) is administered too quickly? -
✔✔Nausea, vomiting, tremors, and hypertension
✔✔Which bulk forming laxative would the nurse administer to a patient who just
experience a myocardial infarction? - ✔✔psyllium (Metamucil)
To stretch the intestinal wall, stimulate peristalsis, and soften the stool to prevent
constipation and straining. Also, used post rectal surgery.
✔✔How would the nurse prepare psyllium (Metamucil) for administration? - ✔✔Mix with
8 ounces of water at the bedside and administer immediately.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔What is the peak time for long acting insulin? - ✔✔8-10 hours
✔✔What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia? - ✔✔Cool and clammy skin,
confused, weakness, palpitations, irritable, and hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
✔✔What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia? - ✔✔The 3 Ps: Polyphagia,
polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, headache, and blurred vision.
Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the breath, abdominal
pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
✔✔Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a patient before
administering a blood transfusion? - ✔✔diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
✔✔What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion? - ✔✔
✔✔What are isotonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution used to replace or maintain fluid and
electrolyte levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
✔✔What are hypotonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution with lower concentration of stuff on the
outside of the cell causing the fluids to move into the cell causing the cell to swell.
,This type of solution is used to rehydrate the patient.
0.45% NS, 0.25% NS, 2.5% Dextrose
✔✔What are hypertonic IV fluids? - ✔✔A solution with higher concentration of stuff on
the outside of the cell causing the fluids to leave the cell and causing the cell to shrink.
This type of solutions is used to reduce swelling.
D5 0.5% NS, D10W
✔✔How would you safely administer narcotics? - ✔✔Ask about allergies.
Obtain baseline vitals.
Assess respiratory functions.
Ask about any constipation issues.
Needs 2 people to verify and waste.
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of opioids? - ✔✔Naloxone (Narcan)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of acetaminophen? - ✔✔Acetylcysteine
(Mucomyst)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of heparin (? - ✔✔Protamine Sulfate
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of warfarin (Coumadin)? - ✔✔Vitamin K
(Phytonadione)
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of digitalis (Digoxin)? - ✔✔Digoxin Immune Fab
Toxicity Level: > 2.0 ng/mL
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of insulin? - ✔✔Glucose D50
✔✔What is the antidote for overdose of theophylline? - ✔✔Esmolol it's also the antidote
for caffeine overdose.
Toxicity Level: 20 mcg/mL
✔✔What is the antidote for extrapyramidal symptoms? - ✔✔Benztropine (Cogentin) or
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
✔✔What is the antidote for neuroleptic malignant syndrome? - ✔✔Lorazepam (Ativan)
✔✔What is the antidote for cholinergic crisis? - ✔✔Donepezil (Aricept)
, ✔✔What is a PCA pump? - ✔✔Patient Controlled Analgesic - delivers set amount of
pain medication with push of a button
✔✔Why would a patient be put on a PCA pump? - ✔✔PCA pumps provide a more
constant blood serum level of the drug compared to conventional analgesia.
✔✔Which medication is most common administered via PCA pump? - ✔✔morphine
✔✔A hospitalized patient has been complaining that she is having issues sleeping the
past few nights. Which medication would the nurse anticipate that the HCP will
prescribe for the patient? - ✔✔zolpidem (Ambien)
Treats insomnia.
✔✔What are the side effects of zolpidem (Ambien)? - ✔✔Headache and dizziness
✔✔What teachings should the nurse give about zolpidem (Ambien)? - ✔✔Do not drive
due to drowsiness and dizziness effects of medication.
Do not take with alcohol.
Use sleep promoting techniques: drink milk, quiet environment, reading, & avoid
caffeinated drinks.
✔✔An unconscious patient was admitted to the hospital with respiration of 10 breaths
per minute and pinpoint pupils. Which medication should the nurse anticipate to
administer to this patient? - ✔✔Naloxone (Narcan)
Monitor for respiratory depression after administration.
✔✔What are the side effects if naloxone (Narcan) is administered too quickly? -
✔✔Nausea, vomiting, tremors, and hypertension
✔✔Which bulk forming laxative would the nurse administer to a patient who just
experience a myocardial infarction? - ✔✔psyllium (Metamucil)
To stretch the intestinal wall, stimulate peristalsis, and soften the stool to prevent
constipation and straining. Also, used post rectal surgery.
✔✔How would the nurse prepare psyllium (Metamucil) for administration? - ✔✔Mix with
8 ounces of water at the bedside and administer immediately.
