2026 HESI PHARMACOLOGY UPDATED
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE
A+
✔✔The healthcare provider prescribes a medication for an older adult client who is
complaining of insomnia, and instructs the client to return in two weeks. The nurse
should question which prescription?
Zolpidem (Ambien) 10 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) 10 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Temazepam (Restoril) 7.5 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) 8 milligrams orally at bedtime. - ✔✔Eszopiclone (Lunesta) 10
milligrams orally at bedtime.
✔✔Which route should the nurse clarify with the healthcare provider prior to
administering a drug with a high first-pass effect?
Oral.
Buccal.
Sublingual.
Intravenous. - ✔✔Oral.
✔✔The therapeutic effect of insulin in treating Type 1 diabetes mellitus is based on
which physiologic action?
Facilitates transport of glucose into the cells.
Stimulates function of beta cells in the pancreas.
Increases intracellular receptor site sensitivity.
Delays carbohydrate digestion and absorption. - ✔✔Facilitates transport of glucose into
the cells.
, ✔✔The healthcare provider discontinues prednisone, a glucocorticoid, for a client with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. What instructions should the nurse give the
client about the regimen to follow?
Life-long treatment is common for chronic disease.
The drug should be stopped immediately if no longer needed.
The dose must be tapered over the course of 7 to 10 days.
Another glucocorticoid should be used to prevent cross-tolerance. - ✔✔The dose must
be tapered over the course of 7 to 10 days.
✔✔What pathophysiological action supports the expected outcome for a client with
chronic cancer pain who is treated with imipramine (Tofranil), a tricyclic antidepressant?
Increases pain threshold by stimulating opiate receptors in the CNS to release of
endogenous enkephalins.
Decreases perception of pain by blocking opiate receptors in the brain and descending
inhibitory nerves.
Decreases transmission of pain impulses by altering serotonin and norepinephrine
activity at nerve synapses.
Increases pain tolerance through relief of depression by increasing the amounts of
norepinephrine in the brain. - ✔✔Decreases transmission of pain impulses by altering
serotonin and norepinephrine activity at nerve synapses.
✔✔A client receives a new prescription for ciprofloxacin (Cipro), a synthetic quinolone.
When teaching about this drug, which information in the client's history requires special
emphasis by the nurse?
Snacks on dairy products such as yogurt or ice cream.
Previously had a mild allergic reaction to a cephalosporin.
Consumes alcoholic drinks occasionally on the weekends.
Works twenty hours a week as a lifeguard at the local pool. - ✔✔Works twenty hours a
week as a lifeguard at the local pool.
✔✔A client who is receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron (Zofran). What
side effect should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Headache.
Dry mouth.
Impaired taste.
Blurred vision. - ✔✔Headache.
✔✔Which heparin concentration should the nurse use to convert an intravenous site to
a heparin lock?
10 units/ml.
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SURE
A+
✔✔The healthcare provider prescribes a medication for an older adult client who is
complaining of insomnia, and instructs the client to return in two weeks. The nurse
should question which prescription?
Zolpidem (Ambien) 10 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) 10 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Temazepam (Restoril) 7.5 milligrams orally at bedtime.
Ramelteon (Rozerem) 8 milligrams orally at bedtime. - ✔✔Eszopiclone (Lunesta) 10
milligrams orally at bedtime.
✔✔Which route should the nurse clarify with the healthcare provider prior to
administering a drug with a high first-pass effect?
Oral.
Buccal.
Sublingual.
Intravenous. - ✔✔Oral.
✔✔The therapeutic effect of insulin in treating Type 1 diabetes mellitus is based on
which physiologic action?
Facilitates transport of glucose into the cells.
Stimulates function of beta cells in the pancreas.
Increases intracellular receptor site sensitivity.
Delays carbohydrate digestion and absorption. - ✔✔Facilitates transport of glucose into
the cells.
, ✔✔The healthcare provider discontinues prednisone, a glucocorticoid, for a client with
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. What instructions should the nurse give the
client about the regimen to follow?
Life-long treatment is common for chronic disease.
The drug should be stopped immediately if no longer needed.
The dose must be tapered over the course of 7 to 10 days.
Another glucocorticoid should be used to prevent cross-tolerance. - ✔✔The dose must
be tapered over the course of 7 to 10 days.
✔✔What pathophysiological action supports the expected outcome for a client with
chronic cancer pain who is treated with imipramine (Tofranil), a tricyclic antidepressant?
Increases pain threshold by stimulating opiate receptors in the CNS to release of
endogenous enkephalins.
Decreases perception of pain by blocking opiate receptors in the brain and descending
inhibitory nerves.
Decreases transmission of pain impulses by altering serotonin and norepinephrine
activity at nerve synapses.
Increases pain tolerance through relief of depression by increasing the amounts of
norepinephrine in the brain. - ✔✔Decreases transmission of pain impulses by altering
serotonin and norepinephrine activity at nerve synapses.
✔✔A client receives a new prescription for ciprofloxacin (Cipro), a synthetic quinolone.
When teaching about this drug, which information in the client's history requires special
emphasis by the nurse?
Snacks on dairy products such as yogurt or ice cream.
Previously had a mild allergic reaction to a cephalosporin.
Consumes alcoholic drinks occasionally on the weekends.
Works twenty hours a week as a lifeguard at the local pool. - ✔✔Works twenty hours a
week as a lifeguard at the local pool.
✔✔A client who is receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron (Zofran). What
side effect should the nurse include in the teaching plan?
Headache.
Dry mouth.
Impaired taste.
Blurred vision. - ✔✔Headache.
✔✔Which heparin concentration should the nurse use to convert an intravenous site to
a heparin lock?
10 units/ml.
