HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026/2027 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which
assessment is the priority before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Apical pulse
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate. The apical pulse should be
assessed for one full minute and withheld if below the
prescribed parameter (commonly <60 bpm in adults).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
,Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium increases digoxin binding to
myocardial cells, increasing toxicity.
3. Which medication is classified as an ACE inhibitor?
A. Metoprolol
B. Losartan
C. Lisinopril
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: C. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme,
reducing blood pressure.
4. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B. Persistent dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels, producing
a dry cough.
,5. Which medication is a beta blocker?
A. Furosemide
B. Metoprolol
C. Amlodipine
D. Nitroglycerin
Correct Answer: B. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol selectively blocks beta-1 receptors to
reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
6. Which finding requires immediate discontinuation of an IV
potassium infusion?
A. Mild burning
B. Infiltration at the IV site
C. Warm sensation
D. Slight redness
Correct Answer: B. Infiltration at the IV site
Rationale: Potassium is highly irritating and can cause severe
tissue injury if it infiltrates.
7. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
, A. NPH
B. Regular
C. Lispro
D. Glargine
Correct Answer: C. Lispro
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working
within about 15 minutes.
8. Which insulin should never be mixed with other insulins?
A. Regular
B. NPH
C. Glargine
D. Lispro
Correct Answer: C. Glargine
Rationale: Glargine is a long-acting insulin designed for steady
release and should not be mixed.
9. Which medication is used to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Atropine
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026/2027 |INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin. Which
assessment is the priority before giving the medication?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Apical pulse
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse
Rationale: Digoxin slows heart rate. The apical pulse should be
assessed for one full minute and withheld if below the
prescribed parameter (commonly <60 bpm in adults).
2. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hypernatremia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypermagnesemia
,Correct Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Low potassium increases digoxin binding to
myocardial cells, increasing toxicity.
3. Which medication is classified as an ACE inhibitor?
A. Metoprolol
B. Losartan
C. Lisinopril
D. Diltiazem
Correct Answer: C. Lisinopril
Rationale: Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme,
reducing blood pressure.
4. A common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors is:
A. Bradycardia
B. Persistent dry cough
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
Correct Answer: B. Persistent dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels, producing
a dry cough.
,5. Which medication is a beta blocker?
A. Furosemide
B. Metoprolol
C. Amlodipine
D. Nitroglycerin
Correct Answer: B. Metoprolol
Rationale: Metoprolol selectively blocks beta-1 receptors to
reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
6. Which finding requires immediate discontinuation of an IV
potassium infusion?
A. Mild burning
B. Infiltration at the IV site
C. Warm sensation
D. Slight redness
Correct Answer: B. Infiltration at the IV site
Rationale: Potassium is highly irritating and can cause severe
tissue injury if it infiltrates.
7. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
, A. NPH
B. Regular
C. Lispro
D. Glargine
Correct Answer: C. Lispro
Rationale: Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin that begins working
within about 15 minutes.
8. Which insulin should never be mixed with other insulins?
A. Regular
B. NPH
C. Glargine
D. Lispro
Correct Answer: C. Glargine
Rationale: Glargine is a long-acting insulin designed for steady
release and should not be mixed.
9. Which medication is used to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Atropine
