PHARMACOLOGY HESI PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALL SOLVED SOLUTION
A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is being discharged with a new prescription for the
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten). The nurse's discharge
instruction should include reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
A) Weight loss.
B) Dizziness.
C) Muscle cramps.
D) Dry mucous membranes. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Dizziness
The client should be prepared to implement measures for constipation (B) which is the most
likely persistent side effect related to opioid use. Tolerance to opiate narcotics is common, and
the client may experience less sedation (A) and respiratory depression (D) as analgesic use
continues. Opioids increase the tone in the urinary bladder sphincter, which causes retention
(C) but may subside.
A client is receiving metroprolol (Lopressor SR). What assessment is most important for the
nurse to obtain?
A) Temperature.
B) Lung sounds.
C) Blood pressure.
D) Urinary output. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Blood pressure
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure (C) of clients taking this medication because
Lopressor is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive agent. While (A and B) are
important data to obtain on any client, they are not as important for a client receiving Lopressor
as (C). Intake and output ratios and daily weights should be monitored while taking Lopressor to
assess for signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, but (D) alone does not have the
importance of (C).
A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new prescription
for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after initiation of the Lipitor prescription, the nurse assesses
the client. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A) Heartburn.
B) Headache.
C) Constipation.
,D) Vomiting. - CORRECT ANSWER d. Vomiting.
Vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since Lipitor
increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate intervention by
the nurse (D). (A, B and C) are expected side effects of Lipitor.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status asthmaticus is
prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the nurse administer the prescribed
medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
A) Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
B) Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
C) Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
D) Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus). - CORRECT ANSWER C, D, A, B
An antacid (maalox) is prescribed for a client with PUD. The nurse knows that the purpose of
this medication is to
A. Decrease production of gastric secretions
B. produce an adherent barrier over the ulcer
C. Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
D. decrease gastric motor activity - CORRECT ANSWER C. Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or
above
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-release
oxycodone prescription?
A. As needed
B. Every 12 hours
C. Every 24 hours
D. Every 4 to 6 hours - CORRECT ANSWER B. Every 12 hours
In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine (Sandimmune), the nurse
should encourage the client to report which adverse response to the healthcare provider?
A) Changes in urine color.
B) Presence of hand tremors.
C) Increasing body hirsutism.
, D) Nausea and vomiting. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Presence of hand tremors.
Neurological complications, such as hand tremors (B), occur in about 50% of clients taking
cyclosporine and should be reported. Although this drug can be nephrotoxic, (A) typically does
not occur. (C and D) are common side effects, but are not usually severe.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of aspirin
for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - CORRECT ANSWER C. Bismuth
subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate
preparation). (A, B, and D) do not pose the degree of risk of drug interaction with aspirin as
Pepto Bismol would.
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every evening with her 9 p.m.
dose. What action should the nurse take to alleviate this side effect?
A) Change the time of the dose.
B) Hold the 9 p.m. dose.
C) Administer the dose with a snack.
D) Administer an antiemetic with the dose. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Administer the dose with
a snack.
Administering oral doses with food (C) helps minimize GI discomfort. (A) would be appropriate
only if changing the time of the dose corresponds to meal times while at the same time
maintaining an appropriate time interval between doses. (B) would disrupt the dosing schedule,
and could result in a nontherapeutic serum level of the medication. (D) should not be attempted
before other interventions, such as (C), have been proven ineffective in relieving the nausea.
A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which
laboratory findings should the nurse identify that places this client at risk?
A) Hypokalemia.
B) Hyponatremia.
C) Hypercalcemia.
ANSWERS ALL SOLVED SOLUTION
A client with congestive heart failure (CHF) is being discharged with a new prescription for the
angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril (Capoten). The nurse's discharge
instruction should include reporting which problem to the healthcare provider?
A) Weight loss.
B) Dizziness.
C) Muscle cramps.
D) Dry mucous membranes. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Dizziness
The client should be prepared to implement measures for constipation (B) which is the most
likely persistent side effect related to opioid use. Tolerance to opiate narcotics is common, and
the client may experience less sedation (A) and respiratory depression (D) as analgesic use
continues. Opioids increase the tone in the urinary bladder sphincter, which causes retention
(C) but may subside.
A client is receiving metroprolol (Lopressor SR). What assessment is most important for the
nurse to obtain?
A) Temperature.
B) Lung sounds.
C) Blood pressure.
D) Urinary output. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Blood pressure
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure (C) of clients taking this medication because
Lopressor is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive agent. While (A and B) are
important data to obtain on any client, they are not as important for a client receiving Lopressor
as (C). Intake and output ratios and daily weights should be monitored while taking Lopressor to
assess for signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure, but (D) alone does not have the
importance of (C).
A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new prescription
for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after initiation of the Lipitor prescription, the nurse assesses
the client. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A) Heartburn.
B) Headache.
C) Constipation.
,D) Vomiting. - CORRECT ANSWER d. Vomiting.
Vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since Lipitor
increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate intervention by
the nurse (D). (A, B and C) are expected side effects of Lipitor.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status asthmaticus is
prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the nurse administer the prescribed
medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
A) Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
B) Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
C) Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
D) Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus). - CORRECT ANSWER C, D, A, B
An antacid (maalox) is prescribed for a client with PUD. The nurse knows that the purpose of
this medication is to
A. Decrease production of gastric secretions
B. produce an adherent barrier over the ulcer
C. Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
D. decrease gastric motor activity - CORRECT ANSWER C. Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or
above
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-release
oxycodone prescription?
A. As needed
B. Every 12 hours
C. Every 24 hours
D. Every 4 to 6 hours - CORRECT ANSWER B. Every 12 hours
In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine (Sandimmune), the nurse
should encourage the client to report which adverse response to the healthcare provider?
A) Changes in urine color.
B) Presence of hand tremors.
C) Increasing body hirsutism.
, D) Nausea and vomiting. - CORRECT ANSWER B. Presence of hand tremors.
Neurological complications, such as hand tremors (B), occur in about 50% of clients taking
cyclosporine and should be reported. Although this drug can be nephrotoxic, (A) typically does
not occur. (C and D) are common side effects, but are not usually severe.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of aspirin
for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - CORRECT ANSWER C. Bismuth
subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol) contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate
preparation). (A, B, and D) do not pose the degree of risk of drug interaction with aspirin as
Pepto Bismol would.
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every evening with her 9 p.m.
dose. What action should the nurse take to alleviate this side effect?
A) Change the time of the dose.
B) Hold the 9 p.m. dose.
C) Administer the dose with a snack.
D) Administer an antiemetic with the dose. - CORRECT ANSWER C. Administer the dose with
a snack.
Administering oral doses with food (C) helps minimize GI discomfort. (A) would be appropriate
only if changing the time of the dose corresponds to meal times while at the same time
maintaining an appropriate time interval between doses. (B) would disrupt the dosing schedule,
and could result in a nontherapeutic serum level of the medication. (D) should not be attempted
before other interventions, such as (C), have been proven ineffective in relieving the nausea.
A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which
laboratory findings should the nurse identify that places this client at risk?
A) Hypokalemia.
B) Hyponatremia.
C) Hypercalcemia.
