HESI Pharmacology: Complete Exam Solutions with
Expert-Verified Questions for Top Academic
Performance
1) 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 - CORRECT 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.
2.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
,3.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
4.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
5.) 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 - CORRECT 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
6.) 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 - CORRECT 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 systemic
effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn
injury.
7.) 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
Expert-Verified Questions for Top Academic
Performance
1) 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 - CORRECT 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.
2.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
,3.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
4.) 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 - CORRECT 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.
5.) 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 - CORRECT 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
6.) 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 - CORRECT 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 systemic
effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain that occurs with a burn
injury.
7.) 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
