HESI PRACTICE EXAM-PHARM 315
QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS / GRADED A+ / GUARANTEED
PASS!!
A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What adverse effects associated with thyroid hormone toxicity
should the nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider?
- answer-Tachycardia and chest pain.
Rationale
Thyroid replacement hormone increases the metabolic rate of all tissues, so
common signs and symptoms of toxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
A category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction
is most important for the nurse to teach this client?
- answer-Use a reliable form of birth control.
Rationale
Drugs classified in the category X place a client who is in the first trimester of
pregnancy at risk for teratogenesis, so women in the childbearing years should be
counseled to use a reliable form of birth control during drug therapy. If the client is
planning to become pregnant, she should be encouraged to discuss plans for
pregnancy with the healthcare provider, so a safer alternative prescription can be
provided if pregnancy occurs.
A client asks the nurse if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. Which response
should the nurse provide?
- answer-"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used only when some beta cell
function is present."
Rationale
An effective oral form of insulin has not yet been developed because when insulin
is taken orally, it is destroyed by digestive enzymes. Glipizide (Glucotrol) is an
oral hypoglycemic agent that enhances pancreatic production of insulin.
1|Page
,A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and an IV of normal
saline at 50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20
ml/hour for the last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
- answer-Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.
Rationale:
The main effect of dopamine is adrenergic stimulation used to increase cardiac
output, which should also result in increased urinary output. A urinary output of
less than 20 ml/hour is oliguria and should be reported to the healthcare provider,
so the dose of dopamine can be adjusted. Depending on the current rate of
administration, the dose may need to be increased or decreased.
A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be
contraindicated for this client?
- answer-Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep.
Rationale
Persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates
and anesthetics.
A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload?
- answer-Nitroglycerin.
Rationale
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and decreases
contractility, thereby decreasing both preload and afterload.
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia
gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this client following administration
of this pharmacologic agent?
- answer-Decreased muscle weakness.
Rationale:
Administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will
temporarily reduce muscle weakness, the most common complaint of newly-
diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This medication is used to diagnose
2|Page
, myasthenia gravis due to its short duration of action. This drug would temporarily
reverse difficulty in swallowing and respiratory effort.
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse knows that the action of this drug is to
- answer-inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland
Rationale
PTU is an adjunct therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting
production of thyroid hormones. It is often prescribed in preparation for
thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy.
A client is being treated for osteoporosis with alendronate (Fosamax), and the
nurse has completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration.
Which morning schedule would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has
been effective?
- answer-Take medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
Rationale:
Alendronate (Fosamax) is best absorbed when taken thirty minutes before eating in
the morning. The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for
at least thirty minutes after taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal
reflux and irritation.
A client is receiving ampicillin sodium (Omnipen) for a sinus infection. The nurse
should instruct the client to notify the healthcare provider immediately if which
symptom occurs?
- answer-Rash.
Rationale
Rash is the most common adverse effect of all penicillins, indicating an allergy to
the medication which could result in anaphylactic shock, a medical emergency.
A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch.
Which assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has
been achieved?
- answer-Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg.
Rationale
3|Page
QUESTIONS AND 100% VERIFIED
ANSWERS / GRADED A+ / GUARANTEED
PASS!!
A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What adverse effects associated with thyroid hormone toxicity
should the nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider?
- answer-Tachycardia and chest pain.
Rationale
Thyroid replacement hormone increases the metabolic rate of all tissues, so
common signs and symptoms of toxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
A category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction
is most important for the nurse to teach this client?
- answer-Use a reliable form of birth control.
Rationale
Drugs classified in the category X place a client who is in the first trimester of
pregnancy at risk for teratogenesis, so women in the childbearing years should be
counseled to use a reliable form of birth control during drug therapy. If the client is
planning to become pregnant, she should be encouraged to discuss plans for
pregnancy with the healthcare provider, so a safer alternative prescription can be
provided if pregnancy occurs.
A client asks the nurse if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. Which response
should the nurse provide?
- answer-"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be used only when some beta cell
function is present."
Rationale
An effective oral form of insulin has not yet been developed because when insulin
is taken orally, it is destroyed by digestive enzymes. Glipizide (Glucotrol) is an
oral hypoglycemic agent that enhances pancreatic production of insulin.
1|Page
,A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and an IV of normal
saline at 50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20
ml/hour for the last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
- answer-Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.
Rationale:
The main effect of dopamine is adrenergic stimulation used to increase cardiac
output, which should also result in increased urinary output. A urinary output of
less than 20 ml/hour is oliguria and should be reported to the healthcare provider,
so the dose of dopamine can be adjusted. Depending on the current rate of
administration, the dose may need to be increased or decreased.
A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be
contraindicated for this client?
- answer-Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep.
Rationale
Persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates
and anesthetics.
A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload?
- answer-Nitroglycerin.
Rationale
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and decreases
contractility, thereby decreasing both preload and afterload.
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia
gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this client following administration
of this pharmacologic agent?
- answer-Decreased muscle weakness.
Rationale:
Administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will
temporarily reduce muscle weakness, the most common complaint of newly-
diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This medication is used to diagnose
2|Page
, myasthenia gravis due to its short duration of action. This drug would temporarily
reverse difficulty in swallowing and respiratory effort.
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The
nurse knows that the action of this drug is to
- answer-inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland
Rationale
PTU is an adjunct therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting
production of thyroid hormones. It is often prescribed in preparation for
thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy.
A client is being treated for osteoporosis with alendronate (Fosamax), and the
nurse has completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration.
Which morning schedule would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has
been effective?
- answer-Take medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
Rationale:
Alendronate (Fosamax) is best absorbed when taken thirty minutes before eating in
the morning. The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for
at least thirty minutes after taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal
reflux and irritation.
A client is receiving ampicillin sodium (Omnipen) for a sinus infection. The nurse
should instruct the client to notify the healthcare provider immediately if which
symptom occurs?
- answer-Rash.
Rationale
Rash is the most common adverse effect of all penicillins, indicating an allergy to
the medication which could result in anaphylactic shock, a medical emergency.
A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch.
Which assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has
been achieved?
- answer-Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg.
Rationale
3|Page
