PN HESI Pharmacology Exam Exam Questions
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Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. A nurse administers a medication that blocks beta-1 receptors in
the heart. Which drug classification does this represent?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Beta-blocker
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Answer: B. Beta-blocker
Beta-blockers inhibit beta-1 receptors in the heart, decreasing heart
rate and cardiac output.
2. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual halos.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Allergic reaction
C. Digoxin toxicity
D. Renal failure
Answer: C. Digoxin toxicity
Classic signs of digoxin toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and yellow
or green visual halos.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Low potassium enhances digoxin’s effects and predisposes patients to
toxicity.
4. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which
common adverse effect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Loop diuretics like furosemide increase potassium excretion.
5. Which medication is commonly prescribed to treat hypertension
by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme?
A. Metoprolol
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that reduces blood pressure by
preventing formation of angiotensin II.
6. Which side effect is commonly associated with ACE inhibitors?
A. Dry cough
B. Hyperglycemia
,C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Dry cough
ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels, which can cause a
persistent dry cough.
7. Which medication should be avoided during pregnancy due to
teratogenic effects?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Amoxicillin
D. Penicillin
Answer: B. Lisinopril
ACE inhibitors are contraindicated in pregnancy due to fetal harm.
8. Which drug classification does nitroglycerin belong to?
A. Vasodilator
B. Anticoagulant
C. Beta blocker
D. Diuretic
Answer: A. Vasodilator
Nitroglycerin dilates blood vessels, improving oxygen supply to the
heart.
9. What is the primary purpose of administering heparin?
A. Dissolve clots
B. Prevent clot formation
C. Increase platelet production
D. Lower cholesterol
, Answer: B. Prevent clot formation
Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents new clots from forming.
10. Which laboratory value is monitored with heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: B. aPTT
Activated partial thromboplastin time measures heparin’s
anticoagulant effect.
11. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin.
12. Which medication is commonly used as the antidote for opioid
overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Naloxone
Naloxone reverses opioid effects by blocking opioid receptors.
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2025/2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A nurse administers a medication that blocks beta-1 receptors in
the heart. Which drug classification does this represent?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Beta-blocker
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Answer: B. Beta-blocker
Beta-blockers inhibit beta-1 receptors in the heart, decreasing heart
rate and cardiac output.
2. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual halos.
What should the nurse suspect?
A. Therapeutic effect
B. Allergic reaction
C. Digoxin toxicity
D. Renal failure
Answer: C. Digoxin toxicity
Classic signs of digoxin toxicity include nausea, vomiting, and yellow
or green visual halos.
3. Which electrolyte imbalance increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
,C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Low potassium enhances digoxin’s effects and predisposes patients to
toxicity.
4. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which
common adverse effect?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Loop diuretics like furosemide increase potassium excretion.
5. Which medication is commonly prescribed to treat hypertension
by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme?
A. Metoprolol
B. Lisinopril
C. Amlodipine
D. Hydrochlorothiazide
Answer: B. Lisinopril
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that reduces blood pressure by
preventing formation of angiotensin II.
6. Which side effect is commonly associated with ACE inhibitors?
A. Dry cough
B. Hyperglycemia
,C. Tachycardia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Dry cough
ACE inhibitors increase bradykinin levels, which can cause a
persistent dry cough.
7. Which medication should be avoided during pregnancy due to
teratogenic effects?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Lisinopril
C. Amoxicillin
D. Penicillin
Answer: B. Lisinopril
ACE inhibitors are contraindicated in pregnancy due to fetal harm.
8. Which drug classification does nitroglycerin belong to?
A. Vasodilator
B. Anticoagulant
C. Beta blocker
D. Diuretic
Answer: A. Vasodilator
Nitroglycerin dilates blood vessels, improving oxygen supply to the
heart.
9. What is the primary purpose of administering heparin?
A. Dissolve clots
B. Prevent clot formation
C. Increase platelet production
D. Lower cholesterol
, Answer: B. Prevent clot formation
Heparin is an anticoagulant that prevents new clots from forming.
10. Which laboratory value is monitored with heparin therapy?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
Answer: B. aPTT
Activated partial thromboplastin time measures heparin’s
anticoagulant effect.
11. Which medication is the antidote for heparin overdose?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Atropine
Answer: B. Protamine sulfate
Protamine sulfate neutralizes heparin.
12. Which medication is commonly used as the antidote for opioid
overdose?
A. Flumazenil
B. Naloxone
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Vitamin K
Answer: B. Naloxone
Naloxone reverses opioid effects by blocking opioid receptors.
