HESI PHARMACOLOGY
EXIT EXAM |
COMPLETE TEST
BANK | QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND
DETAILED
RATIONALES | LATEST
2025/2026
,DOMAIN 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Question 1
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) Checking the most recent potassium level
D) Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Correct (A): Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
used to treat hypertension and heart failure. One of the most common side
effects is postural (orthostatic) hypotension. Therefore, the nurse's priority
assessment before administration is checking the client's blood pressure to
ensure it is within a safe range for dosing.
Incorrect (B): Peripheral pulses are important for cardiovascular
assessment but are not the priority before each ACE inhibitor dose.
Incorrect (C): ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, so potassium levels
should be monitored periodically, but not necessarily before each dose.
, Incorrect (D): Intake and output is important for heart failure clients but is
not the priority assessment before administering enalapril.
StudyTip: "ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) = check BP before each dose
(hypotension risk) + monitor potassium (hyperkalemia risk) + monitor for
angioedema."
Question 2
A client with atrial fibrillation is receiving a continuous heparin infusion at
1,000 units/hour. The nurse determines that the client is receiving the correct
dose based on which laboratory value?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) International normalized ratio (INR)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Platelet count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct (C): Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the laboratory
test used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy. The therapeutic range
for aPTT is typically 1.5-2.5 times the normal control value (approximately
60-80 seconds). The aPTT should be checked 6 hours after any dose change.
Incorrect (A): PT monitors warfarin (Coumadin) therapy, not heparin.
, Incorrect (B): INR also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
Incorrect (D): Platelet count is monitored to detect heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), not to monitor therapeutic effect.
StudyTip: "Heparin = monitor aPTT. Warfarin = monitor INR. HIT = monitor
platelets."
Question 3
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg daily.
Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats/minute
B) Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Yellow-green halos around lights
D) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct (C): Yellow-green halos (visual disturbances) are a classic sign of
digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, confusion,
arrhythmias (ventricular bigeminy, heart block), and bradycardia. The
therapeutic digoxin level is 0.5-0.9 ng/mL for heart failure and 0.8-2.0 ng/mL
for atrial fibrillation.
Incorrect (A): Bradycardia (HR <60) is a sign of toxicity; 72 is normal.
EXIT EXAM |
COMPLETE TEST
BANK | QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS AND
DETAILED
RATIONALES | LATEST
2025/2026
,DOMAIN 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Question 1
Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) is prescribed for a hospitalized client. Which
assessment does the nurse perform as a priority before administering the
medication?
A) Checking the client's blood pressure
B) Checking the client's peripheral pulses
C) Checking the most recent potassium level
D) Checking the client's intake-and-output record for the last 24 hours
Correct Answer: A
Rationale:
Correct (A): Enalapril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
used to treat hypertension and heart failure. One of the most common side
effects is postural (orthostatic) hypotension. Therefore, the nurse's priority
assessment before administration is checking the client's blood pressure to
ensure it is within a safe range for dosing.
Incorrect (B): Peripheral pulses are important for cardiovascular
assessment but are not the priority before each ACE inhibitor dose.
Incorrect (C): ACE inhibitors can cause hyperkalemia, so potassium levels
should be monitored periodically, but not necessarily before each dose.
, Incorrect (D): Intake and output is important for heart failure clients but is
not the priority assessment before administering enalapril.
StudyTip: "ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, enalapril) = check BP before each dose
(hypotension risk) + monitor potassium (hyperkalemia risk) + monitor for
angioedema."
Question 2
A client with atrial fibrillation is receiving a continuous heparin infusion at
1,000 units/hour. The nurse determines that the client is receiving the correct
dose based on which laboratory value?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) International normalized ratio (INR)
C) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D) Platelet count
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct (C): Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) is the laboratory
test used to monitor unfractionated heparin therapy. The therapeutic range
for aPTT is typically 1.5-2.5 times the normal control value (approximately
60-80 seconds). The aPTT should be checked 6 hours after any dose change.
Incorrect (A): PT monitors warfarin (Coumadin) therapy, not heparin.
, Incorrect (B): INR also monitors warfarin therapy, not heparin.
Incorrect (D): Platelet count is monitored to detect heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), not to monitor therapeutic effect.
StudyTip: "Heparin = monitor aPTT. Warfarin = monitor INR. HIT = monitor
platelets."
Question 3
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg daily.
Which finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 72 beats/minute
B) Serum potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
C) Yellow-green halos around lights
D) Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Correct (C): Yellow-green halos (visual disturbances) are a classic sign of
digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, confusion,
arrhythmias (ventricular bigeminy, heart block), and bradycardia. The
therapeutic digoxin level is 0.5-0.9 ng/mL for heart failure and 0.8-2.0 ng/mL
for atrial fibrillation.
Incorrect (A): Bradycardia (HR <60) is a sign of toxicity; 72 is normal.
