1
1
, 2
Pharmacology HESI Review (2026 Edition): Evidence-
Based Practice Exam Questions with Comprehensive
Rationales for Elsevier Evolve Success
1. A male client who has been taking a high dose of a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID) comes to the clinic complaining of gastric pain
and blood in his stool. The healthcare provider discontinues the NSAIDs and
prescribes esomeprazole. Which information should the client include in the
nurse's teaching plan?
A. Once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be continued
B. Resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods
C. Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of black stool
D. Call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking esomeprazole:
C
2. 2. When administering zolpidem to an older client, which computer
docu-mentation indicates that the desired outcome has been achieved?
A. Sleeps soundly through the night
B. Decreased episodes of incontinence
C. Exhibits fewer emotional outburst
D. Improved ability to concentrate: A
3. 3. A male client with a fungal infection of the toenail reports to the
nurse that he has been applying an over-the-counter triple antibiotic
ointment to the infection daily for two weeks without any
improvement.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to obtain a prescription for oral terbinafine
B. Suggest that the client use the ointment twice a day to be more effective
C. Reassure that the treatment of fungus-infected toenails often takes
several months
D. Advise the client to obtain a prescription-strength formulation of the
ointment: A
4. A client with a nasogastric tube (NGT) has a prescription for sucralfate.
The liquid form of the medication is not currently available in the pharmacy
and tablets have been delivered to the medication
2
, 3
dispensing system. Which action should the nurse include when
administer-ing the medication?
A. Crush the tablet and mix it with water separately from other
medications
B. Crush the tablet and mix it with other crushed tablets diluted in water
3
, 4
C. Withhold the medication until a liquid form is available on the nursing
unit
D. Crush the tablet and mix it with other liquid medications for
administration: A
5. A client with chronic asthma receives a prescription for montelukast, a
leukotriene modifier. Which statement by the client indicates to the nurse
that medication teaching was effective?
A. I should take this medication only when I am having an asthma attack
B. I will take the tablet every evening to control my asthma
C. This medication will stop an asthma attack immediately
D. I will not need to use my inhalers twice a day when I start this medication:
6. The nurse is planning to administer the antiulcer GI agent sucralfate to a
client with peptic ulcer disease. Which action should the nurse include in
this client's plan of care?
A. Assess for secondary Candida infection
B. Administer sucralfate once a day, preferably at bedtime
C. Give sucralfate on an empty stomach
D. Monitor for electrolyte imbalance: B
7. A client with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD)
started a prescription for epoetin alfa two months ago. Which client
finding best indicates that the medication is effective?
A. Reports of increased energy levels and decreased fatigue
B. Takes concurrent iron therapy without adverse effects
C. Food diary shows increased consumption of iron-rich foods
D. Hemoglobin level increased to 12 grams/dL(120 mmol/L): D
8. The healthcare provider prescribes propylthiouracil (PTU) and Lugol's solu-
tion, a strong idoine solution, for a client with hyperthyroidism. How
should the nurse schedule the administration of these medications?
A. Administer iodine one hour before PTU
B. Offer both drugs together with a meal
C. Schedule both medications at bedtime
D. Give parental dose once every 24 hours: B
4
1
, 2
Pharmacology HESI Review (2026 Edition): Evidence-
Based Practice Exam Questions with Comprehensive
Rationales for Elsevier Evolve Success
1. A male client who has been taking a high dose of a nonsteroidal anti-
inflammatory drug (NSAID) comes to the clinic complaining of gastric pain
and blood in his stool. The healthcare provider discontinues the NSAIDs and
prescribes esomeprazole. Which information should the client include in the
nurse's teaching plan?
A. Once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be continued
B. Resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods
C. Notify the healthcare provider of the passage of black stool
D. Call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking esomeprazole:
C
2. 2. When administering zolpidem to an older client, which computer
docu-mentation indicates that the desired outcome has been achieved?
A. Sleeps soundly through the night
B. Decreased episodes of incontinence
C. Exhibits fewer emotional outburst
D. Improved ability to concentrate: A
3. 3. A male client with a fungal infection of the toenail reports to the
nurse that he has been applying an over-the-counter triple antibiotic
ointment to the infection daily for two weeks without any
improvement.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Instruct the client to obtain a prescription for oral terbinafine
B. Suggest that the client use the ointment twice a day to be more effective
C. Reassure that the treatment of fungus-infected toenails often takes
several months
D. Advise the client to obtain a prescription-strength formulation of the
ointment: A
4. A client with a nasogastric tube (NGT) has a prescription for sucralfate.
The liquid form of the medication is not currently available in the pharmacy
and tablets have been delivered to the medication
2
, 3
dispensing system. Which action should the nurse include when
administer-ing the medication?
A. Crush the tablet and mix it with water separately from other
medications
B. Crush the tablet and mix it with other crushed tablets diluted in water
3
, 4
C. Withhold the medication until a liquid form is available on the nursing
unit
D. Crush the tablet and mix it with other liquid medications for
administration: A
5. A client with chronic asthma receives a prescription for montelukast, a
leukotriene modifier. Which statement by the client indicates to the nurse
that medication teaching was effective?
A. I should take this medication only when I am having an asthma attack
B. I will take the tablet every evening to control my asthma
C. This medication will stop an asthma attack immediately
D. I will not need to use my inhalers twice a day when I start this medication:
6. The nurse is planning to administer the antiulcer GI agent sucralfate to a
client with peptic ulcer disease. Which action should the nurse include in
this client's plan of care?
A. Assess for secondary Candida infection
B. Administer sucralfate once a day, preferably at bedtime
C. Give sucralfate on an empty stomach
D. Monitor for electrolyte imbalance: B
7. A client with anemia secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD)
started a prescription for epoetin alfa two months ago. Which client
finding best indicates that the medication is effective?
A. Reports of increased energy levels and decreased fatigue
B. Takes concurrent iron therapy without adverse effects
C. Food diary shows increased consumption of iron-rich foods
D. Hemoglobin level increased to 12 grams/dL(120 mmol/L): D
8. The healthcare provider prescribes propylthiouracil (PTU) and Lugol's solu-
tion, a strong idoine solution, for a client with hyperthyroidism. How
should the nurse schedule the administration of these medications?
A. Administer iodine one hour before PTU
B. Offer both drugs together with a meal
C. Schedule both medications at bedtime
D. Give parental dose once every 24 hours: B
4
