HESI Pharmacology Exam Success Pack 2026 |
Latest Update | Practice Questions & Review
1. A client received succinylcholine, a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking
agent during surgery. Which assessment finding is most important for the
nurse to report to the surgeon?
Observable skin flushing.
Ventricular tachycardia
Neck and shoulder pain
Blood pressure 114/72 mm/Hg
2. When taking montelukast (Singulair) what is the most important side effects
to watch for as a nurse.
Suicidal ideation
Nausea/ Vomiting
Headache
Diarrhea
3. A client with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been taking pregabalin
(Lyrica) for 4 days. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the medication is
effective?
Granulating tissue in foot ulcer
Improved visual acuity.
Reduced level of pain
Full volume of pedal pulses
,4. Describe the importance of monitoring a patient taking Tamiflu for an
infection.
Monitoring is unnecessary as Tamiflu has no side effects.
Monitoring is important to assess the effectiveness of the
medication and watch for side effects.
Monitoring is only required for patients over 65 years old.
Monitoring is only needed if the patient shows symptoms of an
allergic reaction.
5. Why is it important to assess a client's history of cardiovascular disease
before administering sumatriptan succinate?
Sumatriptan is ineffective for clients with a history of migraines.
Sumatriptan has no known side effects related to cardiovascular
health.
Sumatriptan is contraindicated for all patients with any medical history.
Sumatriptan can cause vasoconstriction, which may be dangerous
for clients with cardiovascular issues.
6. If a patient continues to experience nausea after receiving an antiemetic for
Cefepime administration, what should the nurse do next?
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
Document the nausea and continue monitoring without further action.
Administer another dose of the antiemetic immediately.
Notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible
medication adjustment.
,7. A client who received a renal transplant 3 months ago is re-admitted to the
acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. While taking the clients history,
the nurse determines that the client has been self administering St. Johns
Wort, an herbal preparation, on the advice of a friend. Which information is
most significant about this finding?
Adding the herb can decrease the need for corticosteroids
Wort can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine
The client probably used the herb to treat depression.
8. If a renal transplant patient reports using St. John's wort, what should the
nurse prioritize in their assessment and care plan?
Advise the patient to stop all medications without consulting a doctor.
Schedule the patient for immediate surgery.
Evaluate the patient's current medications for potential interactions.
Increase the dosage of immunosuppressive drugs immediately.
9. A patient with a history of urinary retention is prescribed Bethanechol. What
nursing intervention is essential before administering this medication?
Assess the patient's urinary output.
Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
Check the patient's blood glucose levels.
Evaluate the patient's respiratory rate.
10. A patient is scheduled to receive a narcotic for severe pain but has a
respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. What should the nurse do?
Hold the narcotic and notify the healthcare provider.
, Increase the dose of the narcotic due to the low respiratory rate.
Document the respiratory rate and continue with administration.
Administer the narcotic as scheduled.
11. Describe the importance of monitoring patients taking cimetidine.
Monitoring is important to identify potential side effects and drug
interactions.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients taking multiple medications.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients with a history of ulcers.
Monitoring is not required as cimetidine is a safe medication.
12. Describe the common side effects associated with dopaminergic
medications and their implications for patient care.
Dopaminergics have no significant side effects and are safe for all
patients.
Common side effects of dopaminergics include nausea, dizziness,
and orthostatic hypotension, which require careful monitoring.
The primary side effect of dopaminergics is increased appetite, which
is beneficial for patients.
Dopaminergics are known to cause respiratory depression and
require immediate intervention.
13. Why is it essential for the nurse to monitor for muscle paralysis after
administering succinylcholine?
Succinylcholine is known to cause nausea, which should be reported
immediately.
Latest Update | Practice Questions & Review
1. A client received succinylcholine, a depolarizing neuromuscular blocking
agent during surgery. Which assessment finding is most important for the
nurse to report to the surgeon?
Observable skin flushing.
Ventricular tachycardia
Neck and shoulder pain
Blood pressure 114/72 mm/Hg
2. When taking montelukast (Singulair) what is the most important side effects
to watch for as a nurse.
Suicidal ideation
Nausea/ Vomiting
Headache
Diarrhea
3. A client with diabetic peripheral neuropathy has been taking pregabalin
(Lyrica) for 4 days. Which finding indicates to the nurse that the medication is
effective?
Granulating tissue in foot ulcer
Improved visual acuity.
Reduced level of pain
Full volume of pedal pulses
,4. Describe the importance of monitoring a patient taking Tamiflu for an
infection.
Monitoring is unnecessary as Tamiflu has no side effects.
Monitoring is important to assess the effectiveness of the
medication and watch for side effects.
Monitoring is only required for patients over 65 years old.
Monitoring is only needed if the patient shows symptoms of an
allergic reaction.
5. Why is it important to assess a client's history of cardiovascular disease
before administering sumatriptan succinate?
Sumatriptan is ineffective for clients with a history of migraines.
Sumatriptan has no known side effects related to cardiovascular
health.
Sumatriptan is contraindicated for all patients with any medical history.
Sumatriptan can cause vasoconstriction, which may be dangerous
for clients with cardiovascular issues.
6. If a patient continues to experience nausea after receiving an antiemetic for
Cefepime administration, what should the nurse do next?
Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
Document the nausea and continue monitoring without further action.
Administer another dose of the antiemetic immediately.
Notify the healthcare provider for further evaluation and possible
medication adjustment.
,7. A client who received a renal transplant 3 months ago is re-admitted to the
acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. While taking the clients history,
the nurse determines that the client has been self administering St. Johns
Wort, an herbal preparation, on the advice of a friend. Which information is
most significant about this finding?
Adding the herb can decrease the need for corticosteroids
Wort can decrease plasma concentrations of cyclosporine
The client probably used the herb to treat depression.
8. If a renal transplant patient reports using St. John's wort, what should the
nurse prioritize in their assessment and care plan?
Advise the patient to stop all medications without consulting a doctor.
Schedule the patient for immediate surgery.
Evaluate the patient's current medications for potential interactions.
Increase the dosage of immunosuppressive drugs immediately.
9. A patient with a history of urinary retention is prescribed Bethanechol. What
nursing intervention is essential before administering this medication?
Assess the patient's urinary output.
Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
Check the patient's blood glucose levels.
Evaluate the patient's respiratory rate.
10. A patient is scheduled to receive a narcotic for severe pain but has a
respiratory rate of 10 breaths per minute. What should the nurse do?
Hold the narcotic and notify the healthcare provider.
, Increase the dose of the narcotic due to the low respiratory rate.
Document the respiratory rate and continue with administration.
Administer the narcotic as scheduled.
11. Describe the importance of monitoring patients taking cimetidine.
Monitoring is important to identify potential side effects and drug
interactions.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients taking multiple medications.
Monitoring is only necessary for patients with a history of ulcers.
Monitoring is not required as cimetidine is a safe medication.
12. Describe the common side effects associated with dopaminergic
medications and their implications for patient care.
Dopaminergics have no significant side effects and are safe for all
patients.
Common side effects of dopaminergics include nausea, dizziness,
and orthostatic hypotension, which require careful monitoring.
The primary side effect of dopaminergics is increased appetite, which
is beneficial for patients.
Dopaminergics are known to cause respiratory depression and
require immediate intervention.
13. Why is it essential for the nurse to monitor for muscle paralysis after
administering succinylcholine?
Succinylcholine is known to cause nausea, which should be reported
immediately.
