HESI Pharmacology Practice Quiz Mock Exam 2026 |
Trusted Questions & Rationales
1. A patient taking isosorbide dinitrate reports feeling lightheaded when
standing up. What should the nurse advise the patient to do?
Stop taking the medication immediately.
Take the medication with a meal.
Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
2. What is best to understand when using Scopalamine Patch (Transderm Patch)
to prevent motion sickness on a cruise?
Change patch every other day
Place patch on hairless area at base of skull
Apply patch 4 hours before departure
Have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks on cruise
3. The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen for client with osteoarthritis of
the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after taking it for 3 weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse
to make?
Another type of nonsteroidal antinflammatory drug may be
prescribed
Systemic corticosteroids are the next drug of choice for pain relief
The frequency of the dosing is necessary to increase the effectiveness
Therapeutic blood levels of the drug are reached in 4-6 weeks
,4. A client with HF is being discharged with a new prescription for the ACE
inhibitors captopril (Capoten). The nurse's discharge instruction should
include reporting which problem to the HCP?
Muscle cramps
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Weight loss
5. A nurse is monitoring a patient on digoxin who presents with muscle
weakness and fatigue. What should the nurse assess to determine if
hypokalemia is a contributing factor?
Serum potassium levels
Complete blood count
Blood glucose levels
Serum calcium levels
6. A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis is prescribed a blood thinner.
What nursing consideration should be prioritized when educating the patient
about this medication?
Monitoring for signs of bleeding
Recommending a high-fat diet
Suggesting to stop taking the medication if symptoms improve
Encouraging increased physical activity immediately
7. Describe how methylprednisolone affects glucose metabolism in patients.
Methylprednisolone primarily affects protein metabolism, not glucose.
, Methylprednisolone has no impact on glucose metabolism in patients.
Methylprednisolone can increase serum glucose levels due to its
effects on carbohydrate metabolism.
Methylprednisolone decreases glucose levels by enhancing insulin
sensitivity.
8. What is the purpose of anticoagulant therapy?
Lyse existing clots
Increase viscosity of the blood
Prevent new clot formation
Thin the blood
9. Discuss why a young adult with inflammatory bowel disease may be at higher
risk for complications when prescribed opioid analgesics.
Older adults are always at higher risk than younger adults when taking
opioids.
Opioids can exacerbate gastrointestinal issues, leading to increased
risk of complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease does not affect the metabolism of
opioids.
Opioids are generally safe for all patients regardless of their condition.
10. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide. What important
nursing consideration should be monitored?
Blood glucose levels.
Kidney function tests.
Liver function tests.
, Electrolyte levels.
11. A patient is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery. What nursing
intervention should be prioritized when administering low molecular weight
heparin?
Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Increase fluid intake.
Encourage ambulation immediately.
Administer additional pain medication.
12. What is the appropriate action for a nurse when a client on dopamine has a
urinary output of 20 ml/hour for two consecutive hours?
Change the normal saline to a keep open rate
Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output
Stop the infusion of dopamine
Replace the urinary catheter
13. The patient is taking a statin drug. Which assessment data would be a priority
for the nurse to report immediately to the physician?
"My calves hurt, and I had a hard time walking to the bathroom."
"Will you call my doctor? I have a really bad headache."
"My heart rate really went up this morning."
"I know I just started this medicine yesterday, but my stomach really is
upset."
Trusted Questions & Rationales
1. A patient taking isosorbide dinitrate reports feeling lightheaded when
standing up. What should the nurse advise the patient to do?
Stop taking the medication immediately.
Take the medication with a meal.
Increase fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
2. What is best to understand when using Scopalamine Patch (Transderm Patch)
to prevent motion sickness on a cruise?
Change patch every other day
Place patch on hairless area at base of skull
Apply patch 4 hours before departure
Have no more than 2 alcoholic drinks on cruise
3. The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen for client with osteoarthritis of
the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after taking it for 3 weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse
to make?
Another type of nonsteroidal antinflammatory drug may be
prescribed
Systemic corticosteroids are the next drug of choice for pain relief
The frequency of the dosing is necessary to increase the effectiveness
Therapeutic blood levels of the drug are reached in 4-6 weeks
,4. A client with HF is being discharged with a new prescription for the ACE
inhibitors captopril (Capoten). The nurse's discharge instruction should
include reporting which problem to the HCP?
Muscle cramps
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Weight loss
5. A nurse is monitoring a patient on digoxin who presents with muscle
weakness and fatigue. What should the nurse assess to determine if
hypokalemia is a contributing factor?
Serum potassium levels
Complete blood count
Blood glucose levels
Serum calcium levels
6. A patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis is prescribed a blood thinner.
What nursing consideration should be prioritized when educating the patient
about this medication?
Monitoring for signs of bleeding
Recommending a high-fat diet
Suggesting to stop taking the medication if symptoms improve
Encouraging increased physical activity immediately
7. Describe how methylprednisolone affects glucose metabolism in patients.
Methylprednisolone primarily affects protein metabolism, not glucose.
, Methylprednisolone has no impact on glucose metabolism in patients.
Methylprednisolone can increase serum glucose levels due to its
effects on carbohydrate metabolism.
Methylprednisolone decreases glucose levels by enhancing insulin
sensitivity.
8. What is the purpose of anticoagulant therapy?
Lyse existing clots
Increase viscosity of the blood
Prevent new clot formation
Thin the blood
9. Discuss why a young adult with inflammatory bowel disease may be at higher
risk for complications when prescribed opioid analgesics.
Older adults are always at higher risk than younger adults when taking
opioids.
Opioids can exacerbate gastrointestinal issues, leading to increased
risk of complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease does not affect the metabolism of
opioids.
Opioids are generally safe for all patients regardless of their condition.
10. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed glipizide. What important
nursing consideration should be monitored?
Blood glucose levels.
Kidney function tests.
Liver function tests.
, Electrolyte levels.
11. A patient is at risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after surgery. What nursing
intervention should be prioritized when administering low molecular weight
heparin?
Monitor for signs of bleeding.
Increase fluid intake.
Encourage ambulation immediately.
Administer additional pain medication.
12. What is the appropriate action for a nurse when a client on dopamine has a
urinary output of 20 ml/hour for two consecutive hours?
Change the normal saline to a keep open rate
Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output
Stop the infusion of dopamine
Replace the urinary catheter
13. The patient is taking a statin drug. Which assessment data would be a priority
for the nurse to report immediately to the physician?
"My calves hurt, and I had a hard time walking to the bathroom."
"Will you call my doctor? I have a really bad headache."
"My heart rate really went up this morning."
"I know I just started this medicine yesterday, but my stomach really is
upset."
