HESI Pharmacology Specialty Exam-Style
Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
2026/27 | Instant Pdf Download
✅ Answer Key & Rationale At The End Of Exam
Q1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B. Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C. Peripheral edema +3
D. Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Q2. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client with
pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
Q3. A client receives a new prescription for nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
sublingual tablets. Which instruction should the nurse include in client
teaching?
A. Take the medication at least one hour before every meal
,B. Monitor your pulse for 60 seconds before administration
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses for chest pain
D. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water for faster absorption
Q4. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
Which laboratory value indicates the medication is at therapeutic levels?
A. aPTT 60 seconds
B. INR 2.5
C. Platelet count 150,000/mm³
D. PT 12 seconds
Q5. A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare provider
prescribes disopyramide (Norpace). Which complaint should the nurse
instruct the client to report?
A. Joint pain
B. Drowsiness
C. Hypotension
D. Dry mouth
Q6. The healthcare provider prescribes the diuretic metolazone
(Zaroxolyn) 7.5 mg PO. Zaroxolyn is available in 5 mg tablets. How much
should the nurse plan to administer?
A. 2 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2.5 tablets
,Q7. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg).
The nurse knows that this medication should be used with caution in
clients with which condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Renal insufficiency
Q8. A client is receiving a heparin infusion for treatment of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to
determine therapeutic effectiveness?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. PT
Q9. A client with hypercholesterolemia is prescribed atorvastatin
(Lipitor). Which instruction is most important to include in client
teaching?
A. "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B. "Report unexplained muscle pain or tenderness immediately."
C. "This medication will increase your HDL within days."
D. "You may stop your low-fat diet now."
Q10. A client is prescribed metformin (Glucophage) for type 2 diabetes.
Which instruction should the nurse emphasize?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
, B. "Notify the healthcare provider if you develop muscle pain."
C. "Hold this medication for 48 hours before any procedure using
contrast dye."
D. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
Q11. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) via metered-
dose inhaler. Which statement indicates the client understands proper
use?
A. "I will use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
B. "I will use this inhaler when I have wheezing or shortness of breath."
C. "This medication will reduce inflammation in my airways."
D. "I should wait 5 seconds between puffs."
Q12. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Q13. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 72 bpm
B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred vision
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
D. Serum digoxin level 1.0 ng/mL
Questions And Answers Plus Rationales
2026/27 | Instant Pdf Download
✅ Answer Key & Rationale At The End Of Exam
Q1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B. Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C. Peripheral edema +3
D. Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Q2. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client with
pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires immediate action?
A. Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B. Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C. Blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg
D. Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
Q3. A client receives a new prescription for nitroglycerin (Nitrostat)
sublingual tablets. Which instruction should the nurse include in client
teaching?
A. Take the medication at least one hour before every meal
,B. Monitor your pulse for 60 seconds before administration
C. Take one tablet every 5 minutes up to three doses for chest pain
D. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water for faster absorption
Q4. A client with atrial fibrillation is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin).
Which laboratory value indicates the medication is at therapeutic levels?
A. aPTT 60 seconds
B. INR 2.5
C. Platelet count 150,000/mm³
D. PT 12 seconds
Q5. A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare provider
prescribes disopyramide (Norpace). Which complaint should the nurse
instruct the client to report?
A. Joint pain
B. Drowsiness
C. Hypotension
D. Dry mouth
Q6. The healthcare provider prescribes the diuretic metolazone
(Zaroxolyn) 7.5 mg PO. Zaroxolyn is available in 5 mg tablets. How much
should the nurse plan to administer?
A. 2 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2.5 tablets
,Q7. A client with a history of heart failure is prescribed carvedilol (Coreg).
The nurse knows that this medication should be used with caution in
clients with which condition?
A. Hypertension
B. Asthma
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Renal insufficiency
Q8. A client is receiving a heparin infusion for treatment of a deep vein
thrombosis (DVT). Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to
determine therapeutic effectiveness?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. PT
Q9. A client with hypercholesterolemia is prescribed atorvastatin
(Lipitor). Which instruction is most important to include in client
teaching?
A. "Take this medication with grapefruit juice."
B. "Report unexplained muscle pain or tenderness immediately."
C. "This medication will increase your HDL within days."
D. "You may stop your low-fat diet now."
Q10. A client is prescribed metformin (Glucophage) for type 2 diabetes.
Which instruction should the nurse emphasize?
A. "Take this medication on an empty stomach."
, B. "Notify the healthcare provider if you develop muscle pain."
C. "Hold this medication for 48 hours before any procedure using
contrast dye."
D. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
Q11. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol (Proventil) via metered-
dose inhaler. Which statement indicates the client understands proper
use?
A. "I will use this inhaler daily to prevent asthma attacks."
B. "I will use this inhaler when I have wheezing or shortness of breath."
C. "This medication will reduce inflammation in my airways."
D. "I should wait 5 seconds between puffs."
Q12. A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which
electrolyte imbalance should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Q13. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin (Lanoxin). Which
finding indicates digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate 72 bpm
B. Anorexia, nausea, and blurred vision
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mmHg
D. Serum digoxin level 1.0 ng/mL
