HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |1
HESI BSN 315 EAQ Practice Test 1 Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ Nightingale
BSN 315 Pharmacology II HESI Practice Exam
Latest (New!) graded A+ GUARANTEED PASS–
Correctly Answers Questions with Rationales
231.) A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine (Anafranil). The nurse
notes that the medication has not been taken by the client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in
the client would validate noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
P a g e 1 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |2
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water –
Correct Answer :4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Handwashing is a
common obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight gain is a common side effect of this medication.
Tachycardia and sedation are side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
232.) A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse would check
which of the following to determine medication effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status –
Correct Answer :4. The client's orientation and delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to determine medication
effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are
routine and not specific to this situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment
of this client. Monitoring nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
233.) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for a
hospitalized client with a chronic psychotic disorder. The client asks the nurse why the medication is
being discontinued before hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood level. –
P a g e 2 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |3
Correct Answer :3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when used with
psychotropic medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term and will occur if allergens are
present in the environment. Poor compliance may be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the
subject of the question. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms
and mild medication-induced movement disorders.
234.) A hospitalized client is started on phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) for the treatment of depression. At
lunchtime, a tray is delivered to the client. Which food item on the tray will the nurse remove?
1. Yogurt
2. Crackers
3. Tossed salad
4. Oatmeal cookies –
Correct Answer :1. Yogurt
Rationale:
Phenelzine sulfate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The client should avoid taking in foods
that are high in tyramine. These foods could trigger a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Foods to
avoid include yogurt, aged cheeses, smoked or processed meats, red wines, and fruits such as
avocados, raisins, or figs.
235.) A tricyclic antidepressant is administered to a client daily. The nurse plans to monitor for the
common side effects of the medication and includes which of the following in the plan of care?
1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
2. Offer a nutritious snack between meals.
3. Monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours.
4. Review the white blood cell (WBC) count results daily. –
P a g e 3 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |4
Correct Answer :1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
Rationale:
Dry mouth is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Frequent mouth rinsing with water,
sucking on hard candy, and chewing gum will alleviate this common side effect. It is not necessary to
monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours. In addition, it is not necessary to check the WBC daily.
Weight gain is a common side effect and frequent snacks will aggravate this problem.
236.) A client is being treated for depression with amitriptyline hydrochloride. During the initial phases
of treatment, the most important nursing intervention is:
1. Prescribing the client a tyramine-free diet
2. Checking the client for anticholinergic effects
3. Monitoring blood levels frequently because there is a narrow range between therapeutic and toxic
blood levels of this medication
4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each time the
medication is administered –
Correct Answer :4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and
each time the medication is administered
Rationale:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant often used to treat depression. It causes
orthostatic changes and can produce hypotension and tachycardia. This can be frightening to the
client and dangerous because it can result in dizziness and client falls. The client must be instructed to
move slowly from a lying to a sitting to a standing position to avoid injury if these effects are
experienced. The client may also experience sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and
other anticholinergic effects, but these are transient and will diminish with time.
237.) A client who is on lithium carbonate (Lithobid) will be discharged at the end of the week. In
formulating a discharge teaching plan, the nurse will instruct the client that it is most important to:
1. Avoid soy sauce, wine, and aged cheese.
2. Have the lithium level checked every week.
3. Take medication only as prescribed because it can become addicting.
P a g e 4 | 66
HESI BSN 315 EAQ Practice Test 1 Questions and
Correct Answers with Rationales/ Nightingale
BSN 315 Pharmacology II HESI Practice Exam
Latest (New!) graded A+ GUARANTEED PASS–
Correctly Answers Questions with Rationales
231.) A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine (Anafranil). The nurse
notes that the medication has not been taken by the client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in
the client would validate noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
P a g e 1 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |2
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water –
Correct Answer :4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Handwashing is a
common obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight gain is a common side effect of this medication.
Tachycardia and sedation are side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
232.) A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol). The nurse would check
which of the following to determine medication effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status –
Correct Answer :4. The client's orientation and delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to determine medication
effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are
routine and not specific to this situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment
of this client. Monitoring nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
233.) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis for a
hospitalized client with a chronic psychotic disorder. The client asks the nurse why the medication is
being discontinued before hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood level. –
P a g e 2 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |3
Correct Answer :3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic medications.
Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when used with
psychotropic medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term and will occur if allergens are
present in the environment. Poor compliance may be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the
subject of the question. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms
and mild medication-induced movement disorders.
234.) A hospitalized client is started on phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) for the treatment of depression. At
lunchtime, a tray is delivered to the client. Which food item on the tray will the nurse remove?
1. Yogurt
2. Crackers
3. Tossed salad
4. Oatmeal cookies –
Correct Answer :1. Yogurt
Rationale:
Phenelzine sulfate is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The client should avoid taking in foods
that are high in tyramine. These foods could trigger a potentially fatal hypertensive crisis. Foods to
avoid include yogurt, aged cheeses, smoked or processed meats, red wines, and fruits such as
avocados, raisins, or figs.
235.) A tricyclic antidepressant is administered to a client daily. The nurse plans to monitor for the
common side effects of the medication and includes which of the following in the plan of care?
1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
2. Offer a nutritious snack between meals.
3. Monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours.
4. Review the white blood cell (WBC) count results daily. –
P a g e 3 | 66
, HESI BSN 315 EAQ Page |4
Correct Answer :1. Offer hard candy or gum periodically.
Rationale:
Dry mouth is a common side effect of tricyclic antidepressants. Frequent mouth rinsing with water,
sucking on hard candy, and chewing gum will alleviate this common side effect. It is not necessary to
monitor the blood pressure every 2 hours. In addition, it is not necessary to check the WBC daily.
Weight gain is a common side effect and frequent snacks will aggravate this problem.
236.) A client is being treated for depression with amitriptyline hydrochloride. During the initial phases
of treatment, the most important nursing intervention is:
1. Prescribing the client a tyramine-free diet
2. Checking the client for anticholinergic effects
3. Monitoring blood levels frequently because there is a narrow range between therapeutic and toxic
blood levels of this medication
4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and each time the
medication is administered –
Correct Answer :4. Getting baseline postural blood pressures before administering the medication and
each time the medication is administered
Rationale:
Amitriptyline hydrochloride is a tricyclic antidepressant often used to treat depression. It causes
orthostatic changes and can produce hypotension and tachycardia. This can be frightening to the
client and dangerous because it can result in dizziness and client falls. The client must be instructed to
move slowly from a lying to a sitting to a standing position to avoid injury if these effects are
experienced. The client may also experience sedation, dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, and
other anticholinergic effects, but these are transient and will diminish with time.
237.) A client who is on lithium carbonate (Lithobid) will be discharged at the end of the week. In
formulating a discharge teaching plan, the nurse will instruct the client that it is most important to:
1. Avoid soy sauce, wine, and aged cheese.
2. Have the lithium level checked every week.
3. Take medication only as prescribed because it can become addicting.
P a g e 4 | 66
