BSN315 Exam 1 Actual Exam Style V1 |
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous Vancomycin. The patient begins
to develop a red, itchy rash on the neck and face. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer diphenhydramine immediately.
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
C. Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
D. Slow the rate of the infusion.
Answer: D
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a common reaction to rapid Vancomycin infusion caused
by histamine release. Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves the symptoms without
needing to stop the medication entirely. The nurse should also monitor the patient’s blood
pressure as hypotension can occur.
2. When administering Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers to a patient with asthma, in
what order should the nurse instruct the patient to take them?
A. Beclomethasone first, then Albuterol.
B. Mix the two medications in a nebulizer.
C. It does not matter which is taken first.
,D. Albuterol first, then Beclomethasone.
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a rapid-acting bronchodilator that opens the airways to allow
better penetration of other medications. Beclomethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces
inflammation and should follow the bronchodilator. The patient should wait approximately
five minutes between the two different inhalers.
3. A patient is prescribed Digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which assessment finding would require the
nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute.
D. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate while increasing
contractility. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute prior to
administration. If the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute, the dose should be held to
avoid further bradycardia.
4. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient taking Warfarin. The INR is 5.2.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate the provider will order?
A. Protamine sulfate
, B. Glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is significantly above the typical therapeutic range of 2.0 to 3.0.
Vitamin K is the pharmacological antagonist for Warfarin and is used to reverse its effects.
The nurse should also monitor the patient for signs of active bleeding.
5. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance is the patient at the highest risk for developing?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium along
with water and sodium. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
and digoxin toxicity. Patients are often encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods or take
supplements while on this therapy.
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A nurse is caring for a patient who is receiving intravenous Vancomycin. The patient begins
to develop a red, itchy rash on the neck and face. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer diphenhydramine immediately.
B. Stop the infusion and notify the provider.
C. Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
D. Slow the rate of the infusion.
Answer: D
Rationale: Red Man Syndrome is a common reaction to rapid Vancomycin infusion caused
by histamine release. Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves the symptoms without
needing to stop the medication entirely. The nurse should also monitor the patient’s blood
pressure as hypotension can occur.
2. When administering Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers to a patient with asthma, in
what order should the nurse instruct the patient to take them?
A. Beclomethasone first, then Albuterol.
B. Mix the two medications in a nebulizer.
C. It does not matter which is taken first.
,D. Albuterol first, then Beclomethasone.
Answer: D
Rationale: Albuterol is a rapid-acting bronchodilator that opens the airways to allow
better penetration of other medications. Beclomethasone is a corticosteroid that reduces
inflammation and should follow the bronchodilator. The patient should wait approximately
five minutes between the two different inhalers.
3. A patient is prescribed Digoxin 0.25 mg daily. Which assessment finding would require the
nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse of 52 beats per minute.
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mmHg.
C. Respiratory rate of 14 breaths per minute.
D. Potassium level of 4.5 mEq/L.
Answer: A
Rationale: Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside that slows the heart rate while increasing
contractility. The nurse must assess the apical pulse for one full minute prior to
administration. If the pulse is less than 60 beats per minute, the dose should be held to
avoid further bradycardia.
4. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a patient taking Warfarin. The INR is 5.2.
Which medication does the nurse anticipate the provider will order?
A. Protamine sulfate
, B. Glucagon
C. Vitamin K
D. Calcium gluconate
Answer: C
Rationale: An INR of 5.2 is significantly above the typical therapeutic range of 2.0 to 3.0.
Vitamin K is the pharmacological antagonist for Warfarin and is used to reverse its effects.
The nurse should also monitor the patient for signs of active bleeding.
5. A patient with a history of heart failure is prescribed Furosemide. Which electrolyte
imbalance is the patient at the highest risk for developing?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypocalcemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium along
with water and sodium. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmias
and digoxin toxicity. Patients are often encouraged to eat potassium-rich foods or take
supplements while on this therapy.
