BSN315 Exam 2 Actual Exam Style V3 |
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A patient is prescribed Vancomycin for a MRSA infection. Which action should the nurse
prioritize to ensure safe administration?
A. Monitor serum trough levels before the fourth dose.
B. Administer the medication over 30 minutes to ensure quick action.
C. Restrict fluid intake during the course of therapy.
D. Apply a warm compress to the injection site if Red Man Syndrome occurs.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring to prevent nephrotoxicity
and ototoxicity. Trough levels are typically drawn immediately before the next scheduled
dose to ensure the medication remains within a therapeutic range. Rapid infusion can lead
to Red Man Syndrome, which is why it should be administered over at least 60 minutes.
2. A client with heart failure is taking Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which assessment finding would
most likely indicate Digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute.
B. Increased appetite and weight gain.
C. Occasional dry cough at night.
,D. Yellow-green halos around lights.
Answer: D
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos or blurring, are classic
signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must also monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms like
nausea and bradycardia. If toxicity is suspected, the nurse should check the serum digoxin
level and electrolytes, particularly potassium.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of Lisinopril. Which symptom should the
patient report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Swelling of the tongue or lips.
B. A persistent, dry, nonproductive cough.
C. Occasional lightheadedness when standing up.
D. A metallic taste in the mouth.
Answer: A
Rationale: Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips indicates angioedema, which is a life-
threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. While a dry cough is a common side effect, it is
not an emergency like airway compromise. Patients should be instructed to seek
emergency medical care if they experience any signs of hypersensitivity.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers for asthma. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take these medications?
A. Use the Beclomethasone first, then the Albuterol after 5 minutes.
, B. Mix the medications together in the same nebulizer cup.
C. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
D. Take the Albuterol only in the morning and Beclomethasone at night.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator that opens the airways, allowing the
corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lungs. Waiting five minutes
between the two different inhalers ensures the first medication has time to act. The patient
should always rinse their mouth after using the steroid inhaler to prevent oral candidiasis.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Heparin subcutaneously. Which action is appropriate for
this administration?
A. Inject the medication into the abdominal fat at a 90-degree angle.
B. Massage the site after injection to increase absorption.
C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
D. Use a 1-inch, 21-gauge needle for the injection.
Answer: A
Rationale: Heparin should be injected into the subcutaneous tissue, typically in the
abdomen, while avoiding the umbilical area. Aspiration and massaging the site are
contraindicated because they can cause tissue damage and bruising. Monitoring the partial
thromboplastin time (PTT) is essential for patients receiving systemic heparin therapy.
BSN 315 HESI RN Specialty Pharmacology
Exam | Nightingale
1. A patient is prescribed Vancomycin for a MRSA infection. Which action should the nurse
prioritize to ensure safe administration?
A. Monitor serum trough levels before the fourth dose.
B. Administer the medication over 30 minutes to ensure quick action.
C. Restrict fluid intake during the course of therapy.
D. Apply a warm compress to the injection site if Red Man Syndrome occurs.
Answer: A
Rationale: Vancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring to prevent nephrotoxicity
and ototoxicity. Trough levels are typically drawn immediately before the next scheduled
dose to ensure the medication remains within a therapeutic range. Rapid infusion can lead
to Red Man Syndrome, which is why it should be administered over at least 60 minutes.
2. A client with heart failure is taking Digoxin 0.125 mg daily. Which assessment finding would
most likely indicate Digoxin toxicity?
A. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute.
B. Increased appetite and weight gain.
C. Occasional dry cough at night.
,D. Yellow-green halos around lights.
Answer: D
Rationale: Visual disturbances, such as seeing yellow-green halos or blurring, are classic
signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse must also monitor for gastrointestinal symptoms like
nausea and bradycardia. If toxicity is suspected, the nurse should check the serum digoxin
level and electrolytes, particularly potassium.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about the side effects of Lisinopril. Which symptom should the
patient report to the healthcare provider immediately?
A. Swelling of the tongue or lips.
B. A persistent, dry, nonproductive cough.
C. Occasional lightheadedness when standing up.
D. A metallic taste in the mouth.
Answer: A
Rationale: Swelling of the face, tongue, or lips indicates angioedema, which is a life-
threatening adverse effect of ACE inhibitors. While a dry cough is a common side effect, it is
not an emergency like airway compromise. Patients should be instructed to seek
emergency medical care if they experience any signs of hypersensitivity.
4. A patient is prescribed Albuterol and Beclomethasone inhalers for asthma. How should the
nurse instruct the patient to take these medications?
A. Use the Beclomethasone first, then the Albuterol after 5 minutes.
, B. Mix the medications together in the same nebulizer cup.
C. Use the Albuterol first, wait 5 minutes, then use the Beclomethasone.
D. Take the Albuterol only in the morning and Beclomethasone at night.
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a bronchodilator that opens the airways, allowing the
corticosteroid (Beclomethasone) to penetrate deeper into the lungs. Waiting five minutes
between the two different inhalers ensures the first medication has time to act. The patient
should always rinse their mouth after using the steroid inhaler to prevent oral candidiasis.
5. A nurse is preparing to administer Heparin subcutaneously. Which action is appropriate for
this administration?
A. Inject the medication into the abdominal fat at a 90-degree angle.
B. Massage the site after injection to increase absorption.
C. Aspirate for blood return before injecting.
D. Use a 1-inch, 21-gauge needle for the injection.
Answer: A
Rationale: Heparin should be injected into the subcutaneous tissue, typically in the
abdomen, while avoiding the umbilical area. Aspiration and massaging the site are
contraindicated because they can cause tissue damage and bruising. Monitoring the partial
thromboplastin time (PTT) is essential for patients receiving systemic heparin therapy.
