1|Page
PHARMACOLOGY HESI RN 2026 EXAM LATEST ACTUAL EXAM 55
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
The HCP prescribed 2 L of 5% dextrose in water (d5w) to infuse in 24 hours.
The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/ ml. How many ml/ hour should the
nurse program the infusion pump. (enter the numeric value only. if rounding
is required, round to the nearest whole number) - ANSWER-83 ml/hr
A client asks the nurse about using zinc as a complementary therapy for
treatment of cold symptoms. What should the nurse explain to the client
regarding the use of zinc?
a. it is relatively safe when taken at recommended dosages
b. interference may occur if taken with almost any other drugs
c. there is very limited evidence it reduces cold symptoms
d. take with caffeine or dairy products to enhance absorption - ANSWER-a.
it is relatively safe when taken at recommended dosages
Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol (Rocaltrol) and calcium
carbonate (os-cal) to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that
the client's total calcium level is 14 mg/dL or 3.5 mmol/ L (SI). Which action
should the nurse implement?
,2|Page
a. hold the rocaltrol, but administer the os-cal as scheduled
b. administer both prescribed medications as scheduled
c. hold both medication until contacting the HCP
d. hold the oas-cal, but administer the rocaltrol as scheduled - ANSWER-c.
hold both medications until contacting the HCP
A male client who has been taking a high-dose of an NSAID comes to the
clinic complaining of gastric pain and blood in his stool. The HCP
discontinues the NSAIDs and prescribes esomeprazole (Nexium). Which
information should the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
a. once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be resumed
b. notify the HCP of the passage of black stools
c. resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods.
d. call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking Nexium. -
ANSWER-b. notify the HCP of the passage of black stools
A client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been taking riluzole for
two weeks. The nurse notes that the client remains weak with observable
muscle atrophy. What action should the nurse take?
a. advise the client to schedule an appointment for liver function test
,3|Page
b. explain that medication takes several weeks to reverse symptoms
c. document the assessment finding in the EHR
d. withheld the medication until the HCP is notified - ANSWER-b. explain that
medication take several weeks to reverse symptoms
The home health nurse observes that a female client is using a topical
preparation that contains echinacea to treat a canker sore. Her husband
expresses concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of using herbs.
How should the nurse respond?
a. many of the herbal preparations are helpful primarily because of their
placebo effect
b. this product is essentially harmless, but also is not very beneficial in
treating skin infections
c. topical echinacea is usually used to soothe burns and can cause damage
to the skin
d. echinacea seems to be useful in the treatment of some infections such as
canker sores - ANSWER-d. echinacea seems to be useful in the treatment
of some infections such as canker sores
echinacea stimulates the immune system and seems to be useful in the
prevention and treatment of some infections including its topical use
to treat canker sores.
, 4|Page
A- while a placebo can play a role in disease management, herbal
remedies have evidence of effectiveness
b- if used improperly it can be harmful
c- aloe vera is used to soothe burns
When preparing to administer the next scheduled dose of fentanyl
(Sublimaze) transdermal patch to a client with metastatic cancer and renal
insufficiency. The nurse notes that the client has shallow respiration at 8
breath/ minute. What action should the nurse take first?
a. apply the transdermal patch
b. notify the healthcare provider
c. give a breakthrough pain medication
d. assess deep tendon reflexes - ANSWER-b. notify the healthcare provider
respiratory depression is a side effect of opioid analgesics in a client
with renal failure. the HCP should be notified so Rx changes can be
made
A client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis receives a prescription for the
anticholinesterase medication, pyridostigmine (Mestinon). Which
PHARMACOLOGY HESI RN 2026 EXAM LATEST ACTUAL EXAM 55
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES (VERIFIED ANSWERS) |ALREADY GRADED A+
The HCP prescribed 2 L of 5% dextrose in water (d5w) to infuse in 24 hours.
The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/ ml. How many ml/ hour should the
nurse program the infusion pump. (enter the numeric value only. if rounding
is required, round to the nearest whole number) - ANSWER-83 ml/hr
A client asks the nurse about using zinc as a complementary therapy for
treatment of cold symptoms. What should the nurse explain to the client
regarding the use of zinc?
a. it is relatively safe when taken at recommended dosages
b. interference may occur if taken with almost any other drugs
c. there is very limited evidence it reduces cold symptoms
d. take with caffeine or dairy products to enhance absorption - ANSWER-a.
it is relatively safe when taken at recommended dosages
Prior to administering oral doses of calcitriol (Rocaltrol) and calcium
carbonate (os-cal) to a client with hypoparathyroidism, the nurse notes that
the client's total calcium level is 14 mg/dL or 3.5 mmol/ L (SI). Which action
should the nurse implement?
,2|Page
a. hold the rocaltrol, but administer the os-cal as scheduled
b. administer both prescribed medications as scheduled
c. hold both medication until contacting the HCP
d. hold the oas-cal, but administer the rocaltrol as scheduled - ANSWER-c.
hold both medications until contacting the HCP
A male client who has been taking a high-dose of an NSAID comes to the
clinic complaining of gastric pain and blood in his stool. The HCP
discontinues the NSAIDs and prescribes esomeprazole (Nexium). Which
information should the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
a. once pain subsides, NSAID therapy can be resumed
b. notify the HCP of the passage of black stools
c. resume a diet that consists of milk, cream, and bland foods.
d. call the clinic if diarrhea or headache occur when taking Nexium. -
ANSWER-b. notify the HCP of the passage of black stools
A client with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been taking riluzole for
two weeks. The nurse notes that the client remains weak with observable
muscle atrophy. What action should the nurse take?
a. advise the client to schedule an appointment for liver function test
,3|Page
b. explain that medication takes several weeks to reverse symptoms
c. document the assessment finding in the EHR
d. withheld the medication until the HCP is notified - ANSWER-b. explain that
medication take several weeks to reverse symptoms
The home health nurse observes that a female client is using a topical
preparation that contains echinacea to treat a canker sore. Her husband
expresses concern regarding the effectiveness and safety of using herbs.
How should the nurse respond?
a. many of the herbal preparations are helpful primarily because of their
placebo effect
b. this product is essentially harmless, but also is not very beneficial in
treating skin infections
c. topical echinacea is usually used to soothe burns and can cause damage
to the skin
d. echinacea seems to be useful in the treatment of some infections such as
canker sores - ANSWER-d. echinacea seems to be useful in the treatment
of some infections such as canker sores
echinacea stimulates the immune system and seems to be useful in the
prevention and treatment of some infections including its topical use
to treat canker sores.
, 4|Page
A- while a placebo can play a role in disease management, herbal
remedies have evidence of effectiveness
b- if used improperly it can be harmful
c- aloe vera is used to soothe burns
When preparing to administer the next scheduled dose of fentanyl
(Sublimaze) transdermal patch to a client with metastatic cancer and renal
insufficiency. The nurse notes that the client has shallow respiration at 8
breath/ minute. What action should the nurse take first?
a. apply the transdermal patch
b. notify the healthcare provider
c. give a breakthrough pain medication
d. assess deep tendon reflexes - ANSWER-b. notify the healthcare provider
respiratory depression is a side effect of opioid analgesics in a client
with renal failure. the HCP should be notified so Rx changes can be
made
A client diagnosed with myasthenia gravis receives a prescription for the
anticholinesterase medication, pyridostigmine (Mestinon). Which
