RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Questions 1-25
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should monitor for which early sign of digoxin
toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 110 bpm
B) Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
C) Serum potassium of 5.2 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are early signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include bradycardia,
visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred vision), and cardiac arrhythmias. Serum potassium should be
monitored, but hyperkalemia is not an early sign; hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. Heart rate
typically decreases, not increases, in toxicity.
Question 2
A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia by increasing potassium excretion. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia (muscle weakness,
arrhythmias, fatigue). Sodium, calcium, and magnesium may also be affected but potassium is the most
critical.
Question 3
A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) . Which side effect should the nurse teach
the client to report?
A) Dry cough
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. A persistent dry cough is a common side effect and should be
reported to the provider. Angioedema is a more serious but less common side effect that requires immediate
attention. Weight gain may indicate fluid retention, bradycardia is not typical, and hyperglycemia is not
associated with ACE inhibitors.
Question 4
A client is prescribed atenolol (Tenormin) for hypertension. Which assessment finding would indicate the
medication is effective?
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
A) Heart rate of 52 bpm
B) Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
D) Heart rate of 90 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension. A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg indicates
the medication is effectively lowering blood pressure. While beta-blockers also lower heart rate, a heart rate of
52 bpm may indicate bradycardia. The goal is to achieve blood pressure within target range.
Question 5
A client is receiving heparin intravenously for a pulmonary embolism. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Serum potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is monitored for heparin therapy. The therapeutic
goal is 1.5-2.5 times normal. PT/INR is monitored for warfarin therapy. Platelet count is monitored for
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Serum potassium is not directly related to heparin therapy.
Question 6
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
The nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin (Lovenox) . Which action is correct?
A) Administer IM in the deltoid
B) Administer SubQ in the abdomen
C) Administer IV push over 2 minutes
D) Administer orally with food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The
injection should be given in the anterolateral or posterolateral abdominal wall, alternating sites. It should
NOT be given IM, IV, or orally. The needle should not be expelled and the injection should be given with the
needle fully inserted.
Question 7
A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
include?
A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables
B) Avoid foods high in vitamin K
C) Consume a high-protein diet
D) Avoid all dairy products
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Patients should maintain
consistent intake of vitamin K; avoiding foods high in vitamin K (leafy greens) is recommended to prevent
fluctuations in INR. Consistency is key; patients should not suddenly increase or decrease vitamin K intake.
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Questions 1-25
Question 1
A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. The nurse should monitor for which early sign of digoxin
toxicity?
A) Heart rate of 110 bpm
B) Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting
C) Serum potassium of 5.2 mEq/L
D) Blood pressure of 150/90 mmHg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Anorexia, nausea, and vomiting are early signs of digoxin toxicity. Other signs include bradycardia,
visual disturbances (yellow-green halos, blurred vision), and cardiac arrhythmias. Serum potassium should be
monitored, but hyperkalemia is not an early sign; hypokalemia increases the risk of toxicity. Heart rate
typically decreases, not increases, in toxicity.
Question 2
A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for heart failure. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor
most closely?
A) Serum sodium
B) Serum potassium
C) Serum calcium
D) Serum magnesium
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia by increasing potassium excretion. The
nurse should monitor serum potassium levels and assess for signs of hypokalemia (muscle weakness,
arrhythmias, fatigue). Sodium, calcium, and magnesium may also be affected but potassium is the most
critical.
Question 3
A client with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) . Which side effect should the nurse teach
the client to report?
A) Dry cough
B) Weight gain
C) Bradycardia
D) Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. A persistent dry cough is a common side effect and should be
reported to the provider. Angioedema is a more serious but less common side effect that requires immediate
attention. Weight gain may indicate fluid retention, bradycardia is not typical, and hyperglycemia is not
associated with ACE inhibitors.
Question 4
A client is prescribed atenolol (Tenormin) for hypertension. Which assessment finding would indicate the
medication is effective?
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
A) Heart rate of 52 bpm
B) Blood pressure of 138/88 mmHg
C) Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
D) Heart rate of 90 bpm
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension. A blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg indicates
the medication is effectively lowering blood pressure. While beta-blockers also lower heart rate, a heart rate of
52 bpm may indicate bradycardia. The goal is to achieve blood pressure within target range.
Question 5
A client is receiving heparin intravenously for a pulmonary embolism. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effectiveness?
A) PT/INR
B) aPTT
C) Platelet count
D) Serum potassium
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) is monitored for heparin therapy. The therapeutic
goal is 1.5-2.5 times normal. PT/INR is monitored for warfarin therapy. Platelet count is monitored for
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Serum potassium is not directly related to heparin therapy.
Question 6
, RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY V3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | LATEST EDITION |
120 VERIFIED Q&A | NGN-STYLE CASE STUDIES | multiple-choice |
DETAILED RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
The nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin (Lovenox) . Which action is correct?
A) Administer IM in the deltoid
B) Administer SubQ in the abdomen
C) Administer IV push over 2 minutes
D) Administer orally with food
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin administered subcutaneously in the abdomen. The
injection should be given in the anterolateral or posterolateral abdominal wall, alternating sites. It should
NOT be given IM, IV, or orally. The needle should not be expelled and the injection should be given with the
needle fully inserted.
Question 7
A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) for atrial fibrillation. Which dietary instruction should the nurse
include?
A) Increase intake of leafy green vegetables
B) Avoid foods high in vitamin K
C) Consume a high-protein diet
D) Avoid all dairy products
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K-dependent clotting factors. Patients should maintain
consistent intake of vitamin K; avoiding foods high in vitamin K (leafy greens) is recommended to prevent
fluctuations in INR. Consistency is key; patients should not suddenly increase or decrease vitamin K intake.
