HESI Pharmacology NGN Exam 2026/2027 — 200 Practice
Questions with Answers & Explanations
QUESTION 1
Before administering a laxative to a bedfast (bedridden) client, it is most important for the nurse to
perform which assessment?
A. Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas
B. Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed
C. Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate
D. Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements
Answer: D
Explanation: Before giving a laxative, the nurse must ensure the client is not already experiencing
diarrhea or frequent loose stools. If the client's bowel movements are already frequent or watery,
administering a laxative could exacerbate fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
QUESTION 2
A female client with multiple sclerosis reports having decreased fatigue and improved memory since she
began using the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba. Which information is most important for the nurse to
include in the teaching plan for this client?
A. Aspirin and NSAIDs interact with ginkgo
B. Ginkgo should be taken with food
C. Ginkgo is safe for longterm use
D. Ginkgo has no known side effects
Answer: A
,Explanation: Ginkgo biloba has antiplatelet effects and can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with
aspirin or NSAIDs. This interaction is the most important safety concern to address.
QUESTION 3
A client being treated with haloperidol (Haldol) for schizophrenia complains of jaw tightness and a stiff
neck. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Give a PRN dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Assess for other types of sensory hallucinations
C. Massage the client's neck until the muscles relax
D. Obtain a 12lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Answer: A
Explanation: Jaw tightness and a stiff neck are early signs of acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal symptom
(EPS) that can often be reversed with an anticholinergic or antihistamine such as diphenhydramine.
QUESTION 4
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement for a client who is receiving lispro
(Humalog) insulin?
A. Check blood glucose levels every six hours
B. Provide meals at the same time that insulin is given
C. Assess for hypoglycemia between meals
D. Keep an oral glucose solution at the bedside
Answer: B
,Explanation: Lispro (Humalog) is a rapidacting insulin that begins working within about 15 minutes. The
client's meal should be ready and available to prevent hypoglycemia.
QUESTION 5
A client who takes NSAIDs daily for rheumatoid arthritis is being treated for anemia. Which intervention
is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?
A. Observe for gastrointestinal bleeding
B. Monitor liver function test results
C. Protect the skin from bruising
D. Provide and encourage highiron dietary selections
Answer: A
Explanation: Chronic NSAID use can cause GI bleeding, which may manifest as anemia. Newonset
anemia in a client taking NSAIDs makes GI blood loss highly suspect and the highest priority.
QUESTION 6
When treating a patient with a hospitalacquired infection (HAI) using vancomycin, what is the priority
nursing action?
A. Monitor serum vancomycin trough levels
B. Administer the medication with food
C. Monitor for hepatotoxicity
D. Encourage fluid restriction
Answer: A
, Explanation: Vancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure efficacy and prevent toxicity,
particularly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Trough levels are the priority.
QUESTION 7
A client with erectile dysfunction reports congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Which nursing assessment
takes priority?
A. Muscle and back pain
B. Breath sounds
C. Palpate for abdominal distention
D. Measure blood pressure standing and lying down
Answer: D
Explanation: Many erectile dysfunction medications can cause significant hypotension, including
orthostatic hypotension. Assessing blood pressure in both positions helps identify orthostatic changes.
QUESTION 8
A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving ranitidine (Zantac). What is the primary purpose of this
treatment?
A. Prevents sedation
B. Reduces gastric acid to prevent stress ulcers
C. Stimulates gastric emptying
D. Increases appetite
Answer: B
Questions with Answers & Explanations
QUESTION 1
Before administering a laxative to a bedfast (bedridden) client, it is most important for the nurse to
perform which assessment?
A. Observe the skin integrity of the client's rectal and sacral areas
B. Assess the client's strength in moving and turning in the bed
C. Evaluate the client's ability to recognize the urge to defecate
D. Determine the frequency and consistency of bowel movements
Answer: D
Explanation: Before giving a laxative, the nurse must ensure the client is not already experiencing
diarrhea or frequent loose stools. If the client's bowel movements are already frequent or watery,
administering a laxative could exacerbate fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
QUESTION 2
A female client with multiple sclerosis reports having decreased fatigue and improved memory since she
began using the herbal supplement ginkgo biloba. Which information is most important for the nurse to
include in the teaching plan for this client?
A. Aspirin and NSAIDs interact with ginkgo
B. Ginkgo should be taken with food
C. Ginkgo is safe for longterm use
D. Ginkgo has no known side effects
Answer: A
,Explanation: Ginkgo biloba has antiplatelet effects and can increase the risk of bleeding when taken with
aspirin or NSAIDs. This interaction is the most important safety concern to address.
QUESTION 3
A client being treated with haloperidol (Haldol) for schizophrenia complains of jaw tightness and a stiff
neck. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Give a PRN dose of diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Assess for other types of sensory hallucinations
C. Massage the client's neck until the muscles relax
D. Obtain a 12lead electrocardiogram (ECG)
Answer: A
Explanation: Jaw tightness and a stiff neck are early signs of acute dystonia, an extrapyramidal symptom
(EPS) that can often be reversed with an anticholinergic or antihistamine such as diphenhydramine.
QUESTION 4
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement for a client who is receiving lispro
(Humalog) insulin?
A. Check blood glucose levels every six hours
B. Provide meals at the same time that insulin is given
C. Assess for hypoglycemia between meals
D. Keep an oral glucose solution at the bedside
Answer: B
,Explanation: Lispro (Humalog) is a rapidacting insulin that begins working within about 15 minutes. The
client's meal should be ready and available to prevent hypoglycemia.
QUESTION 5
A client who takes NSAIDs daily for rheumatoid arthritis is being treated for anemia. Which intervention
is most important for the nurse to include in the plan of care?
A. Observe for gastrointestinal bleeding
B. Monitor liver function test results
C. Protect the skin from bruising
D. Provide and encourage highiron dietary selections
Answer: A
Explanation: Chronic NSAID use can cause GI bleeding, which may manifest as anemia. Newonset
anemia in a client taking NSAIDs makes GI blood loss highly suspect and the highest priority.
QUESTION 6
When treating a patient with a hospitalacquired infection (HAI) using vancomycin, what is the priority
nursing action?
A. Monitor serum vancomycin trough levels
B. Administer the medication with food
C. Monitor for hepatotoxicity
D. Encourage fluid restriction
Answer: A
, Explanation: Vancomycin requires therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure efficacy and prevent toxicity,
particularly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Trough levels are the priority.
QUESTION 7
A client with erectile dysfunction reports congestion, dizziness, and nausea. Which nursing assessment
takes priority?
A. Muscle and back pain
B. Breath sounds
C. Palpate for abdominal distention
D. Measure blood pressure standing and lying down
Answer: D
Explanation: Many erectile dysfunction medications can cause significant hypotension, including
orthostatic hypotension. Assessing blood pressure in both positions helps identify orthostatic changes.
QUESTION 8
A patient on mechanical ventilation is receiving ranitidine (Zantac). What is the primary purpose of this
treatment?
A. Prevents sedation
B. Reduces gastric acid to prevent stress ulcers
C. Stimulates gastric emptying
D. Increases appetite
Answer: B
