PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and
notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answers ✅3.
Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This
client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and
calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of
tetany, which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided.
Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium
level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child
with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother
to administer the iron with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - Correct Answers ✅4. Orange juice
,PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
mother should be instructed to administer the medication
with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may
affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in
absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of
vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - Correct Answers ✅1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include
tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated
with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the
lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the
children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
,PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - Correct
Answers ✅4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the
sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after
swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the client
complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site -
Correct Answers ✅3. Informing the client that this is
normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and
gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce
bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be
, PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and
burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options
1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that
a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - Correct Answers
✅1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis.
Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs
of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days.
Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than systemic effects.
An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain
that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne.
Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and
notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answers ✅3.
Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This
client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and
calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of
tetany, which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided.
Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium
level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child
with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother
to administer the iron with which best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - Correct Answers ✅4. Orange juice
,PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
mother should be instructed to administer the medication
with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may
affect absorption of the iron. Water will not assist in
absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of
vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - Correct Answers ✅1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include
tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated
with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the
lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the
children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
,PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - Correct
Answers ✅4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the
sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after
swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the client
complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site -
Correct Answers ✅3. Informing the client that this is
normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and
gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce
bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be
, PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2026 |
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and
burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options
1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that
a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - Correct Answers
✅1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis.
Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored for signs
of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days.
Options 3 and 4 describe local rather than systemic effects.
An elevated blood pressure may be expected from the pain
that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne.
Before the administration of this medication, the nurse
anticipates that which laboratory test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
