HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | NCLEX-PN … EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | NCLEX-PN Version
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
245 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 245 HESI pharmacology exam questions and answers, complete with rationales,
designed for NCLEX-PN preparation. It offers a comprehensive review of key pharmacological concepts
and their clinical applications. This resource is ideal for students seeking to solidify their understanding,
identify knowledge gaps, and prepare effectively for certification exams.
CONTENTS
01 02 • Dermatological Agents
03
• Endocrine & Metabolic Agents • Anticoagulants & Hematological Agents
04 05 06
• Antineoplastics & Immunosuppressants
• Miscellaneous Pharmacology • Antiemetics & Antidiarrheals
07 • Gastrointestinal Agents 08 • Respiratory Agents 09 • Antitubercular Agents
Page 1
, 10 • Cardiovascular Agents 11 12
• Antimicrobials & Anti-infectives • Urinary & Genitourinary Agents
13 • Neurological Agents 14 • Opioids & Analgesics 15 • Musculoskeletal Agents
16 • Antivirals & Antifungals 17 18 • Allergies & Anaphylaxis
• Psychiatric & CNS Agents
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 245
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 ANSWER
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.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 245
) A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium gluconate is prescribed for the
client. The nurse determines that this medication has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
Page 2
,3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.
CORRECT ANSWER
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
Rationale:
Hypocalcemia can develop after thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or injured
during surgery. Manifestations develop 1 to 7 days after surgery. If the client develops numbness and tingling
around the mouth, fingertips, or toes or muscle spasms or twitching, the health care provider is notified
immediately. Calcium gluconate should be kept at the bedside.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 245
) A client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has been stabilized with daily insulin
injections. Which information should the nurse teach when carrying out plans for discharge?
1. Keep insulin vials refrigerated at all times.
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
3. Increase the amount of insulin before unusual exercise.
4. Monitor the urine acetone level to determine the insulin dosage.
CORRECT ANSWER
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
Rationale:
Insulin dosages should not be adjusted or increased before unusual exercise. If acetone is found in the urine, it
may possibly indicate the need for additional insulin. To minimize the discomfort associated with insulin
injections, the insulin should be administered at room temperature. Injection sites should be systematically
rotated from one area to another. The client should be instructed to give injections in one area, about 1 inch
apart, until the whole area has been used and then to change to another site. This prevents dramatic changes in
daily insulin absorption.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 245
) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client regarding how to mix regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same
syringe. Which of the following actions, if performed by the client, indicates the need for further teaching?
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
2. Withdraws the regular insulin first
Page 3
, 3. Injects air into NPH insulin vial first
4. Injects an amount of air equal to the desired dose of insulin into the vial
CORRECT ANSWER
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular insulin with another insulin preparation, the regular insulin is drawn into
the syringe first. This sequence will avoid contaminating the vial of regular insulin with insulin of another type.
Options 2, 3, and 4 identify the correct actions for preparing NPH and regular insulin.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 245
) A home care nurse visits a client recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who is taking Humulin NPH
insulin daily. The client asks the nurse how to store the unopened vials of insulin. The nurse tells the client to:
1. Freeze the insulin.
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
3. Store the insulin in a dark, dry place.
4. Keep the insulin at room temperature.
CORRECT ANSWER
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
Rationale:
Insulin in unopened vials should be stored under refrigeration until needed. Vials should not be frozen. When
stored unopened under refrigeration, insulin can be used up to the expiration date on the vial. Options 1, 3, and
4 are incorrect.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 245
) Glimepiride (Amaryl) is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus. A nurse reinforces instructions for the
client and tells the client to avoid which of the following while taking this medication?
1. Alcohol
2. Organ meats
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
HESI Pharmacology Exam
Questions & Answers 2026-
2027 | NCLEX-PN Version
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
245 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 245 HESI pharmacology exam questions and answers, complete with rationales,
designed for NCLEX-PN preparation. It offers a comprehensive review of key pharmacological concepts
and their clinical applications. This resource is ideal for students seeking to solidify their understanding,
identify knowledge gaps, and prepare effectively for certification exams.
CONTENTS
01 02 • Dermatological Agents
03
• Endocrine & Metabolic Agents • Anticoagulants & Hematological Agents
04 05 06
• Antineoplastics & Immunosuppressants
• Miscellaneous Pharmacology • Antiemetics & Antidiarrheals
07 • Gastrointestinal Agents 08 • Respiratory Agents 09 • Antitubercular Agents
Page 1
, 10 • Cardiovascular Agents 11 12
• Antimicrobials & Anti-infectives • Urinary & Genitourinary Agents
13 • Neurological Agents 14 • Opioids & Analgesics 15 • Musculoskeletal Agents
16 • Antivirals & Antifungals 17 18 • Allergies & Anaphylaxis
• Psychiatric & CNS Agents
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 245
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 ANSWER
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.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 245
) A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium gluconate is prescribed for the
client. The nurse determines that this medication has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
Page 2
,3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.
CORRECT ANSWER
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
Rationale:
Hypocalcemia can develop after thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are accidentally removed or injured
during surgery. Manifestations develop 1 to 7 days after surgery. If the client develops numbness and tingling
around the mouth, fingertips, or toes or muscle spasms or twitching, the health care provider is notified
immediately. Calcium gluconate should be kept at the bedside.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 245
) A client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has been stabilized with daily insulin
injections. Which information should the nurse teach when carrying out plans for discharge?
1. Keep insulin vials refrigerated at all times.
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
3. Increase the amount of insulin before unusual exercise.
4. Monitor the urine acetone level to determine the insulin dosage.
CORRECT ANSWER
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
Rationale:
Insulin dosages should not be adjusted or increased before unusual exercise. If acetone is found in the urine, it
may possibly indicate the need for additional insulin. To minimize the discomfort associated with insulin
injections, the insulin should be administered at room temperature. Injection sites should be systematically
rotated from one area to another. The client should be instructed to give injections in one area, about 1 inch
apart, until the whole area has been used and then to change to another site. This prevents dramatic changes in
daily insulin absorption.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 245
) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client regarding how to mix regular insulin and NPH insulin in the same
syringe. Which of the following actions, if performed by the client, indicates the need for further teaching?
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
2. Withdraws the regular insulin first
Page 3
, 3. Injects air into NPH insulin vial first
4. Injects an amount of air equal to the desired dose of insulin into the vial
CORRECT ANSWER
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular insulin with another insulin preparation, the regular insulin is drawn into
the syringe first. This sequence will avoid contaminating the vial of regular insulin with insulin of another type.
Options 2, 3, and 4 identify the correct actions for preparing NPH and regular insulin.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 245
) A home care nurse visits a client recently diagnosed with diabetes mellitus who is taking Humulin NPH
insulin daily. The client asks the nurse how to store the unopened vials of insulin. The nurse tells the client to:
1. Freeze the insulin.
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
3. Store the insulin in a dark, dry place.
4. Keep the insulin at room temperature.
CORRECT ANSWER
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
Rationale:
Insulin in unopened vials should be stored under refrigeration until needed. Vials should not be frozen. When
stored unopened under refrigeration, insulin can be used up to the expiration date on the vial. Options 1, 3, and
4 are incorrect.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 245
) Glimepiride (Amaryl) is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus. A nurse reinforces instructions for the
client and tells the client to avoid which of the following while taking this medication?
1. Alcohol
2. Organ meats
Page 4
