PN HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2026 REVIEW TEST BANK
180 Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Evolve HESI PN Pharmacology Review – Complete A+ Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Medication Administration & Safety 1-20
Section 2 Cardiovascular Medications 21-40
Section 3 Respiratory Medications 41-50
Section 4 Endocrine Medications (Diabetes & Thyroid) 51-65
Section 5 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications 66-85
Section 6 Pain Management & Antidotes 86-100
Section 7 Antibiotics & Anti-infectives 101-115
Section 8 Gastrointestinal Medications 116-130
,Section Topic Area Questions
Section 9 Diuretics & Renal Medications 131-140
Section 10 Anticoagulants & Hematological Agents 141-150
Section 11 Women's Health & Prenatal Medications 151-160
Section 12 Antidotes & Emergency Medications 161-170
Section 13 Geriatric Pharmacology Considerations 171-180
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY
(Questions 1-20)
QUESTION 1
The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which needle length and gauge would be most appropriate for the ventrogluteal site?
A) ½ inch, 25 gauge
B) ⅝ inch, 22 gauge
C) 1½ inch, 20-22 gauge
D) 2 inch, 18 gauge
,Answer: C) 1½ inch, 20-22 gauge
Rationale: For the ventrogluteal site in an adult, a 1½ inch needle with a 20-22 gauge is
appropriate. This ensures the medication reaches the muscle tissue. The ventrogluteal site
is preferred because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. Shorter needles may not
reach the muscle, especially in obese patients. Gauge selection depends on the medication
viscosity; 20-22 gauge accommodates most IM medications .
QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action
is correct?
A) Massage the site after injection
B) Use a 1-inch needle
C) Do not aspirate before injecting
D) Administer at a 15-degree angle
Answer: C) Do not aspirate before injecting
Rationale: For subcutaneous heparin injections, aspiration is not recommended because it
can cause tissue damage and hematoma formation. The site should not be massaged as
this can increase bleeding and bruising. A ⅝ inch needle is typically used, and the
injection is given at a 45-90 degree angle depending on the patient's body habitus .
QUESTION 3
How should the nurse safely prepare medications?
A) Have another nurse check the medication
B) Check the medication label three times
, C) Prepare multiple patients' medications at once
D) Use the medication even if the label is unreadable
Answer: B) Check the medication label three times
Rationale: Safe preparation requires checking the medication label at least three times:
when taking the medication from storage, when preparing it, and before returning it to
storage. Never prepare medications for multiple patients at once, and never use unlabeled
or unreadable bottles .
QUESTION 4
The nurse is preparing to administer medications. According to the rights of medication
administration, which of the following must be verified? (Select all that apply)
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
C) Right dose
D) Right route
E) Right time
F) Right documentation
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F (All of the above)
Rationale: The six rights of medication administration are patient, medication, dose, route,
time, and documentation. Each must be verified before administration to ensure patient
safety. Additional rights may include right assessment, right education, and right to
refuse .
180 Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed Rationales
Evolve HESI PN Pharmacology Review – Complete A+ Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Medication Administration & Safety 1-20
Section 2 Cardiovascular Medications 21-40
Section 3 Respiratory Medications 41-50
Section 4 Endocrine Medications (Diabetes & Thyroid) 51-65
Section 5 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications 66-85
Section 6 Pain Management & Antidotes 86-100
Section 7 Antibiotics & Anti-infectives 101-115
Section 8 Gastrointestinal Medications 116-130
,Section Topic Area Questions
Section 9 Diuretics & Renal Medications 131-140
Section 10 Anticoagulants & Hematological Agents 141-150
Section 11 Women's Health & Prenatal Medications 151-160
Section 12 Antidotes & Emergency Medications 161-170
Section 13 Geriatric Pharmacology Considerations 171-180
SECTION 1: MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION & SAFETY
(Questions 1-20)
QUESTION 1
The nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult patient.
Which needle length and gauge would be most appropriate for the ventrogluteal site?
A) ½ inch, 25 gauge
B) ⅝ inch, 22 gauge
C) 1½ inch, 20-22 gauge
D) 2 inch, 18 gauge
,Answer: C) 1½ inch, 20-22 gauge
Rationale: For the ventrogluteal site in an adult, a 1½ inch needle with a 20-22 gauge is
appropriate. This ensures the medication reaches the muscle tissue. The ventrogluteal site
is preferred because it is free of major nerves and blood vessels. Shorter needles may not
reach the muscle, especially in obese patients. Gauge selection depends on the medication
viscosity; 20-22 gauge accommodates most IM medications .
QUESTION 2
The nurse is preparing to administer a subcutaneous injection of heparin. Which action
is correct?
A) Massage the site after injection
B) Use a 1-inch needle
C) Do not aspirate before injecting
D) Administer at a 15-degree angle
Answer: C) Do not aspirate before injecting
Rationale: For subcutaneous heparin injections, aspiration is not recommended because it
can cause tissue damage and hematoma formation. The site should not be massaged as
this can increase bleeding and bruising. A ⅝ inch needle is typically used, and the
injection is given at a 45-90 degree angle depending on the patient's body habitus .
QUESTION 3
How should the nurse safely prepare medications?
A) Have another nurse check the medication
B) Check the medication label three times
, C) Prepare multiple patients' medications at once
D) Use the medication even if the label is unreadable
Answer: B) Check the medication label three times
Rationale: Safe preparation requires checking the medication label at least three times:
when taking the medication from storage, when preparing it, and before returning it to
storage. Never prepare medications for multiple patients at once, and never use unlabeled
or unreadable bottles .
QUESTION 4
The nurse is preparing to administer medications. According to the rights of medication
administration, which of the following must be verified? (Select all that apply)
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
C) Right dose
D) Right route
E) Right time
F) Right documentation
Answer: A, B, C, D, E, F (All of the above)
Rationale: The six rights of medication administration are patient, medication, dose, route,
time, and documentation. Each must be verified before administration to ensure patient
safety. Additional rights may include right assessment, right education, and right to
refuse .
