Evolve HESI Pharmacology Exam Script 2026
Question 1
A client is prescribed lovastatin, an antilipemic drug. Which statement by the client
indicates that further teaching is needed?
A) "My bowel habits should not be affected by this drug."
B) "This medication should be taken once a day only."
C) "I will still need to follow a low-cholesterol diet."
D) "I will take the medication every day before breakfast."
Answer: D) "I will take the medication every day before breakfast."
Rationale: The enzyme that helps metabolize cholesterol is activated at night, so lovastatin
should be taken in the evening or at bedtime to maximize its effectiveness . Bowel habits
are generally not affected by statins (A), they are taken once daily (B), and dietary
modification is still required (C).
Question 2
A client with Tourette syndrome takes haloperidol and has become increasingly drowsy
over the past 2 days. The client reports dizziness when changing from a supine to a
sitting position. What action should the nurse take?
A) Assess skin turgor and urine output
B) Document the expected findings
C) Have the caregiver hold the next two doses of the medication
D) Determine whether the client's urine is pink or reddish-brown
Answer: A) Assess skin turgor and urine output
Rationale: Haloperidol causes CNS effects of sedation and decreased thirst. The nurse
should assess for signs of dehydration . Although sedation may occur with haloperidol, this
,side effect may signal an adverse CNS reaction; therefore, documentation without
intervention (B) is insufficient. Holding doses (C) could precipitate withdrawal-emergent
dyskinesia. Pink or reddish-brown urine (D) is expected with other medications, not
haloperidol.
Question 3
The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), an NSAID, for a client with
osteoarthritis. Which finding in the client's history should the nurse report?
A) Gout
B) Hypertension
C) Diabetes mellitus
D) Peptic ulcer disease
Answer: D) Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: Celecoxib, an NSAID, causes gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. Peptic
ulcer disease is a contraindication to therapy with NSAIDs . Gout, hypertension, and
diabetes mellitus are not absolute contraindications to celecoxib use.
Question 4
Which information should the nurse provide a client who receives a new prescription for
a benzodiazepine medication?
A) A list of foods to avoid while taking this prescription
B) Symptoms that indicate increasing the dose of medication
C) The interactions of alcohol consumption and CNS depressant drugs
D) Explanations that support taking a work absence during drug therapy
Answer: C) The interactions of alcohol consumption and CNS depressant drugs
Rationale: The concomitant use of alcohol and benzodiazepines, both CNS depressants,
causes an increase in sedation, which places the client at risk for injury and should be
avoided . Food interactions (A) are not the primary concern. Increasing the dose (B) should
never be done without provider guidance. Work absence (D) is not routinely required.
,Question 5
Which side effect should the nurse report to the healthcare provider for a client who is
taking prednisone?
A) Dehydration
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Thickened skin
D) Gastric bleeding
Answer: D) Gastric bleeding
Rationale: Prednisone can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. This side effect should be
reported to the healthcare provider . Dehydration, hypoglycemia, and thickened skin are
not typical adverse effects of prednisone.
Question 6
A client who is receiving an antibiotic suddenly develops hives. The nurse should report
that the client is most likely experiencing which type of drug response?
A) Adverse response
B) Hypersensitivity reaction
C) Idiosyncratic reaction
D) Multiple drug interaction
Answer: B) Hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: Hives, a symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction, involve an abnormal immune
response and are not uncommon with the use of antibiotics . Although adverse responses
(A), idiosyncratic reactions (C), and drug interactions (D) are unexpected pharmacologic
reactions, hives represent a life-threatening allergic response requiring prompt
intervention.
, Question 7
The healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops for a
client who is having a cataract removal. What explanation about the drug actions should
the nurse provide?
A) Reduces intraocular pressure
B) Relieves eye pain
C) Treats conjunctivitis
D) Dilates the pupil
Answer: D) Dilates the pupil
Rationale: Cycloplegic drugs cause ciliary paralysis, and mydriatics dilate the pupil, which
facilitates access into the anterior chamber for removal of the lens in cataract surgery .
Reducing intraocular pressure (A), relieving eye pain (B), and treating conjunctivitis (C) are
incorrect actions for these medications.
Question 8
A client is prescribed ketorolac. Which finding in the client's history should cause the
nurse to question the prescription?
A) Client has a history of seasonal allergies
B) Client has a history of renal impairment
C) Client has a history of hypertension
D) Client has a history of migraine headaches
Answer: B) Client has a history of renal impairment
Rationale: Ketorolac is an NSAID that can cause nephrotoxicity. It is contraindicated in
clients with renal impairment, advanced renal disease, or risk factors for renal failure .
Seasonal allergies, hypertension, and migraine headaches are not contraindications to
ketorolac.
Question 9
Question 1
A client is prescribed lovastatin, an antilipemic drug. Which statement by the client
indicates that further teaching is needed?
A) "My bowel habits should not be affected by this drug."
B) "This medication should be taken once a day only."
C) "I will still need to follow a low-cholesterol diet."
D) "I will take the medication every day before breakfast."
Answer: D) "I will take the medication every day before breakfast."
Rationale: The enzyme that helps metabolize cholesterol is activated at night, so lovastatin
should be taken in the evening or at bedtime to maximize its effectiveness . Bowel habits
are generally not affected by statins (A), they are taken once daily (B), and dietary
modification is still required (C).
Question 2
A client with Tourette syndrome takes haloperidol and has become increasingly drowsy
over the past 2 days. The client reports dizziness when changing from a supine to a
sitting position. What action should the nurse take?
A) Assess skin turgor and urine output
B) Document the expected findings
C) Have the caregiver hold the next two doses of the medication
D) Determine whether the client's urine is pink or reddish-brown
Answer: A) Assess skin turgor and urine output
Rationale: Haloperidol causes CNS effects of sedation and decreased thirst. The nurse
should assess for signs of dehydration . Although sedation may occur with haloperidol, this
,side effect may signal an adverse CNS reaction; therefore, documentation without
intervention (B) is insufficient. Holding doses (C) could precipitate withdrawal-emergent
dyskinesia. Pink or reddish-brown urine (D) is expected with other medications, not
haloperidol.
Question 3
The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), an NSAID, for a client with
osteoarthritis. Which finding in the client's history should the nurse report?
A) Gout
B) Hypertension
C) Diabetes mellitus
D) Peptic ulcer disease
Answer: D) Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: Celecoxib, an NSAID, causes gastrointestinal irritation and bleeding. Peptic
ulcer disease is a contraindication to therapy with NSAIDs . Gout, hypertension, and
diabetes mellitus are not absolute contraindications to celecoxib use.
Question 4
Which information should the nurse provide a client who receives a new prescription for
a benzodiazepine medication?
A) A list of foods to avoid while taking this prescription
B) Symptoms that indicate increasing the dose of medication
C) The interactions of alcohol consumption and CNS depressant drugs
D) Explanations that support taking a work absence during drug therapy
Answer: C) The interactions of alcohol consumption and CNS depressant drugs
Rationale: The concomitant use of alcohol and benzodiazepines, both CNS depressants,
causes an increase in sedation, which places the client at risk for injury and should be
avoided . Food interactions (A) are not the primary concern. Increasing the dose (B) should
never be done without provider guidance. Work absence (D) is not routinely required.
,Question 5
Which side effect should the nurse report to the healthcare provider for a client who is
taking prednisone?
A) Dehydration
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Thickened skin
D) Gastric bleeding
Answer: D) Gastric bleeding
Rationale: Prednisone can cause gastrointestinal bleeding. This side effect should be
reported to the healthcare provider . Dehydration, hypoglycemia, and thickened skin are
not typical adverse effects of prednisone.
Question 6
A client who is receiving an antibiotic suddenly develops hives. The nurse should report
that the client is most likely experiencing which type of drug response?
A) Adverse response
B) Hypersensitivity reaction
C) Idiosyncratic reaction
D) Multiple drug interaction
Answer: B) Hypersensitivity reaction
Rationale: Hives, a symptom of a hypersensitivity reaction, involve an abnormal immune
response and are not uncommon with the use of antibiotics . Although adverse responses
(A), idiosyncratic reactions (C), and drug interactions (D) are unexpected pharmacologic
reactions, hives represent a life-threatening allergic response requiring prompt
intervention.
, Question 7
The healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops for a
client who is having a cataract removal. What explanation about the drug actions should
the nurse provide?
A) Reduces intraocular pressure
B) Relieves eye pain
C) Treats conjunctivitis
D) Dilates the pupil
Answer: D) Dilates the pupil
Rationale: Cycloplegic drugs cause ciliary paralysis, and mydriatics dilate the pupil, which
facilitates access into the anterior chamber for removal of the lens in cataract surgery .
Reducing intraocular pressure (A), relieving eye pain (B), and treating conjunctivitis (C) are
incorrect actions for these medications.
Question 8
A client is prescribed ketorolac. Which finding in the client's history should cause the
nurse to question the prescription?
A) Client has a history of seasonal allergies
B) Client has a history of renal impairment
C) Client has a history of hypertension
D) Client has a history of migraine headaches
Answer: B) Client has a history of renal impairment
Rationale: Ketorolac is an NSAID that can cause nephrotoxicity. It is contraindicated in
clients with renal impairment, advanced renal disease, or risk factors for renal failure .
Seasonal allergies, hypertension, and migraine headaches are not contraindications to
ketorolac.
Question 9
