BSN 315
HESI Pharmacology V2 – Set 1 & Set 2 |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 2
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Medication-class review
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Nursing implications
• Pharmacology-focused clinical judgment
• 2026 exam preparation
,BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 – Set 1 & Set 2
| Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years.
The healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril
to manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the
nurse provide the client regarding the new medication?
• A) Take the medication with food
• B) Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair
• C) Take the medication at bedtime
• D) Avoid grapefruit juice
Answer: B) Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair
Rationale: Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause orthostatic
hypotension. Clients should be instructed to rise slowly to prevent dizziness
and falls.
2. A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg,
sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 bpm, and a PR interval of 0.24.
Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
• B) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client
• C) Administer atropine before giving the medication
,• D) Double the dose to achieve therapeutic effect
Answer: B) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor
the client
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker. A heart rate of 58 bpm and PR
interval of 0.24 are within acceptable parameters for a client on a beta-
blocker. The BP is also well-controlled. Monitoring is appropriate.
3. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an ARB,
for a client with hypertension and heart failure. The nurse notes the
serum potassium is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take
first?
• A) Administer the medication as prescribed
• B) Withhold the scheduled dose
• C) Give the medication with a potassium supplement
• D) Double the dose to lower potassium
Answer: B) Withhold the scheduled dose
Rationale: Losartan is an ARB that can increase potassium levels. A
potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L is elevated (hyperkalemia) and the medication
should be withheld and the healthcare provider notified.
4. A client with a new onset SVT is prescribed digoxin. For which lab
result should the nurse contact the HCP immediately?
• A) K+ = 4.2 mEq/L
• B) K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
, • C) Na+ = 140 mEq/L
• D) Ca2+ = 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: B) K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. This finding requires
immediate notification of the HCP.
5. Which data change suggests the ARB valsartan is achieving its
desired effect?
• A) BP reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
• B) Heart rate decreased from 90 to 70
• C) Potassium increased from 4.0 to 4.5
• D) Weight decreased by 2 pounds
Answer: A) BP reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
Rationale: Valsartan is an ARB used to treat hypertension. The desired
therapeutic effect is reduction in blood pressure.
6. A client with coronary artery disease on digoxin receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin. Two weeks later, which finding needs
immediate intervention?
• A) Headache
• B) Vomiting
• C) Muscle aches
• D) Fatigue
HESI Pharmacology V2 – Set 1 & Set 2 |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 2
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Medication-class review
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Nursing implications
• Pharmacology-focused clinical judgment
• 2026 exam preparation
,BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 – Set 1 & Set 2
| Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years.
The healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril
to manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the
nurse provide the client regarding the new medication?
• A) Take the medication with food
• B) Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair
• C) Take the medication at bedtime
• D) Avoid grapefruit juice
Answer: B) Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair
Rationale: Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause orthostatic
hypotension. Clients should be instructed to rise slowly to prevent dizziness
and falls.
2. A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg,
sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 bpm, and a PR interval of 0.24.
Which action should the nurse take?
• A) Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
• B) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client
• C) Administer atropine before giving the medication
,• D) Double the dose to achieve therapeutic effect
Answer: B) Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor
the client
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker. A heart rate of 58 bpm and PR
interval of 0.24 are within acceptable parameters for a client on a beta-
blocker. The BP is also well-controlled. Monitoring is appropriate.
3. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an ARB,
for a client with hypertension and heart failure. The nurse notes the
serum potassium is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take
first?
• A) Administer the medication as prescribed
• B) Withhold the scheduled dose
• C) Give the medication with a potassium supplement
• D) Double the dose to lower potassium
Answer: B) Withhold the scheduled dose
Rationale: Losartan is an ARB that can increase potassium levels. A
potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L is elevated (hyperkalemia) and the medication
should be withheld and the healthcare provider notified.
4. A client with a new onset SVT is prescribed digoxin. For which lab
result should the nurse contact the HCP immediately?
• A) K+ = 4.2 mEq/L
• B) K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
, • C) Na+ = 140 mEq/L
• D) Ca2+ = 9.5 mg/dL
Answer: B) K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
Rationale: Hypokalemia (K+ < 3.5 mEq/L) increases the risk of digoxin
toxicity. The normal potassium range is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L. This finding requires
immediate notification of the HCP.
5. Which data change suggests the ARB valsartan is achieving its
desired effect?
• A) BP reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
• B) Heart rate decreased from 90 to 70
• C) Potassium increased from 4.0 to 4.5
• D) Weight decreased by 2 pounds
Answer: A) BP reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
Rationale: Valsartan is an ARB used to treat hypertension. The desired
therapeutic effect is reduction in blood pressure.
6. A client with coronary artery disease on digoxin receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin. Two weeks later, which finding needs
immediate intervention?
• A) Headache
• B) Vomiting
• C) Muscle aches
• D) Fatigue
