HESI RN Pharmacology Exam — Exam
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart
failure. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
Digoxin slows conduction through the atrioventricular node and
can produce clinically significant bradycardia. Before
administering digoxin, the nurse should assess the apical pulse
for a full minute. In adults, a heart rate below approximately 60
beats/min is generally a reason to withhold the medication and
notify the provider according to the prescribed parameters. The
nurse should also monitor serum digoxin levels, potassium
,levels, renal function, and manifestations of toxicity. Digoxin
toxicity may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, visual
disturbances such as blurred or yellow-green vision, confusion,
and dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A client taking warfarin asks the nurse which laboratory test is
most important for monitoring the therapeutic effect of the
medication. Which response is correct?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Correct Answer: D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant whose therapeutic effect is
monitored primarily with the prothrombin time standardized as
the INR. The INR helps determine whether anticoagulation is
within the prescribed therapeutic range and reduces the risk of
both thrombosis and excessive bleeding. The nurse should teach
the client to report unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, black
or tarry stools, blood in urine, severe headache, or other signs of
bleeding. Vitamin K intake should remain relatively consistent
rather than being eliminated completely.
,Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed lisinopril.
Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to
report immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Increased appetite
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. A
potentially life-threatening adverse effect is angioedema, which
can cause swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat and
compromise the airway. The medication should be stopped and
emergency medical evaluation obtained if significant
angioedema occurs. Other important effects of ACE inhibitors
include cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, and renal-function
changes. ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy
because they can cause fetal injury.
Question 4
A client receiving furosemide reports weakness and muscle
cramps. Which laboratory result should the nurse suspect?
, A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Calcium 9.4 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
D. Glucose 92 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases renal excretion of
sodium and water and can also cause significant potassium loss.
Hypokalemia can manifest as weakness, muscle cramps,
fatigue, constipation, and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor electrolyte levels, renal
function, blood pressure, fluid status, and daily weight. Clients
taking loop diuretics should be taught to recognize symptoms of
electrolyte imbalance and follow dietary or supplementation
recommendations prescribed by the healthcare provider.
Question 5
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which statement
indicates that the client understands the purpose of this
medication?
A. “It prevents all future asthma attacks.”
B. “It reduces stomach acid.”
C. “It quickly relaxes the muscles around my airways when I
Questions with Correct Answers
(VerifiedAnswers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A
Instant Download PDF
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart
failure. Which assessment finding should cause the nurse to
withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mm Hg
B. Respiratory rate of 18/min
C. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
D. Oxygen saturation of 96%
Correct Answer: C. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
Digoxin slows conduction through the atrioventricular node and
can produce clinically significant bradycardia. Before
administering digoxin, the nurse should assess the apical pulse
for a full minute. In adults, a heart rate below approximately 60
beats/min is generally a reason to withhold the medication and
notify the provider according to the prescribed parameters. The
nurse should also monitor serum digoxin levels, potassium
,levels, renal function, and manifestations of toxicity. Digoxin
toxicity may include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, visual
disturbances such as blurred or yellow-green vision, confusion,
and dysrhythmias.
Question 2
A client taking warfarin asks the nurse which laboratory test is
most important for monitoring the therapeutic effect of the
medication. Which response is correct?
A. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
B. Platelet count
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Correct Answer: D. International normalized ratio (INR)
Warfarin is an oral anticoagulant whose therapeutic effect is
monitored primarily with the prothrombin time standardized as
the INR. The INR helps determine whether anticoagulation is
within the prescribed therapeutic range and reduces the risk of
both thrombosis and excessive bleeding. The nurse should teach
the client to report unusual bruising, prolonged bleeding, black
or tarry stools, blood in urine, severe headache, or other signs of
bleeding. Vitamin K intake should remain relatively consistent
rather than being eliminated completely.
,Question 3
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed lisinopril.
Which adverse effect should the nurse instruct the client to
report immediately?
A. Mild fatigue
B. Increased appetite
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urinary frequency
Correct Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. A
potentially life-threatening adverse effect is angioedema, which
can cause swelling of the lips, tongue, face, or throat and
compromise the airway. The medication should be stopped and
emergency medical evaluation obtained if significant
angioedema occurs. Other important effects of ACE inhibitors
include cough, hyperkalemia, hypotension, and renal-function
changes. ACE inhibitors are contraindicated during pregnancy
because they can cause fetal injury.
Question 4
A client receiving furosemide reports weakness and muscle
cramps. Which laboratory result should the nurse suspect?
, A. Sodium 140 mEq/L
B. Calcium 9.4 mg/dL
C. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
D. Glucose 92 mg/dL
Correct Answer: C. Potassium 3.0 mEq/L
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that increases renal excretion of
sodium and water and can also cause significant potassium loss.
Hypokalemia can manifest as weakness, muscle cramps,
fatigue, constipation, and potentially dangerous cardiac
dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor electrolyte levels, renal
function, blood pressure, fluid status, and daily weight. Clients
taking loop diuretics should be taught to recognize symptoms of
electrolyte imbalance and follow dietary or supplementation
recommendations prescribed by the healthcare provider.
Question 5
A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol. Which statement
indicates that the client understands the purpose of this
medication?
A. “It prevents all future asthma attacks.”
B. “It reduces stomach acid.”
C. “It quickly relaxes the muscles around my airways when I
