PHARM HESI PRACTICE EXAM (QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS) 2025/2026
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic?
A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiazepines.
C. Antihypertensives.
D. Oral antidiabetics. - ANS-B. Benzodiazepines.
A client is prescribed 1 mcg/kg/min of dobutamine hydrochloride via IV infusion. Which
client's condition would benefit the most from an administration of dobutamine
hydrochloride?
A. Shock.
B. Asthma.
C. Hypotension.
D. Heart failure. - ANS-D. Heart failure.
A client is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting. Which medication should the
nurse administer?
A. Dopamine.
B. Ephedrine.
C. Epinephrine.
D. Diphenhydramine. - ANS-C. Epinephrine.
The healthcare provider prescribes a beta-1 agonist medication to be administered. The
nurse should anticipate the medication to be prescribed for a client diagnosed with
which condition?
A. Glaucoma.
B. Hypertension.
C. Heart failure.
D. Asthma. - ANS-C. Heart failure.
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass is admitted to the
hospital. Which pharmacokinetic process is affected and should be considered in the
client's dosing of medication?
,A. Absorption.
B. Metabolism
C. Elimination..
D. Distribution. - ANS-D. Distribution.
A Category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction is
most important for the nurse to teach this client?
A. Use a reliable form of birth control.
B. Avoid exposure to ultra violet light.
C. Refuse this medication if planning pregnancy.
D. Abstain from intercourse while on this drug. - ANS-A. Use a reliable form of birth
control.
A client being discharged home is prescribed an antibiotic with a dosage three times
higher than it was administered when the client was in the hospital. Which route of
administration should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for the greatest first-pass
effect?
A. Oral.
B. Sublingual.
C. Intravenous.
D. Subcutaneous. - ANS-A. Oral.
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen (Naproxen) twice daily for a client with
osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after three weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?
A. The frequency of the dosing is necessary to increase the effectiveness.
B. Therapeutic blood levels of this drug are reached in 4 to 6 weeks.
C. Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated.
D. Systemic corticosteroids are the next drugs of choice for pain relief. - ANS-C.
Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated.
After abdominal surgery, a client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).
During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse the reason for the
medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide the client?
A. This medication is given to prevent blood clot formation.
B. This medication enhances antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. This medication dissolves clots that develop in the legs.
D. This medication enhances the healing of wounds. - ANS-A. This medication is given
to prevent blood clot formation.
, A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications?
A. Do not add salt to foods during preparation.
B. Refrain for eating foods high in potassium.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1000 ml per day.
D. Increase intake of milk and milk products. - ANS-B. Refrain for eating foods high in
potassium.
A client receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intravenously (IV) complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Assess for erythema.
B. Administer the antidote.
C. Apply warm compresses.
D. Discontinue the IV fluids. - ANS-D. Discontinue the IV fluids.
A client with acute myocardial infarction is admitted to the coronary care unit. Which
medication should the nurse administer to lessen the workload of the heart by
decreasing the cardiac preload and afterload?
A. Nitroglycerin.
B. Propranolol (Inderal).
C. Morphine.
D. Captopril (Capoten). - ANS-A. Nitroglycerin.
Which instruction should the nurse give to a female client who just received a
prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas vaginalis?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
B. Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use.
C. Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension.
D. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
E. Use condoms until treatment is completed.
F. Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time. - ANS-A, D, E, F
A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin (Niaspan). Which client
teaching is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. Expected duration of flushing.
ANSWERS) 2025/2026
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic?
A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiazepines.
C. Antihypertensives.
D. Oral antidiabetics. - ANS-B. Benzodiazepines.
A client is prescribed 1 mcg/kg/min of dobutamine hydrochloride via IV infusion. Which
client's condition would benefit the most from an administration of dobutamine
hydrochloride?
A. Shock.
B. Asthma.
C. Hypotension.
D. Heart failure. - ANS-D. Heart failure.
A client is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting. Which medication should the
nurse administer?
A. Dopamine.
B. Ephedrine.
C. Epinephrine.
D. Diphenhydramine. - ANS-C. Epinephrine.
The healthcare provider prescribes a beta-1 agonist medication to be administered. The
nurse should anticipate the medication to be prescribed for a client diagnosed with
which condition?
A. Glaucoma.
B. Hypertension.
C. Heart failure.
D. Asthma. - ANS-C. Heart failure.
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass is admitted to the
hospital. Which pharmacokinetic process is affected and should be considered in the
client's dosing of medication?
,A. Absorption.
B. Metabolism
C. Elimination..
D. Distribution. - ANS-D. Distribution.
A Category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction is
most important for the nurse to teach this client?
A. Use a reliable form of birth control.
B. Avoid exposure to ultra violet light.
C. Refuse this medication if planning pregnancy.
D. Abstain from intercourse while on this drug. - ANS-A. Use a reliable form of birth
control.
A client being discharged home is prescribed an antibiotic with a dosage three times
higher than it was administered when the client was in the hospital. Which route of
administration should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed for the greatest first-pass
effect?
A. Oral.
B. Sublingual.
C. Intravenous.
D. Subcutaneous. - ANS-A. Oral.
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen (Naproxen) twice daily for a client with
osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the drug does not seem to be
effective after three weeks. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide?
A. The frequency of the dosing is necessary to increase the effectiveness.
B. Therapeutic blood levels of this drug are reached in 4 to 6 weeks.
C. Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated.
D. Systemic corticosteroids are the next drugs of choice for pain relief. - ANS-C.
Another type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated.
After abdominal surgery, a client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH).
During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse the reason for the
medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide the client?
A. This medication is given to prevent blood clot formation.
B. This medication enhances antibiotics to prevent infection.
C. This medication dissolves clots that develop in the legs.
D. This medication enhances the healing of wounds. - ANS-A. This medication is given
to prevent blood clot formation.
, A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications?
A. Do not add salt to foods during preparation.
B. Refrain for eating foods high in potassium.
C. Restrict fluid intake to 1000 ml per day.
D. Increase intake of milk and milk products. - ANS-B. Refrain for eating foods high in
potassium.
A client receiving doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intravenously (IV) complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement?
A. Assess for erythema.
B. Administer the antidote.
C. Apply warm compresses.
D. Discontinue the IV fluids. - ANS-D. Discontinue the IV fluids.
A client with acute myocardial infarction is admitted to the coronary care unit. Which
medication should the nurse administer to lessen the workload of the heart by
decreasing the cardiac preload and afterload?
A. Nitroglycerin.
B. Propranolol (Inderal).
C. Morphine.
D. Captopril (Capoten). - ANS-A. Nitroglycerin.
Which instruction should the nurse give to a female client who just received a
prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas vaginalis?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
B. Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use.
C. Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension.
D. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
E. Use condoms until treatment is completed.
F. Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time. - ANS-A, D, E, F
A client with hyperlipidemia receives a prescription for niacin (Niaspan). Which client
teaching is most important for the nurse to provide?
A. Expected duration of flushing.
