• PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
PN HESI Pharmacology Exam 2026 Review Test
Bank | 180 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Evolve HESI PN
Pharmacology Review - Complete A+ Guide
219.) A health care provider instructs a client with rheumatoid arthritis to take ibuprofen (Motrin). The nurse
reinforces the instructions, knowing that the normal adult dose for this client is which of the following?
1. 100 mg orally twice a day
2. 200 mg orally twice a day
3. 400 mg orally three times a day
4. 1000 mg orally four times a day –
Correct Answer :3. 400 mg orally three times a day
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
Rationale:
For acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the normal oral adult dose is 400 to 800 mg three or
four times daily.
220.) A adult client with muscle spasms is taking an oral maintenance dose of baclofen (Lioresal). The nurse
reviews the medication record, expecting that which dose should be prescribed?
1. 15 mg four times a day
2. 25 mg four times a day
3. 30 mg four times a day
4. 40 mg four times a day –
Correct Answer :1. 15 mg four times a day
Rationale:
Baclofen is dispensed in 10- and 20-mg tablets for oral use. Dosages are low initially and then gradually increased.
Maintenance doses range from 15 to 20 mg administered three or four times a day.
221.) A nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescriptions for an adult client who has been admitted to
the hospital following a back injury. Carisoprodol (Soma) is prescribed for the client to relieve the muscle spasms;
the health care provider has prescribed 350 mg to be administered four times a day. When preparing to give this
medication, the nurse determines that this dosage is:
1. The normal adult dosage
2. A lower than normal dosage
3. A higher than normal dosage
4. A dosage requiring further clarification –
Correct Answer :1. The normal adult dosage
Rationale:
The normal adult dosage for carisoprodol is 350 mg orally three or four times daily.
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
222.) A nurse has administered a dose of diazepam (Valium) to a client. The nurse would take which important
action before leaving the client's room?
1. Giving the client a bedpan
2. Drawing the shades or blinds closed
3. Turning down the volume on the television
4. Per agency policy, putting up the side rails on the bed –
Correct Answer :4. Per agency policy, putting up the side rails on the bed
Rationale:
Diazepam is a sedative-hypnotic with anticonvulsant and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. The nurse should
institute safety measures before leaving the client's room to ensure that the client does not injure herself or
himself. The most frequent side effects of this medication are dizziness, drowsiness, and lethargy. For this
reason, the nurse puts the side rails up on the bed before leaving the room to prevent falls. Options 1, 2, and 3
may be helpful measures that provide a comfortable, restful environment, but option 4 is the one that provides
for the client's safety needs.
223.) A client with a psychotic disorder is being treated with haloperidol (Haldol). Which of the following would
indicate the presence of a toxic effect of this medication?
1. Nausea
2. Hypotension
3. Blurred vision
4. Excessive salivation - Correct Answer :4. Excessive salivation
Rationale:
Toxic effects include extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) noted as marked drowsiness and lethargy, excessive
salivation, and a fixed stare. Akathisia, acute dystonias, and tardive dyskinesia are also signs of toxicity.
Hypotension, nausea, and blurred vision are occasional side effects.
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
224.) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is suspected in a client who is taking chlorpromazine. Which medication
would the nurse prepare in anticipation of being prescribed to treat this adverse effect related to the use of
chlorpromazine?
1. Protamine sulfate
2. Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
3. Phytonadione (vitamin K)
4. Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) - Correct Answer :2. Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Rationale:
Bromocriptine is an antiparkinsonian prolactin inhibitor used in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for
heparin overdose. Enalapril maleate is an antihypertensive used in the treatment of hypertension.
225.) A nursing student is assigned to care for a client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Haloperidol (Haldol) is
prescribed for the client, and the nursing instructor asks the student to describe the action of the medication.
Which statement by the nursing student indicates an understanding of the action of this medication?
1. It is a serotonin reuptake blocker.
2. It inhibits the breakdown of released acetylcholine.
3. It blocks the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
4. It blocks the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain. - Correct Answer :4.
It blocks the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain.
Rationale:
Haloperidol acts by blocking the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain.
Imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil) blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Donepezil
hydrochloride (Aricept) inhibits the breakdown of released acetylcholine. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) is a
potent serotonin reuptake blocker.
226.) A client receiving lithium carbonate (Lithobid) complains of loose, watery stools and difficulty walking. The
nurse would expect the serum lithium level to be which of the following?
1. 0.7 mEq/L
2. 1.0 mEq/L
P 4
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
PN HESI Pharmacology Exam 2026 Review Test
Bank | 180 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Evolve HESI PN
Pharmacology Review - Complete A+ Guide
219.) A health care provider instructs a client with rheumatoid arthritis to take ibuprofen (Motrin). The nurse
reinforces the instructions, knowing that the normal adult dose for this client is which of the following?
1. 100 mg orally twice a day
2. 200 mg orally twice a day
3. 400 mg orally three times a day
4. 1000 mg orally four times a day –
Correct Answer :3. 400 mg orally three times a day
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
Rationale:
For acute or chronic rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, the normal oral adult dose is 400 to 800 mg three or
four times daily.
220.) A adult client with muscle spasms is taking an oral maintenance dose of baclofen (Lioresal). The nurse
reviews the medication record, expecting that which dose should be prescribed?
1. 15 mg four times a day
2. 25 mg four times a day
3. 30 mg four times a day
4. 40 mg four times a day –
Correct Answer :1. 15 mg four times a day
Rationale:
Baclofen is dispensed in 10- and 20-mg tablets for oral use. Dosages are low initially and then gradually increased.
Maintenance doses range from 15 to 20 mg administered three or four times a day.
221.) A nurse is reviewing the health care provider's prescriptions for an adult client who has been admitted to
the hospital following a back injury. Carisoprodol (Soma) is prescribed for the client to relieve the muscle spasms;
the health care provider has prescribed 350 mg to be administered four times a day. When preparing to give this
medication, the nurse determines that this dosage is:
1. The normal adult dosage
2. A lower than normal dosage
3. A higher than normal dosage
4. A dosage requiring further clarification –
Correct Answer :1. The normal adult dosage
Rationale:
The normal adult dosage for carisoprodol is 350 mg orally three or four times daily.
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
222.) A nurse has administered a dose of diazepam (Valium) to a client. The nurse would take which important
action before leaving the client's room?
1. Giving the client a bedpan
2. Drawing the shades or blinds closed
3. Turning down the volume on the television
4. Per agency policy, putting up the side rails on the bed –
Correct Answer :4. Per agency policy, putting up the side rails on the bed
Rationale:
Diazepam is a sedative-hypnotic with anticonvulsant and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. The nurse should
institute safety measures before leaving the client's room to ensure that the client does not injure herself or
himself. The most frequent side effects of this medication are dizziness, drowsiness, and lethargy. For this
reason, the nurse puts the side rails up on the bed before leaving the room to prevent falls. Options 1, 2, and 3
may be helpful measures that provide a comfortable, restful environment, but option 4 is the one that provides
for the client's safety needs.
223.) A client with a psychotic disorder is being treated with haloperidol (Haldol). Which of the following would
indicate the presence of a toxic effect of this medication?
1. Nausea
2. Hypotension
3. Blurred vision
4. Excessive salivation - Correct Answer :4. Excessive salivation
Rationale:
Toxic effects include extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) noted as marked drowsiness and lethargy, excessive
salivation, and a fixed stare. Akathisia, acute dystonias, and tardive dyskinesia are also signs of toxicity.
Hypotension, nausea, and blurred vision are occasional side effects.
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
224.) Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is suspected in a client who is taking chlorpromazine. Which medication
would the nurse prepare in anticipation of being prescribed to treat this adverse effect related to the use of
chlorpromazine?
1. Protamine sulfate
2. Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
3. Phytonadione (vitamin K)
4. Enalapril maleate (Vasotec) - Correct Answer :2. Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
Rationale:
Bromocriptine is an antiparkinsonian prolactin inhibitor used in the treatment of neuroleptic malignant
syndrome. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin (Coumadin) overdose. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for
heparin overdose. Enalapril maleate is an antihypertensive used in the treatment of hypertension.
225.) A nursing student is assigned to care for a client with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Haloperidol (Haldol) is
prescribed for the client, and the nursing instructor asks the student to describe the action of the medication.
Which statement by the nursing student indicates an understanding of the action of this medication?
1. It is a serotonin reuptake blocker.
2. It inhibits the breakdown of released acetylcholine.
3. It blocks the uptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
4. It blocks the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain. - Correct Answer :4.
It blocks the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain.
Rationale:
Haloperidol acts by blocking the binding of dopamine to the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain.
Imipramine hydrochloride (Tofranil) blocks the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. Donepezil
hydrochloride (Aricept) inhibits the breakdown of released acetylcholine. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) is a
potent serotonin reuptake blocker.
226.) A client receiving lithium carbonate (Lithobid) complains of loose, watery stools and difficulty walking. The
nurse would expect the serum lithium level to be which of the following?
1. 0.7 mEq/L
2. 1.0 mEq/L
P 4
