• 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
Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse
reinforces medication instructions and tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach. –
Correct Answer :1. Avoid sun exposure.
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
Rationale:
Saquinavir (Invirase) is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor) used with other antiretroviral medications to manage
human immunodeficiency virus infection. Saquinavir is administered with meals and is best absorbed if the client
consumes high-calorie, high-fat meals. Saquinavir can cause photosensitivity, and the nurse should instruct the
client to avoid sun exposure.
101.) Ketoconazole is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of candidiasis. Select the interventions that the
nurse includes when administering this medication. Select all that apply.
1. Restrict fluid intake.
2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
4. Administer the medication with an antacid.
5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
6. Administer the medication on an empty stomach. –
Correct Answer :2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
Rationale:
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. It is administered with food (not on an empty stomach) and antacids
are avoided for 2 hours after taking the medication to ensure absorption. The medication is hepatotoxic and the
nurse monitors liver function studies. The client is instructed to avoid exposure to the sun because the
medication increases photosensitivity. The client is also instructed to avoid alcohol. There is no reason for the
client to restrict fluid intake. In fact, this could be harmful to the client.
102.) A client with human immunodeficiency virus is taking nevirapine (Viramune). The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effects of the medication? Select all that apply.
1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
3. Hyperglycemia
4. Peripheral neuropathy
5. Reduced bone mineral density –
Correct Answer :1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale:
Nevirapine (Viramune) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) that is used to treat HIV
infection. It is used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to treat HIV. Adverse effects include
rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis, and increased transaminase levels. Hyperglycemia, peripheral
neuropathy, and reduced bone density are not adverse effects of this medication.
103.) A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client who has been taking clozapine (Clozaril) for the treatment of a
schizophrenic disorder. Which laboratory study prescribed for the client will the nurse specifically review to
monitor for an adverse effect associated with the use of this medication?
1. Platelet count
2. Cholesterol level
3. White blood cell count
4. Blood urea nitrogen level –
Correct Answer :3. White blood cell count
Rationale:
Hematological reactions can occur in the client taking clozapine and include agranulocytosis and mild
leukopenia. The white blood cell count should be checked before initiating treatment and should be monitored
closely during the use of this medication. The client should also be monitored for signs indicating
agranulocytosis, which may include sore throat, malaise, and fever. Options 1, 2, and 4 are unrelated to this
medication.
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
104.) Disulfiram (Antabuse) is prescribed for a client who is seen in the psychiatric health care clinic. The nurse is
collecting data on the client and is providing instructions regarding the use of this medication. Which is most
important for the nurse to determine before administration of this medication?
1. A history of hyperthyroidism
2. A history of diabetes insipidus
3. When the last full meal was consumed
4. When the last alcoholic drink was consumed –
Correct Answer :4. When the last alcoholic drink was consumed
Rationale:
Disulfiram is used as an adjunct treatment for selected clients with chronic alcoholism who want to remain in a
state of enforced sobriety. Clients must abstain from alcohol intake for at least 12 hours before the initial dose of
the medication is administered. The most important data are to determine when the last alcoholic drink was
consumed. The medication is used with caution in clients with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, epilepsy,
cerebral damage, nephritis, and hepatic disease. It is also contraindicated in severe heart disease, psychosis, or
hypersensitivity related to the medication.
105.) A nurse is collecting data from a client and the client's spouse reports that the client is taking donepezil
hydrochloride (Aricept). Which disorder would the nurse suspect that this client may have based on the use of
this medication?
1. Dementia
2. Schizophrenia
3. Seizure disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder - Correct Answer :1. Dementia
Rationale:
Donepezil hydrochloride is a cholinergic agent used in the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the
Alzheimer type. It enhances cholinergic functions by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine. It slows the
progression of Alzheimer's disease. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
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
Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse
reinforces medication instructions and tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach. –
Correct Answer :1. Avoid sun exposure.
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
Rationale:
Saquinavir (Invirase) is an antiretroviral (protease inhibitor) used with other antiretroviral medications to manage
human immunodeficiency virus infection. Saquinavir is administered with meals and is best absorbed if the client
consumes high-calorie, high-fat meals. Saquinavir can cause photosensitivity, and the nurse should instruct the
client to avoid sun exposure.
101.) Ketoconazole is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of candidiasis. Select the interventions that the
nurse includes when administering this medication. Select all that apply.
1. Restrict fluid intake.
2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
4. Administer the medication with an antacid.
5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
6. Administer the medication on an empty stomach. –
Correct Answer :2. Instruct the client to avoid alcohol.
3. Monitor hepatic and liver function studies.
5. Instruct the client to avoid exposure to the sun.
Rationale:
Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication. It is administered with food (not on an empty stomach) and antacids
are avoided for 2 hours after taking the medication to ensure absorption. The medication is hepatotoxic and the
nurse monitors liver function studies. The client is instructed to avoid exposure to the sun because the
medication increases photosensitivity. The client is also instructed to avoid alcohol. There is no reason for the
client to restrict fluid intake. In fact, this could be harmful to the client.
102.) A client with human immunodeficiency virus is taking nevirapine (Viramune). The nurse should monitor for
which adverse effects of the medication? Select all that apply.
1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
3. Hyperglycemia
4. Peripheral neuropathy
5. Reduced bone mineral density –
Correct Answer :1. Rash
2. Hepatotoxicity
Rationale:
Nevirapine (Viramune) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) that is used to treat HIV
infection. It is used in combination with other antiretroviral medications to treat HIV. Adverse effects include
rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, hepatitis, and increased transaminase levels. Hyperglycemia, peripheral
neuropathy, and reduced bone density are not adverse effects of this medication.
103.) A nurse is caring for a hospitalized client who has been taking clozapine (Clozaril) for the treatment of a
schizophrenic disorder. Which laboratory study prescribed for the client will the nurse specifically review to
monitor for an adverse effect associated with the use of this medication?
1. Platelet count
2. Cholesterol level
3. White blood cell count
4. Blood urea nitrogen level –
Correct Answer :3. White blood cell count
Rationale:
Hematological reactions can occur in the client taking clozapine and include agranulocytosis and mild
leukopenia. The white blood cell count should be checked before initiating treatment and should be monitored
closely during the use of this medication. The client should also be monitored for signs indicating
agranulocytosis, which may include sore throat, malaise, and fever. Options 1, 2, and 4 are unrelated to this
medication.
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
104.) Disulfiram (Antabuse) is prescribed for a client who is seen in the psychiatric health care clinic. The nurse is
collecting data on the client and is providing instructions regarding the use of this medication. Which is most
important for the nurse to determine before administration of this medication?
1. A history of hyperthyroidism
2. A history of diabetes insipidus
3. When the last full meal was consumed
4. When the last alcoholic drink was consumed –
Correct Answer :4. When the last alcoholic drink was consumed
Rationale:
Disulfiram is used as an adjunct treatment for selected clients with chronic alcoholism who want to remain in a
state of enforced sobriety. Clients must abstain from alcohol intake for at least 12 hours before the initial dose of
the medication is administered. The most important data are to determine when the last alcoholic drink was
consumed. The medication is used with caution in clients with diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, epilepsy,
cerebral damage, nephritis, and hepatic disease. It is also contraindicated in severe heart disease, psychosis, or
hypersensitivity related to the medication.
105.) A nurse is collecting data from a client and the client's spouse reports that the client is taking donepezil
hydrochloride (Aricept). Which disorder would the nurse suspect that this client may have based on the use of
this medication?
1. Dementia
2. Schizophrenia
3. Seizure disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder - Correct Answer :1. Dementia
Rationale:
Donepezil hydrochloride is a cholinergic agent used in the treatment of mild to moderate dementia of the
Alzheimer type. It enhances cholinergic functions by increasing the concentration of acetylcholine. It slows the
progression of Alzheimer's disease. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
P 4
