• PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
PN HESI Pharmacology Exam 4 2026 Review Test
Bank | 180 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Evolve HESI PN
Pharmacology Review - Complete A+ Guide
A pediatric client is discharged home with multiple prescriptions for medications. Which information should the
nurse provide that is most helpful to the parents when managing the medication regimens?
A. Maintain a drug administration record.
B. Fill all prescriptions at one pharmacy.
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
C. Allow one person to give the medications.
D. Give all medications in small volumes. –
Correct Answer :A. Maintain a drug administration record.
A written drug administration record provides a consistent plan to ensure safe adherence to multiple medication
dosages and times. Although option B is an important safeguard to monitor for drug interactions, the parents
should be given a tool to enhance their confidence and provide a mechanism to ensure accurate and timely
medication administration without duplicating or omitting a dose. Using a written record to record medication
administration allows more than one person to share the responsibility of giving medications to the child.
Although smaller volumes ensure that all the medication is taken, it is more important to maintain an accurate
administration schedule.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is receiving phenytoin for seizure
control?
A. Maintain consistent sodium intake.
B. Use sunscreen when outdoors.
C. Return for monthly urinalysis.
D. Brush and floss teeth daily. - Correct Answer :D. Brush and floss teeth daily.
Brushing and flossing the teeth daily prevent gingival hyperplasia (gum disease) that is common with long-term
phenytoin therapy. Options A, B, and C are not indicated for client instruction regarding phenytoin.
A client with angina pectoris is instructed to take sublingual nitroglycerin tablets PRN for chest pain. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
A. Take one tablet every 3 minutes, up to five tablets.
B. Take one tablet at the onset of angina and stop activity.
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
C. Replace nitroglycerin tablets yearly to maintain freshness.
D. Allow 30 minutes for a tablet to provide relief from angina. - Correct Answer :B. Take one tablet at the onset
of angina and stop activity.
Nitroglycerin tablets should be taken at the onset of angina, and the client should stop activity and rest. One
tablet can be taken every 5 minutes, up to three doses. Nitroglycerin should be replaced every 3 to 6 months,
not every 12 months. Nitroglycerin should provide relief in 5 minutes, not 30 minutes.
Minocycline, 50 mg PO every 8 hours, is prescribed for an adolescent girl diagnosed with acne. The nurse
discusses self-care with the client while she is taking the medication. Which teaching points should be included in
the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
A. Report vaginal itching or discharge.
B. Take the medication at 0800, 1500, and 2200 hours.
C. Protect skin from natural and artificial ultraviolet light.
D. Avoid driving until response to medication is known.
E. Take with an antacid tablet to prevent nausea.
F. Use a nonhormonal method of contraception if sexually active. - Correct Answer :A, C, D, F
Adverse effects of tetracyclines include superinfections, photosensitivity, and decreased efficacy of oral
contraceptives. Therefore, the client should report vaginal itching or discharge (A), protect the skin from
ultraviolet light (C), and use a nonhormonal method of contraception (F) while on the medication. Minocycline is
known to cause dizziness and ataxia, so until the client's response to the medication is known, driving (D) should
be avoided. Tetracyclines should be taken around the clock (B) but exhibit decreased absorption when taken
with antacids, so (E) is contraindicated.
A client with metastatic cancer reports severe continuous pain. Which route of administration should the nurse
use to provide the most effective continuous analgesia?
A. Oral
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
B. Intravenous
C. Transdermal
D. Intramuscular - Correct Answer :C. Transdermal
Continuous pain is best managed by maintaining a constant serum drug level. Transdermal drug administration
of an analgesic provides around-the-clock, controlled release of the medication that is absorbed through intact
skin into the bloodstream to provide continuous pain relief. Option A is convenient, but gastrointestinal variables
affect the absorption rate of the drug, its onset and intensity, and duration of response and requires repeated
doses around the clock. Option B provides immediate action because the drug is infused directly into the
bloodstream and is quickly metabolized, and repeated IV doses are required to maintain a continuous blood
level. Option D requires repeated injections at regular intervals, which are uncomfortable, and absorption rates
vary between muscle sites.
The nurse plans to draw blood samples for the determination of peak and trough levels of gentamicin sulfate in a
client receiving IV doses of this medication. When should the nurse plan to obtain the peak level?
A. Thirty minutes after the dose is administered
B. Immediately before giving the next dose
C. When the next electrolyte levels are drawn
D. Sixty minutes after the dose is administered - Correct Answer :A. Thirty minutes after the dose is
administered
Peak drug serum levels are achieved 30 minutes after the IV administration of aminoglycosides, so option A is
the optimum time to get a peak level. Options B, C, and D are not appropriate times associated with peak levels
for gentamicin.
A client has a positive skin test for tuberculosis. Which prophylactic drug should the nurse expect to administer
to this client?
A. Isoniazid
P 4
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
PN HESI Pharmacology Exam 4 2026 Review Test
Bank | 180 Questions with Correct Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Evolve HESI PN
Pharmacology Review - Complete A+ Guide
A pediatric client is discharged home with multiple prescriptions for medications. Which information should the
nurse provide that is most helpful to the parents when managing the medication regimens?
A. Maintain a drug administration record.
B. Fill all prescriptions at one pharmacy.
P 1
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
C. Allow one person to give the medications.
D. Give all medications in small volumes. –
Correct Answer :A. Maintain a drug administration record.
A written drug administration record provides a consistent plan to ensure safe adherence to multiple medication
dosages and times. Although option B is an important safeguard to monitor for drug interactions, the parents
should be given a tool to enhance their confidence and provide a mechanism to ensure accurate and timely
medication administration without duplicating or omitting a dose. Using a written record to record medication
administration allows more than one person to share the responsibility of giving medications to the child.
Although smaller volumes ensure that all the medication is taken, it is more important to maintain an accurate
administration schedule.
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is receiving phenytoin for seizure
control?
A. Maintain consistent sodium intake.
B. Use sunscreen when outdoors.
C. Return for monthly urinalysis.
D. Brush and floss teeth daily. - Correct Answer :D. Brush and floss teeth daily.
Brushing and flossing the teeth daily prevent gingival hyperplasia (gum disease) that is common with long-term
phenytoin therapy. Options A, B, and C are not indicated for client instruction regarding phenytoin.
A client with angina pectoris is instructed to take sublingual nitroglycerin tablets PRN for chest pain. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the client's teaching plan?
A. Take one tablet every 3 minutes, up to five tablets.
B. Take one tablet at the onset of angina and stop activity.
P 2
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
C. Replace nitroglycerin tablets yearly to maintain freshness.
D. Allow 30 minutes for a tablet to provide relief from angina. - Correct Answer :B. Take one tablet at the onset
of angina and stop activity.
Nitroglycerin tablets should be taken at the onset of angina, and the client should stop activity and rest. One
tablet can be taken every 5 minutes, up to three doses. Nitroglycerin should be replaced every 3 to 6 months,
not every 12 months. Nitroglycerin should provide relief in 5 minutes, not 30 minutes.
Minocycline, 50 mg PO every 8 hours, is prescribed for an adolescent girl diagnosed with acne. The nurse
discusses self-care with the client while she is taking the medication. Which teaching points should be included in
the discussion? (Select all that apply.)
A. Report vaginal itching or discharge.
B. Take the medication at 0800, 1500, and 2200 hours.
C. Protect skin from natural and artificial ultraviolet light.
D. Avoid driving until response to medication is known.
E. Take with an antacid tablet to prevent nausea.
F. Use a nonhormonal method of contraception if sexually active. - Correct Answer :A, C, D, F
Adverse effects of tetracyclines include superinfections, photosensitivity, and decreased efficacy of oral
contraceptives. Therefore, the client should report vaginal itching or discharge (A), protect the skin from
ultraviolet light (C), and use a nonhormonal method of contraception (F) while on the medication. Minocycline is
known to cause dizziness and ataxia, so until the client's response to the medication is known, driving (D) should
be avoided. Tetracyclines should be taken around the clock (B) but exhibit decreased absorption when taken
with antacids, so (E) is contraindicated.
A client with metastatic cancer reports severe continuous pain. Which route of administration should the nurse
use to provide the most effective continuous analgesia?
A. Oral
P 3
, • PN HESI
Pharmacology 09/11/2026
Exam
B. Intravenous
C. Transdermal
D. Intramuscular - Correct Answer :C. Transdermal
Continuous pain is best managed by maintaining a constant serum drug level. Transdermal drug administration
of an analgesic provides around-the-clock, controlled release of the medication that is absorbed through intact
skin into the bloodstream to provide continuous pain relief. Option A is convenient, but gastrointestinal variables
affect the absorption rate of the drug, its onset and intensity, and duration of response and requires repeated
doses around the clock. Option B provides immediate action because the drug is infused directly into the
bloodstream and is quickly metabolized, and repeated IV doses are required to maintain a continuous blood
level. Option D requires repeated injections at regular intervals, which are uncomfortable, and absorption rates
vary between muscle sites.
The nurse plans to draw blood samples for the determination of peak and trough levels of gentamicin sulfate in a
client receiving IV doses of this medication. When should the nurse plan to obtain the peak level?
A. Thirty minutes after the dose is administered
B. Immediately before giving the next dose
C. When the next electrolyte levels are drawn
D. Sixty minutes after the dose is administered - Correct Answer :A. Thirty minutes after the dose is
administered
Peak drug serum levels are achieved 30 minutes after the IV administration of aminoglycosides, so option A is
the optimum time to get a peak level. Options B, C, and D are not appropriate times associated with peak levels
for gentamicin.
A client has a positive skin test for tuberculosis. Which prophylactic drug should the nurse expect to administer
to this client?
A. Isoniazid
P 4
