RN HESI Pharmacology V3 Nursing
Exam Comprehensive Medication
2026/2027 – 100% Verified
Questions and Answers With
Detailed Rationales (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is administering digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication
and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
B. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
*Answer: B. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse before administration and generally withhold digoxin when
the adult heart rate is below 60 beats/min, according to typical nursing
parameters and facility policy.
,Question 2
A client taking warfarin is being discharged. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will have my blood tested regularly.”
B. “I will report unusual bleeding to my healthcare provider.”
C. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
D. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.”
**Answer: C. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
Rationale: Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with
warfarin. The client should consult the healthcare provider before
taking aspirin or other medications that affect coagulation.
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. Dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urination
**Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Facial, lip, tongue, or throat swelling can indicate
angioedema, a potentially life-threatening reaction associated with ACE
inhibitors. Immediate medical evaluation is required because airway
obstruction can occur.
Question 4
,A client receiving furosemide reports muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeats. Which laboratory result should the nurse review first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
**Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss.
Hypokalemia may produce muscle weakness, dysrhythmias, and other
cardiac complications.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the nurse
administer this medication?
A. Approximately 30–60 minutes before a meal
B. Immediately before or shortly after the meal begins
C. Two hours after the meal
D. At bedtime only
**Answer: B. Immediately before or shortly after the meal begins
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin. It has a rapid onset,
so it is administered in close relationship to meals to reduce the risk of
hypoglycemia.
Question 6
A client taking lithium reports vomiting, diarrhea, coarse hand tremors,
and difficulty walking. What should the nurse do?
, A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Encourage the client to exercise
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
D. Tell the client these effects are expected
**Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Vomiting, diarrhea, coarse tremors, and ataxia are
concerning for lithium toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range,
and toxicity requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed levothyroxine.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Take the medication with an iron supplement.
B. Take the medication consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
C. Stop taking the medication once symptoms improve.
D. Take the medication only when experiencing fatigue.
**Answer: B. Take the medication consistently, preferably on an
empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is more consistent when taken on
an empty stomach. Calcium and iron supplements can interfere with
absorption and should generally be separated from levothyroxine.
Question 8
A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
Exam Comprehensive Medication
2026/2027 – 100% Verified
Questions and Answers With
Detailed Rationales (GRADED A+)
Question 1
A nurse is administering digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
assessment finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication
and notify the provider?
A. Blood pressure of 128/76 mmHg
B. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
D. Potassium level of 4.2 mEq/L
*Answer: B. Apical pulse of 54 beats/min
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should assess the
apical pulse before administration and generally withhold digoxin when
the adult heart rate is below 60 beats/min, according to typical nursing
parameters and facility policy.
,Question 2
A client taking warfarin is being discharged. Which statement by the
client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will have my blood tested regularly.”
B. “I will report unusual bleeding to my healthcare provider.”
C. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
D. “I should maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K.”
**Answer: C. “I can take aspirin whenever I have a headache.”
Rationale: Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with
warfarin. The client should consult the healthcare provider before
taking aspirin or other medications that affect coagulation.
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. Dry cough
C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
D. Increased urination
**Answer: C. Swelling of the lips and tongue
Rationale: Facial, lip, tongue, or throat swelling can indicate
angioedema, a potentially life-threatening reaction associated with ACE
inhibitors. Immediate medical evaluation is required because airway
obstruction can occur.
Question 4
,A client receiving furosemide reports muscle weakness and irregular
heartbeats. Which laboratory result should the nurse review first?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Hemoglobin
D. Platelets
**Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss.
Hypokalemia may produce muscle weakness, dysrhythmias, and other
cardiac complications.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer insulin lispro. When should the nurse
administer this medication?
A. Approximately 30–60 minutes before a meal
B. Immediately before or shortly after the meal begins
C. Two hours after the meal
D. At bedtime only
**Answer: B. Immediately before or shortly after the meal begins
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin. It has a rapid onset,
so it is administered in close relationship to meals to reduce the risk of
hypoglycemia.
Question 6
A client taking lithium reports vomiting, diarrhea, coarse hand tremors,
and difficulty walking. What should the nurse do?
, A. Administer the next dose with food
B. Encourage the client to exercise
C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
D. Tell the client these effects are expected
**Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Vomiting, diarrhea, coarse tremors, and ataxia are
concerning for lithium toxicity. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic range,
and toxicity requires prompt evaluation and intervention.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching a client who has been prescribed levothyroxine.
Which instruction is appropriate?
A. Take the medication with an iron supplement.
B. Take the medication consistently, preferably on an empty stomach.
C. Stop taking the medication once symptoms improve.
D. Take the medication only when experiencing fatigue.
**Answer: B. Take the medication consistently, preferably on an
empty stomach.
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is more consistent when taken on
an empty stomach. Calcium and iron supplements can interfere with
absorption and should generally be separated from levothyroxine.
Question 8
A client receiving morphine becomes difficult to arouse and has a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. Which medication should the nurse
anticipate administering?
