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HESI Pharmacology 2021 Version 1 - Questions
1–200 | 200 Questions with correct Answers &
Rationale | 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 72 bpm
B. Heart rate of 52 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the heart rate is below 60 bpm in adults. A heart rate
of 52 bpm indicates bradycardia, which could worsen with digoxin. The other findings are within
normal limits.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed lithium carbonate. Which of the
following findings indicates lithium toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Coarse hand tremors and ataxia
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse hand tremors and ataxia indicate moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A
serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range (0.6–1.2 mEq/L). Fine hand
tremors and increased thirst are common side effects, not toxicity.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
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A. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take aspirin for headaches."
C. "Use an electric razor when shaving."
D. "Double your dose if you miss a dose."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients on warfarin should use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding from
cuts. Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K and should be consumed consistently, not
increased. Aspirin increases bleeding risk. Doubling doses is dangerous.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Aspirate before injecting the medication
B. Massage the site after the injection
C. Administer the injection in the abdomen at least 2 inches from the umbilicus
D. Use a 23-gauge, 1.5-inch needle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subcutaneous heparin should be administered in the abdomen, at least 2 inches
from the umbilicus, to ensure absorption and avoid irritation. Aspiration is not recommended.
Massaging the site can cause bruising and hematoma. A 25-gauge, 3/8 to 5/8-inch needle is
used for subcutaneous injections.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication with food."
B. "Take the medication at bedtime."
C. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
D. "Take the medication with calcium supplements."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before
breakfast, for optimal absorption. Food, calcium, and iron interfere with absorption.
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6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for metformin.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
C. "Expect weight gain as a side effect."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Weight loss, not gain, is common. Alcohol should be avoided due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication at bedtime."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Avoid sunlight while taking this medication."
D. "Take the medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Clients should increase
intake of potassium-rich foods. The medication should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia.
Photosensitivity is not a common effect. Antacids can reduce absorption.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has been receiving furosemide. Which of the following
findings indicates hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperreflexia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia presents with muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypertension, bradycardia, and hyperreflexia are not typical.
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9. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin. Which of the following laboratory values
should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Platelet count
should be monitored. PT/INR monitors warfarin. aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin.
10. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
with a spacer. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Inhale rapidly and deeply after activating the inhaler."
B. "Activate the inhaler before placing it in your mouth."
C. "Wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs."
D. "Exhale through the mouthpiece after inhalation."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client should wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs to allow for optimal medication
absorption. Inhalation should be slow and deep. The inhaler should be activated after placing it
in the mouth. Exhalation should occur before, not after, inhalation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease. Which of
the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Omeprazole
B. Metformin
C. Digoxin
D. Warfarin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to reduce gastric acid secretion in
peptic ulcer disease. Metformin is for diabetes. Digoxin is for heart failure. Warfarin is an
anticoagulant.
HESI Pharmacology 2021 Version 1 - Questions
1–200 | 200 Questions with correct Answers &
Rationale | 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. Which of the following findings
should the nurse report before administering the medication?
A. Heart rate of 72 bpm
B. Heart rate of 52 bpm
C. Blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg
D. Serum potassium of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the heart rate is below 60 bpm in adults. A heart rate
of 52 bpm indicates bradycardia, which could worsen with digoxin. The other findings are within
normal limits.
2. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed lithium carbonate. Which of the
following findings indicates lithium toxicity?
A. Serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L
B. Fine hand tremors
C. Coarse hand tremors and ataxia
D. Increased thirst
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Coarse hand tremors and ataxia indicate moderate to severe lithium toxicity. A
serum lithium level of 0.8 mEq/L is within the therapeutic range (0.6–1.2 mEq/L). Fine hand
tremors and increased thirst are common side effects, not toxicity.
3. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for warfarin. Which
of the following instructions should the nurse include?
, 2
A. "Increase your intake of leafy green vegetables."
B. "Take aspirin for headaches."
C. "Use an electric razor when shaving."
D. "Double your dose if you miss a dose."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clients on warfarin should use an electric razor to reduce the risk of bleeding from
cuts. Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin K and should be consumed consistently, not
increased. Aspirin increases bleeding risk. Doubling doses is dangerous.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take?
A. Aspirate before injecting the medication
B. Massage the site after the injection
C. Administer the injection in the abdomen at least 2 inches from the umbilicus
D. Use a 23-gauge, 1.5-inch needle
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Subcutaneous heparin should be administered in the abdomen, at least 2 inches
from the umbilicus, to ensure absorption and avoid irritation. Aspiration is not recommended.
Massaging the site can cause bruising and hematoma. A 25-gauge, 3/8 to 5/8-inch needle is
used for subcutaneous injections.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication with food."
B. "Take the medication at bedtime."
C. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
D. "Take the medication with calcium supplements."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach, 30–60 minutes before
breakfast, for optimal absorption. Food, calcium, and iron interfere with absorption.
, 3
6. A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for metformin.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication with food to reduce GI upset."
B. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
C. "Expect weight gain as a side effect."
D. "You can drink alcohol while taking this medication."
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Metformin should be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.
Weight loss, not gain, is common. Alcohol should be avoided due to the risk of lactic acidosis.
7. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for furosemide. Which of the
following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Take the medication at bedtime."
B. "Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods."
C. "Avoid sunlight while taking this medication."
D. "Take the medication with an antacid."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss. Clients should increase
intake of potassium-rich foods. The medication should be taken in the morning to avoid nocturia.
Photosensitivity is not a common effect. Antacids can reduce absorption.
8. A nurse is assessing a client who has been receiving furosemide. Which of the following
findings indicates hypokalemia?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Hypertension
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperreflexia
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Hypokalemia presents with muscle weakness, fatigue, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypertension, bradycardia, and hyperreflexia are not typical.
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9. A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin. Which of the following laboratory values
should the nurse monitor?
A. PT/INR
B. aPTT
C. Platelet count
D. Serum potassium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Enoxaparin can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Platelet count
should be monitored. PT/INR monitors warfarin. aPTT monitors unfractionated heparin.
10. A nurse is providing teaching to a client about the use of a metered-dose inhaler (MDI)
with a spacer. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. "Inhale rapidly and deeply after activating the inhaler."
B. "Activate the inhaler before placing it in your mouth."
C. "Wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs."
D. "Exhale through the mouthpiece after inhalation."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The client should wait 1 to 2 minutes between puffs to allow for optimal medication
absorption. Inhalation should be slow and deep. The inhaler should be activated after placing it
in the mouth. Exhalation should occur before, not after, inhalation.
11. A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease. Which of
the following medications should the nurse anticipate administering?
A. Omeprazole
B. Metformin
C. Digoxin
D. Warfarin
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor used to reduce gastric acid secretion in
peptic ulcer disease. Metformin is for diabetes. Digoxin is for heart failure. Warfarin is an
anticoagulant.
