PHARMACOLOGY HESI FINAL EXAM
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient is receiving Vancomycin intravenously for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infection. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely to
prevent nephrotoxicity?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN
B. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Vancomycin is known to be nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum
creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels is essential to detect early signs of kidney
impairment.
2. A client is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse identify as a major risk factor for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
,B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the sensitivity of the myocardium to
Digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity, even if the Digoxin level is within the
therapeutic range.
3. A patient diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is being treated with a continuous
Heparin infusion. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to adjust the Heparin
dosage?
A. Bleeding time
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of
unfractionated Heparin therapy, whereas INR is used for Warfarin.
, 4. The nurse is preparing to administer Spironolactone to a client with cirrhosis. Which food
choice by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. Salt substitutes
B. White bread
C. Apples
D. Green beans
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Salt substitutes
often contain potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride, which could lead to life-
threatening hyperkalemia.
5. A patient is prescribed Albuterol via inhalation for acute asthma symptoms. Which side
effect should the nurse instruct the patient to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Drowsiness
C. Tachycardia and tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: C
PREP QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS 2026/2027
UPDATE. JUST RELEASED
1. A patient is receiving Vancomycin intravenously for a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) infection. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor most closely to
prevent nephrotoxicity?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN
B. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
C. Prothrombin time (PT)
D. Serum amylase
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Vancomycin is known to be nephrotoxic. Monitoring serum
creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) levels is essential to detect early signs of kidney
impairment.
2. A client is prescribed Digoxin for heart failure. Which electrolyte imbalance should the
nurse identify as a major risk factor for Digoxin toxicity?
A. Hypercalcemia
,B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypermagnesemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the sensitivity of the myocardium to
Digoxin, significantly increasing the risk of toxicity, even if the Digoxin level is within the
therapeutic range.
3. A patient diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is being treated with a continuous
Heparin infusion. Which laboratory test should the nurse monitor to adjust the Heparin
dosage?
A. Bleeding time
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Platelet count
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness and safety of
unfractionated Heparin therapy, whereas INR is used for Warfarin.
, 4. The nurse is preparing to administer Spironolactone to a client with cirrhosis. Which food
choice by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. Salt substitutes
B. White bread
C. Apples
D. Green beans
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Salt substitutes
often contain potassium chloride instead of sodium chloride, which could lead to life-
threatening hyperkalemia.
5. A patient is prescribed Albuterol via inhalation for acute asthma symptoms. Which side
effect should the nurse instruct the patient to expect?
A. Bradycardia
B. Drowsiness
C. Tachycardia and tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: C
