RN HESI Pharmacology V2 Real Exam 200
Multiple Choice Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Certification Success
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY PRINCIPLES AND MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1–
30)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Verify the medication order
B) Check the client's identification band
C) Perform hand hygiene
D) Administer the medication
ANS: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the first step before any medication administration to prevent
infection transmission. The nurse should then verify the order and client identification using the
"rights" of medication administration.
,Question 2
Which of the following is NOT one of the "Five Rights" of medication administration?
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
C) Right prescriber
D) Right dose
ANS: C
Rationale: The Five Rights are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right
time. The prescriber is not one of the Five Rights, though verifying the order is essential.
Question 3
A nurse is calculating a medication dose for a pediatric client. Which factor is most important to
consider?
A) The client's weight in kilograms
B) The client's height
C) The client's age in years
D) The client's gender
ANS: A
,Rationale: Pediatric doses are most accurately calculated based on weight in kilograms (mg/kg).
Weight-based dosing ensures safety and efficacy in children .
Question 4
A medication order reads: "Give 0.5 mg of digoxin PO daily." The medication is available as 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablet
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 3 tablets
ANS: C
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available dose = 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg = 2 tablets.
Question 5
Which route of medication administration has the slowest onset of action?
A) Intravenous
B) Intramuscular
C) Subcutaneous
D) Oral
, ANS: D
Rationale: Oral medications have the slowest onset because they must be absorbed through
the gastrointestinal tract. IV medications have the fastest onset.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which needle size is appropriate
for an adult deltoid injection?
A) 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
B) 23 gauge, 1 inch
C) 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
D) 21 gauge, 2 inch
ANS: B
Rationale: For adult deltoid IM injections, a 23-25 gauge, 5/8 to 1 inch needle is appropriate.
The deltoid is a small muscle requiring a shorter needle.
Question 7
A nurse is administering a medication via the subcutaneous route. Which site is preferred?
A) Deltoid
B) Abdomen
Multiple Choice Questions with Verified
Answers and Detailed Rationales for
Nursing Certification Success
SECTION 1: PHARMACOLOGY PRINCIPLES AND MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION (Questions 1–
30)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication to a client. Which action should the nurse take
first?
A) Verify the medication order
B) Check the client's identification band
C) Perform hand hygiene
D) Administer the medication
ANS: C
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the first step before any medication administration to prevent
infection transmission. The nurse should then verify the order and client identification using the
"rights" of medication administration.
,Question 2
Which of the following is NOT one of the "Five Rights" of medication administration?
A) Right patient
B) Right medication
C) Right prescriber
D) Right dose
ANS: C
Rationale: The Five Rights are: right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, and right
time. The prescriber is not one of the Five Rights, though verifying the order is essential.
Question 3
A nurse is calculating a medication dose for a pediatric client. Which factor is most important to
consider?
A) The client's weight in kilograms
B) The client's height
C) The client's age in years
D) The client's gender
ANS: A
,Rationale: Pediatric doses are most accurately calculated based on weight in kilograms (mg/kg).
Weight-based dosing ensures safety and efficacy in children .
Question 4
A medication order reads: "Give 0.5 mg of digoxin PO daily." The medication is available as 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablet
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 3 tablets
ANS: C
Rationale: Desired dose ÷ available dose = 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg = 2 tablets.
Question 5
Which route of medication administration has the slowest onset of action?
A) Intravenous
B) Intramuscular
C) Subcutaneous
D) Oral
, ANS: D
Rationale: Oral medications have the slowest onset because they must be absorbed through
the gastrointestinal tract. IV medications have the fastest onset.
Question 6
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection. Which needle size is appropriate
for an adult deltoid injection?
A) 18 gauge, 1.5 inch
B) 23 gauge, 1 inch
C) 25 gauge, 5/8 inch
D) 21 gauge, 2 inch
ANS: B
Rationale: For adult deltoid IM injections, a 23-25 gauge, 5/8 to 1 inch needle is appropriate.
The deltoid is a small muscle requiring a shorter needle.
Question 7
A nurse is administering a medication via the subcutaneous route. Which site is preferred?
A) Deltoid
B) Abdomen
