HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AVAILABLE

HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AVAILABLE 1. The nurse is caring for a patient taking cimetidine (Tagamet) orally. Which should the nurse consider about administering this drug? A) Administer the drug with the first bit of food B) Administer the drug immediately after meals C) Administer the drug 30 minutes after meals D) Administer the drug 30 minutes before meals 2. The nurse is discharging a patient with a new patient for ranitidine (Zantac). Which information would be important to include in the discharge teaching? A) Thrombolytic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) may occur B) Aspirin may be taken with this medication C) The patient may experience iron deficiency anema D) The patient may experience restlessness 3. A patient is prescribed sucralfate (Carafate) and asks the nurse what the purpose of taking this medication is. Which is the nurse’s best response? A) The medication helps reduce bacteria levels in the stomach B) The medication helps neutralize gastric acid in the stomach C) The medication is used to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa D) The medication can reduce the patient’s constipation 4. The nurse is creating a class for older adults in the community. Which information about laxative use in older adults would be important to include? A) Laxative are not effective in older adults B) All laxative are exactly the same C) Over-the-counter laxatives are misused D) Laxatives can cause potassium retention 5. The nurse is caring for a patient with a new order for an oral laxative. Which is a contraindication in administering an oral laxative? A) Cardiac problems B) Abdominal pain of unknown origin C) Several hemorrhoids D) Chronic constipation 1 | P a g e 6. The nurse is studying antacids that contain magnesium and calcium for the pharmacology exam. The student nurse remembers that these antacids should be used with caution in patients with which condition? A) Hypertension B) Renal failure C) Heart failure D) Peptic ulcer disease 7. A patient asks the nurse how to best prevent constipation. Which class of laxative would the nurse recommend to this patient? A) Stimulant laxatives B) Bulk-forming laxatives C) Amollient laxatives D) Hyperosomatic laxatives 8. The nurse is caring for patient with short term persistent diarrhea. Which class of medication would the nurse anticipate giving? A) Lubricants B) Probiotics C) Adsorbents D) Anticholinergics 9. The nurse is creating community education about over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. Which information about calcium antacids would be important to include? A) They cause decreased gastric acid production B) Long-term use may result in kidney stones C) Long-term use may result in fluid retention D) They may cause severe bouts of diarrhea 10. The nurse is administering an aluminum-based antacid to a patient. Which side effect of this drug should the student consider? A) Rebound hyperacidity B) Acute constipation C) Chronic indigestion D) Dumping syndrome 11. The nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto- Bismol) at home for several weeks. During the morning assessment, the nurse notices the patient has blue gums while doing the oral assessment. Which action would the nurse take? A) Ask the patient what he had to drink with breakfast B) This is a common side effect; nothing needs to be done C) Ask the patient if he has been eating blur-colored fruits D) Call the healthcare provider and report the blue gums 12. The nurse is caring for patient with severe constipation. Which laxative will produce the most rapid response? A) Magnesium oxide B) Psyllium (Metamucil) C) Magnesium hydroxide D) Docusate salts (Colace) 13. A patient on the oncology unit is experiencing nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy. Which drug will decrease nausea for this patient? A) Cimetidine B) Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) C) Scopolamine (Scopace) D) Ondansetron (Zofran) 14. The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a patient taking an antihistamine antiemetic. Which information would be important to include? A) This medication can be taken with a glass of wine at dinner B) It is appropriate for the patient to skip doses with feeling better C) Driving should be avoided due to the possibility for drowsiness D) The patient may experience intermittent problems with taste 15. The nurse is caring for an older adult who has been taking sodium bicarbonate several times a day for the past month. The nurse will assess for which potential problem that may occur with overuse of sodium bicarbonate? A) Respiratory alkalosis B) Increased gastric secretions C) Decreased bowel sounds D) Metabolic alkalosis 16. The nurse is caring for a patient taking valsartan (Diovan). The nurse will explain to the patient that this medication has which therapeutic effect? A) Increases serum sodium B) Decreases preload and afterload C) Increases serum ADH D) Decreases the renal blow flow 17. The patient is being seen in the emergency department (ED) for confirmed digitalis toxicity. Which drug would the nurse anticipate to administer for treatment of the patient’s conditions? A) Digitalis glycoside B) Spironolactone (Aldactone) C) Amiodarone (Cordarone) D) Digoxin immune fab 18. The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure who is hypokalemic. Which drug from the patient’s medicine administration record (MAR) would explain this lab value? A) Atenolol (Ternormin) B) Hydralazine/isosorbide dinitrate (BiDil) C) Furosemide (Lasix) D) Digoxin (Lanoxin) 19. The nurse is caring for a diabetic patient with heart failure. Which medication should be used with caution in this patient? A) Losartan (Cozaar) B) Propranolol (Inderal) C) Spironolactone (Aldactone) D) Dobutamine (Dobutrex) 20. The nurse is caring for a patient taking Lisinopril (Prinivil). The nurse knows to monitor the patient for which adverse effect? A) Elevated serum potassium B) Increase urine output C) Bronchodilation D) Increased blood pressure 21. Which is the mechanism of action of lisinopril (Prinivil) when given for hypertension? A) Dilates the arterioles B) Causes peripheral vasodilation C) Increase myocardial afterload D) Regulates heart rhythm 22. The nurse is caring for patient taking digoxin (Lanoxin). Which other medication seen on the medication administration record (MAR) would cause the nurse concern about administering digoxin (Lanoxin)? A) Patient taking spironolactone (Aldactone) B) Patient taking metolazone (Zaroxolyn) C) Apical pulse of 68 beats/minute D) Normal serum sodium level 23. An older adult male is admitted to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain and has an order for nitroglycerin (NTG) sublingual. Which is the priority action for the nurse to take? A) Place one nitroglycerin (NTG) tablet under the patient’s tongue, repeat every 5 minutes x 3 B) Ask the patient if he has taken medication for erectile dysfunction over the past 6 hours C) Draw blood for a cardiac workup and monitor the patient while waiting for the results D) Encourage the patient to drink 240 mL with first dose of nitroglycerin (NTG) 24. Which are the common drug interactions of a calcium channel blocker? (Select all that apply). A) Statins B) Beta blockers C) Amlodipine (Norvasc) D) Lanoxin (digoxin) E) Verapamil (Calan) 25. The nurse is caring for a patient with type 2 diabetes who has proteinuria and is taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Which is the rationale for the healthcare provider prescribing an ACE inhibitor? A) Promotes fluid output B) Renal protective effects C) Cardo protective effects D) Reduces blood pressure 26. The nurse is caring for a patient taking a beta blocker for angina. Which adverse effect would the nurse monitor in the patient? A) Dry cough B) Low heart rate C) High blood pressure D) Anxiety 27. The nurse is caring for a patient taking simvastatin (Zocor). Which is the primary purpose of this drug? A) Increase potassium levels in the blood B) Decrease the level of LDL in the blood C) Increase triglyceride levels in the blood D) Decrease the level of HDL in the blood 28. The nurse is administering somatropin (Humatrope), which is used in the treatment of which condition? A) Metabolic syndrome B) Growth failure C) Type 2 diabetes D) Cushing’s syndrome 29. The nurse is reviewing a medication administration record (MAR) for a patient taking oral hypoglycemic drugs. Which drug from the patient’s MAR could cause an interaction with oral hypoglycemic drugs? A) Vitamin supplements B) Thyroid replacement drugs C) Beta blockers D) Antibiotics 30. While caring for a patient who recently had an acute myocardial infarction, the nurse notes severe ventricular dysrhythmias on the patient’s cardiac monitor. Which drug would the nurse anticipate the healthcare provider to order to treat this dysrhythmia? A) Diltiazem (Cardizem) B) Adenosine (Adenocard) C) Amiodarone (Cordarone) D) Verapamil (Calan) 31. The nurse should assess the client for which common adverse effect of procainamide? A) Drowsiness B) Nystagmus C) Convulsions D) Dry mouth 32. The nurse is caring for a patient taking niacin to lower her lipid levels in the blood. For which adverse effects would the nurse monitor the patient? A) Hair loss B) Abdominal discomfort C) Halos when looking at light D) Increased appetite E) Hepatotoxicity 33. The nurse working in the emergency department (ED) is caring for a patient who is admitted for an acute myocardial infarction (MI). The healthcare provider has ordered a continuous nitroglycerin drip. Which statement is true about intravenous nitroglycerin administration? A) Nonpolyvinylchloride (nonPVC) plastic intravenous bags and tubing must be used B) Nitroglycerin can be given in the same line as other medications C) There is not a continuous intravenous form; nitroglycerin is given D) The nitroglycerin solution will be slightly colored green or blue 34. The nurse is caring for a patient receiving atenolol (Tenormin). Which information does the nurse need to know about the patient prior to administering this drug? A) Serum potassium level B) Serum albumin level C) Pulse and blood pressure D) Daily height and weight 35. The nurse is caring for a patient with heart failure. Which medication will have a positive inotropic effect? A) Valsartan (Diovan) B) Atenolol (Tenormin) C) Digoxin (Lanoxin) D) Diltiazem (Cardizem) 36. The nurse is caring for a patient who recently had a myocardial infarction (MI). Which medications would the nurse anticipate the health care provider will recommend to this patient as prevention of another MI. A) Vitamin K and an anti-inflammatory B) Omega 3 supplement and an iron supplement C) Omega 3 supplement and a baby aspirin daily D) Vitamin A and an anticoagulant 37. The nurse is caring for a patient with essential hypertension who is taking a calcium channel blocker. The nurse would hold the patient’s medication based on which assessment finding? A) Patient complains of a nonproductive cough B) Blood pressure of 128/86 C) An oral temperature pf 102 F D) Patient complains of dizziness when standing 38. The nurse is discharging an older adult who lives alone and will need to take a diuretic drug for hypertension. Which would be important for the nurse to emphasize during the discharge teaching? A) Stop taking the medication if feeling dizzy, and take potassium B) The diuretic should be taken with the evening meal C) Do not take the diuretic if leaving the house for the day D) Stand slowly and carefully to prevent orthostatic hypotension 39. The nurse is caring for a child taking somatropin (Humatrope). The nurse knows to monitor the patient for which therapeutic response? A) Decreased muscle strength B) Decreased urinary output C) Increased growth pattern D) Increased caloric intake 40. The nurse is reviewing a medication administration record (MAR) for a patient and reads the order, “Give levothyroxine (Synthroid), 20 mcg, PO once every evening.” Which action should the nurse take? A) Question the order, because the dose is too high B) Give the medication as ordered; the order is correct C) Question the order, because the time of day is incorrect D) Change the dose to 200 mg, because that is the correct dose 41. The nurse is caring for a patient taking lispro (Humalog) insulin. In which time frame will the insulin take effect? A) 3 to 5 hours B) 15 minutes C) 45 minutes D) 1 to 2 hours 42. The nurse is planning discharge teaching for a patient who will self-administer insulin at home. Which information would be to include in the teaching plan? A) Insulin should not be mixed in the same syringe, because they will crystalize when mixed B) Insulins should be drawn up into the same syringe with the clear first and cloudy second C) Injections should be given in sites that are most accessible and convenient for the patient D) When administering two insulins, each insulin injection should be given in a different site 43. The nurse is caring for a patient who is taking a biguanide, metformin (Glucophage), for metabolic syndrome. Which is the purpose of this patient taking metformin? A) Decreasing insulin resistance B) Decreasing pancreatic secretion of insulin C) Increasing blood glucose levels D) Increasing pancreatic uptake of insulin 44. The nurse is developing a discharge plan for a patient taking an antithyroid drug. Which information about nutrition would be important to include? A) Avoid foods that contain iodine B) Restrict all fluids to 100 mL per meal C) Increase potassium-rich foods D) Use only iodized salt when cooking 45. The nurse is caring for a diabetic patient taking oral antidiabetic drug. Which lab result will inform the nurse that the patient is having the correct therapeutic response? A) Fasting blood glucose between 70 and 100 mg/dL B) Random blood glucose of 170 mg/dL at 3 p.m. C) Blood glucose of 50 mg/dL taken after meals D) HS blood glucose of 80 mg/dL 46. The nurse is checking lab values on a patient with type 2 diabetes and reviews the hemoglobin A1C level. Which does a hemoglobin A1C of 6 inform the nurse about the patient and the medication plan? A) The patient is adhering to the medication plan B) The patient takes her medication some days C) The patient is taking too much medication D) The patient has stopped taking her medication 47. The nurse is caring for patient with type 2 diabetes who is receiving intravenous corticosteroid. Which adverse effect of the corticosteroids would the nurse monitor for? A) Halos when looking at light B) Increased urinary output C) Increased heart rate D) Increased blood glucose levels 48. The nurse is caring for a newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who is taking Januvia. Which adverse effects can occur with this drug? (Select all that apply). A) Runny or stuffy nose B) Increased blood glucose C) Increased appetite D) Nausea E) Headache 49. The nurse is caring for a school-aged child who is taking somatropin (Humatrope). Which is the anticipated outcome of this pharmacotherapy? A) Slowing down growth B) Increasing growth C) Slowing down of weight gain D) Increasing muscle strength