2020 HESI PHARMACOLOGY
VERSION 1(100 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE)
,2020 HESI Pharmacology Version 1 – Questions 1 through 100
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that
the client'sserum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride
are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result
of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need
to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroidhormone, decreases the plasma
calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron
deficiencyane
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
4. Orange juiceRationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother
should be instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a
juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron.
,Water will not assist in absorption.Orange juice contains a greater amount
of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis.
The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would
indicate the presenceof systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. TinnitusRationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism)can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea,
and psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if
they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that
chemical sunscreens aremost effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes beforeexposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens
should be reapplied afterswimming or sweating.
, 5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn
injury. When applying the medication, the client complains of local
discomfort and burning.Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the clientthat this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive
organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in
avascular tissues. The clientshould be informed that the medication will
cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction;
therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon)to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing
that which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood
pressure 3.Local pain at
the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretionof acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this
treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
VERSION 1(100 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALE)
,2020 HESI Pharmacology Version 1 – Questions 1 through 100
1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that
the client'sserum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should
the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride
are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result
of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need
to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroidhormone, decreases the plasma
calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron
deficiencyane
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
4. Orange juiceRationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother
should be instructed to administer the medication with a citrus fruit or a
juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron.
,Water will not assist in absorption.Orange juice contains a greater amount
of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis.
The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would
indicate the presenceof systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. TinnitusRationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism)can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea,
and psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if
they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that
chemical sunscreens aremost effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes beforeexposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens
should be reapplied afterswimming or sweating.
, 5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn
injury. When applying the medication, the client complains of local
discomfort and burning.Which of the following is the most appropriate
nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the clientthat this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive
organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in
avascular tissues. The clientshould be informed that the medication will
cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction;
therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon)to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing
that which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood
pressure 3.Local pain at
the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretionof acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this
treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
