Pharmacology HESI Practice 2024 Version Updated
2025 with All 70 Questions from Actual Past Exam
and Correct Answer
A female client with rheumatoid arthritis takes ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg PO 4 times a day. To
prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol (Cytotec) 100 mcg PO is prescribed. Which
information is most important for the nurse to include in client teaching?
A. Use contraception during intercourse.
B. Ensure the Cytotec is taken on an empty stomach.
C. Encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation.
D. Take Cytotec 30 minutes prior to Motrin. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- A. Use
contraception during intercourse.
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia gravis. The
nurse prepares for intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the
expected outcome for this client following administration of this pharmacologic agent?
A. Progressive difficulty with swallowing.
B. Decreased respiratory effort.
C. Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D. Decreased muscle weakness. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- D. Decreased muscle
weakness.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone (Narcan) for a client in the emergency room. Which
assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective?
A. A client's statement that the chest pain is better.
B. Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
C. Seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
D. Pupils are constricted bilaterally. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Respiratory rate is
16 breaths/minute.
A client is prescribed morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per
patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for a total of 5 mg IV maximally per hour. Which
nursing action has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump?
A. Assessment of the expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B. Assessment of the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
C. Assessment of the type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D. Assessment of the client's subjective and objective signs of pain. ---------- Correct Answer ----
---------- B. Assessment of the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex) orally for
, symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa. Which action is most
important for the nurse to implement prior to administering the first dose?
A. Review the client's hemoglobin results.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Inquire about the reaction to sulfa.
D. Record the client's vital signs. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Notify the healthcare
provider.
A client is admitted to the hospital for a new onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is
prescribed digoxin. For which laboratory finding should the nurse notify the healthcare provider
immediately?
A. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L.
B. Sodium level of 132 mEq/L.
C. Calcium level of 8.6 mg/dL.
D. Magnesium level of 1.2 mEq/L. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- A. Potassium level of
3.1 mEq/L.
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (Aldactone) for a client who
receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider.
B. Report the medication interactions to the nurse manager.
C. Hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription.
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy. ---------- Correct Answer --------------
A. Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider.
The nurse admits a client with tumor-induced spinal cord compression. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate to be prescribed to offer the best palliative treatment for this client?
A. Morphine sulfate.
B. Ibuprofen.
C. Amitriptyline.
D. Dexamethasone. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- D. Dexamethasone.
The nurse is preparing an education session for a client prescribed opioids for intractable cancer
pain. The nurse should include strategies to help prevent which common side effect associated
with long-term use of opioids?
A. Sedation.
B. Constipation.
C. Urinary retention.
D. Respiratory depression. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Constipation.
2025 with All 70 Questions from Actual Past Exam
and Correct Answer
A female client with rheumatoid arthritis takes ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg PO 4 times a day. To
prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol (Cytotec) 100 mcg PO is prescribed. Which
information is most important for the nurse to include in client teaching?
A. Use contraception during intercourse.
B. Ensure the Cytotec is taken on an empty stomach.
C. Encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation.
D. Take Cytotec 30 minutes prior to Motrin. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- A. Use
contraception during intercourse.
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia gravis. The
nurse prepares for intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the
expected outcome for this client following administration of this pharmacologic agent?
A. Progressive difficulty with swallowing.
B. Decreased respiratory effort.
C. Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D. Decreased muscle weakness. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- D. Decreased muscle
weakness.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone (Narcan) for a client in the emergency room. Which
assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective?
A. A client's statement that the chest pain is better.
B. Respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
C. Seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
D. Pupils are constricted bilaterally. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Respiratory rate is
16 breaths/minute.
A client is prescribed morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per
patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump for a total of 5 mg IV maximally per hour. Which
nursing action has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump?
A. Assessment of the expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B. Assessment of the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
C. Assessment of the type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D. Assessment of the client's subjective and objective signs of pain. ---------- Correct Answer ----
---------- B. Assessment of the rate and depth of the client's respirations.
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex) orally for
, symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa. Which action is most
important for the nurse to implement prior to administering the first dose?
A. Review the client's hemoglobin results.
B. Notify the healthcare provider.
C. Inquire about the reaction to sulfa.
D. Record the client's vital signs. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Notify the healthcare
provider.
A client is admitted to the hospital for a new onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and is
prescribed digoxin. For which laboratory finding should the nurse notify the healthcare provider
immediately?
A. Potassium level of 3.1 mEq/L.
B. Sodium level of 132 mEq/L.
C. Calcium level of 8.6 mg/dL.
D. Magnesium level of 1.2 mEq/L. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- A. Potassium level of
3.1 mEq/L.
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (Aldactone) for a client who
receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider.
B. Report the medication interactions to the nurse manager.
C. Hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription.
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy. ---------- Correct Answer --------------
A. Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider.
The nurse admits a client with tumor-induced spinal cord compression. Which medication should
the nurse anticipate to be prescribed to offer the best palliative treatment for this client?
A. Morphine sulfate.
B. Ibuprofen.
C. Amitriptyline.
D. Dexamethasone. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- D. Dexamethasone.
The nurse is preparing an education session for a client prescribed opioids for intractable cancer
pain. The nurse should include strategies to help prevent which common side effect associated
with long-term use of opioids?
A. Sedation.
B. Constipation.
C. Urinary retention.
D. Respiratory depression. ---------- Correct Answer -------------- B. Constipation.
