HESI PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
GRADED A + 2024/2025
A client has been taking isoniazid for 2 months. The client complains to the nurse about numbness,
paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse interprets that the client is experiencing which
problem?
1.Hypercalcemia
2.Peripheral neuritis
3.Small blood vessel spasm
4.Impaired peripheral circulation - Answer2.Peripheral neuritis
isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is peripheral neuritis,
manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the extremities. This can be minimized with
pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not associated with the information in the
question.
A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase. Which finding indicates that the medication
has been effective?
1.Relief of heartburn
2.Elimination of abdominal pain 3.Stabilization of blood glucose levels
4.A decrease in the amount of fat in the stools - Answer4.A decrease in the amount of fat in the stools
Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme used as a digestive aid for clients with pancreatitis. It should reduce
the amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another recognized beneficial effect is improved nutritional
status. It is not used to treat heartburn or abdominal pain and does not regulate blood glucose.
A client is admitted to the hospital emergency department with an acute anterior wall myocardial
infarction. The nurse discusses thrombolytic therapy with the client and spouse. The spouse is concerned
about the dangers of this treatment. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?
,1."There is no reason to worry. We use this medication all the time." 2."I'm certain you made the correct
decision to use this medication." 3."You have concerns about whether this treatment is the best option."
4."Your loved one is very ill. The primary health care provider has made the best decision for you." -
Answer3. You have concerns about whether this treatment is the best option
Paraphrasing is restating the client's or family members' own words. This allows the client and family
members to express their concerns and talk through the decisions that have been made. Option 1 offers
false reassurance. In option 2, the nurse is expressing approval, which can be harmful to the client-nurse
or family-nurse relationship. Option 4 represents a communication block that denies the family
member's right to an opinion.
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who is receiving an antihypertensive medication is
experiencing frequent hypotensive episodes. The nurse reviews the client's medication record, knowing
that which medication would have the greatest tendency to cause hypotension?
1.Methyldopa
2.Epoetin alfa
3.Levothyroxine
4.Calcium carbonate - Answer1.Methyldopa
Methyldopa is metabolized by the kidneys and requires careful dosage adjustment according to the
client's renal function to prevent hypotension. Calcium carbonate is used in the treatment of calcium
deficiency and does not cause hypotension when administered via the oral route. Parenteral
administration of calcium may cause hypotension. Levothyroxine does not cause hypotension. Epoetin
alfa is an erythropoietin and is more likely to cause hypertension than hypotension.
A client with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa for the past 2 months. What should the
nurse determine is an indicator that this therapy is effective?
1.A decrease in blood pressure
2.An increase in white blood cells
, 3.An increase in serum hematocrit
4.A decrease in serum creatinine level - Answer3.An increase in serum hematocrit
Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production. Initial effects should be seen within 1 to 2 weeks, and
the hematocrit reaches normal levels in 2 to 3 months.
Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic. Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. Frequent mouth
rinsing with water, sucking on hard candy, and chewing sugarless gum will alleviate this common side
effect. Mild leukopenia may occur, but the temperature does not need to be taken daily. Weight gain is a
common side effect, and frequent snacks would worsen the problem. Hypotension and hypertension are
rare side effects of fluphenazine.
Ribavirin is an antiviral respiratory medication used mainly for hospitalized children with severe RSV.
Administration is via hood, face mask, or oxygen tent. Ribavirin is not administered orally,
intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.
Rifabutin is prescribed for a client with active Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease and
tuberculosis. For which side and adverse effects of the medication should the nurse monitor? Select all
that apply.
1.Signs of hepatitis
2.Flu-like syndrome
3.Low neutrophil count
4.Vitamin B6 deficiency
5.Ocular pain or blurred vision
6.Tingling and numbness of the fingers - Answer1.Signs of hepatitis
2.Flu-like syndrome
3.Low neutrophil count
5.Ocular pain or blurred vision
GRADED A + 2024/2025
A client has been taking isoniazid for 2 months. The client complains to the nurse about numbness,
paresthesias, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse interprets that the client is experiencing which
problem?
1.Hypercalcemia
2.Peripheral neuritis
3.Small blood vessel spasm
4.Impaired peripheral circulation - Answer2.Peripheral neuritis
isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is peripheral neuritis,
manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the extremities. This can be minimized with
pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not associated with the information in the
question.
A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase. Which finding indicates that the medication
has been effective?
1.Relief of heartburn
2.Elimination of abdominal pain 3.Stabilization of blood glucose levels
4.A decrease in the amount of fat in the stools - Answer4.A decrease in the amount of fat in the stools
Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme used as a digestive aid for clients with pancreatitis. It should reduce
the amount of fatty stools (steatorrhea). Another recognized beneficial effect is improved nutritional
status. It is not used to treat heartburn or abdominal pain and does not regulate blood glucose.
A client is admitted to the hospital emergency department with an acute anterior wall myocardial
infarction. The nurse discusses thrombolytic therapy with the client and spouse. The spouse is concerned
about the dangers of this treatment. Which statement by the nurse is appropriate?
,1."There is no reason to worry. We use this medication all the time." 2."I'm certain you made the correct
decision to use this medication." 3."You have concerns about whether this treatment is the best option."
4."Your loved one is very ill. The primary health care provider has made the best decision for you." -
Answer3. You have concerns about whether this treatment is the best option
Paraphrasing is restating the client's or family members' own words. This allows the client and family
members to express their concerns and talk through the decisions that have been made. Option 1 offers
false reassurance. In option 2, the nurse is expressing approval, which can be harmful to the client-nurse
or family-nurse relationship. Option 4 represents a communication block that denies the family
member's right to an opinion.
A client with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who is receiving an antihypertensive medication is
experiencing frequent hypotensive episodes. The nurse reviews the client's medication record, knowing
that which medication would have the greatest tendency to cause hypotension?
1.Methyldopa
2.Epoetin alfa
3.Levothyroxine
4.Calcium carbonate - Answer1.Methyldopa
Methyldopa is metabolized by the kidneys and requires careful dosage adjustment according to the
client's renal function to prevent hypotension. Calcium carbonate is used in the treatment of calcium
deficiency and does not cause hypotension when administered via the oral route. Parenteral
administration of calcium may cause hypotension. Levothyroxine does not cause hypotension. Epoetin
alfa is an erythropoietin and is more likely to cause hypertension than hypotension.
A client with chronic kidney disease is receiving epoetin alfa for the past 2 months. What should the
nurse determine is an indicator that this therapy is effective?
1.A decrease in blood pressure
2.An increase in white blood cells
, 3.An increase in serum hematocrit
4.A decrease in serum creatinine level - Answer3.An increase in serum hematocrit
Epoetin alfa stimulates red blood cell production. Initial effects should be seen within 1 to 2 weeks, and
the hematocrit reaches normal levels in 2 to 3 months.
Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic. Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. Frequent mouth
rinsing with water, sucking on hard candy, and chewing sugarless gum will alleviate this common side
effect. Mild leukopenia may occur, but the temperature does not need to be taken daily. Weight gain is a
common side effect, and frequent snacks would worsen the problem. Hypotension and hypertension are
rare side effects of fluphenazine.
Ribavirin is an antiviral respiratory medication used mainly for hospitalized children with severe RSV.
Administration is via hood, face mask, or oxygen tent. Ribavirin is not administered orally,
intramuscularly, or subcutaneously.
Rifabutin is prescribed for a client with active Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease and
tuberculosis. For which side and adverse effects of the medication should the nurse monitor? Select all
that apply.
1.Signs of hepatitis
2.Flu-like syndrome
3.Low neutrophil count
4.Vitamin B6 deficiency
5.Ocular pain or blurred vision
6.Tingling and numbness of the fingers - Answer1.Signs of hepatitis
2.Flu-like syndrome
3.Low neutrophil count
5.Ocular pain or blurred vision
