HESI Pharmacology Version1
(Exam (Latest 2024/ 2025 Update)
100% Correct Questions and
Verified Answers| Grade A
1) A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
patient 'sserum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer as prescribed to thepatient ?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses ofvitamin D 3. Calcitonin(Miacalcin)
Elaboration:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This patient 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 thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-y ear-old child with iron deficiencyane
itemm? ia. The nurse instructs the mother to admin ister he ro with which best food
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice 4. Orange juice
Elaboration:
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 theiron. Waterwillnotassist in absorption.
Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a patient with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitorsthe patient , knowing thatwhich ofthe following would indicatethe
presenceofsystemic toxicity from thisimedication?
1. Tinnitus
,2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations 1. Tinnitus
Elaboration:
,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 are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately beforeswimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to thesun
3. Immediately before exposure to thesun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun 4. At least 30 minutesibefore
exposure to thesun
Elaboration:
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 after
swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the patient with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the patient complains of local discomfort and
burning.Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registerednurse
2. Discontinuing themedication
3. Informing the patient that thisis normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed tothe burn site3. Informing the
patient that this isnormal
Elaboration:
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 patient
should 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.) Theburnpatient is receiving treatments of topical mafenideacetate(Sulfamylon)to
the site of injury. The nurse monitors the patient , knowing that which of the
followingindicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burnsite
4.Local rash at theiburn site 1.Hyperventilation
, Elaboration:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretionof
acid, thereby causing acidosis. Patient s receiving this treatment should be
monitoredfor signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
theimedication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected
from thepain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin isprescribed for apatient withsevereacne. Before
theadministrationofthis medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory
test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete bloodcount
4. White blood cell count 2. Triglycerideil evel
Elaboration:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need tobe monitored
specifically during thistreatment.
8.) A patient with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP)
prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the patient 's medication record and
wouldcontact the (HCP) if the patient is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide(Lasix)
4. Phenytoin(Dilantin) 1. Vitamin A
Elaboration:
Isotretinoinisa metabolite of vitamin Aand can produce generalized intensificationof
isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4iare
notcontraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a patient with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medicationif
the medication were being applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
(Exam (Latest 2024/ 2025 Update)
100% Correct Questions and
Verified Answers| Grade A
1) A nurse is caring for a patient with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the
patient 'sserum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer as prescribed to thepatient ?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses ofvitamin D 3. Calcitonin(Miacalcin)
Elaboration:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This patient 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 thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-y ear-old child with iron deficiencyane
itemm? ia. The nurse instructs the mother to admin ister he ro with which best food
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice 4. Orange juice
Elaboration:
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 theiron. Waterwillnotassist in absorption.
Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a patient with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitorsthe patient , knowing thatwhich ofthe following would indicatethe
presenceofsystemic toxicity from thisimedication?
1. Tinnitus
,2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations 1. Tinnitus
Elaboration:
,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 are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately beforeswimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to thesun
3. Immediately before exposure to thesun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun 4. At least 30 minutesibefore
exposure to thesun
Elaboration:
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 after
swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the patient with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the patient complains of local discomfort and
burning.Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registerednurse
2. Discontinuing themedication
3. Informing the patient that thisis normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed tothe burn site3. Informing the
patient that this isnormal
Elaboration:
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 patient
should 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.) Theburnpatient is receiving treatments of topical mafenideacetate(Sulfamylon)to
the site of injury. The nurse monitors the patient , knowing that which of the
followingindicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burnsite
4.Local rash at theiburn site 1.Hyperventilation
, Elaboration:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excretionof
acid, thereby causing acidosis. Patient s receiving this treatment should be
monitoredfor signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
theimedication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected
from thepain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin isprescribed for apatient withsevereacne. Before
theadministrationofthis medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory
test will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete bloodcount
4. White blood cell count 2. Triglycerideil evel
Elaboration:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need tobe monitored
specifically during thistreatment.
8.) A patient with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP)
prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the patient 's medication record and
wouldcontact the (HCP) if the patient is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide(Lasix)
4. Phenytoin(Dilantin) 1. Vitamin A
Elaboration:
Isotretinoinisa metabolite of vitamin Aand can produce generalized intensificationof
isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4iare
notcontraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a patient with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medicationif
the medication were being applied to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
