HESI PHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL PRACTICE EXAM NEWEST
VERSION 2025-2026 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS.
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass
is admitted to the hospital. Which pharmacokinetic process is
affected and should be considered in the client's dosing of
medication?
A. Absorption.
B. Metabolism.
C. Elimination.
D. Distribution. - ANSWER-D. Distribution.
An adult client has prescriptions for morphine sulfate 2.5 mg IV
every 6 hours and ketorolac (Toradol) 30 mg IV every 6 hours.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Administer both medications according to the prescription.
B. Hold the ketorolac to prevent an antagonistic effect.
C. Hold the morphine to prevent an additive drug interaction.
D. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify the prescription. -
ANSWER-A. Administer both medications according to the
prescription.
,A client is receiving methylprednisolone 40 mg IV daily. The
nurse should monitor which laboratory value closely?
A. Serum glucose.
B. Serum calcium.
C. Red blood cells.
D. Serum potassium. - ANSWER-A. Serum glucose.
A client is receiving clonidine 0.1 mg/24 hr via transdermal
patch. Which assessment finding indicates the desired effect of
the medication has been achieved?
A. Absence of nausea and vomiting.
B. Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
C. Denial of anginal pain and shortness of breath.
D. Blood pressure from 180/120 mmHg to 140/70 mmHg. -
ANSWER-D. Blood pressure from 180/120 mmHg to 140/70
mmHg.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago
calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain
and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct
drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
,A. Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low
potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
B. Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
C. Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side
effect.
D. Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the
drug to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. - ANSWER-C.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because
muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of
care for a client receiving the angiotensin-2 receptor antagonist
irbesartan (Avapro)?
A. Fluid volume deficit.
B. Risk for infection.
C. Risk for injury.
D. Impaired sleep patterns. - ANSWER-C. Risk for injury.
A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and
an IV of normal saline at 50 mL/hour. The nurse notes that the
client's urinary output has been 20 mL/hour for the last 2 hours.
Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
, A. Stop the infusion of dopamine.
B. Change the normal saline to a keep open rate.
C. Replace the urinary catheter.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output. -
ANSWER-D. Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary
output.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior
to the administration of the antiarrhythmic drug adenosine
(Adenocard)?
A. Assess pupillary response to light.
B. Instruct the client that facial flushing may occur.
C. Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
D. Request that family members leave the room. - ANSWER-C.
Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
A client with a dysrhythmia is prescribed procainamide
(Pronestyl) in 4 divided doses over the next 24 hours. Which
dosing schedule is best for the nurse to implement?
A. Every 6 hours.
B. QID.
C. AC and bedtime.
D. PC and bedtime. - ANSWER-A. Every 6 hours.
VERSION 2025-2026 ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS.
An older client with a decreased percentage of lean body mass
is admitted to the hospital. Which pharmacokinetic process is
affected and should be considered in the client's dosing of
medication?
A. Absorption.
B. Metabolism.
C. Elimination.
D. Distribution. - ANSWER-D. Distribution.
An adult client has prescriptions for morphine sulfate 2.5 mg IV
every 6 hours and ketorolac (Toradol) 30 mg IV every 6 hours.
Which action should the nurse implement?
A. Administer both medications according to the prescription.
B. Hold the ketorolac to prevent an antagonistic effect.
C. Hold the morphine to prevent an additive drug interaction.
D. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify the prescription. -
ANSWER-A. Administer both medications according to the
prescription.
,A client is receiving methylprednisolone 40 mg IV daily. The
nurse should monitor which laboratory value closely?
A. Serum glucose.
B. Serum calcium.
C. Red blood cells.
D. Serum potassium. - ANSWER-A. Serum glucose.
A client is receiving clonidine 0.1 mg/24 hr via transdermal
patch. Which assessment finding indicates the desired effect of
the medication has been achieved?
A. Absence of nausea and vomiting.
B. Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
C. Denial of anginal pain and shortness of breath.
D. Blood pressure from 180/120 mmHg to 140/70 mmHg. -
ANSWER-D. Blood pressure from 180/120 mmHg to 140/70
mmHg.
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago
calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain
and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct
drug-specific teaching the nurse should provide to this client?
,A. Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low
potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
B. Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
C. Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side
effect.
D. Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the
drug to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. - ANSWER-C.
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because
muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of
care for a client receiving the angiotensin-2 receptor antagonist
irbesartan (Avapro)?
A. Fluid volume deficit.
B. Risk for infection.
C. Risk for injury.
D. Impaired sleep patterns. - ANSWER-C. Risk for injury.
A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and
an IV of normal saline at 50 mL/hour. The nurse notes that the
client's urinary output has been 20 mL/hour for the last 2 hours.
Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
, A. Stop the infusion of dopamine.
B. Change the normal saline to a keep open rate.
C. Replace the urinary catheter.
D. Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output. -
ANSWER-D. Notify the healthcare provider of the urinary
output.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior
to the administration of the antiarrhythmic drug adenosine
(Adenocard)?
A. Assess pupillary response to light.
B. Instruct the client that facial flushing may occur.
C. Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
D. Request that family members leave the room. - ANSWER-C.
Apply continuous cardiac monitoring.
A client with a dysrhythmia is prescribed procainamide
(Pronestyl) in 4 divided doses over the next 24 hours. Which
dosing schedule is best for the nurse to implement?
A. Every 6 hours.
B. QID.
C. AC and bedtime.
D. PC and bedtime. - ANSWER-A. Every 6 hours.
