2023-2024 HESI Pharmacology V1
1. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's
serum 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 Ans: 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 hypercal-
cemia, 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-year-old child with iron de-
ficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which
best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale: 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 presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychologica
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 Ans:
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 Ans: 4. At least 30 minutes before
exposure 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 after
swimming 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 Ans: 3. Informing the client
that this is normal
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organism
and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues.The client should be
informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a norm
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6. The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamy- lon) to
the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
, indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?1.Hyperventila- tion
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site Ans: 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excre
tion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored
for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the
1. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's
serum 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 Ans: 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 hypercal-
cemia, 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-year-old child with iron de-
ficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which
best food item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice Ans: 4. Orange juice
Rationale: 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 presence of
systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations Ans: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity
(salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychologica
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 Ans:
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 Ans: 4. At least 30 minutes before
exposure 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 after
swimming 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 Ans: 3. Informing the client
that this is normal
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organism
and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues.The client should be
informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a norm
reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
6. The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamy- lon) to
the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following
, indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?1.Hyperventila- tion
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site Ans: 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal excre
tion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be monitored
for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the
