PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2025
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
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 - ANSWER- 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 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-year-old child with iron
deficiency 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 - ANSWER- 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 - ANSWER- 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
,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 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 - ANSWER- 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 - ANSWER-
3. Informing the client that this is normal
, Rationale:
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 client 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.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has
occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - ANSWER- 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress
renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this
treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication 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 the pain that
occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which
laboratory test will be prescribed?
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES
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 - ANSWER- 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 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-year-old child with iron
deficiency 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 - ANSWER- 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 - ANSWER- 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
,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 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 - ANSWER- 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 - ANSWER-
3. Informing the client that this is normal
, Rationale:
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 client 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.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has
occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - ANSWER- 1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress
renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this
treatment should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
(hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication 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 the pain that
occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which
laboratory test will be prescribed?
