Pharmacology HESI version 2 exam review questions
and answers
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved? - ANS-Client states chest pain is relieved.
Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client is being discharged with
a prescription for warfarin Coumadin. In conducting discharge teaching, the nurse
advises the client to have which diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge? -
ANS-Prothrombin Time (PT/INR).
. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate Keflex for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription? - ANS-Penicillin
A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload? - ANS-Nitroglycerin
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-
release oxycodone prescription? - ANS-Every 12 hours
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. What is
the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level? - ANS-Immediately before the
next antibiotic dose is given
After abdominal surgery, a male client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin
LMWH. During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse why he is
receiving this medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? - ANS-
This medication is a blood thinner given to prevent blood clot formation
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa Sinemet. Which
observation by the nurse should indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - ANS-Lessening of tremors
A client is receiving metoprolol Lopressor SR. What assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain? - ANS-Blood pressure
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting.
Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client? - ANS-
Epinephrine
, A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition? - ANS-Heart failure
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside Arc-C for chemotherapy? - ANS-Inspect the client's
oral mucosa for ulcerations
Which drug is used as a palliative treatment for a client with tumor-induced spinal cord
compression? - ANS-Dexamethasone Decadron
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist valsartan Diovan has been achieved? - ANS-Blood pressure
reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
. Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis? - ANS-Bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol
A client receiving Doxorubicin Adriamycin intravenously IV complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - ANS-Discontinue the IV fluids
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone Adactone for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement? - ANS-Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone Narcan for a client in the emergency room.
Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective? - ANS-
The client's respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old
client with arthritis. The client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions because
her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse implement? - ANS-Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately
A client is taking hydromorphone Dilaudid PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid
IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate Stadol IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The
client received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain
medication. What intervention should the nurse implement? - ANS-Administer only the
Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia PCA pump with a
client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV
per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally
per hour. What assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? -
ANS-The rate and depth of the client's respirations
and answers
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved? - ANS-Client states chest pain is relieved.
Following heparin treatment for a pulmonary embolism, a client is being discharged with
a prescription for warfarin Coumadin. In conducting discharge teaching, the nurse
advises the client to have which diagnostic test monitored regularly after discharge? -
ANS-Prothrombin Time (PT/INR).
. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate Keflex for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription? - ANS-Penicillin
A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload? - ANS-Nitroglycerin
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a controlled-
release oxycodone prescription? - ANS-Every 12 hours
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. What is
the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level? - ANS-Immediately before the
next antibiotic dose is given
After abdominal surgery, a male client is prescribed low molecular weight heparin
LMWH. During administration of the medication, the client asks the nurse why he is
receiving this medication. Which is the best response for the nurse to provide? - ANS-
This medication is a blood thinner given to prevent blood clot formation
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa Sinemet. Which
observation by the nurse should indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - ANS-Lessening of tremors
A client is receiving metoprolol Lopressor SR. What assessment is most important for
the nurse to obtain? - ANS-Blood pressure
The nurse is assessing a client who is experiencing anaphylaxis from an insect sting.
Which prescription should the nurse prepare to administer this client? - ANS-
Epinephrine
, A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition? - ANS-Heart failure
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client receiving the
antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside Arc-C for chemotherapy? - ANS-Inspect the client's
oral mucosa for ulcerations
Which drug is used as a palliative treatment for a client with tumor-induced spinal cord
compression? - ANS-Dexamethasone Decadron
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist valsartan Diovan has been achieved? - ANS-Blood pressure
reduced from 160/90 to 130/80
. Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis? - ANS-Bismuth subsalicylate Pepto Bismol
A client receiving Doxorubicin Adriamycin intravenously IV complains of pain at the
insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site. Which intervention is most
important for the nurse to implement? - ANS-Discontinue the IV fluids
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone Adactone for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement? - ANS-Verify both prescriptions with the healthcare provider
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone Narcan for a client in the emergency room.
Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has been effective? - ANS-
The client's respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old
client with arthritis. The client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions because
her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse implement? - ANS-Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately
A client is taking hydromorphone Dilaudid PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid
IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate Stadol IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The
client received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain
medication. What intervention should the nurse implement? - ANS-Administer only the
Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia PCA pump with a
client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV
per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally
per hour. What assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? -
ANS-The rate and depth of the client's respirations
