HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice 2025 (NCLEX PN) 2
VERSIONS Exam 2025–2026 Accurate Real Exam
Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST RELEASED
1) 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.
2.) 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.
3.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP) prescribes
isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the client is
taking which medication?
,1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - answer>>>1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of isotretinoin
toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued
before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
4.) The client with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is receiving bleomycin intravenously. The
nurse caring for the client anticipates that which diagnostic study will be prescribed?
1. Echocardiography
2. Electrocardiography
3. Cervical radiography
4. Pulmonary function studies - answer>>>4. Pulmonary function studies
Rationale:
Bleomycin is an antineoplastic medication (Chemotheraputic Agents) that can cause interstitial
pneumonitis, which can progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary function studies along with
hematological, hepatic, and renal function tests need to be monitored. The nurse needs to monitor lung
sounds for dyspnea and crackles, which indicate pulmonary toxicity. The medication needs to be
discontinued immediately if pulmonary toxicity occurs. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to the specific
use of this medication.
5.) The client with acute myelocytic leukemia is being treated with busulfan (Myleran). Which laboratory
value would the nurse specifically monitor during treatment with this medication?
1. Clotting time
2. Uric acid level
3. Potassium level
4. Blood glucose level - answer>>>2. Uric acid level
Rationale:
,Busulfan (Myleran) can cause an increase in the uric acid level. Hyperuricemia can produce uric acid
nephropathy, renal stones, and acute renal failure. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not specifically related to this
medication.
6.) 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.
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?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - answer>>>2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
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 to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
8.) 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.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse would monitor for
the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medication if the medication were being applied
to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands - answer>>>2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is higher from regions
where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower
from regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client
is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the
client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - answer>>>1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid appears to work by
suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes.
Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
11.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for the client with a partial-
thickness burn, which has cultured positive for gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing
VERSIONS Exam 2025–2026 Accurate Real Exam
Questions and Verified Correct Answers JUST RELEASED
1) 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.
2.) 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.
3.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider (HCP) prescribes
isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and would contact the (HCP) if the client is
taking which medication?
,1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - answer>>>1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized intensification of isotretinoin
toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued
before isotretinoin therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
4.) The client with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is receiving bleomycin intravenously. The
nurse caring for the client anticipates that which diagnostic study will be prescribed?
1. Echocardiography
2. Electrocardiography
3. Cervical radiography
4. Pulmonary function studies - answer>>>4. Pulmonary function studies
Rationale:
Bleomycin is an antineoplastic medication (Chemotheraputic Agents) that can cause interstitial
pneumonitis, which can progress to pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary function studies along with
hematological, hepatic, and renal function tests need to be monitored. The nurse needs to monitor lung
sounds for dyspnea and crackles, which indicate pulmonary toxicity. The medication needs to be
discontinued immediately if pulmonary toxicity occurs. Options 1, 2, and 3 are unrelated to the specific
use of this medication.
5.) The client with acute myelocytic leukemia is being treated with busulfan (Myleran). Which laboratory
value would the nurse specifically monitor during treatment with this medication?
1. Clotting time
2. Uric acid level
3. Potassium level
4. Blood glucose level - answer>>>2. Uric acid level
Rationale:
,Busulfan (Myleran) can cause an increase in the uric acid level. Hyperuricemia can produce uric acid
nephropathy, renal stones, and acute renal failure. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not specifically related to this
medication.
6.) 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.
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?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count - answer>>>2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
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 to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
8.) 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.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse would monitor for
the potential for increased systemic absorption of the medication if the medication were being applied
to which of the following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands - answer>>>2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is higher from regions
where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face, eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower
from regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse notes that the client
is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication prescription, the nurse would suspect that the
client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - answer>>>1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid appears to work by
suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes.
Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
11.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for the client with a partial-
thickness burn, which has cultured positive for gram-negative bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing
