1|Page
HESI Pharmacology V1 2025 | Actual
Exam Questions With Answers
The health care provider (HCP) prescribes exenatide (Byetta) for a client with type
1 diabetes mellitus who takes insulin. The nurse knows that which of the following
is the appropriate intervention?
1. The medication is administered within 60 minutes before the morning and
evening meal.
2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question the prescription
for the client.
3. The client is monitored for gastrointestinal side effects after administration of
the medication.
4. The insulin is withdrawn from the Penlet into an insulin syringe to prepare for
administration.-correct-answer-2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is
called to question the prescription for the client.
Rationale:
Exenatide (Byetta) is an incretin mimetic used for type 2 diabetes mellitus only. It
is not recommended for clients taking insulin. Hence, the nurse should hold the
medication and question the HCP regarding this prescription. Although options 1
and 3 are correct statements about the medication, in this situation the
medication should not be administered. The medication is packaged in prefilled
pens ready for injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe.
,2|Page
A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse reinforces
instructions for the client and tells the client that the most likely time for a
hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
1. 2 to 4 hours after administration
2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
3. 16 to 18 hours after administration
4. 18 to 24 hours after administration-correct-answer-2. 4 to 12 hours after
administration
Rationale:
Humulin NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it
peaks in 4 to 12 hours, and its duration of action is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic
reactions most likely occur during peak time.
A client with diabetes mellitus visits a health care clinic. The client's diabetes
mellitus previously had been well controlled with glyburide (DiaBeta) daily, but
recently the fasting blood glucose level has been 180 to 200 mg/dL. Which
medication, if added to the client's regimen, may have contributed to the
hyperglycemia?
1. Prednisone
2. Phenelzine (Nardil)
3. Atenolol (Tenormin)
4. Allopurinol (Zyloprim)-correct-answer-1. Prednisone
Rationale:
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Prednisone may decrease the effect of oral hypoglycemics, insulin, diuretics, and
potassium supplements. Option 2, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and option 3, a
β- blocker, have their own intrinsic hypoglycemic activity. Option 4 decreases
urinary excretion of sulfonylurea agents, causing increased levels of the oral
agents, which can lead to hypoglycemia.
A community health nurse visits a client at home. Prednisone 10 mg orally daily
has been prescribed for the client and the nurse reinforces teaching for the client
about the medication. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates that
further teaching is necessary?
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
2. "I need to take the medication every day at the same time."
3. "I need to avoid coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate in my diet."
4. "If I gain more than 5 pounds a week, I will call my doctor."-correct-answer-1. "I
can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
Rationale:
Aspirin and other over-the-counter medications should not be taken unless the
client consults with the health care provider (HCP). The client needs to take the
medication at the same time every day and should be instructed not to stop the
medication. A slight weight gain as a result of an improved appetite is expected,
but after the dosage is stabilized, a weight gain of 5 lb or more weekly should be
reported to the HCP. Caffeine- containing foods and fluids need to be avoided
because they may contribute to steroid- ulcer development.
, 4|Page
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes
insipidus. The nurse monitors the client after medication administration for which
therapeutic response?
1. Decreased urinary output
2. Decreased blood pressure
3. Decreased peripheral edema
4. Decreased blood glucose level-correct-answer-1. Decreased urinary output
Rationale
:Desmopressin promotes renal conservation of water. The hormone carries out
this action by acting on the collecting ducts of the kidney to increase their
permeability to water, which results in increased water reabsorption. The
therapeutic effect of this medication would be manifested by a decreased urine
output. Options 2, 3, and 4 are unrelated to the effects of this medication.
he home health care nurse is visiting a client who was recently diagnosed with
type 2 diabetes mellitus. The client is prescribed repaglinide (Prandin) and
metformin (Glucophage) and asks the nurse to explain these medications. The
nurse should reinforce which instructions to the client? Select all that apply.
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia
episodes.
HESI Pharmacology V1 2025 | Actual
Exam Questions With Answers
The health care provider (HCP) prescribes exenatide (Byetta) for a client with type
1 diabetes mellitus who takes insulin. The nurse knows that which of the following
is the appropriate intervention?
1. The medication is administered within 60 minutes before the morning and
evening meal.
2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question the prescription
for the client.
3. The client is monitored for gastrointestinal side effects after administration of
the medication.
4. The insulin is withdrawn from the Penlet into an insulin syringe to prepare for
administration.-correct-answer-2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is
called to question the prescription for the client.
Rationale:
Exenatide (Byetta) is an incretin mimetic used for type 2 diabetes mellitus only. It
is not recommended for clients taking insulin. Hence, the nurse should hold the
medication and question the HCP regarding this prescription. Although options 1
and 3 are correct statements about the medication, in this situation the
medication should not be administered. The medication is packaged in prefilled
pens ready for injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe.
,2|Page
A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse reinforces
instructions for the client and tells the client that the most likely time for a
hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
1. 2 to 4 hours after administration
2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
3. 16 to 18 hours after administration
4. 18 to 24 hours after administration-correct-answer-2. 4 to 12 hours after
administration
Rationale:
Humulin NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it
peaks in 4 to 12 hours, and its duration of action is 24 hours. Hypoglycemic
reactions most likely occur during peak time.
A client with diabetes mellitus visits a health care clinic. The client's diabetes
mellitus previously had been well controlled with glyburide (DiaBeta) daily, but
recently the fasting blood glucose level has been 180 to 200 mg/dL. Which
medication, if added to the client's regimen, may have contributed to the
hyperglycemia?
1. Prednisone
2. Phenelzine (Nardil)
3. Atenolol (Tenormin)
4. Allopurinol (Zyloprim)-correct-answer-1. Prednisone
Rationale:
,3|Page
Prednisone may decrease the effect of oral hypoglycemics, insulin, diuretics, and
potassium supplements. Option 2, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, and option 3, a
β- blocker, have their own intrinsic hypoglycemic activity. Option 4 decreases
urinary excretion of sulfonylurea agents, causing increased levels of the oral
agents, which can lead to hypoglycemia.
A community health nurse visits a client at home. Prednisone 10 mg orally daily
has been prescribed for the client and the nurse reinforces teaching for the client
about the medication. Which statement, if made by the client, indicates that
further teaching is necessary?
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
2. "I need to take the medication every day at the same time."
3. "I need to avoid coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate in my diet."
4. "If I gain more than 5 pounds a week, I will call my doctor."-correct-answer-1. "I
can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
Rationale:
Aspirin and other over-the-counter medications should not be taken unless the
client consults with the health care provider (HCP). The client needs to take the
medication at the same time every day and should be instructed not to stop the
medication. A slight weight gain as a result of an improved appetite is expected,
but after the dosage is stabilized, a weight gain of 5 lb or more weekly should be
reported to the HCP. Caffeine- containing foods and fluids need to be avoided
because they may contribute to steroid- ulcer development.
, 4|Page
Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes
insipidus. The nurse monitors the client after medication administration for which
therapeutic response?
1. Decreased urinary output
2. Decreased blood pressure
3. Decreased peripheral edema
4. Decreased blood glucose level-correct-answer-1. Decreased urinary output
Rationale
:Desmopressin promotes renal conservation of water. The hormone carries out
this action by acting on the collecting ducts of the kidney to increase their
permeability to water, which results in increased water reabsorption. The
therapeutic effect of this medication would be manifested by a decreased urine
output. Options 2, 3, and 4 are unrelated to the effects of this medication.
he home health care nurse is visiting a client who was recently diagnosed with
type 2 diabetes mellitus. The client is prescribed repaglinide (Prandin) and
metformin (Glucophage) and asks the nurse to explain these medications. The
nurse should reinforce which instructions to the client? Select all that apply.
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia
episodes.
