HESI RN Pharmacology Complete Latest
Compilation QuestionsGraded
(2025/2026)A+
1. A male client with stomach cancer returns to the unit following a total gastrectomy. He has a nasogastric tube to suction and is receiving Lactated Ringer's solution at 75
mL/hour IV. One hour after admission to the unit, the nurse notes 300 mL of blood in the suction canister, the client's heart rate is 155 beats/minute, and his blood pressure is
78/48 mmHg. In addition to reporting the finding to the surgeon. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: d. Increase the infusion rate of Lactated Ringer's solution.
2. an adult male who fell 20 feet from the roof of this home has multiple injuries, including a right pneumothorax. Chest tubes were inserted in the emergency department prior to
his transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). the nurse notes that the suction control chamber is bubbling at the
- 10 cm H2O mark, with fluctuation in the water seal, and over the past hour 75 ml of bright red blood is measured in the collection chamber. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
Correct Answer: a. Add sterile water to the suction control chamber.
3. A client who received hemodialysis yesterday is experiencing a blood pressure of 200/100 mmHg, heart rate 110 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 36 breaths/minute. The
client is manifesting shortness of breath, bilateral 2+ pedal edema, and an oxygen saturation on room air of 89%. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: c. Begin supplemental oxygen.
4. A client with Addison's crisis is admitted for treatment with adrenal cortical supplementation. Based on the client's admitting diagnosis, which findings require immediate action
by the nurse? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer: Headache and tremors
Irregular heart rate
pallor and diaphoresis
5. An older client is admitted with fluid volume deficit and dehydration. Which assessment finding is the best indicator of hydration that the nurse should report to the healthcare
provider?
Correct Answer: d. Skin tenting occurs when the client's forearm is pinched.
6. After an inservice about electronic health record (EHR) security and safeguarding client information, the nurse observes a colleague going home with printed copies of client
information in a uniform pocket. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer:a. File a detailed incident report with the specific hiring facility.
7. The nurse is evaluating a tertiary prevention program for clients with cardiovascular disease implemented in a rural health clinic. Which outcome indicate the program is
effective?
Correct Answer:c. Clients who incurred disease complications promptly received rehabilitation.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who uses oxygen at 2 L/minute per nasal cannula continuously. The nurse observes that
the client is having increased shortness of breath with respirations at 23 breaths/minute. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer:d. Assess the delivery mechanism of the oxygen tank, tubing, and cannula.
9. Which statement by a client who is 24 hours post-subtotal thyroidectomy requires an immediate investigation by the nurse?
Correct Answer:When I get out of bed quickly, I feel a little dizzy."
10. An older adult male who is in his early 70's is admitted to the emergency department because of a COPD exacerbation. This client is struggling to breathe and the
healthcare team is preparing for endotracheal intubation. The spouse's wife, who is 30 years younger than the client, asks the nurse to stop the procedure and provide the nurse
a copy of the client's living will. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer:b. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's wishes.
11. An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to provide personal care for a client whose prescribed activity is bedrest with bedside commode use. The UAP reports
to the nurse that the client is so obese that the UAP feels unable to safely assist the client in transferring from the bed to the bedside commode. How should the nurse respond?
Correct Answer:c. Advice the client to maintain bedrest so that safety can be ensured.
12. A nurse determines that more than 25% of the students at a middle school are overweight. The nurse presents the information at the parent-teacher meeting. What action is
most important for the nurse to include in the meeting?
Correct Answer:c. Distribute a shopping list of suggested healthy snack items.
13. After several months of chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, and join pain, a young adult is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and the healthcare provider prescribes
prednisone. Which education should the nurse provide the client with regard to taking prednisone?
Correct Answer:c. If sequential doses are missed, notify the healthcare provider.
14. The psychiatric nurse is caring for clients on an adolescent unit. Which client requires the nurse's immediate attention?
Correct Answer:c. An 18-year-old client with antisocial behavior who is being yelled at by other clients
, 15. The nurse caring for a child with mononucleosis can expect the child to exhibit which symptoms?
Correct Answer:b. Ear pain and fever.
16. A client arrives for an annual physical exam and complains of having calf pain. The client's health history reveals peripheral atrial disease. Which question should the nurse
ask the client about expected finding related to chronic arterial symptoms?
Correct Answer:b. Does the calf pain occur when walking short distances?
17. The nurse is preparing to send a client to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angioplasty. Which client report is most important for them to explore further prior to the start
of the procedure?
Correct Answer:d. Experience facial swelling after eating crab.
18. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child with eczema. The child's skin is dry and scaly, and the mother reports that the child frequently scratches the lesions on the skin to
the point of causing bleeding. Which guideline is indicated for care of this child?
Correct Answer:b. Apply baby lotion to the skin twice daily.
19. A new mother on the postpartum unit runs out of the room screaming that her newborn infant's crib is empty and the baby is missing. What action should the nurse take
first?
Correct Answer:d. Match ID bands of all infants and mothers on the unit.
20. While providing a health history, a female client tells the clinic nurse that she frequently thinks about hurting herself. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?
Correct Answer:c. "Have you thought about taking your life?"
21. A college student brings a dorm roommate to the campus clinic because the roommate has been talking to someone who is not present. The client tells the nurse that the
voices are saying, "kill, kill." What question should the nurse ask the client next?
Correct Answer:c. "Are you planning to obey the voices?"
22. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports tingling of the feet and who is newly diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Which outcome should the
nurse include in the plan of care for this client?
Correct Answer:d. The client's skin on the lower legs will be intact at the next clinical visit.
23. When conducting diet teaching for a client who was diagnosed with hypertension, which food should the nurse encourage the client to eat? (select all that apply.)
a. . Fruits without sauce
Correct Answer:c. Fresh or frozen vegetables without sauce.
24. A client with bacterial meningitis is receiving phenytoin. Which assessment finding indication to the nurse that the client is experiencing a therapeutic response to the
phenytoin?
Correct Answer:c. Absence of seizure activity for the duration of treatment.
25. The nurse observes a client prepare a meal in the kitchen of a rehabilitation facility prior to discharge. Which behaviors indicate the client understands how to maintain
balance safely? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer:a. Brings a heavy can close to body before lifting.
b. Locks knees while preparing food on the counter.
26. An older client is admitted to the hospital because of recurring transient ischemic attacks. Neurological serial assessments for the past 24 hours were within normal limits.
One day after admission, the client suddenly becomes confused and combative indicating impaired mental status (IMS). What intervention should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer:b. Reduce environmental stimuli.
27. The charge nurse in an extended care facility is organizing unit activities for the day. Which action may be safely delegated to the practical nurse (PN)?
Correct Answer:Establish blood pressure parameters for client monitoring
28. During the shift report, the charge nurse receives notice of several problems. Which problem should the nurse address first?
Correct Answer:d. A bucket of water was spilled in the hallway.
29. An older adult client with chronic emphysema is admitted to the emergency room from home with acute onset of weakness, palpitations, and vomiting. Which information is
most important for the nurse to obtain during the initial interview?
Correct Answer:Recent compliance with prescribed medications
30. The nurse is feeding an older adult who was admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The client is weak and begins coughing while attempting to drink through a straw. Which
Correct Answer:intervention should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer:b. Monitor the client when using a straw for liquids.
31. A male client with right-sided weakness calls for assistance with ambulating to the bathroom. What action should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer:b. Stand on the client's right side as he walks.
Compilation QuestionsGraded
(2025/2026)A+
1. A male client with stomach cancer returns to the unit following a total gastrectomy. He has a nasogastric tube to suction and is receiving Lactated Ringer's solution at 75
mL/hour IV. One hour after admission to the unit, the nurse notes 300 mL of blood in the suction canister, the client's heart rate is 155 beats/minute, and his blood pressure is
78/48 mmHg. In addition to reporting the finding to the surgeon. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer: d. Increase the infusion rate of Lactated Ringer's solution.
2. an adult male who fell 20 feet from the roof of this home has multiple injuries, including a right pneumothorax. Chest tubes were inserted in the emergency department prior to
his transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU). the nurse notes that the suction control chamber is bubbling at the
- 10 cm H2O mark, with fluctuation in the water seal, and over the past hour 75 ml of bright red blood is measured in the collection chamber. Which intervention should the nurse
implement?
Correct Answer: a. Add sterile water to the suction control chamber.
3. A client who received hemodialysis yesterday is experiencing a blood pressure of 200/100 mmHg, heart rate 110 beats/minute, and respiratory rate 36 breaths/minute. The
client is manifesting shortness of breath, bilateral 2+ pedal edema, and an oxygen saturation on room air of 89%. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: c. Begin supplemental oxygen.
4. A client with Addison's crisis is admitted for treatment with adrenal cortical supplementation. Based on the client's admitting diagnosis, which findings require immediate action
by the nurse? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer: Headache and tremors
Irregular heart rate
pallor and diaphoresis
5. An older client is admitted with fluid volume deficit and dehydration. Which assessment finding is the best indicator of hydration that the nurse should report to the healthcare
provider?
Correct Answer: d. Skin tenting occurs when the client's forearm is pinched.
6. After an inservice about electronic health record (EHR) security and safeguarding client information, the nurse observes a colleague going home with printed copies of client
information in a uniform pocket. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer:a. File a detailed incident report with the specific hiring facility.
7. The nurse is evaluating a tertiary prevention program for clients with cardiovascular disease implemented in a rural health clinic. Which outcome indicate the program is
effective?
Correct Answer:c. Clients who incurred disease complications promptly received rehabilitation.
8. The nurse is caring for a client with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who uses oxygen at 2 L/minute per nasal cannula continuously. The nurse observes that
the client is having increased shortness of breath with respirations at 23 breaths/minute. Which action should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer:d. Assess the delivery mechanism of the oxygen tank, tubing, and cannula.
9. Which statement by a client who is 24 hours post-subtotal thyroidectomy requires an immediate investigation by the nurse?
Correct Answer:When I get out of bed quickly, I feel a little dizzy."
10. An older adult male who is in his early 70's is admitted to the emergency department because of a COPD exacerbation. This client is struggling to breathe and the
healthcare team is preparing for endotracheal intubation. The spouse's wife, who is 30 years younger than the client, asks the nurse to stop the procedure and provide the nurse
a copy of the client's living will. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer:b. Notify the healthcare provider of the client's wishes.
11. An unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) is assigned to provide personal care for a client whose prescribed activity is bedrest with bedside commode use. The UAP reports
to the nurse that the client is so obese that the UAP feels unable to safely assist the client in transferring from the bed to the bedside commode. How should the nurse respond?
Correct Answer:c. Advice the client to maintain bedrest so that safety can be ensured.
12. A nurse determines that more than 25% of the students at a middle school are overweight. The nurse presents the information at the parent-teacher meeting. What action is
most important for the nurse to include in the meeting?
Correct Answer:c. Distribute a shopping list of suggested healthy snack items.
13. After several months of chronic fatigue, morning stiffness, and join pain, a young adult is diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and the healthcare provider prescribes
prednisone. Which education should the nurse provide the client with regard to taking prednisone?
Correct Answer:c. If sequential doses are missed, notify the healthcare provider.
14. The psychiatric nurse is caring for clients on an adolescent unit. Which client requires the nurse's immediate attention?
Correct Answer:c. An 18-year-old client with antisocial behavior who is being yelled at by other clients
, 15. The nurse caring for a child with mononucleosis can expect the child to exhibit which symptoms?
Correct Answer:b. Ear pain and fever.
16. A client arrives for an annual physical exam and complains of having calf pain. The client's health history reveals peripheral atrial disease. Which question should the nurse
ask the client about expected finding related to chronic arterial symptoms?
Correct Answer:b. Does the calf pain occur when walking short distances?
17. The nurse is preparing to send a client to the cardiac catheterization lab for an angioplasty. Which client report is most important for them to explore further prior to the start
of the procedure?
Correct Answer:d. Experience facial swelling after eating crab.
18. The nurse is assessing a 4-year-old child with eczema. The child's skin is dry and scaly, and the mother reports that the child frequently scratches the lesions on the skin to
the point of causing bleeding. Which guideline is indicated for care of this child?
Correct Answer:b. Apply baby lotion to the skin twice daily.
19. A new mother on the postpartum unit runs out of the room screaming that her newborn infant's crib is empty and the baby is missing. What action should the nurse take
first?
Correct Answer:d. Match ID bands of all infants and mothers on the unit.
20. While providing a health history, a female client tells the clinic nurse that she frequently thinks about hurting herself. Which question is most important for the nurse to ask?
Correct Answer:c. "Have you thought about taking your life?"
21. A college student brings a dorm roommate to the campus clinic because the roommate has been talking to someone who is not present. The client tells the nurse that the
voices are saying, "kill, kill." What question should the nurse ask the client next?
Correct Answer:c. "Are you planning to obey the voices?"
22. The nurse is developing a plan of care for a client who reports tingling of the feet and who is newly diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease. Which outcome should the
nurse include in the plan of care for this client?
Correct Answer:d. The client's skin on the lower legs will be intact at the next clinical visit.
23. When conducting diet teaching for a client who was diagnosed with hypertension, which food should the nurse encourage the client to eat? (select all that apply.)
a. . Fruits without sauce
Correct Answer:c. Fresh or frozen vegetables without sauce.
24. A client with bacterial meningitis is receiving phenytoin. Which assessment finding indication to the nurse that the client is experiencing a therapeutic response to the
phenytoin?
Correct Answer:c. Absence of seizure activity for the duration of treatment.
25. The nurse observes a client prepare a meal in the kitchen of a rehabilitation facility prior to discharge. Which behaviors indicate the client understands how to maintain
balance safely? (Select all that apply)
Correct Answer:a. Brings a heavy can close to body before lifting.
b. Locks knees while preparing food on the counter.
26. An older client is admitted to the hospital because of recurring transient ischemic attacks. Neurological serial assessments for the past 24 hours were within normal limits.
One day after admission, the client suddenly becomes confused and combative indicating impaired mental status (IMS). What intervention should the nurse implement first?
Correct Answer:b. Reduce environmental stimuli.
27. The charge nurse in an extended care facility is organizing unit activities for the day. Which action may be safely delegated to the practical nurse (PN)?
Correct Answer:Establish blood pressure parameters for client monitoring
28. During the shift report, the charge nurse receives notice of several problems. Which problem should the nurse address first?
Correct Answer:d. A bucket of water was spilled in the hallway.
29. An older adult client with chronic emphysema is admitted to the emergency room from home with acute onset of weakness, palpitations, and vomiting. Which information is
most important for the nurse to obtain during the initial interview?
Correct Answer:Recent compliance with prescribed medications
30. The nurse is feeding an older adult who was admitted with aspiration pneumonia. The client is weak and begins coughing while attempting to drink through a straw. Which
Correct Answer:intervention should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer:b. Monitor the client when using a straw for liquids.
31. A male client with right-sided weakness calls for assistance with ambulating to the bathroom. What action should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer:b. Stand on the client's right side as he walks.
