Page 1 of 178
Pharmacology Evolve HESI EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone
(Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse effect should the PN document in the client's
record?
A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color. - ANSWER-B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and redistribution of fat deposition. Weight
gain (B) and moon face reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and should be
documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment using prednisone.
QUESTION: A female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has
been taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN
review for this client?
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A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases. - ANSWER-B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed 4 grams a day, resulting in an
elevation in hepatic enzyme values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
QUESTION: A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain.
Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for with the client?
A) Constipation.
B) Photosensitivity.
C) Decreased heart rate.
D) Frequent urination. - ANSWER-A) Constipation.
Feedback:
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, Page 3 of 178
Opioid analgesics slow peristalsis, which leads to constipation (A), a common side effect of
opiates. (B, C, and D) are not associated with opioid analgesics.
QUESTION: Which action should the practical nurse implement when administering a buccal
medication?
A) Encourage the client to swallow.
B) Administer water with medication.
C) Ensure the medication is positioned under the tongue.
D) Place the medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek. - ANSWER-D) Place the
medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.
Feedback:
Buccal medications are placed between the upper molar teeth and the cheek (D) for absorption
by the capillaries of the oral mucosa. The client should be cautioned against swallowing, not
(A). Buccal medications are not administered with water (B). (C) describes sublingual
administration.
QUESTION: What assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain prior to
initiating medication therapy with phenelzine (Nardil) for a client with depression?
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, Page 4 of 178
A) Activity level.
B) Mood and affect.
C) Understanding of diet modification.
D) The client's support system. - ANSWER-C) Understanding of diet modification.
Feedback:
To prevent a potentially lethal hypertensive crisis, a tyramine-free diet should be maintained
during antidepressant therapy with Nardil, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is most
important to determine if the client understands diet modification (C) before Nardil is initiated
to prevent consumption of foods that interact with Nardil. Although a client's activity level (A)
and mood and affect (B) should be monitored during antidepressant therapy, it is most
important that the client understand diet modifications. The client's support system (D) and
network of family and friends is important, but the client should understand the responsibility
of dietary compliance with the medication regimen.
QUESTION: The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperidine
(Demerol) for postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted pupils, and a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription should the PN give the client?
A) Naloxone (Narcan).
4
Pharmacology Evolve HESI EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
ALL 300 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE THIS YEAR
QUESTION: The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone
(Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse effect should the PN document in the client's
record?
A) Photosensitvity.
B) Weight gain.
C) Loss of hair.
D) Pale skin color. - ANSWER-B) Weight gain.
Feedback:
Long term use of prednisone causes fluid retention and redistribution of fat deposition. Weight
gain (B) and moon face reflect adverse effects of long-term prednisone use and should be
documented. (A, C, and D) do not occur with treatment using prednisone.
QUESTION: A female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has
been taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN
review for this client?
1
, Page 2 of 178
A) Creatinine clearance.
B) Hepatic enzymes.
C) Coagulation values.
D) Arterial blood gases. - ANSWER-B) Hepatic enzymes.
Feedback:
Liver toxicity can occur when doses of acetaminophen exceed 4 grams a day, resulting in an
elevation in hepatic enzyme values (B). (A, C, and D) do not reveal findings related to
acetaminophen toxicity.
QUESTION: A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain.
Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for with the client?
A) Constipation.
B) Photosensitivity.
C) Decreased heart rate.
D) Frequent urination. - ANSWER-A) Constipation.
Feedback:
2
, Page 3 of 178
Opioid analgesics slow peristalsis, which leads to constipation (A), a common side effect of
opiates. (B, C, and D) are not associated with opioid analgesics.
QUESTION: Which action should the practical nurse implement when administering a buccal
medication?
A) Encourage the client to swallow.
B) Administer water with medication.
C) Ensure the medication is positioned under the tongue.
D) Place the medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek. - ANSWER-D) Place the
medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.
Feedback:
Buccal medications are placed between the upper molar teeth and the cheek (D) for absorption
by the capillaries of the oral mucosa. The client should be cautioned against swallowing, not
(A). Buccal medications are not administered with water (B). (C) describes sublingual
administration.
QUESTION: What assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain prior to
initiating medication therapy with phenelzine (Nardil) for a client with depression?
3
, Page 4 of 178
A) Activity level.
B) Mood and affect.
C) Understanding of diet modification.
D) The client's support system. - ANSWER-C) Understanding of diet modification.
Feedback:
To prevent a potentially lethal hypertensive crisis, a tyramine-free diet should be maintained
during antidepressant therapy with Nardil, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). It is most
important to determine if the client understands diet modification (C) before Nardil is initiated
to prevent consumption of foods that interact with Nardil. Although a client's activity level (A)
and mood and affect (B) should be monitored during antidepressant therapy, it is most
important that the client understand diet modifications. The client's support system (D) and
network of family and friends is important, but the client should understand the responsibility
of dietary compliance with the medication regimen.
QUESTION: The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperidine
(Demerol) for postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted pupils, and a
respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription should the PN give the client?
A) Naloxone (Narcan).
4
