Test HESI Pharmacology Exam Version 1
(V1), Complete Questions and Answers
HESI Pharmacology Exam (V1) - 100 Q&A
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which primary side effect?
A. Hyperkalemia ✓
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Tachycardia
2. Which instruction is most important for a patient starting on Metformin for Type 2
Diabetes?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication." ✓
C. "A weight gain of 2-3 pounds per week is expected."
D. "This medication may cause your urine to turn orange."
3. The therapeutic effect of a beta-blocker like Metoprolol is:
A. Increased heart rate and contractility.
B. Vasodilation and reduced afterload.
C. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure. ✓
D. Bronchodilation and improved airflow.
4. A patient on Furosemide (Lasix) should be encouraged to eat foods rich in:
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium ✓
D. Magnesium
5. Before administering Digoxin, the nurse must assess:
A. Blood glucose level
B. Apical pulse for a full minute ✓
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Pupillary response
6. Which medication requires frequent monitoring of aPTT or PT/INR?
A. Clopidogrel (Plavix)
B. Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
,C. Warfarin (Coumadin) ✓
D. Aspirin
7. The nurse administers Nitroglycerin sublingually to a patient with chest pain. The patient's
pain is unrelieved after one dose. What is the nurse's next action?
A. Call a code blue.
B. Administer the next dose of the patient's daily beta-blocker.
C. Call the provider immediately.
D. Administer a second dose in 5 minutes as ordered. ✓
8. A common side effect of Opioid analgesics like Morphine is:
A. Diarrhea
B. Respiratory depression ✓
C. Hypertension
D. Urinary incontinence
9. Which finding in a patient taking an ACE inhibitor like Enalapril should be reported
immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough ✓
B. Mild headache
C. Occasional dizziness
D. Slight weight gain
10. The primary use of Albuterol (a SABA) is for:
A. Long-term control of inflammation.
B. Rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. ✓
C. Treating underlying respiratory infection.
D. Preventing exercise-induced bradycardia.
11. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving Heparin?
A. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
B. Serum Creatinine
C. aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) ✓
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
12. A patient taking Levothyroxine (Synthroid) should be taught to take the medication:
A. With food to avoid GI upset.
B. At bedtime.
C. On an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. ✓
D. Only when they feel fatigued.
,13. Which medication is classified as an antiplatelet agent?
A. Warfarin (Coumadin)
B. Aspirin ✓
C. Heparin
D. Vitamin K
14. A patient with Myasthenia Gravis is prescribed Neostigmine. The nurse identifies the
therapeutic goal for this drug is to:
A. Depress the central nervous system.
B. Improve muscle strength. ✓
C. Relieve pain.
D. Reduce anxiety.
15. Which instruction is essential for a patient taking Phenytoin (Dilantin)?
A. "Brush your teeth vigorously twice a day."
B. "You can stop the medication once you feel better."
C. "Have your blood levels checked regularly." ✓
D. "This medication is safe to take with alcohol."
16. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A nurse should be concerned if
a patient on this drug has a serum potassium level of:
A. 3.5 mEq/L
B. 4.0 mEq/L
C. 5.8 mEq/L ✓
D. 5.0 mEq/L
17. The antidote for Opioid overdose is:
A. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
B. Naloxone (Narcan) ✓
C. Vitamin K
D. Protamine Sulfate
18. A patient is receiving Insulin Glargine (Lantus). The nurse understands this insulin is:
A. Rapid-acting and given with meals.
B. Short-acting and used for sliding scale.
C. Intermediate-acting and cloudy in appearance.
D. Long-acting and provides a basal level for 24 hours. ✓
19. Which medication should be avoided in a patient with a documented Penicillin allergy?
A. Vancomycin
, B. Azithromycin
C. Cephalexin ✓
D. Clindamycin
20. The nurse is teaching a patient about Prednisone. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take this medication with food."
B. "I can stop taking this medication suddenly if I have side effects." ✓
C. "I need to avoid people who are sick."
D. "I will monitor my weight and report any swelling."
21. Metoprolol is contraindicated in patients with:
A. Heart Failure
B. Severe Bradycardia ✓
C. Hypertension
D. Myocardial Infarction
22. A patient taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should be taught to report which symptom
immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness ✓
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry mouth
23. Which drug is used to treat Ventricular Tachycardia?
A. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
B. Amiodarone ✓
C. Atenolol (Tenormin)
D. Diltiazem (Cardizem)
24. The nurse should administer a live virus vaccine (like MMR) to a patient who is:
A. Immunocompromised.
B. Pregnant.
C. On chemotherapy.
D. Generally healthy and immunocompetent. ✓
25. What is the primary action of Digoxin?
A. To decrease the heart rate and increase contractility. ✓
B. To dilate coronary arteries.
(V1), Complete Questions and Answers
HESI Pharmacology Exam (V1) - 100 Q&A
1. A patient is prescribed Lisinopril. The nurse should monitor for which primary side effect?
A. Hyperkalemia ✓
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Tachycardia
2. Which instruction is most important for a patient starting on Metformin for Type 2
Diabetes?
A. "Take the medication on an empty stomach."
B. "Avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication." ✓
C. "A weight gain of 2-3 pounds per week is expected."
D. "This medication may cause your urine to turn orange."
3. The therapeutic effect of a beta-blocker like Metoprolol is:
A. Increased heart rate and contractility.
B. Vasodilation and reduced afterload.
C. Decreased heart rate and blood pressure. ✓
D. Bronchodilation and improved airflow.
4. A patient on Furosemide (Lasix) should be encouraged to eat foods rich in:
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium ✓
D. Magnesium
5. Before administering Digoxin, the nurse must assess:
A. Blood glucose level
B. Apical pulse for a full minute ✓
C. Deep tendon reflexes
D. Pupillary response
6. Which medication requires frequent monitoring of aPTT or PT/INR?
A. Clopidogrel (Plavix)
B. Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
,C. Warfarin (Coumadin) ✓
D. Aspirin
7. The nurse administers Nitroglycerin sublingually to a patient with chest pain. The patient's
pain is unrelieved after one dose. What is the nurse's next action?
A. Call a code blue.
B. Administer the next dose of the patient's daily beta-blocker.
C. Call the provider immediately.
D. Administer a second dose in 5 minutes as ordered. ✓
8. A common side effect of Opioid analgesics like Morphine is:
A. Diarrhea
B. Respiratory depression ✓
C. Hypertension
D. Urinary incontinence
9. Which finding in a patient taking an ACE inhibitor like Enalapril should be reported
immediately?
A. Dry, persistent cough ✓
B. Mild headache
C. Occasional dizziness
D. Slight weight gain
10. The primary use of Albuterol (a SABA) is for:
A. Long-term control of inflammation.
B. Rapid relief of acute bronchospasm. ✓
C. Treating underlying respiratory infection.
D. Preventing exercise-induced bradycardia.
11. Which laboratory value is most critical to monitor in a patient receiving Heparin?
A. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit
B. Serum Creatinine
C. aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time) ✓
D. Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
12. A patient taking Levothyroxine (Synthroid) should be taught to take the medication:
A. With food to avoid GI upset.
B. At bedtime.
C. On an empty stomach, first thing in the morning. ✓
D. Only when they feel fatigued.
,13. Which medication is classified as an antiplatelet agent?
A. Warfarin (Coumadin)
B. Aspirin ✓
C. Heparin
D. Vitamin K
14. A patient with Myasthenia Gravis is prescribed Neostigmine. The nurse identifies the
therapeutic goal for this drug is to:
A. Depress the central nervous system.
B. Improve muscle strength. ✓
C. Relieve pain.
D. Reduce anxiety.
15. Which instruction is essential for a patient taking Phenytoin (Dilantin)?
A. "Brush your teeth vigorously twice a day."
B. "You can stop the medication once you feel better."
C. "Have your blood levels checked regularly." ✓
D. "This medication is safe to take with alcohol."
16. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic. A nurse should be concerned if
a patient on this drug has a serum potassium level of:
A. 3.5 mEq/L
B. 4.0 mEq/L
C. 5.8 mEq/L ✓
D. 5.0 mEq/L
17. The antidote for Opioid overdose is:
A. Flumazenil (Romazicon)
B. Naloxone (Narcan) ✓
C. Vitamin K
D. Protamine Sulfate
18. A patient is receiving Insulin Glargine (Lantus). The nurse understands this insulin is:
A. Rapid-acting and given with meals.
B. Short-acting and used for sliding scale.
C. Intermediate-acting and cloudy in appearance.
D. Long-acting and provides a basal level for 24 hours. ✓
19. Which medication should be avoided in a patient with a documented Penicillin allergy?
A. Vancomycin
, B. Azithromycin
C. Cephalexin ✓
D. Clindamycin
20. The nurse is teaching a patient about Prednisone. Which statement by the patient
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I will take this medication with food."
B. "I can stop taking this medication suddenly if I have side effects." ✓
C. "I need to avoid people who are sick."
D. "I will monitor my weight and report any swelling."
21. Metoprolol is contraindicated in patients with:
A. Heart Failure
B. Severe Bradycardia ✓
C. Hypertension
D. Myocardial Infarction
22. A patient taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor) should be taught to report which symptom
immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Unexplained muscle pain or weakness ✓
C. Increased appetite
D. Dry mouth
23. Which drug is used to treat Ventricular Tachycardia?
A. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
B. Amiodarone ✓
C. Atenolol (Tenormin)
D. Diltiazem (Cardizem)
24. The nurse should administer a live virus vaccine (like MMR) to a patient who is:
A. Immunocompromised.
B. Pregnant.
C. On chemotherapy.
D. Generally healthy and immunocompetent. ✓
25. What is the primary action of Digoxin?
A. To decrease the heart rate and increase contractility. ✓
B. To dilate coronary arteries.
