HESI Pharmacology 2021 Exam Success: Verified
Questions with Detailed Answer Rationales and
Correct Answers from Premier Universities
A category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction is most
important for the nurse to teach this client?
A) Use a reliable form of birth control.
B) Avoid exposure to ultra violet light.
C) Refuse this medication if planning pregnancy.
D) Abstain from intercourse while on this drug. - CORRECT ANS- -A) Use a reliable form of
birth control.
Note: category x drug crosses the placenta and can cause harm to the fetus, therefore, the
mother is at risk for teratogenesis and requires reliable birth control.
When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on Acetaminophen (Tylenol), it is
most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body?
A. Flank
B. Abdomen
C. Chest
D. Head - CORRECT ANS- -B. Abdomen
Note: Acetaminophen causes liver damage, the nurse should assess for pain in the right-
upper quadrant of the abdomen.
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with Prpylthiourial (PTU). The nurse knows that
the action of this drug is to:
A. Decrease the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones circulating in the blood
,B. Increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones circulating in the blood
C. Increase the amount of T4 & decrease T3 produced by the thyroid
D. Inhibits synthesis of T3 & T4 by the thyroid gland - CORRECT ANS- -D. Inhibits synthesis
of T3 & T4 by the thyroid gland
Note: PTU controls hyperthyrodism and does not impact the Pitutiary Gland but inhibits
synthesis of T4 & T3.
Thyroid Production Cycle: Pituitary Gland produces "TSH" --> that stimulates the Thyroid
Gland to produce T4--> & T4 is converted to T3 that is delivered to different systems in the
body. This production cycle is known as the "negative feedback" cycle. When there are low
levels of T4 in the body, it reduces TSH production and when there are high levels of T4 in
the body, it increases TSH production. Listed below is how a patient is defined by hypo &
hyper:
TSH is HIGH & T4 is LOW = Hypothyroidism
TSH is LOW & T4 is HIGH = Hyperthyroidism - CORRECT ANS- -Thyroid Production Cycle:
Pituitary Gland produces "TSH" --> that stimulates the Thyroid Gland to produce T4--> & T4
is converted to T3 that is delivered to different systems in the body. This production cycle is
known as the "negative feedback" cycle. When there are low levels of T4 in the body, it
reduces TSH production and when there are high levels of T4 in the body, it increases TSH
production. Listed below is how a patient is defined by hypo & hyper:
TSH is HIGH & T4 is LOW = Hypothyroidism
TSH is LOW & T4 is HIGH = Hyperthyroidism
, The nurse notes that the hemoglobin level of a client receiving darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
has increased from 6 to 10 g/dL over the first 2 weeks of treatment. Which action should
the nurse take? - CORRECT ANS- -Notify the health care provider of the change in the
client's laboratory values.
A rapid increase (more than 1 g/dL in a 2-week period) may lead to... - CORRECT ANS- -
Hypertension
A client is receiving pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) to control the symptoms of
myasthenia gravis. Which client behavior would indicate that the drug therapy is effective?
- CORRECT ANS- -Clear speech--this shows increased muscle strength
What is often the first sign of myasthenia gravis? - CORRECT ANS- -Muscle weakness in the
head and neck
What are symptoms of ineffective drug management of multiple sclerosis? - CORRECT
ANS- -Ptosis and decreased oral secretions
MOA of Metoclopramide HCl (Reglan) - CORRECT ANS- -Blocks dopamine--risk for EPS
Pt education on tetracycline (Vibramycin) - CORRECT ANS- -Oral contraceptives may not
be effective
The nurse is preparing to administer amphotericin B (Fungizone) IV to a client. What
laboratory data is most important for the nurse to assess before initiating an IV infusion of
this medication? - CORRECT ANS- -Potassium levels---amphotericin B changes cellular
permeability. This will allow potassium to leave the cell.
Watch for hypokalemia.
Questions with Detailed Answer Rationales and
Correct Answers from Premier Universities
A category X drug is prescribed for a young adult female client. Which instruction is most
important for the nurse to teach this client?
A) Use a reliable form of birth control.
B) Avoid exposure to ultra violet light.
C) Refuse this medication if planning pregnancy.
D) Abstain from intercourse while on this drug. - CORRECT ANS- -A) Use a reliable form of
birth control.
Note: category x drug crosses the placenta and can cause harm to the fetus, therefore, the
mother is at risk for teratogenesis and requires reliable birth control.
When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on Acetaminophen (Tylenol), it is
most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body?
A. Flank
B. Abdomen
C. Chest
D. Head - CORRECT ANS- -B. Abdomen
Note: Acetaminophen causes liver damage, the nurse should assess for pain in the right-
upper quadrant of the abdomen.
A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with Prpylthiourial (PTU). The nurse knows that
the action of this drug is to:
A. Decrease the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones circulating in the blood
,B. Increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormones circulating in the blood
C. Increase the amount of T4 & decrease T3 produced by the thyroid
D. Inhibits synthesis of T3 & T4 by the thyroid gland - CORRECT ANS- -D. Inhibits synthesis
of T3 & T4 by the thyroid gland
Note: PTU controls hyperthyrodism and does not impact the Pitutiary Gland but inhibits
synthesis of T4 & T3.
Thyroid Production Cycle: Pituitary Gland produces "TSH" --> that stimulates the Thyroid
Gland to produce T4--> & T4 is converted to T3 that is delivered to different systems in the
body. This production cycle is known as the "negative feedback" cycle. When there are low
levels of T4 in the body, it reduces TSH production and when there are high levels of T4 in
the body, it increases TSH production. Listed below is how a patient is defined by hypo &
hyper:
TSH is HIGH & T4 is LOW = Hypothyroidism
TSH is LOW & T4 is HIGH = Hyperthyroidism - CORRECT ANS- -Thyroid Production Cycle:
Pituitary Gland produces "TSH" --> that stimulates the Thyroid Gland to produce T4--> & T4
is converted to T3 that is delivered to different systems in the body. This production cycle is
known as the "negative feedback" cycle. When there are low levels of T4 in the body, it
reduces TSH production and when there are high levels of T4 in the body, it increases TSH
production. Listed below is how a patient is defined by hypo & hyper:
TSH is HIGH & T4 is LOW = Hypothyroidism
TSH is LOW & T4 is HIGH = Hyperthyroidism
, The nurse notes that the hemoglobin level of a client receiving darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp)
has increased from 6 to 10 g/dL over the first 2 weeks of treatment. Which action should
the nurse take? - CORRECT ANS- -Notify the health care provider of the change in the
client's laboratory values.
A rapid increase (more than 1 g/dL in a 2-week period) may lead to... - CORRECT ANS- -
Hypertension
A client is receiving pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) to control the symptoms of
myasthenia gravis. Which client behavior would indicate that the drug therapy is effective?
- CORRECT ANS- -Clear speech--this shows increased muscle strength
What is often the first sign of myasthenia gravis? - CORRECT ANS- -Muscle weakness in the
head and neck
What are symptoms of ineffective drug management of multiple sclerosis? - CORRECT
ANS- -Ptosis and decreased oral secretions
MOA of Metoclopramide HCl (Reglan) - CORRECT ANS- -Blocks dopamine--risk for EPS
Pt education on tetracycline (Vibramycin) - CORRECT ANS- -Oral contraceptives may not
be effective
The nurse is preparing to administer amphotericin B (Fungizone) IV to a client. What
laboratory data is most important for the nurse to assess before initiating an IV infusion of
this medication? - CORRECT ANS- -Potassium levels---amphotericin B changes cellular
permeability. This will allow potassium to leave the cell.
Watch for hypokalemia.
