Care Hope College RN
HESI Pharmacology
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The nurse should assess the
client’s heart rate before administering the medication. Which of the following is the
most appropriate action if the client's heart rate is less than 60 bpm?
A) Administer the medication as prescribed
B) Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
C) Administer a lower dose of the medication
D) Double the dose to compensate for the low heart rate
Answer: B) Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
,2. A client with hypertension is prescribed losartan. Which of the following should
the nurse include in the client’s education regarding this medication?
A) "You should expect to experience a dry cough as a common side effect."
B) "This medication works by increasing blood flow to the kidneys."
C) "You may notice swelling in your hands and feet, which is a normal response."
D) "You should avoid potassium-rich foods while taking this medication."
Answer: C) "You may notice swelling in your hands and feet, which is a normal
response."
3. The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed morphine for pain management.
Which of the following assessments is the priority before administering the
medication?
A) Pain level
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory rate
D) Heart rate
Answer: C) Respiratory rate
4. A client with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should monitor
the client for which of the following adverse effects?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Lactic acidosis
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Weight gain
Answer: B) Lactic acidosis
,5. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should the
nurse monitor to assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) Hemoglobin level
C) Platelet count
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)
6. A nurse is administering a dose of insulin to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following should the nurse be most concerned about after administering
insulin?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Polyuria
D) Polydipsia
Answer: B) Hypoglycemia
7. A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication at the same time every day."
B) "If I miss a dose, I can double up the next dose to make up for it."
C) "I need to have regular blood tests to check my drug levels."
D) "I should notify my doctor if I develop a rash or feel unwell."
Answer: B) "If I miss a dose, I can double up the next dose to make up for it."
, 8. A client is prescribed furosemide for fluid retention. The nurse should monitor the
client for which potential adverse effect?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypertension
D) Hypernatremia
Answer: B) Hypokalemia
9. A client receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron. The nurse
understands that the purpose of this medication is to:
A) Prevent infection
B) Relieve nausea and vomiting
C) Reduce pain and inflammation
D) Decrease the risk of anemia
Answer: B) Relieve nausea and vomiting
10. A client taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism asks the nurse when to take the
medication. Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Take it at bedtime with a snack."
B) "Take it with your largest meal of the day."
C) "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
D) "Take it at any time of day, with or without food."
Answer: C) "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
11. The nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
HESI Pharmacology
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client. The nurse should assess the
client’s heart rate before administering the medication. Which of the following is the
most appropriate action if the client's heart rate is less than 60 bpm?
A) Administer the medication as prescribed
B) Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
C) Administer a lower dose of the medication
D) Double the dose to compensate for the low heart rate
Answer: B) Withhold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
,2. A client with hypertension is prescribed losartan. Which of the following should
the nurse include in the client’s education regarding this medication?
A) "You should expect to experience a dry cough as a common side effect."
B) "This medication works by increasing blood flow to the kidneys."
C) "You may notice swelling in your hands and feet, which is a normal response."
D) "You should avoid potassium-rich foods while taking this medication."
Answer: C) "You may notice swelling in your hands and feet, which is a normal
response."
3. The nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed morphine for pain management.
Which of the following assessments is the priority before administering the
medication?
A) Pain level
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory rate
D) Heart rate
Answer: C) Respiratory rate
4. A client with Type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. The nurse should monitor
the client for which of the following adverse effects?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Lactic acidosis
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Weight gain
Answer: B) Lactic acidosis
,5. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should the
nurse monitor to assess the effectiveness of this medication?
A) Prothrombin time (PT)
B) Hemoglobin level
C) Platelet count
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: A) Prothrombin time (PT)
6. A nurse is administering a dose of insulin to a client with diabetes mellitus. Which
of the following should the nurse be most concerned about after administering
insulin?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypoglycemia
C) Polyuria
D) Polydipsia
Answer: B) Hypoglycemia
7. A client with a history of seizures is prescribed phenytoin. Which of the following
statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I should take this medication at the same time every day."
B) "If I miss a dose, I can double up the next dose to make up for it."
C) "I need to have regular blood tests to check my drug levels."
D) "I should notify my doctor if I develop a rash or feel unwell."
Answer: B) "If I miss a dose, I can double up the next dose to make up for it."
, 8. A client is prescribed furosemide for fluid retention. The nurse should monitor the
client for which potential adverse effect?
A) Hypercalcemia
B) Hypokalemia
C) Hypertension
D) Hypernatremia
Answer: B) Hypokalemia
9. A client receiving chemotherapy is prescribed ondansetron. The nurse
understands that the purpose of this medication is to:
A) Prevent infection
B) Relieve nausea and vomiting
C) Reduce pain and inflammation
D) Decrease the risk of anemia
Answer: B) Relieve nausea and vomiting
10. A client taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism asks the nurse when to take the
medication. Which response by the nurse is correct?
A) "Take it at bedtime with a snack."
B) "Take it with your largest meal of the day."
C) "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
D) "Take it at any time of day, with or without food."
Answer: C) "Take it in the morning on an empty stomach."
11. The nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
