RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2026
UPDATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ After receiving streptomycin sulfate for 2 weeks as part of the
medical regimen for tuberculosis, the client reports feeling dizzy and
having some hearing loss. Which part of the body is the medication
affecting?
A. Pyramidal tracts
B. Cerebellar tissue
C. Peripheral motor end plates
D. Eighth cranial nerve's vestibular branch Answer: D. Eighth cranial
nerve's vestibular branch
◉ Which action would the nurse take to avoid red man syndrome
when preparing to administer a vancomycin infusion?
A. Infuse slowly.
B. Change the intravenous (IV) site.
C. Reduce the dosage.
D. Administer vitamin K. Answer: A. Infuse slowly.
◉ The clinic nurse is planning care for a client with chlamydia.
Which treatment would the nurse anticipate implementing?
,A. Administration of 250 mg of acyclovir orally in a single dose
B. Administration of 1 g of azithromycin orally in a single dose
C. Administration of 250 mg of ceftriaxone intramuscularly in a
single dose
D. Administration of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G
intramuscularly in a single dose Answer: B. Administration of 1 g of
azithromycin orally in a single dose
◉ Use of which medication would the nurse identify as a potential
risk for hearing impairment in a child?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Gentamicin
C. Clindamycin
D. Ciprofloxacin Answer: B. Gentamicin
◉ The nurse teaches an adolescent about the side effects of
azithromycin. The nurse determines the teaching has been
understood when the adolescent identifies which problem as the
most common side effect of this medication?
A. Tinnitus
B. Diarrhea
C. Dizziness
D. Headache Answer: B. Diarrhea
,◉ Which assessment would the nurse perform before administering
a dose of vancomycin to a client? Select all that apply.One, some, or
all responses may be correct.
A. Creatinine
B. Trough level
C. Hearing ability
D. Intravenous site
E. Blood urea nitrogen Answer: A. Creatinine
B. Trough level
C. Hearing ability
D. Intravenous site
E. Blood urea nitrogen
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
vancomycin intravenous infusion for the treatment of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus. Which of the following laboratory
values should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider?
A. Vancomycin trough of 15 mcg/dl
B. Blood urea nitrogen level of 18 mg/dl
C. Creatinine level of 1.1 mg d/l
D. White blood cell count of 11,500 per microliter Answer: A.
Vancomycin trough of 15 mcg/dl
, ◉ The home health nurse is teaching a female client about self-
administering vancomycin. Which statement by the client
demonstrates understanding of the teaching?
A. I need to call my provider if my urine changes
B. Muscle tingling and weakness is an expected side effect of this
medication
C. Ringing in the ears is common when taking vancomycin
D. I should avoid eating food with active cultures in it Answer: A. I
need to call my provider if my urine changes
◉ An older adult client is to receive intravenous (IV) gentamicin for
urosepsis. Before administering the medication, for which finding
should the nurse notify the health care provider (HCP)?
A. The client has a history of acid reflux disease.
B. The client has a history of retinopathy.
C. The client has a history of chronic kidney disease.
D. The client has a history of urinary retention. Answer: C. The client
has a history of chronic kidney disease.
◉ A hospitalized infant is receiving gentamicin. While monitoring
for drug toxicity, the nurse should focus on which laboratory result?
A. Platelet counts
B. Serum creatinine
C. Thyroxin levels
UPDATED PRACTICE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ After receiving streptomycin sulfate for 2 weeks as part of the
medical regimen for tuberculosis, the client reports feeling dizzy and
having some hearing loss. Which part of the body is the medication
affecting?
A. Pyramidal tracts
B. Cerebellar tissue
C. Peripheral motor end plates
D. Eighth cranial nerve's vestibular branch Answer: D. Eighth cranial
nerve's vestibular branch
◉ Which action would the nurse take to avoid red man syndrome
when preparing to administer a vancomycin infusion?
A. Infuse slowly.
B. Change the intravenous (IV) site.
C. Reduce the dosage.
D. Administer vitamin K. Answer: A. Infuse slowly.
◉ The clinic nurse is planning care for a client with chlamydia.
Which treatment would the nurse anticipate implementing?
,A. Administration of 250 mg of acyclovir orally in a single dose
B. Administration of 1 g of azithromycin orally in a single dose
C. Administration of 250 mg of ceftriaxone intramuscularly in a
single dose
D. Administration of 2.4 million units of benzathine penicillin G
intramuscularly in a single dose Answer: B. Administration of 1 g of
azithromycin orally in a single dose
◉ Use of which medication would the nurse identify as a potential
risk for hearing impairment in a child?
A. Amoxicillin
B. Gentamicin
C. Clindamycin
D. Ciprofloxacin Answer: B. Gentamicin
◉ The nurse teaches an adolescent about the side effects of
azithromycin. The nurse determines the teaching has been
understood when the adolescent identifies which problem as the
most common side effect of this medication?
A. Tinnitus
B. Diarrhea
C. Dizziness
D. Headache Answer: B. Diarrhea
,◉ Which assessment would the nurse perform before administering
a dose of vancomycin to a client? Select all that apply.One, some, or
all responses may be correct.
A. Creatinine
B. Trough level
C. Hearing ability
D. Intravenous site
E. Blood urea nitrogen Answer: A. Creatinine
B. Trough level
C. Hearing ability
D. Intravenous site
E. Blood urea nitrogen
◉ The nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed
vancomycin intravenous infusion for the treatment of methicillin-
resistant staphylococcus aureus. Which of the following laboratory
values should be immediately reported to the healthcare provider?
A. Vancomycin trough of 15 mcg/dl
B. Blood urea nitrogen level of 18 mg/dl
C. Creatinine level of 1.1 mg d/l
D. White blood cell count of 11,500 per microliter Answer: A.
Vancomycin trough of 15 mcg/dl
, ◉ The home health nurse is teaching a female client about self-
administering vancomycin. Which statement by the client
demonstrates understanding of the teaching?
A. I need to call my provider if my urine changes
B. Muscle tingling and weakness is an expected side effect of this
medication
C. Ringing in the ears is common when taking vancomycin
D. I should avoid eating food with active cultures in it Answer: A. I
need to call my provider if my urine changes
◉ An older adult client is to receive intravenous (IV) gentamicin for
urosepsis. Before administering the medication, for which finding
should the nurse notify the health care provider (HCP)?
A. The client has a history of acid reflux disease.
B. The client has a history of retinopathy.
C. The client has a history of chronic kidney disease.
D. The client has a history of urinary retention. Answer: C. The client
has a history of chronic kidney disease.
◉ A hospitalized infant is receiving gentamicin. While monitoring
for drug toxicity, the nurse should focus on which laboratory result?
A. Platelet counts
B. Serum creatinine
C. Thyroxin levels
