NCLEX EXAM zm
Exam Solution zm
HESI NCLEX RN: Pharmacology 2026 A+ GRADE ASSUR
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ED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (3
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1EAC)
QUESTION 1 zm
An older client is receiving a water-
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soluble drug that is more than the average dose for a young adult. Which action shoul
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d the nurse implement first?
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A. Obtain a prescription for lower medication dosages.
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B. Determine the drug's serum levels for toxicity.
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C. Start IV fluids to decrease the serum drug levels.
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D. Hold the next dosage and notify the health care provider.
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ANSWER
B. Determine the drug's serum levels for toxicity.
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QUESTION 2 zm
The nurse is preparing a child for transport to the operating room for an emergency
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appendectomy. The anesthesiologist prescribes atropine sulfate, IM STAT. What is the
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primary purpose for administering this drug to the child at this time?
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A. Decrease the oral secretions.
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B. Reduce the child's anxiety.
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C. Potentiate the opioid effects.
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D. Prevent possible peritonitis.
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ANSWER
A. Decrease the oral secretions.
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QUESTION 3 zm
A client who is experiencing an acute attack of gouty arthritis is prescribed colchicine
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USP, 1 mg PO daily. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide th
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,e client?
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A. Take the medication with meals.
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B. Limit fluid intake until the attack subsides.
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C. Stop the medication when the pain resolves.
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D. Report any vomiting to the clinic.
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ANSWER
D. Report any vomiting to the clinic. Rationale:The client should be instructed to report signs of colc
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hicine toxicity, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain, to the health care provide
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r. Food inhibits the absorption of colchicine when ingested concurrently. Limited fluid intake decreas
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es the excretion of the uric acid crystals, which contributes to painful attacks. Typically, a client sho
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uld remain on a daily dose of colchicine to decrease the number and severity of acute attacks, so st
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opping the medication after the pain resolves is not indicated.
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QUESTION 4 zm
A client is being discharged with a prescription for sulfasalazine to treat ulcerative col
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itis. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client prior to discharge?
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A. Maintain good oral hygiene.
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B. Take the medication 30 minutes before a meal.
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C. Discontinue use of the drug gradually.
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D. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day.
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ANSWER
D. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day. Adequate hydration is important for all sulfa drugs bec
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ause they can crystallize in the urine. If possible, the drug should be taken after eating to provide lo
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nger intestinal transit time. Option A is important for other medications, such as phenytoin, because
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mof the incidence of gingival hyperplasia, and option C is important for steroid administration, but op
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tion D is most important to stress with this client.
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QUESTION 5 zm
In addition to nitrate therapy, a client is receiving nifedipine, 10 mg PO every 6 hours
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. The nurse should plan to observe for which common side effect of this treatment reg
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imen?
A. Hypotension
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B. Hyperkalemia
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C. Hypocalcemia
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D. Seizures
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ANSWER
A. Hypotension Rationale:Nifedipine reduces peripheral vascular resistance and nitrates produce vaso
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dilation, so concurrent use of nitrates with nifedipine can cause hypotension with the initial adminis
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tration of these agents. Options B, C, and D are not side effects of this treatment regimen.
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, QUESTION 6 zm
During administration of theophylline, the nurse should monitor for signs of toxicity.
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Which symptom would cause the nurse to suspect theophylline toxicity?
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A. Dry mouth
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B. Urinary retention
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C. Restlessness
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D. Sedation
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ANSWER
C. Restlessness Rationale:Restlessness is a sign of theophylline intoxication. Other signs of toxicity ar
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e anorexia, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tachycardia, arrhythmias, and seizures. Options A, B, and D a
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re common side effects of antihistamines but do not indicate theophylline intoxication.
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QUESTION 7 zm
A 2-month-
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old infant is scheduled to receive the first DPT immunization. What is the preferred i
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njection site to administer this immunization?
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A. Dorsal gluteal
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B. Vastus lateralis
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C. Ventral gluteal
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D. Deltoid
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ANSWER
B. Vastus lateralis Rationale:The preferred intramuscular site for children younger than 2 years is th
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e vastus lateralis. Options A, C, and D are not preferred injection sites for the infant at 2 months of
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age.
QUESTION 8 zm
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is rec
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eiving phenytoin for seizure control?
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A. Maintain consistent sodium intake.
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B. Use sunscreen when outdoors.
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C. Return for monthly urinalysis.
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D. Brush and floss teeth daily.
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ANSWER
D. Brush and floss teeth daily. Rationale: Brushing and flossing the teeth daily prevent gingival hype
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rplasia (gum disease) that is common with long-
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term phenytoin therapy. Options A, B, and C are not indicated for client instruction regarding pheny
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toin.
QUESTION 9 zm
Exam Solution zm
HESI NCLEX RN: Pharmacology 2026 A+ GRADE ASSUR
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS (3
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1EAC)
QUESTION 1 zm
An older client is receiving a water-
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soluble drug that is more than the average dose for a young adult. Which action shoul
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d the nurse implement first?
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A. Obtain a prescription for lower medication dosages.
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B. Determine the drug's serum levels for toxicity.
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C. Start IV fluids to decrease the serum drug levels.
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D. Hold the next dosage and notify the health care provider.
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ANSWER
B. Determine the drug's serum levels for toxicity.
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QUESTION 2 zm
The nurse is preparing a child for transport to the operating room for an emergency
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appendectomy. The anesthesiologist prescribes atropine sulfate, IM STAT. What is the
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primary purpose for administering this drug to the child at this time?
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A. Decrease the oral secretions.
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B. Reduce the child's anxiety.
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C. Potentiate the opioid effects.
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D. Prevent possible peritonitis.
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ANSWER
A. Decrease the oral secretions.
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QUESTION 3 zm
A client who is experiencing an acute attack of gouty arthritis is prescribed colchicine
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USP, 1 mg PO daily. Which information is most important for the nurse to provide th
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,e client?
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A. Take the medication with meals.
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B. Limit fluid intake until the attack subsides.
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C. Stop the medication when the pain resolves.
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D. Report any vomiting to the clinic.
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ANSWER
D. Report any vomiting to the clinic. Rationale:The client should be instructed to report signs of colc
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hicine toxicity, such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain, to the health care provide
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r. Food inhibits the absorption of colchicine when ingested concurrently. Limited fluid intake decreas
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es the excretion of the uric acid crystals, which contributes to painful attacks. Typically, a client sho
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uld remain on a daily dose of colchicine to decrease the number and severity of acute attacks, so st
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opping the medication after the pain resolves is not indicated.
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QUESTION 4 zm
A client is being discharged with a prescription for sulfasalazine to treat ulcerative col
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itis. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client prior to discharge?
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A. Maintain good oral hygiene.
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B. Take the medication 30 minutes before a meal.
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C. Discontinue use of the drug gradually.
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D. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day.
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ANSWER
D. Drink at least eight glasses of fluid a day. Adequate hydration is important for all sulfa drugs bec
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ause they can crystallize in the urine. If possible, the drug should be taken after eating to provide lo
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nger intestinal transit time. Option A is important for other medications, such as phenytoin, because
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mof the incidence of gingival hyperplasia, and option C is important for steroid administration, but op
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tion D is most important to stress with this client.
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QUESTION 5 zm
In addition to nitrate therapy, a client is receiving nifedipine, 10 mg PO every 6 hours
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. The nurse should plan to observe for which common side effect of this treatment reg
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
imen?
A. Hypotension
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B. Hyperkalemia
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C. Hypocalcemia
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D. Seizures
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ANSWER
A. Hypotension Rationale:Nifedipine reduces peripheral vascular resistance and nitrates produce vaso
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dilation, so concurrent use of nitrates with nifedipine can cause hypotension with the initial adminis
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tration of these agents. Options B, C, and D are not side effects of this treatment regimen.
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, QUESTION 6 zm
During administration of theophylline, the nurse should monitor for signs of toxicity.
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Which symptom would cause the nurse to suspect theophylline toxicity?
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A. Dry mouth
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B. Urinary retention
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C. Restlessness
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D. Sedation
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ANSWER
C. Restlessness Rationale:Restlessness is a sign of theophylline intoxication. Other signs of toxicity ar
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e anorexia, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, tachycardia, arrhythmias, and seizures. Options A, B, and D a
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re common side effects of antihistamines but do not indicate theophylline intoxication.
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QUESTION 7 zm
A 2-month-
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old infant is scheduled to receive the first DPT immunization. What is the preferred i
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njection site to administer this immunization?
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A. Dorsal gluteal
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B. Vastus lateralis
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C. Ventral gluteal
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D. Deltoid
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ANSWER
B. Vastus lateralis Rationale:The preferred intramuscular site for children younger than 2 years is th
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e vastus lateralis. Options A, C, and D are not preferred injection sites for the infant at 2 months of
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age.
QUESTION 8 zm
Which instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for a client who is rec
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eiving phenytoin for seizure control?
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A. Maintain consistent sodium intake.
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B. Use sunscreen when outdoors.
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C. Return for monthly urinalysis.
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D. Brush and floss teeth daily.
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ANSWER
D. Brush and floss teeth daily. Rationale: Brushing and flossing the teeth daily prevent gingival hype
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rplasia (gum disease) that is common with long-
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term phenytoin therapy. Options A, B, and C are not indicated for client instruction regarding pheny
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toin.
QUESTION 9 zm
