Pharmacology/HESI/NCLEX Exam Prep 2026 | 160 Most
Tested Questions & Answers PDF
1. Describe the significance of measuring peak and trough levels for
vancomycin therapy.
It is only necessary to measure peak levels for vancomycin.
Measuring peak and trough levels ensures effective dosing and
minimizes toxicity.
Trough levels are not important for vancomycin therapy.
Peak levels are measured to determine the drug's half-life.
2. What is the correct action for a nurse when prescribed a dose of regular
insulin but only a 70/30 mixture is available?
Put up 30 units from the 70/30 vial, but only administer one third
Withdraw ten units regular insulin from the 70/30 vial
Obtain a new vial of regular insulin and withdraw ten units
Withhold the dose until insulin regular is available on the unit
3. Describe the rationale behind administering propylthiouracil (PTU) and
Lugol's solution together with a meal for a patient with hyperthyroidism.
Both medications should be given at bedtime to improve patient
compliance.
Administering PTU and Lugol's solution together with a meal can
enhance absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
Administering them together increases the risk of adverse effects.
It is important to separate the medications to avoid interactions.
,4. What is a key instruction for a client receiving metronidazole for
trichomoniasis vaginitis regarding their partner's treatment?
Male partners must also be treated
Report any difficulty with hearing
Urine may turn an orange color
Take the medication only when symptomatic
5. A patient receiving epoetin alfa reports persistent fatigue despite treatment.
What should the nurse assess next to evaluate the effectiveness of the
therapy?
Blood pressure readings
Kidney function tests
Iron levels
Hemoglobin levels
6. A patient who works as a landscaper is preparing to be discharged home.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) has been prescribed for outpatient therapy. Which of
the following will the nurse include in the discharge teaching for this patient?
"Take the medication with crackers and cheese."
"Use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors."
"Take the medication until all symptoms subside."
"You may take the medication with milk of magnesia."
7. Why is it important for a nurse to determine if a client is taking nitrates before
administering sildenafil?
Nitrates have no interaction with sildenafil.
, Nitrates enhance the effectiveness of sildenafil.
Nitrates are used to treat the same conditions as sildenafil.
Nitrates can cause severe hypotension when taken with sildenafil.
8. A client prescribed dextroamphetamine reports to the nurse difficulty falling
asleep at night. The nurse instructs the client on how to minimize sleep
disorders. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been
effective?
"I'll take the medication upon waking in the morning."
"I'll take the medication with a bedtime snack."
"I'll take the medication two hours before going to bed."
"I'll take the medication at least 6 hours before bedtime."
9. A patient receiving vancomycin develops elevated creatinine levels. What
should the nurse's priority action be?
Document the findings and wait for the next scheduled assessment.
Notify the healthcare provider and assess the patient for signs of
AKI.
Continue administering vancomycin as prescribed.
Increase the patient's fluid intake without consulting the provider.
10. The nurse is reviewing herbal therapies. Which is a common use of the herb
feverfew?
Leg cramps
Muscle aches
Incision pain after surgery
, Migraine headaches
11. A client has a PCA pump with morphine for postoperative pain. She has
become hard to arouse and her respiratory rate is 7. The RN should prepare
to administer a prn dose of:
metocolopramide (reglan)
Naloxone (Narcan)
Romazicon (Flumaziniil)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
12. Why is it important for the nurse to implement neutropenic precautions after
observing an increase in the client's white blood cell count?
Neutropenic precautions are only needed if the white blood cell
count is below normal.
Neutropenic precautions are used to monitor the effectiveness of the
medication.
Neutropenic precautions help protect the client from infections
despite the increased white blood cell count.
Neutropenic precautions are unnecessary once the white blood cell
count increases.
13. A patient has been taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. The patient
reports episodes of dizziness and fainting spells after using this drug. For
which other drug should the nurse assess while taking the drug history of the
patient?
Alpha agonists
Anticoagulants
Antibiotics
Tested Questions & Answers PDF
1. Describe the significance of measuring peak and trough levels for
vancomycin therapy.
It is only necessary to measure peak levels for vancomycin.
Measuring peak and trough levels ensures effective dosing and
minimizes toxicity.
Trough levels are not important for vancomycin therapy.
Peak levels are measured to determine the drug's half-life.
2. What is the correct action for a nurse when prescribed a dose of regular
insulin but only a 70/30 mixture is available?
Put up 30 units from the 70/30 vial, but only administer one third
Withdraw ten units regular insulin from the 70/30 vial
Obtain a new vial of regular insulin and withdraw ten units
Withhold the dose until insulin regular is available on the unit
3. Describe the rationale behind administering propylthiouracil (PTU) and
Lugol's solution together with a meal for a patient with hyperthyroidism.
Both medications should be given at bedtime to improve patient
compliance.
Administering PTU and Lugol's solution together with a meal can
enhance absorption and minimize gastrointestinal side effects.
Administering them together increases the risk of adverse effects.
It is important to separate the medications to avoid interactions.
,4. What is a key instruction for a client receiving metronidazole for
trichomoniasis vaginitis regarding their partner's treatment?
Male partners must also be treated
Report any difficulty with hearing
Urine may turn an orange color
Take the medication only when symptomatic
5. A patient receiving epoetin alfa reports persistent fatigue despite treatment.
What should the nurse assess next to evaluate the effectiveness of the
therapy?
Blood pressure readings
Kidney function tests
Iron levels
Hemoglobin levels
6. A patient who works as a landscaper is preparing to be discharged home.
Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) has been prescribed for outpatient therapy. Which of
the following will the nurse include in the discharge teaching for this patient?
"Take the medication with crackers and cheese."
"Use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors."
"Take the medication until all symptoms subside."
"You may take the medication with milk of magnesia."
7. Why is it important for a nurse to determine if a client is taking nitrates before
administering sildenafil?
Nitrates have no interaction with sildenafil.
, Nitrates enhance the effectiveness of sildenafil.
Nitrates are used to treat the same conditions as sildenafil.
Nitrates can cause severe hypotension when taken with sildenafil.
8. A client prescribed dextroamphetamine reports to the nurse difficulty falling
asleep at night. The nurse instructs the client on how to minimize sleep
disorders. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been
effective?
"I'll take the medication upon waking in the morning."
"I'll take the medication with a bedtime snack."
"I'll take the medication two hours before going to bed."
"I'll take the medication at least 6 hours before bedtime."
9. A patient receiving vancomycin develops elevated creatinine levels. What
should the nurse's priority action be?
Document the findings and wait for the next scheduled assessment.
Notify the healthcare provider and assess the patient for signs of
AKI.
Continue administering vancomycin as prescribed.
Increase the patient's fluid intake without consulting the provider.
10. The nurse is reviewing herbal therapies. Which is a common use of the herb
feverfew?
Leg cramps
Muscle aches
Incision pain after surgery
, Migraine headaches
11. A client has a PCA pump with morphine for postoperative pain. She has
become hard to arouse and her respiratory rate is 7. The RN should prepare
to administer a prn dose of:
metocolopramide (reglan)
Naloxone (Narcan)
Romazicon (Flumaziniil)
Metoprolol (Lopressor)
12. Why is it important for the nurse to implement neutropenic precautions after
observing an increase in the client's white blood cell count?
Neutropenic precautions are only needed if the white blood cell
count is below normal.
Neutropenic precautions are used to monitor the effectiveness of the
medication.
Neutropenic precautions help protect the client from infections
despite the increased white blood cell count.
Neutropenic precautions are unnecessary once the white blood cell
count increases.
13. A patient has been taking sildenafil for erectile dysfunction. The patient
reports episodes of dizziness and fainting spells after using this drug. For
which other drug should the nurse assess while taking the drug history of the
patient?
Alpha agonists
Anticoagulants
Antibiotics
