Pharmacology HESI Comprehensive Test Bank 2026 | Exam
Prep Questions & Answers
1. What vital sign should be monitored in patients prescribed Metoprolol?
Heart rate
Respiratory rate
Blood pressure
Temperature
2. A patient with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed an antacid but continues to
experience discomfort. What should the nurse assess to determine the
effectiveness of the antacid treatment?
The patient's medication adherence.
The patient's pain level only.
The patient's dietary habits.
The patient's gastric pH level.
3. What are the two main hemodynamic effects of Nitroglycerin during an acute
myocardial infarction?
It reduces preload and afterload.
It increases blood pressure.
It dilates coronary arteries only.
It increases heart rate and contractility.
,4. HK is a 78 y/o male being treated for multiple medical problems including HF
and Afib. The patient is at increased risk for digoxin toxicity due to which lab
abnormality?
Hyperchloremia
Hyponatremia
Hypocalcemia
Hyperglycemia
Hypokalemia
5. A patient on Atorvastatin presents with nausea and vomiting. As a nurse, what
should be your first action?
Assess for signs of digitalis toxicity.
Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
Administer an antiemetic immediately.
Increase the dose of Atorvastatin.
6. What condition should be monitored in patients taking Atorvastatin?
Asthma
Myopathy
Hypertension
Diabetes
7. What is the condition that contraindicates the use of narcotics, barbiturates,
and anesthetics?
Hyperthyroidism
, Hypoglycemia
Cirrhosis
Myxedema
8. Which nursing assessment confirms that the angiotensin II receptor blocker
(ARB) that a patient with hypertension is taking has been effective?
LDL-cholesterol levels have decreased.
Weight loss of more than 2 pounds/week
Urinary output is increased.
Blood pressure has decreased.
9. Describe the potential dangers of combining opioid analgesics with
benzodiazepines in patient care.
This combination can enhance pain relief without significant risks.
Combining opioid analgesics with benzodiazepines can lead to
respiratory depression, which is a serious and potentially life-
threatening condition.
There are no significant interactions between these two classes of
drugs.
This combination primarily affects gastrointestinal function.
10. A patient states that he frequently gets a headache when he changes his
nitroglycerin patch. Which is the best response by the nurse?
"Nitrate-induced headaches may be treated with acetaminophen."
"Ask your physician to prescribe a narcotic pain reliever."
"This medication should be stopped immediately."
, "Your physician should increase the amount of medication you are
taking."
11. What is the primary purpose of the opioid antagonist naloxone?
To reverse opioid overdose
To enhance opioid receptor activation
To potentiate respiratory depression
To induce analgesia
12. In a scenario where a patient has overdosed on opiates and is experiencing
severe respiratory depression, what immediate action should a nurse take?
Provide supplemental oxygen without any medication.
Administer naloxone to reverse respiratory depression.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Increase the dosage of the opiate to counteract the effects.
13. Describe how Dobutamine influences cardiac output in patients with heart
failure.
Dobutamine improves cardiac output in cardiac decompensation.
Dobutamine increases peripheral resistance.
Dobutamine decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Dobutamine has no effect on cardiac output.
14. Describe the significance of maintaining a gastric pH of 3.5 or above in
patients with peptic ulcer disease.
Maintaining a gastric pH of 3.5 or above helps to reduce acidity,
promoting healing of the ulcer.
Prep Questions & Answers
1. What vital sign should be monitored in patients prescribed Metoprolol?
Heart rate
Respiratory rate
Blood pressure
Temperature
2. A patient with peptic ulcer disease is prescribed an antacid but continues to
experience discomfort. What should the nurse assess to determine the
effectiveness of the antacid treatment?
The patient's medication adherence.
The patient's pain level only.
The patient's dietary habits.
The patient's gastric pH level.
3. What are the two main hemodynamic effects of Nitroglycerin during an acute
myocardial infarction?
It reduces preload and afterload.
It increases blood pressure.
It dilates coronary arteries only.
It increases heart rate and contractility.
,4. HK is a 78 y/o male being treated for multiple medical problems including HF
and Afib. The patient is at increased risk for digoxin toxicity due to which lab
abnormality?
Hyperchloremia
Hyponatremia
Hypocalcemia
Hyperglycemia
Hypokalemia
5. A patient on Atorvastatin presents with nausea and vomiting. As a nurse, what
should be your first action?
Assess for signs of digitalis toxicity.
Monitor the patient's blood pressure.
Administer an antiemetic immediately.
Increase the dose of Atorvastatin.
6. What condition should be monitored in patients taking Atorvastatin?
Asthma
Myopathy
Hypertension
Diabetes
7. What is the condition that contraindicates the use of narcotics, barbiturates,
and anesthetics?
Hyperthyroidism
, Hypoglycemia
Cirrhosis
Myxedema
8. Which nursing assessment confirms that the angiotensin II receptor blocker
(ARB) that a patient with hypertension is taking has been effective?
LDL-cholesterol levels have decreased.
Weight loss of more than 2 pounds/week
Urinary output is increased.
Blood pressure has decreased.
9. Describe the potential dangers of combining opioid analgesics with
benzodiazepines in patient care.
This combination can enhance pain relief without significant risks.
Combining opioid analgesics with benzodiazepines can lead to
respiratory depression, which is a serious and potentially life-
threatening condition.
There are no significant interactions between these two classes of
drugs.
This combination primarily affects gastrointestinal function.
10. A patient states that he frequently gets a headache when he changes his
nitroglycerin patch. Which is the best response by the nurse?
"Nitrate-induced headaches may be treated with acetaminophen."
"Ask your physician to prescribe a narcotic pain reliever."
"This medication should be stopped immediately."
, "Your physician should increase the amount of medication you are
taking."
11. What is the primary purpose of the opioid antagonist naloxone?
To reverse opioid overdose
To enhance opioid receptor activation
To potentiate respiratory depression
To induce analgesia
12. In a scenario where a patient has overdosed on opiates and is experiencing
severe respiratory depression, what immediate action should a nurse take?
Provide supplemental oxygen without any medication.
Administer naloxone to reverse respiratory depression.
Wait for the patient to regain consciousness.
Increase the dosage of the opiate to counteract the effects.
13. Describe how Dobutamine influences cardiac output in patients with heart
failure.
Dobutamine improves cardiac output in cardiac decompensation.
Dobutamine increases peripheral resistance.
Dobutamine decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Dobutamine has no effect on cardiac output.
14. Describe the significance of maintaining a gastric pH of 3.5 or above in
patients with peptic ulcer disease.
Maintaining a gastric pH of 3.5 or above helps to reduce acidity,
promoting healing of the ulcer.
