HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+
I. A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine
(Anafranil). The nurse notes that the medication has not been taken by the
client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in the client would validate
noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water - 4. Frequent handwashing with
hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Handwashing is a common obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight
,gain is a common side effect of this medication. Tachycardia and sedation are
side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
II. A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol).
The nurse would check which of the following to determine medication
effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status - 4. The client's orientation and
delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to
determine medication effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's
orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are routine and not specific to this
situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment of this
client. Monitoring nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
III. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of
allergic rhinitis for a hospitalized client with a chronic psychotic disorder.
The client asks the nurse why the medication is being discontinued before
hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic
medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood
level. - 3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic
medications.
,Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when
used with psychotropic medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term
and will occur if allergens are present in the environment. Poor compliance may
be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the subject of the question.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms and
mild medication-induced movement disorders.
IV. Which of the following herbal therapies would be prescribed for its use as
an antispasmodic? Select all that apply.
1.Aloe
2.Kava
3.Ginger
4.Chamomile
5.Peppermint oil - 4.Chamomile
5.Peppermint oil
Rationale:
Chamomile has a mild sedative effect and acts as an antispasmodic and anti-
inflammatory. Peppermint oil acts as an antispasmodic and is used for irritable
bowel syndrome. Topical aloe promotes wound healing. Aloe taken orally acts
as a laxative. Kava has an anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic effect. Ginger is
effective in relieving nausea.
, V. A nurse prepares to administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
(Kayexalate) to a client. Before administering the medication, the nurse
reviews the action of the medication and understands that it:
1. Releases bicarbonate in exchange for primarily sodium ions
2. Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions
3. Releases potassium ions in exchange for primarily sodium ions
4. Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily bicarbonate ions - 2.
Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions
Rationale:
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation exchange resin used in the treatment of
hyperkalemia. The resin either passes through the intestine or is retained in the
colon. It releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions. The
therapeutic effect occurs 2 to 12 hours after oral administration and longer after
rectal administration.
VI. A clinic nurse prepares to administer an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
vaccine to a child. How is this vaccine best administered?
1. Intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle
2. Subcutaneously in the gluteal muscle
3. Subcutaneously in the outer aspect of the upper arm
4. Intramuscularly in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh - 3. Subcutaneously in
the outer aspect of the upper arm
Rationale:
The MMR vaccine is administered subcutaneously in the outer aspect of the
upper arm. The gluteal muscle is most often used for intramuscular injections.
The MMR vaccine is not administered by the intramuscular route.
ACTUAL EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED ANSWERS ALREADY
GRADED A+
I. A client admitted to the hospital gives the nurse a bottle of clomipramine
(Anafranil). The nurse notes that the medication has not been taken by the
client in 2 months. What behaviors observed in the client would validate
noncompliance with this medication?
1. Complaints of hunger
2. Complaints of insomnia
3. A pulse rate less than 60 beats per minute
4. Frequent handwashing with hot, soapy water - 4. Frequent handwashing with
hot, soapy water
Rationale:
Clomipramine is commonly used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive
disorder. Handwashing is a common obsessive-compulsive behavior. Weight
,gain is a common side effect of this medication. Tachycardia and sedation are
side effects. Insomnia may occur but is seldom a side effect.
II. A client in the mental health unit is administered haloperidol (Haldol).
The nurse would check which of the following to determine medication
effectiveness?
1. The client's vital signs
2. The client's nutritional intake
3. The physical safety of other unit clients
4. The client's orientation and delusional status - 4. The client's orientation and
delusional status
Rationale:
Haloperidol is used to treat clients exhibiting psychotic features. Therefore, to
determine medication effectiveness, the nurse would check the client's
orientation and delusional status. Vital signs are routine and not specific to this
situation. The physical safety of other clients is not a direct assessment of this
client. Monitoring nutritional intake is not related to this situation.
III. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is used in the treatment of
allergic rhinitis for a hospitalized client with a chronic psychotic disorder.
The client asks the nurse why the medication is being discontinued before
hospital discharge. The nurse responds, knowing that:
1. Allergic symptoms are short in duration.
2. This medication promotes long-term extrapyramidal symptoms.
3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic
medications.
4. Poor compliance causes this medication to fail to reach its therapeutic blood
level. - 3. Addictive properties are enhanced in the presence of psychotropic
medications.
,Rationale:
The addictive properties of diphenhydramine hydrochloride are enhanced when
used with psychotropic medications. Allergic symptoms may not be short term
and will occur if allergens are present in the environment. Poor compliance may
be a problem with psychotic clients but is not the subject of the question.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride may be used for extrapyramidal symptoms and
mild medication-induced movement disorders.
IV. Which of the following herbal therapies would be prescribed for its use as
an antispasmodic? Select all that apply.
1.Aloe
2.Kava
3.Ginger
4.Chamomile
5.Peppermint oil - 4.Chamomile
5.Peppermint oil
Rationale:
Chamomile has a mild sedative effect and acts as an antispasmodic and anti-
inflammatory. Peppermint oil acts as an antispasmodic and is used for irritable
bowel syndrome. Topical aloe promotes wound healing. Aloe taken orally acts
as a laxative. Kava has an anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic effect. Ginger is
effective in relieving nausea.
, V. A nurse prepares to administer sodium polystyrene sulfonate
(Kayexalate) to a client. Before administering the medication, the nurse
reviews the action of the medication and understands that it:
1. Releases bicarbonate in exchange for primarily sodium ions
2. Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions
3. Releases potassium ions in exchange for primarily sodium ions
4. Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily bicarbonate ions - 2.
Releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions
Rationale:
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation exchange resin used in the treatment of
hyperkalemia. The resin either passes through the intestine or is retained in the
colon. It releases sodium ions in exchange for primarily potassium ions. The
therapeutic effect occurs 2 to 12 hours after oral administration and longer after
rectal administration.
VI. A clinic nurse prepares to administer an MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
vaccine to a child. How is this vaccine best administered?
1. Intramuscularly in the deltoid muscle
2. Subcutaneously in the gluteal muscle
3. Subcutaneously in the outer aspect of the upper arm
4. Intramuscularly in the anterolateral aspect of the thigh - 3. Subcutaneously in
the outer aspect of the upper arm
Rationale:
The MMR vaccine is administered subcutaneously in the outer aspect of the
upper arm. The gluteal muscle is most often used for intramuscular injections.
The MMR vaccine is not administered by the intramuscular route.
