RN HESI Pharmacology V3 (2026) Practice
Questions with Rationales
1. A patient is receiving an IV infusion of
amphotericin B for a severe systemic fungal
infection. The nurse should premedicate the patient
with which medication to prevent common infusion-
related reactions?
A) Diphenhydramine and acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen and omeprazole
C) Ondansetron and metoclopramide
D) Furosemide and potassium chloride
Answer: A) Diphenhydramine and acetaminophen
Rationale: Amphotericin B frequently causes severe
infusion reactions, including fever, chills, and rigors.
Premedicating with an antipyretic (acetaminophen)
and an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) helps
prevent or minimize these reactions.
,2. A client taking sulfasalazine for ulcerative colitis
reports feeling fatigued and looking pale. The nurse
suspects an adverse effect of this medication. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
confirm this suspicion?
A) Potassium
B) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
C) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D) Platelet count
Answer: B) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: Sulfasalazine can cause bone marrow
suppression, leading to megaloblastic anemia (due
to folate deficiency) or hemolytic anemia.
Monitoring Hgb and Hct is essential to detect this
adverse effect.
,3. A patient is prescribed tamsulosin for benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The nurse should
instruct the patient to take this medication:
A) With a high-fat meal to increase absorption
B) 30 minutes after the same meal each day
C) At bedtime to prevent dizziness
D) On an empty stomach first thing in the morning
Answer: B) 30 minutes after the same meal each
day
Rationale: Tamsulosin should be taken 30 minutes
after the same meal each day to ensure consistent
absorption and maintain steady drug levels, which
helps minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous
phytonadione (Vitamin K). The nurse knows that
this medication is the antidote for toxicity of which
medication?
, A) Heparin
B) Warfarin
C) Acetaminophen
D) Digoxin
Answer: B) Warfarin
Rationale: Phytonadione (Vitamin K) reverses the
effects of warfarin, which works by inhibiting
Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
5. A patient with schizophrenia is receiving
clozapine. The nurse reviews the patient's
laboratory results. Which absolute neutrophil count
(ANC) would require the nurse to hold the
medication and notify the provider immediately?
A) 1,800/mm³
B) 2,200/mm³
C) 1,200/mm³
D) 1,500/mm³
Questions with Rationales
1. A patient is receiving an IV infusion of
amphotericin B for a severe systemic fungal
infection. The nurse should premedicate the patient
with which medication to prevent common infusion-
related reactions?
A) Diphenhydramine and acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen and omeprazole
C) Ondansetron and metoclopramide
D) Furosemide and potassium chloride
Answer: A) Diphenhydramine and acetaminophen
Rationale: Amphotericin B frequently causes severe
infusion reactions, including fever, chills, and rigors.
Premedicating with an antipyretic (acetaminophen)
and an antihistamine (diphenhydramine) helps
prevent or minimize these reactions.
,2. A client taking sulfasalazine for ulcerative colitis
reports feeling fatigued and looking pale. The nurse
suspects an adverse effect of this medication. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to
confirm this suspicion?
A) Potassium
B) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
C) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D) Platelet count
Answer: B) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
Rationale: Sulfasalazine can cause bone marrow
suppression, leading to megaloblastic anemia (due
to folate deficiency) or hemolytic anemia.
Monitoring Hgb and Hct is essential to detect this
adverse effect.
,3. A patient is prescribed tamsulosin for benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The nurse should
instruct the patient to take this medication:
A) With a high-fat meal to increase absorption
B) 30 minutes after the same meal each day
C) At bedtime to prevent dizziness
D) On an empty stomach first thing in the morning
Answer: B) 30 minutes after the same meal each
day
Rationale: Tamsulosin should be taken 30 minutes
after the same meal each day to ensure consistent
absorption and maintain steady drug levels, which
helps minimize the risk of orthostatic hypotension.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous
phytonadione (Vitamin K). The nurse knows that
this medication is the antidote for toxicity of which
medication?
, A) Heparin
B) Warfarin
C) Acetaminophen
D) Digoxin
Answer: B) Warfarin
Rationale: Phytonadione (Vitamin K) reverses the
effects of warfarin, which works by inhibiting
Vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
5. A patient with schizophrenia is receiving
clozapine. The nurse reviews the patient's
laboratory results. Which absolute neutrophil count
(ANC) would require the nurse to hold the
medication and notify the provider immediately?
A) 1,800/mm³
B) 2,200/mm³
C) 1,200/mm³
D) 1,500/mm³
