HESI Pharmacology II Exam V2 Master
Question Bank Q&As with Detailed Rationales &
Explanations (Graded A+)
This comprehensive question pharmacology question
bank delivers authentic, high-yield clinical scenarios
complete with verified answer keys and detailed
rationales. It perfectly mirrors the critical thinking style
required to pass the advanced nursing evaluation with an
A+ grade. Nursing students can immediately utilize this
study guide to master complex drug interactions, major
nursing implications, and high-alert dosage calculations.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
client with heart failure. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's serum potassium level.
B. Administer the medication with a glass of
water.
C. Assess the client's apical pulse for 1 full
minute.
D. Monitor the client's blood pressure.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must always assess the
apical pulse for a full 60 seconds prior to
administering digoxin. If the heart rate is less
,than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the
medication should be withheld and the healthcare
provider notified to prevent worsening
bradycardia.
2. A client is prescribed sumatriptan succinate for
the treatment of acute migraine headaches. Which
condition in the client's medical history should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Sumatriptan is a triptan that works by
causing vasoconstriction of cranial arteries.
Because it can cause systemic vasoconstriction
and coronary vasospasm, it is strictly
contraindicated in clients with a history of CAD,
myocardial infarction, or uncontrolled
hypertension.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a
client who is receiving a continuous intravenous
heparin infusion. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor to adjust the heparin dosage?
,A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory
test used to monitor the therapeutic effectiveness
of unfractionated heparin infusions. PT and INR
are used to monitor oral warfarin therapy.
4. A healthcare provider prescribes 400 mg of
Ciprofloxacin in 200 mL of D5W to infuse over
exactly 1 hour. At what rate should the nurse
program the intravenous infusion pump in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 150 mL/hr
C. 200 mL/hr
D. 400 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: To find the hourly rate for an infusion
running over 1 hour, divide the total volume by the
total hours. 200 mL / 1 hour = 200 mL/hr.
5. A nurse is evaluating a client with multiple
sclerosis who recently began self-administering
, interferon beta-1a. Which client statement
requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. "I have some mild redness at the injection site."
B. "I feel incredibly sad and hopeless lately."
C. "I've been experiencing low-grade fevers."
D. "My muscles feel a bit sore the day after the
injection."
Answer: B
Rationale: Interferon beta-1a carries a significant
risk of causing or worsening depression and
suicidal ideation. Signs of severe mood changes,
depression, or hopelessness require immediate
assessment and notification to the healthcare
provider. Redness, muscle soreness, and flu-like
symptoms are common, expected side effects.
6. A client with hypertension is prescribed
lisinopril. The nurse should instruct the client to
monitor for which common, adverse drug effect
associated with accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Peripheral edema
C. Blurred vision
D. Constipation
Answer: A
Question Bank Q&As with Detailed Rationales &
Explanations (Graded A+)
This comprehensive question pharmacology question
bank delivers authentic, high-yield clinical scenarios
complete with verified answer keys and detailed
rationales. It perfectly mirrors the critical thinking style
required to pass the advanced nursing evaluation with an
A+ grade. Nursing students can immediately utilize this
study guide to master complex drug interactions, major
nursing implications, and high-alert dosage calculations.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a
client with heart failure. Which of the following
actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's serum potassium level.
B. Administer the medication with a glass of
water.
C. Assess the client's apical pulse for 1 full
minute.
D. Monitor the client's blood pressure.
Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse must always assess the
apical pulse for a full 60 seconds prior to
administering digoxin. If the heart rate is less
,than 60 beats per minute in an adult, the
medication should be withheld and the healthcare
provider notified to prevent worsening
bradycardia.
2. A client is prescribed sumatriptan succinate for
the treatment of acute migraine headaches. Which
condition in the client's medical history should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
C. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
D. Hypothyroidism
Answer: B
Rationale: Sumatriptan is a triptan that works by
causing vasoconstriction of cranial arteries.
Because it can cause systemic vasoconstriction
and coronary vasospasm, it is strictly
contraindicated in clients with a history of CAD,
myocardial infarction, or uncontrolled
hypertension.
3. A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results of a
client who is receiving a continuous intravenous
heparin infusion. Which laboratory value should
the nurse monitor to adjust the heparin dosage?
,A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is the standard laboratory
test used to monitor the therapeutic effectiveness
of unfractionated heparin infusions. PT and INR
are used to monitor oral warfarin therapy.
4. A healthcare provider prescribes 400 mg of
Ciprofloxacin in 200 mL of D5W to infuse over
exactly 1 hour. At what rate should the nurse
program the intravenous infusion pump in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 150 mL/hr
C. 200 mL/hr
D. 400 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: To find the hourly rate for an infusion
running over 1 hour, divide the total volume by the
total hours. 200 mL / 1 hour = 200 mL/hr.
5. A nurse is evaluating a client with multiple
sclerosis who recently began self-administering
, interferon beta-1a. Which client statement
requires immediate intervention by the nurse?
A. "I have some mild redness at the injection site."
B. "I feel incredibly sad and hopeless lately."
C. "I've been experiencing low-grade fevers."
D. "My muscles feel a bit sore the day after the
injection."
Answer: B
Rationale: Interferon beta-1a carries a significant
risk of causing or worsening depression and
suicidal ideation. Signs of severe mood changes,
depression, or hopelessness require immediate
assessment and notification to the healthcare
provider. Redness, muscle soreness, and flu-like
symptoms are common, expected side effects.
6. A client with hypertension is prescribed
lisinopril. The nurse should instruct the client to
monitor for which common, adverse drug effect
associated with accumulation of bradykinin?
A. Persistent dry cough
B. Peripheral edema
C. Blurred vision
D. Constipation
Answer: A
