BSN 315 HESI PHARMACOLOGY VERSION 2 EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-20… EXAM
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology
Version 2 Exam Questions &
Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
110 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 110 BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology Version 2 exam questions, complete with correct
answers and detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology concepts, making it an invaluable
resource for students to study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
01 02 03
• Cardiovascular Medications • Respiratory & Allergy Medications • Pharmacokinetics & General Principl
04 05 06
• Gastrointestinal & Anti-infectives • Pain Management & Opioids • Endocrine & Metabolic Medications
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 110
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years . The healthcare provider recently changed the
medication to enalapril to manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?
CORRECT ANSWER
Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair.
RATIONALE
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause vasodilation and subsequent orthostatic hypotension, necessitating
instructions for slow positional changes to prevent dizziness and falls. This highlights the principle of pharmacodynamics
and adverse effect management for antihypertensive agents.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 110
A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmhg, sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 bpm , and a
PR interval of 0.24. Which action should the nurse take?
CORRECT ANSWER
Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
RATIONALE
Atenolol, a beta-blocker, can cause bradycardia and prolonged PR interval, and the client's current vital signs remain within
acceptable therapeutic parameters for this medication. The key concept is recognizing the expected pharmacodynamic
effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists and assessing their clinical significance within the patient's status.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 110
The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an ARB, for a client with hypertension and heart failure.
The nurse notes the serum potassium is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first?
CORRECT ANSWER
Withhold the scheduled dose.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) like losartan inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing
aldosterone secretion and thus impairing renal potassium excretion. A serum potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia, a significant risk with ARB therapy, necessitating withholding the dose to prevent further potassium
elevation and potential cardiac arrhythmias.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 110
A client with a new onset SVT is prescribed digoxin. For which lab result should the nurse contact the HCP
immediately?
CORRECT ANSWER
K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
RATIONALE
5 mEq/L necessitates immediate intervention. This question assesses understanding of the critical electrolyte imbalance
that exacerbates cardiac glycoside adverse effects.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 110
A client is prescribed dobutamine 1 mcg/kg/min via IV infusion. Which client condition would benefit most from
dobutamine?
CORRECT ANSWER
Heart failure
RATIONALE
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that increases myocardial contractility and heart rate, making it beneficial for
patients experiencing decompensated heart failure by improving cardiac output. This medication's positive inotropic and
chronotropic effects directly address the impaired pumping function characteristic of heart failure.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 110
The HCP prescribes a beta 1-agonist. For which diagnosis should the nurse anticipate its use?
CORRECT ANSWER
Heart failure
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Beta-1 agonists increase myocardial contractility and heart rate, making them beneficial in treating the reduced cardiac
output characteristic of heart failure. This directly addresses the compensatory mechanisms needed to improve pump
function.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 110
A client receiving IV doxorubicin complains of pain at the IV site, and the nurse notes edema there . Which
intervention is most important?
CORRECT ANSWER
Discontinue the IV fluids.
RATIONALE
Doxorubicin is a vesicant, and discontinuing the IV is critical to prevent severe tissue damage from extravasation. This
action addresses the immediate risk of local injury by stopping further infusion of the damaging agent.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 110
A client with acute myocardial infarction is admitted. Which medication lessens cardiac workload by decreasing
preload and afterload?
CORRECT ANSWER
Nitroglycerin
RATIONALE
Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen demand by causing venodilation, which decreases preload, and by causing
arterial vasodilation, which decreases afterload. This mechanism alleviates the workload on the compromised heart
muscle.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 110
Which data change suggests the ARB valsartan is achieving its desired effect?
CORRECT ANSWER
BP reduced 160/90 -> 130/80
Page 4
P R O F E S S I O N A L P R A C T I C E M AT E R I A L S
BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology
Version 2 Exam Questions &
Answers 2026-2027
(Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
110 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 110 BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology Version 2 exam questions, complete with correct
answers and detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology concepts, making it an invaluable
resource for students to study, review, and prepare for certification exams.
CONTENTS
01 02 03
• Cardiovascular Medications • Respiratory & Allergy Medications • Pharmacokinetics & General Principl
04 05 06
• Gastrointestinal & Anti-infectives • Pain Management & Opioids • Endocrine & Metabolic Medications
Page 1
, E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 110
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years . The healthcare provider recently changed the
medication to enalapril to manage the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?
CORRECT ANSWER
Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair.
RATIONALE
Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause vasodilation and subsequent orthostatic hypotension, necessitating
instructions for slow positional changes to prevent dizziness and falls. This highlights the principle of pharmacodynamics
and adverse effect management for antihypertensive agents.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 110
A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmhg, sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 bpm , and a
PR interval of 0.24. Which action should the nurse take?
CORRECT ANSWER
Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
RATIONALE
Atenolol, a beta-blocker, can cause bradycardia and prolonged PR interval, and the client's current vital signs remain within
acceptable therapeutic parameters for this medication. The key concept is recognizing the expected pharmacodynamic
effects of beta-adrenergic antagonists and assessing their clinical significance within the patient's status.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 110
The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an ARB, for a client with hypertension and heart failure.
The nurse notes the serum potassium is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first?
CORRECT ANSWER
Withhold the scheduled dose.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) like losartan inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, reducing
aldosterone secretion and thus impairing renal potassium excretion. A serum potassium level of 5.9 mEq/L indicates
hyperkalemia, a significant risk with ARB therapy, necessitating withholding the dose to prevent further potassium
elevation and potential cardiac arrhythmias.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 110
A client with a new onset SVT is prescribed digoxin. For which lab result should the nurse contact the HCP
immediately?
CORRECT ANSWER
K+ = 3.1 mEq/L
RATIONALE
5 mEq/L necessitates immediate intervention. This question assesses understanding of the critical electrolyte imbalance
that exacerbates cardiac glycoside adverse effects.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 110
A client is prescribed dobutamine 1 mcg/kg/min via IV infusion. Which client condition would benefit most from
dobutamine?
CORRECT ANSWER
Heart failure
RATIONALE
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that increases myocardial contractility and heart rate, making it beneficial for
patients experiencing decompensated heart failure by improving cardiac output. This medication's positive inotropic and
chronotropic effects directly address the impaired pumping function characteristic of heart failure.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 110
The HCP prescribes a beta 1-agonist. For which diagnosis should the nurse anticipate its use?
CORRECT ANSWER
Heart failure
Page 3
, RATIONALE
Beta-1 agonists increase myocardial contractility and heart rate, making them beneficial in treating the reduced cardiac
output characteristic of heart failure. This directly addresses the compensatory mechanisms needed to improve pump
function.
Q7 QUESTION 7 OF 110
A client receiving IV doxorubicin complains of pain at the IV site, and the nurse notes edema there . Which
intervention is most important?
CORRECT ANSWER
Discontinue the IV fluids.
RATIONALE
Doxorubicin is a vesicant, and discontinuing the IV is critical to prevent severe tissue damage from extravasation. This
action addresses the immediate risk of local injury by stopping further infusion of the damaging agent.
Q8 QUESTION 8 OF 110
A client with acute myocardial infarction is admitted. Which medication lessens cardiac workload by decreasing
preload and afterload?
CORRECT ANSWER
Nitroglycerin
RATIONALE
Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen demand by causing venodilation, which decreases preload, and by causing
arterial vasodilation, which decreases afterload. This mechanism alleviates the workload on the compromised heart
muscle.
Q9 QUESTION 9 OF 110
Which data change suggests the ARB valsartan is achieving its desired effect?
CORRECT ANSWER
BP reduced 160/90 -> 130/80
Page 4
