BSN 315 HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 2026-2027 | LATEST … 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
Exam Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Latest Verified
HESI Exam (Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
48 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 48 verified HESI Pharmacology exam questions and answers, complete with
detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology concepts, making it an invaluable resource for
students preparing for their certification exams, reviewing complex material, or reinforcing their
understanding of critical drug information.
CONTENTS
01 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications Q1–Q12
02 Infectious Disease & Immunosuppression Q13–Q22
03 Gastrointestinal & Endocrine Medications Q23–Q29
04 Respiratory & Other Systemic Medications Q30–Q40
Page 1
, 05 Cardiovascular Medications Q41–Q48
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 48
A client diagnosed with MS who self-administers beta 1 a interferon, reports feeling increasingly depressed. Which
action should the nurse implement?
CORRECT ANSWER
Notify the healthcare provider of the findings immediately.
RATIONALE
Beta-interferon therapy can cause depression, a serious adverse effect that requires immediate healthcare provider
notification to assess for treatment modification or discontinuation. This highlights the importance of recognizing and
reporting potential drug-induced psychological adverse effects.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 48
Before administering the initial dose of sumatriptan succinate to a client with a migraine headache. It is most
important to determine if the client's history includes which problem?
CORRECT ANSWER
CAD
RATIONALE
Sumatriptan succinate is a serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist that causes vasoconstriction, posing a risk of myocardial
ischemia or infarction in clients with underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). The key concept tested is the
contraindication of vasoconstrictive medications in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 48
An older adult client with restless legs syndrome begins taking melatonin at bedtime. When evaluating the
effectiveness of the herb which assessment should the nurse complete?
CORRECT ANSWER
Determine sleep patterns.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Assessing sleep patterns directly evaluates the primary therapeutic goal of melatonin for restless legs syndrome, which is
to improve sleep quality and duration. This addresses the core concept of evaluating treatment efficacy based on patient-
reported outcomes and objective sleep metrics.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 48
The nurse provide discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three
times a day for post herpetic neuralgia. Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the healthcare
provider?
CORRECT ANSWER
Gastric irritation
RATIONALE
Gastric irritation is a potential side effect of gabapentin, necessitating monitoring and reporting to the healthcare provider
for appropriate management. This question assesses knowledge of common adverse drug reactions for anticonvulsant
medications.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 48
When preparing to apply a scheduled fentanyl transdermal patch the nurse notes that the previously applied patch
is intact on the client's upper back and the client denies pain.
CORRECT ANSWER
Apply the new patch in a different location after removing the original patch.
RATIONALE
Fentanyl transdermal patches deliver medication through continuous absorption, so the old patch must be removed to
prevent a cumulative overdose before applying a new one to a distinct site to ensure consistent pharmacokinetics. This
addresses the principle of controlled medication delivery and avoidance of polypharmacy.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 48
Page 3
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
Exam Questions & Answers
2026-2027 | Latest Verified
HESI Exam (Rationales)
Verified Answers Exam Ready With Rationales
48 QUESTIONS
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
This document provides 48 verified HESI Pharmacology exam questions and answers, complete with
detailed rationales. It covers essential nursing pharmacology concepts, making it an invaluable resource for
students preparing for their certification exams, reviewing complex material, or reinforcing their
understanding of critical drug information.
CONTENTS
01 Neurological & Psychiatric Medications Q1–Q12
02 Infectious Disease & Immunosuppression Q13–Q22
03 Gastrointestinal & Endocrine Medications Q23–Q29
04 Respiratory & Other Systemic Medications Q30–Q40
Page 1
, 05 Cardiovascular Medications Q41–Q48
E XA M Q U EST I O N S
Q1 QUESTION 1 OF 48
A client diagnosed with MS who self-administers beta 1 a interferon, reports feeling increasingly depressed. Which
action should the nurse implement?
CORRECT ANSWER
Notify the healthcare provider of the findings immediately.
RATIONALE
Beta-interferon therapy can cause depression, a serious adverse effect that requires immediate healthcare provider
notification to assess for treatment modification or discontinuation. This highlights the importance of recognizing and
reporting potential drug-induced psychological adverse effects.
Q2 QUESTION 2 OF 48
Before administering the initial dose of sumatriptan succinate to a client with a migraine headache. It is most
important to determine if the client's history includes which problem?
CORRECT ANSWER
CAD
RATIONALE
Sumatriptan succinate is a serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist that causes vasoconstriction, posing a risk of myocardial
ischemia or infarction in clients with underlying coronary artery disease (CAD). The key concept tested is the
contraindication of vasoconstrictive medications in patients with ischemic heart disease.
Q3 QUESTION 3 OF 48
An older adult client with restless legs syndrome begins taking melatonin at bedtime. When evaluating the
effectiveness of the herb which assessment should the nurse complete?
CORRECT ANSWER
Determine sleep patterns.
Page 2
, RATIONALE
Assessing sleep patterns directly evaluates the primary therapeutic goal of melatonin for restless legs syndrome, which is
to improve sleep quality and duration. This addresses the core concept of evaluating treatment efficacy based on patient-
reported outcomes and objective sleep metrics.
Q4 QUESTION 4 OF 48
The nurse provide discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three
times a day for post herpetic neuralgia. Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the healthcare
provider?
CORRECT ANSWER
Gastric irritation
RATIONALE
Gastric irritation is a potential side effect of gabapentin, necessitating monitoring and reporting to the healthcare provider
for appropriate management. This question assesses knowledge of common adverse drug reactions for anticonvulsant
medications.
Q5 QUESTION 5 OF 48
When preparing to apply a scheduled fentanyl transdermal patch the nurse notes that the previously applied patch
is intact on the client's upper back and the client denies pain.
CORRECT ANSWER
Apply the new patch in a different location after removing the original patch.
RATIONALE
Fentanyl transdermal patches deliver medication through continuous absorption, so the old patch must be removed to
prevent a cumulative overdose before applying a new one to a distinct site to ensure consistent pharmacokinetics. This
addresses the principle of controlled medication delivery and avoidance of polypharmacy.
Q6 QUESTION 6 OF 48
Page 3
