BSN 315 HESI
Pharmacology V2 Set 1 & 2 | Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Nightingale College
Study Guide
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• BSN 315 Pharmacology II review
• HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1 practice
• HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 2 practice
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Dosage and medication-safety concepts
• Pharmacology review for HESI preparation
, BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1 & 2 |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Nightingale
College Study Guide
1. 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?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair.
C. Avoid foods high in potassium.
D. Monitor for weight gain and edema.
Answer: B
Rationale: Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause significant
orthostatic hypotension, especially during initial dosing. Rising slowly helps
prevent dizziness and falls. Options A, C, and D are not specific to enalapril;
potassium restriction is more relevant to ARBs or potassium-sparing
diuretics, and weight gain/edema are not typical side effects.
2. A female client calls the clinic and inquires about a possible
reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal
discomfort, itching and white discharge. The nurse should discuss
which action with the client?
A. Use an over-the-counter antifungal cream immediately.
,B. Discontinue the amoxicillin and restart when symptoms subside.
C. Consult with a healthcare provider about another treatment for this
effect.
D. Double the next dose of amoxicillin to clear the infection faster.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal itching and discharge indicate a probable
superinfection (yeast infection) caused by antibiotic disruption of normal
flora. The client should not self-treat without provider guidance; the
provider may prescribe an antifungal or change the antibiotic. The client
should continue the amoxicillin unless otherwise directed.
3. NGN – The nurse is making rounds on a group of clients when one
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse
administers a PRN prescription for a short-acting Beta-2 receptor
agonist. Which client responses should the nurse expect? (Select all
that apply)
A. Rapid resolution of wheezing
B. Increased heart rate and palpitations
C. Improved pulse oximetry values
D. Decreased respiratory rate to 10 breaths/min
Answers: A, C
Rationale: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol) relax bronchial
smooth muscle, leading to rapid relief of wheezing and improved
oxygenation (SpO₂). Tachycardia is a possible side effect but not an
expected therapeutic response; a decreased respiratory rate would indicate
, improvement only if it normalizes, but 10 breaths/min is too low and
suggests depression.
4. 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?
A. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
C. Administer atropine to increase the heart rate before giving atenolol.
D. Request an order for a lower dose of atenolol.
Answer: B
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and
conduction (PR prolongation). A rate of 58 bpm and PR 0.24 sec are within
expected therapeutic effects; BP is well controlled. No immediate
intervention is needed; the nurse should give the dose and continue
monitoring.
5. 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?
A. Administer the losartan as scheduled.
B. Withhold the scheduled dose.
C. Give potassium-binding resin per protocol.
D. Recheck the potassium level with a new specimen.
Pharmacology V2 Set 1 & 2 | Questions &
Answers with Rationales | Nightingale College
Study Guide
THIS EXAM INCLUDES:
• BSN 315 Pharmacology II review
• HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1 practice
• HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 2 practice
• Practice questions and answers
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Dosage and medication-safety concepts
• Pharmacology review for HESI preparation
, BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology V2 Set 1 & 2 |
Questions & Answers with Rationales | Nightingale
College Study Guide
1. 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?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk.
B. Rise slowly when getting out of the bed or chair.
C. Avoid foods high in potassium.
D. Monitor for weight gain and edema.
Answer: B
Rationale: Enalapril is an ACE inhibitor that can cause significant
orthostatic hypotension, especially during initial dosing. Rising slowly helps
prevent dizziness and falls. Options A, C, and D are not specific to enalapril;
potassium restriction is more relevant to ARBs or potassium-sparing
diuretics, and weight gain/edema are not typical side effects.
2. A female client calls the clinic and inquires about a possible
reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal
discomfort, itching and white discharge. The nurse should discuss
which action with the client?
A. Use an over-the-counter antifungal cream immediately.
,B. Discontinue the amoxicillin and restart when symptoms subside.
C. Consult with a healthcare provider about another treatment for this
effect.
D. Double the next dose of amoxicillin to clear the infection faster.
Answer: C
Rationale: Vaginal itching and discharge indicate a probable
superinfection (yeast infection) caused by antibiotic disruption of normal
flora. The client should not self-treat without provider guidance; the
provider may prescribe an antifungal or change the antibiotic. The client
should continue the amoxicillin unless otherwise directed.
3. NGN – The nurse is making rounds on a group of clients when one
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse
administers a PRN prescription for a short-acting Beta-2 receptor
agonist. Which client responses should the nurse expect? (Select all
that apply)
A. Rapid resolution of wheezing
B. Increased heart rate and palpitations
C. Improved pulse oximetry values
D. Decreased respiratory rate to 10 breaths/min
Answers: A, C
Rationale: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (e.g., albuterol) relax bronchial
smooth muscle, leading to rapid relief of wheezing and improved
oxygenation (SpO₂). Tachycardia is a possible side effect but not an
expected therapeutic response; a decreased respiratory rate would indicate
, improvement only if it normalizes, but 10 breaths/min is too low and
suggests depression.
4. 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?
A. Hold the medication and notify the provider immediately.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
C. Administer atropine to increase the heart rate before giving atenolol.
D. Request an order for a lower dose of atenolol.
Answer: B
Rationale: Atenolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate and
conduction (PR prolongation). A rate of 58 bpm and PR 0.24 sec are within
expected therapeutic effects; BP is well controlled. No immediate
intervention is needed; the nurse should give the dose and continue
monitoring.
5. 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?
A. Administer the losartan as scheduled.
B. Withhold the scheduled dose.
C. Give potassium-binding resin per protocol.
D. Recheck the potassium level with a new specimen.
