HESI Dosage Calculations Practice Exam, Hesi
Pharmacology Review
1
30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be
administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet - ANS-A client's daily PO
prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The medication is
available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many additional
tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for the
day? (Enter numeric value only.)
1
Using the conversion of 1 gram = 1000 mg: 0.1 gram = 100 mg 100 mg = 1 capsule - ANS-A
client with multiple sclerosis is prescribed Dantrolene (Dantrium) 0.1 grams PO BID for
spasticity. Dantrolene is available in 100 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse
administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25
mg/1 mg x 4 ml = 1 ml - ANS-The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide
(Bumex) IV. The medication is available in a vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication
should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml - ANS-The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine,
Recombinant (Energix-B) 5 mcg IM to a school-aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required,
round to the nearest tenth).
1 or 1.2
First, to convert micrograms to milligrams, divide the number of micrograms by 1000:
1,200/1000 = 1.2 mg. Using the Desired/Have available formula: 1.2 mg/1 mg x 1 ml = 1.2 ml. -
ANS-A client who has AIDS is receiving octreotide (Sandostatin) 1,200 mcg by subcutaneous
injection every day for symptoms of diarrhea. Octreotide is available for injection in 1 mg/ml
,vials. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest tenth.)
1. "Do you have any joint pain?" - ANS-173.) A nurse reviews the medication history of a client
admitted to the hospital and notes that the client is taking leflunomide (Arava). During data
collection, the nurse asks which question to determine medication effectiveness?
1. "Do you have any joint pain?"
2. "Are you having any diarrhea?"
3. "Do you have frequent headaches?"
4. "Are you experiencing heartburn?"
1. "I can skip a dose once a week." - ANS-127.) The nurse provides medication instructions to
an older hypertensive client who is taking 20 mg of lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) orally daily. The
nurse evaluates the need for further teaching when the client states which of the following?
1. "I can skip a dose once a week."
2. "I need to change my position slowly."
3. "I take the pill after breakfast each day."
4. "If I get a bad headache, I should call my doctor immediately."
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it." - ANS-31.) A community health nurse visits
a client at home. Prednisone 10 mg orally daily has been prescribed for the client and the nurse
reinforces teaching for the client about the medication. Which statement, if made by the client,
indicates that further teaching is necessary?
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
2. "I need to take the medication every day at the same time."
3. "I need to avoid coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate in my diet."
4. "If I gain more than 5 pounds a week, I will call my doctor."
1. "I need to obtain a yearly influenza vaccine." - ANS-179.) A nurse provides medication
instructions to a client who had a kidney transplant about therapy with cyclosporine
(Sandimmune). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
1. "I need to obtain a yearly influenza vaccine."
2. "I need to have dental checkups every 3 months."
3. "I need to self-monitor my blood pressure at home."
4. "I need to call the health care provider (HCP) if my urine volume decreases or my urine
becomes cloudy."
1. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth." - ANS-77.) Phenytoin (Dilantin), 100 mg orally
three times daily, has been prescribed for a client for seizure control. The nurse reinforces
instructions regarding the medication to the client. Which statement by the client indicates an
understanding of the instructions?
1. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth."
2. "It's all right to break the capsules to make it easier for me to swallow them."
3. "If I forget to take my medication, I can wait until the next dose and eliminate that dose."
,4. "If my throat becomes sore, it's a normal effect of the medication and it's nothing to be
concerned about."
1. 5:00 PM - ANS-115.) A client received 20 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously at 8:00 AM.
The nurse should check the client for a potential hypoglycemic reaction at what time?
1. 5:00 PM
2. 10:00 AM
3. 11:00 AM
4. 11:00 PM
1. Acne - ANS-10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The
nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
1. Albuterol first and then the beclomethasone dipropionate - ANS-145.) A nurse has a
prescription to give a client albuterol (Proventil HFA) (two puffs) and beclomethasone
dipropionate (Qvar) (nasal inhalation, two puffs), by metered- dose inhaler. The nurse
administers the medication by giving the:
1. Albuterol first and then the beclomethasone dipropionate
2. Beclomethasone dipropionate first and then the albuterol
3. Alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the albuterol
4. Alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the beclomethasone dipropionate
1. Alcohol - ANS-26.) Glimepiride (Amaryl) is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus. A
nurse reinforces instructions for the client and tells the client to avoid which of the following
while taking this medication?
1. Alcohol
2. Organ meats
3. Whole-grain cereals
4. Carbonated beverages1.
1. At bedtime - ANS-142.) A health care provider has written a prescription for ranitidine
(Zantac), once daily. The nurse should schedule the medication for which of the following times?
1. At bedtime
2. After lunch
3. With supper
4. Before breakfast
, 1. Avoid sun exposure. - ANS-100.) Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is
human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse reinforces medication instructions and
tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
1. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL - ANS-156.) A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a
client receiving tacrolimus (Prograf). Which laboratory result would indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
1. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
2. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
3. Platelet count of 300,000 cells/mm3
4. White blood cell count of 6000 cells/mm3
1. Decreased urinary output - ANS-32.) Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is prescribed for the
treatment of diabetes insipidus. The nurse monitors the client after medication administration for
which therapeutic response?
1. Decreased urinary output
2. Decreased blood pressure
3. Decreased peripheral edema
4. Decreased blood glucose level
1. Dementia - ANS-105.) A nurse is collecting data from a client and the client's spouse reports
that the client is taking donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). Which disorder would the nurse
suspect that this client may have based on the use of this medication?
1. Dementia
2. Schizophrenia
3. Seizure disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder 1
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia episodes. -
ANS-33.) The home health care nurse is visiting a client who was recently diagnosed with type
2 diabetes mellitus. The client is prescribed repaglinide (Prandin) and metformin (Glucophage)
and asks the nurse to explain these medications. The nurse should reinforce which instructions
to the client? Select all that apply.
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia episodes.
Pharmacology Review
1
30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be
administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet - ANS-A client's daily PO
prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The medication is
available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many additional
tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for the
day? (Enter numeric value only.)
1
Using the conversion of 1 gram = 1000 mg: 0.1 gram = 100 mg 100 mg = 1 capsule - ANS-A
client with multiple sclerosis is prescribed Dantrolene (Dantrium) 0.1 grams PO BID for
spasticity. Dantrolene is available in 100 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse
administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25
mg/1 mg x 4 ml = 1 ml - ANS-The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide
(Bumex) IV. The medication is available in a vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication
should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml - ANS-The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine,
Recombinant (Energix-B) 5 mcg IM to a school-aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required,
round to the nearest tenth).
1 or 1.2
First, to convert micrograms to milligrams, divide the number of micrograms by 1000:
1,200/1000 = 1.2 mg. Using the Desired/Have available formula: 1.2 mg/1 mg x 1 ml = 1.2 ml. -
ANS-A client who has AIDS is receiving octreotide (Sandostatin) 1,200 mcg by subcutaneous
injection every day for symptoms of diarrhea. Octreotide is available for injection in 1 mg/ml
,vials. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest tenth.)
1. "Do you have any joint pain?" - ANS-173.) A nurse reviews the medication history of a client
admitted to the hospital and notes that the client is taking leflunomide (Arava). During data
collection, the nurse asks which question to determine medication effectiveness?
1. "Do you have any joint pain?"
2. "Are you having any diarrhea?"
3. "Do you have frequent headaches?"
4. "Are you experiencing heartburn?"
1. "I can skip a dose once a week." - ANS-127.) The nurse provides medication instructions to
an older hypertensive client who is taking 20 mg of lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) orally daily. The
nurse evaluates the need for further teaching when the client states which of the following?
1. "I can skip a dose once a week."
2. "I need to change my position slowly."
3. "I take the pill after breakfast each day."
4. "If I get a bad headache, I should call my doctor immediately."
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it." - ANS-31.) A community health nurse visits
a client at home. Prednisone 10 mg orally daily has been prescribed for the client and the nurse
reinforces teaching for the client about the medication. Which statement, if made by the client,
indicates that further teaching is necessary?
1. "I can take aspirin or my antihistamine if I need it."
2. "I need to take the medication every day at the same time."
3. "I need to avoid coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate in my diet."
4. "If I gain more than 5 pounds a week, I will call my doctor."
1. "I need to obtain a yearly influenza vaccine." - ANS-179.) A nurse provides medication
instructions to a client who had a kidney transplant about therapy with cyclosporine
(Sandimmune). Which statement by the client indicates a need for further instruction?
1. "I need to obtain a yearly influenza vaccine."
2. "I need to have dental checkups every 3 months."
3. "I need to self-monitor my blood pressure at home."
4. "I need to call the health care provider (HCP) if my urine volume decreases or my urine
becomes cloudy."
1. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth." - ANS-77.) Phenytoin (Dilantin), 100 mg orally
three times daily, has been prescribed for a client for seizure control. The nurse reinforces
instructions regarding the medication to the client. Which statement by the client indicates an
understanding of the instructions?
1. "I will use a soft toothbrush to brush my teeth."
2. "It's all right to break the capsules to make it easier for me to swallow them."
3. "If I forget to take my medication, I can wait until the next dose and eliminate that dose."
,4. "If my throat becomes sore, it's a normal effect of the medication and it's nothing to be
concerned about."
1. 5:00 PM - ANS-115.) A client received 20 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously at 8:00 AM.
The nurse should check the client for a potential hypoglycemic reaction at what time?
1. 5:00 PM
2. 10:00 AM
3. 11:00 AM
4. 11:00 PM
1. Acne - ANS-10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The
nurse notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
1. Albuterol first and then the beclomethasone dipropionate - ANS-145.) A nurse has a
prescription to give a client albuterol (Proventil HFA) (two puffs) and beclomethasone
dipropionate (Qvar) (nasal inhalation, two puffs), by metered- dose inhaler. The nurse
administers the medication by giving the:
1. Albuterol first and then the beclomethasone dipropionate
2. Beclomethasone dipropionate first and then the albuterol
3. Alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the albuterol
4. Alternating a single puff of each, beginning with the beclomethasone dipropionate
1. Alcohol - ANS-26.) Glimepiride (Amaryl) is prescribed for a client with diabetes mellitus. A
nurse reinforces instructions for the client and tells the client to avoid which of the following
while taking this medication?
1. Alcohol
2. Organ meats
3. Whole-grain cereals
4. Carbonated beverages1.
1. At bedtime - ANS-142.) A health care provider has written a prescription for ranitidine
(Zantac), once daily. The nurse should schedule the medication for which of the following times?
1. At bedtime
2. After lunch
3. With supper
4. Before breakfast
, 1. Avoid sun exposure. - ANS-100.) Saquinavir (Invirase) is prescribed for the client who is
human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. The nurse reinforces medication instructions and
tells the client to:
1. Avoid sun exposure.
2. Eat low-calorie foods.
3. Eat foods that are low in fat.
4. Take the medication on an empty stomach.
1. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL - ANS-156.) A nurse is reviewing the laboratory results for a
client receiving tacrolimus (Prograf). Which laboratory result would indicate to the nurse that the
client is experiencing an adverse effect of the medication?
1. Blood glucose of 200 mg/dL
2. Potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
3. Platelet count of 300,000 cells/mm3
4. White blood cell count of 6000 cells/mm3
1. Decreased urinary output - ANS-32.) Desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) is prescribed for the
treatment of diabetes insipidus. The nurse monitors the client after medication administration for
which therapeutic response?
1. Decreased urinary output
2. Decreased blood pressure
3. Decreased peripheral edema
4. Decreased blood glucose level
1. Dementia - ANS-105.) A nurse is collecting data from a client and the client's spouse reports
that the client is taking donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). Which disorder would the nurse
suspect that this client may have based on the use of this medication?
1. Dementia
2. Schizophrenia
3. Seizure disorder
4. Obsessive-compulsive disorder 1
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia episodes. -
ANS-33.) The home health care nurse is visiting a client who was recently diagnosed with type
2 diabetes mellitus. The client is prescribed repaglinide (Prandin) and metformin (Glucophage)
and asks the nurse to explain these medications. The nurse should reinforce which instructions
to the client? Select all that apply.
1. Diarrhea can occur secondary to the metformin.
2. The repaglinide is not taken if a meal is skipped.
3. The repaglinide is taken 30 minutes before eating.
4. Candy or another simple sugar is carried and used to treat mild hypoglycemia episodes.
