BSN 315
HESI Pharm 315 | Pharmacology II Questions &
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology practice questions
• Answers for self-assessment
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Medication-class review
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Nursing safety considerations
• Pharmacology clinical judgment practice
• 2026 exam preparation
,BSN 315 HESI Pharm 315 | Pharmacology II
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
QUESTION 1
A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine
phosphokinase (CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset
of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive bruising
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness
Explanation: Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels indicate muscle
damage, which can occur as a serious side effect of statin medications like
atorvastatin. This can lead to rhabdomyolysis, and the client should be
assessed for muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness.
QUESTION 2
An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk
for coronary artery disease?
,A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein)
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
Explanation: Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol.
The desired effect is to decrease LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL while
increasing HDL (the "good" cholesterol). An increase in HDL indicates the
medication is having a positive effect.
QUESTION 3 (NGN)
Patient Data History and Physical: The client is a 36-year-old female with
moderate persistent asthma. She takes fluticasone/salmeterol 250 mcg/50
mcg 1 inhalation twice daily and albuterol 90 mcg/inhalation 2 inhalations
every 4-6 hours as needed.
Nurses notes: The client states that she has had more severe asthma
symptoms than usual in the past week. Her forced expiratory volume has
been 60-65% even with multiple doses of albuterol for several days in a
row. She came to the hospital feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and complaining
of "heart palpitations." Upon assessment, no wheezes were found. Her
oxygen saturation is 99%.
Identify from the choices below which condition the client is most likely
experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that condition,
, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's
progress.
Potential Condition: Methemoglobinemia
Actions to Take:
1. Draw blood for a complete blood count
2. Administer methylene blue
Parameters to Monitor:
1. Methemoglobin level
2. Heart rate and rhythm
QUESTION 4
The nurse provides discharge instructions to a client who has been
prescribed gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three times a day for postherpetic
neuralgia. Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Gastric irritation
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B. Gastric irritation
HESI Pharm 315 | Pharmacology II Questions &
Answers with Rationales | 2026 Study Guide
RESOURCE FEATURES
• BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology practice questions
• Answers for self-assessment
• Detailed rationales and explanations
• Medication-class review
• Clinical scenario-based questions
• Nursing safety considerations
• Pharmacology clinical judgment practice
• 2026 exam preparation
,BSN 315 HESI Pharm 315 | Pharmacology II
Questions & Answers with Rationales | 2026
Study Guide
QUESTION 1
A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine
phosphokinase (CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset
of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive bruising
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness
Explanation: Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels indicate muscle
damage, which can occur as a serious side effect of statin medications like
atorvastatin. This can lead to rhabdomyolysis, and the client should be
assessed for muscle tenderness, pain, or weakness.
QUESTION 2
An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk
for coronary artery disease?
,A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein)
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
Explanation: Atorvastatin is a statin medication used to lower cholesterol.
The desired effect is to decrease LDL, triglycerides, and VLDL while
increasing HDL (the "good" cholesterol). An increase in HDL indicates the
medication is having a positive effect.
QUESTION 3 (NGN)
Patient Data History and Physical: The client is a 36-year-old female with
moderate persistent asthma. She takes fluticasone/salmeterol 250 mcg/50
mcg 1 inhalation twice daily and albuterol 90 mcg/inhalation 2 inhalations
every 4-6 hours as needed.
Nurses notes: The client states that she has had more severe asthma
symptoms than usual in the past week. Her forced expiratory volume has
been 60-65% even with multiple doses of albuterol for several days in a
row. She came to the hospital feeling dizzy, lightheaded, and complaining
of "heart palpitations." Upon assessment, no wheezes were found. Her
oxygen saturation is 99%.
Identify from the choices below which condition the client is most likely
experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that condition,
, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client's
progress.
Potential Condition: Methemoglobinemia
Actions to Take:
1. Draw blood for a complete blood count
2. Administer methylene blue
Parameters to Monitor:
1. Methemoglobin level
2. Heart rate and rhythm
QUESTION 4
The nurse provides discharge instructions to a client who has been
prescribed gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three times a day for postherpetic
neuralgia. Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the
healthcare provider?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Gastric irritation
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Photosensitivity
Answer: B. Gastric irritation
