BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V1 – 2026/2027
Actual Questions with Revised Answers, 100%
Verified - Nightingale College
Question 1
A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a
prescription for cephalexin 500 mg by mouth twice daily. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Give with prescribed antihistamine
B) Administer the medication as prescribed
C) Contact the healthcare provider
D) Monitor the client for a rash or hives
Answer: C
Rationale: Given the serious penicillin allergy, prior authorization from
the healthcare provider is essential before administration due to the risk
of cross-sensitivity and anaphylaxis.
Question 2
After initiating piperacillin-tazobactam IV, a client reports a scratchy
throat five minutes into the infusion. Which finding is a reason to stop
the infusion immediately?
A) Scratchy throat
B) Bradycardia
,C) Hypertension
D) Pupillary constriction
Answer: A
Rationale: A scratchy throat is an early sign of anaphylaxis and
potential airway compromise, requiring immediate discontinuation of
the infusion.
Question 3
The nurse is preparing discharge teachings for a client taking
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets for suspected anthrax exposure.
Which instructions should be included?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Crush and mix the tablets with pudding if you have trouble
swallowing
B) Report any tendon pain or swelling to the healthcare provider
immediately
C) Limit exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning beds
D) Increase fluid intake while taking the medication
E) Use NSAIDs to relieve mild joint aches caused by the medication
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin carries risks of tendon rupture (report tendon
pain immediately), photosensitivity (avoid sun exposure), and
crystalluria (increase fluids). NSAIDs may worsen tendon risk.
,Question 4
A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12
hours, infused over one hour. The IV bag contains 400 mg in 200 mL
D5W. How many mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to
deliver?
A) 50 mL/hr
B) 100 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 200 mL/hr
Answer: D
Rationale: The prescription specifies that 400 mg in 200 mL should
infuse over 1 hour. The IV pump should be set to deliver the entire 200
mL over 1 hour: 200 mL/hour.
Question 5
A client is receiving vancomycin IV. Which action is most important for
the nurse to implement?
A) Obtain white blood count daily
B) Assess physiological response to antibiotic
C) Ensure vancomycin peak and trough levels are obtained
D) Report infection for Medicare reimbursement
Answer: C
, Rationale: Vancomycin requires serum peak and trough level
monitoring to maintain therapeutic efficacy and reduce the risk of
toxicity, particularly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
Question 6
Which instruction should the nurse give to a female client who received
a prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of
trichomonas vaginalis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice
B) Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use
C) Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension
D) Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication
E) Use condoms until treatment is completed
F) Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time
Answer: A, D, E, F
Rationale: Metronidazole causes a severe disulfiram-like reaction with
alcohol. Partners should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection.
Condoms should be used until treatment is completed.
Question 7
For a client scheduled to receive asparaginase (Elspar), which
documented history finding should prompt the nurse to consult the
provider before administration?
Actual Questions with Revised Answers, 100%
Verified - Nightingale College
Question 1
A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a
prescription for cephalexin 500 mg by mouth twice daily. Which action
should the nurse take?
A) Give with prescribed antihistamine
B) Administer the medication as prescribed
C) Contact the healthcare provider
D) Monitor the client for a rash or hives
Answer: C
Rationale: Given the serious penicillin allergy, prior authorization from
the healthcare provider is essential before administration due to the risk
of cross-sensitivity and anaphylaxis.
Question 2
After initiating piperacillin-tazobactam IV, a client reports a scratchy
throat five minutes into the infusion. Which finding is a reason to stop
the infusion immediately?
A) Scratchy throat
B) Bradycardia
,C) Hypertension
D) Pupillary constriction
Answer: A
Rationale: A scratchy throat is an early sign of anaphylaxis and
potential airway compromise, requiring immediate discontinuation of
the infusion.
Question 3
The nurse is preparing discharge teachings for a client taking
ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets for suspected anthrax exposure.
Which instructions should be included?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Crush and mix the tablets with pudding if you have trouble
swallowing
B) Report any tendon pain or swelling to the healthcare provider
immediately
C) Limit exposure to sunlight and avoid tanning beds
D) Increase fluid intake while taking the medication
E) Use NSAIDs to relieve mild joint aches caused by the medication
Answer: B, C, D
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin carries risks of tendon rupture (report tendon
pain immediately), photosensitivity (avoid sun exposure), and
crystalluria (increase fluids). NSAIDs may worsen tendon risk.
,Question 4
A client receives a prescription for ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12
hours, infused over one hour. The IV bag contains 400 mg in 200 mL
D5W. How many mL/hr should the nurse program the infusion pump to
deliver?
A) 50 mL/hr
B) 100 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 200 mL/hr
Answer: D
Rationale: The prescription specifies that 400 mg in 200 mL should
infuse over 1 hour. The IV pump should be set to deliver the entire 200
mL over 1 hour: 200 mL/hour.
Question 5
A client is receiving vancomycin IV. Which action is most important for
the nurse to implement?
A) Obtain white blood count daily
B) Assess physiological response to antibiotic
C) Ensure vancomycin peak and trough levels are obtained
D) Report infection for Medicare reimbursement
Answer: C
, Rationale: Vancomycin requires serum peak and trough level
monitoring to maintain therapeutic efficacy and reduce the risk of
toxicity, particularly nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.
Question 6
Which instruction should the nurse give to a female client who received
a prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of
trichomonas vaginalis? (Select all that apply.)
A) Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice
B) Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use
C) Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension
D) Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication
E) Use condoms until treatment is completed
F) Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time
Answer: A, D, E, F
Rationale: Metronidazole causes a severe disulfiram-like reaction with
alcohol. Partners should be treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection.
Condoms should be used until treatment is completed.
Question 7
For a client scheduled to receive asparaginase (Elspar), which
documented history finding should prompt the nurse to consult the
provider before administration?
