PHARMACOLOGY HESI PRACTICE 2 TEST
2026/2027 EXAM
A client receives a prescription for esomeprazole (Nexium) for heartburn. Which
finding in the client's history should the nurse report to the healthcare provider
before administering the prescription?
Eats spicy food three times a week.
History of deep vein thrombosis.
Drinks 2 alcoholic beverages on weekends.
Family history of diabetes mellitus. - ANSWER-History of deep vein thrombosis.
A male client who is in the terminal stage of cancer is cared for at home by his
family and receives a prescription for morphine at a rate to control intractable
pain. When the hospice nurse visits, the client awakens, moans in severe pain, and
asks for an increase in the morphine dosage. After determining the client's
respirations are 10 per minute, what is the best action for the nurse to
implement?
Titrate the morphine dose upward until the client has adequate pain relief.
Suggest to the family that they can also give the client ibuprofen, a non-narcotic
analgesic.
Hold additional morphine until the client's respirations are at least 16 per minute.
Inform the client that an increased dose of morphine increases side effects
without additional pain control. - ANSWER-Titrate the morphine dose upward
until the client has adequate pain relief.
,A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mcg
subcutaneously daily. During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing
action?
Assess the injection site for inflammation.
Evaluate the client's level of pain.
Monitor the client's alkaline phosphatase levels.
Observe the client for signs of hypersensitivity. - ANSWER-Observe the client for
signs of hypersensitivity.
A client is taking cyclosporine for renal allograft rejection prevention. After 9
months of drug therapy, the nurse reviews laboratory data and notes that the
blood urea nitrogen level is 36 mg/dl. What additional finding should the nurse
identify?
Hypotension.
White blood cell count 10,000.
Creatinine 28 mg/dl.
Anaphylactic reaction. - ANSWER-Creatinine 28 mg/dl.
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client
who is currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse
implement?
Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes.
Hang the blood transfusion as soon as the client returns to the unit.
, Store the blood bag in the nursing unit's refrigerator until the client returns.
Take the unit of blood to the X-ray department to initiate the transfusion. -
ANSWER-Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes.
Which side effects should the nurse monitor for a client who is receiving
dexamethasone (Decadron) following neurosurgery? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Mood swings.
Decreased appetite.
Increased weight gain.
Serum glucose level of 65 mg/dl.
Delayed incisional wound healing.
Serum hemoglobin level of 9 mg/dl. - ANSWER-Mood swings.
Increased weight gain.
Delayed incisional wound healing.
Serum hemoglobin level of 9 mg/dl.
A client is taking danazol (Danocrine) for endometriosis and calls the clinic nurse
to complain of a dark, swollen, and painful leg. What instructions should the nurse
provide the client?
Wear support stockings.
Elevate both legs and apply heat.
2026/2027 EXAM
A client receives a prescription for esomeprazole (Nexium) for heartburn. Which
finding in the client's history should the nurse report to the healthcare provider
before administering the prescription?
Eats spicy food three times a week.
History of deep vein thrombosis.
Drinks 2 alcoholic beverages on weekends.
Family history of diabetes mellitus. - ANSWER-History of deep vein thrombosis.
A male client who is in the terminal stage of cancer is cared for at home by his
family and receives a prescription for morphine at a rate to control intractable
pain. When the hospice nurse visits, the client awakens, moans in severe pain, and
asks for an increase in the morphine dosage. After determining the client's
respirations are 10 per minute, what is the best action for the nurse to
implement?
Titrate the morphine dose upward until the client has adequate pain relief.
Suggest to the family that they can also give the client ibuprofen, a non-narcotic
analgesic.
Hold additional morphine until the client's respirations are at least 16 per minute.
Inform the client that an increased dose of morphine increases side effects
without additional pain control. - ANSWER-Titrate the morphine dose upward
until the client has adequate pain relief.
,A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mcg
subcutaneously daily. During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing
action?
Assess the injection site for inflammation.
Evaluate the client's level of pain.
Monitor the client's alkaline phosphatase levels.
Observe the client for signs of hypersensitivity. - ANSWER-Observe the client for
signs of hypersensitivity.
A client is taking cyclosporine for renal allograft rejection prevention. After 9
months of drug therapy, the nurse reviews laboratory data and notes that the
blood urea nitrogen level is 36 mg/dl. What additional finding should the nurse
identify?
Hypotension.
White blood cell count 10,000.
Creatinine 28 mg/dl.
Anaphylactic reaction. - ANSWER-Creatinine 28 mg/dl.
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client
who is currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse
implement?
Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes.
Hang the blood transfusion as soon as the client returns to the unit.
, Store the blood bag in the nursing unit's refrigerator until the client returns.
Take the unit of blood to the X-ray department to initiate the transfusion. -
ANSWER-Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes.
Which side effects should the nurse monitor for a client who is receiving
dexamethasone (Decadron) following neurosurgery? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Mood swings.
Decreased appetite.
Increased weight gain.
Serum glucose level of 65 mg/dl.
Delayed incisional wound healing.
Serum hemoglobin level of 9 mg/dl. - ANSWER-Mood swings.
Increased weight gain.
Delayed incisional wound healing.
Serum hemoglobin level of 9 mg/dl.
A client is taking danazol (Danocrine) for endometriosis and calls the clinic nurse
to complain of a dark, swollen, and painful leg. What instructions should the nurse
provide the client?
Wear support stockings.
Elevate both legs and apply heat.
