BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V2
Practice Questions With Verified
Solutions 2026
Instructions: This exam contains multiple-choice and select-all-that-apply questions covering
the core content tested on the BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V2. Topics include
medication safety, pharmacokinetics, drug classifications, and nursing considerations.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. Which action is
absolutely contraindicated?
A. Diluting in normal saline
B. Using an infusion pump
C. Administering via IV push
D. Monitoring the IV site for phlebitis
Correct Answer: C — Administering via IV push
Rationale: IV push potassium chloride can cause fatal cardiac arrest due to rapid
hyperkalemia. It must always be diluted and infused slowly via an electronic
pump.
2. A patient receiving digoxin reports seeing yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse's priority action?
,A. Administer the next dose
B. Check the apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Hold the dose and notify the provider
D. Document as a normal side effect
Correct Answer: C — Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Visual disturbances (yellow/green halos) are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity. The dose must be held immediately to prevent life-threatening
dysrhythmias.
3. Which antidote should be readily available for a patient receiving a continuous
IV heparin infusion?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: B — Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific reversal agent for unfractionated
heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin; Naloxone reverses opioids.
, 4. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary instruction is most important?
A. Increase leafy green vegetables
B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K
C. Avoid all fruits
D. Double the dose if a meal is missed
Correct Answer: B — Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin works by antagonizing vitamin K. Sudden increases or
decreases in vitamin K intake cause erratic INR levels. Consistency is key.
5. When mixing Regular insulin and NPH insulin, what is the correct sequence?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Mix in any order
D. They cannot be mixed
Correct Answer: B — Draw up Regular first, then NPH
Rationale: "Clear before cloudy." Drawing the clear Regular insulin first prevents
contaminating it with the cloudy NPH, which would alter the onset of action.
6. A patient on an MAOI asks about diet. Which food must be avoided?
Practice Questions With Verified
Solutions 2026
Instructions: This exam contains multiple-choice and select-all-that-apply questions covering
the core content tested on the BSN HESI 315 Pharmacology Exam V2. Topics include
medication safety, pharmacokinetics, drug classifications, and nursing considerations.
1. A nurse is preparing to administer IV potassium chloride. Which action is
absolutely contraindicated?
A. Diluting in normal saline
B. Using an infusion pump
C. Administering via IV push
D. Monitoring the IV site for phlebitis
Correct Answer: C — Administering via IV push
Rationale: IV push potassium chloride can cause fatal cardiac arrest due to rapid
hyperkalemia. It must always be diluted and infused slowly via an electronic
pump.
2. A patient receiving digoxin reports seeing yellow halos around lights. What is
the nurse's priority action?
,A. Administer the next dose
B. Check the apical pulse for 1 minute
C. Hold the dose and notify the provider
D. Document as a normal side effect
Correct Answer: C — Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: Visual disturbances (yellow/green halos) are classic signs of digoxin
toxicity. The dose must be held immediately to prevent life-threatening
dysrhythmias.
3. Which antidote should be readily available for a patient receiving a continuous
IV heparin infusion?
A. Vitamin K
B. Protamine sulfate
C. Naloxone
D. Flumazenil
Correct Answer: B — Protamine sulfate
Rationale: Protamine sulfate is the specific reversal agent for unfractionated
heparin. Vitamin K reverses warfarin; Naloxone reverses opioids.
, 4. A patient is prescribed warfarin. Which dietary instruction is most important?
A. Increase leafy green vegetables
B. Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K
C. Avoid all fruits
D. Double the dose if a meal is missed
Correct Answer: B — Maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K
Rationale: Warfarin works by antagonizing vitamin K. Sudden increases or
decreases in vitamin K intake cause erratic INR levels. Consistency is key.
5. When mixing Regular insulin and NPH insulin, what is the correct sequence?
A. Draw up NPH first, then Regular
B. Draw up Regular first, then NPH
C. Mix in any order
D. They cannot be mixed
Correct Answer: B — Draw up Regular first, then NPH
Rationale: "Clear before cloudy." Drawing the clear Regular insulin first prevents
contaminating it with the cloudy NPH, which would alter the onset of action.
6. A patient on an MAOI asks about diet. Which food must be avoided?
