HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam
1. Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client
experiencing an acute anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to
the nurse that the desired effect has been achieved?
A. Client states chest pain is relieved
B. Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90
C. Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90
D. Clients SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%: A. nitroglycerin reduces
mycocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and reduces chest
pain
2. A client with hyperlipidemia recieves a prescription for niacin (niaspan).
which client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide
a. expected duration of flushing
b. symptoms of hyperglycemia
c. diets that minimize gi irritation
d. comfort measure for pruritis: A. flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an
hour, is a frequent reason for discontinuing niacin. inclusion of this effect in
clietn teaching may promote compliance in taking the med.
3. When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(tylonel), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body a. flank
b. abdomen
c. chest
d. head: B. acetaminophen toxicisty an result in liver damage; therefore, it is
especially important for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant
of the abdomen (which might indicated liver damage)
4. A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of
acute myocardial infarction. which medication prescription decreases both
preload and afterload a. nitroglycerin
b. propranolol
c. propranolol
d. captopril: A. nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and
decreases contractility, thereby decreasing both preload and afterload
5. A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU).
The nurse knows that the action of this drug is to
A. decrease the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the
blood
, HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam
B. increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the
blood
C. increase the amount of T4 and decrease the amount of T3 produced by
the thyroid
D. inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland: D. PTU is an adjunct
therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting production of thyroid
hormones.
It is often prescribed in prep for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy 6.
Which change in data indicates to the nurse the desired effect of the
angiotensin II receptor antagonist has been achieved
A. Dependent edema reduced form +3 to +1
B. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55mg/dl
C. PUlse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min
D. Blood pressure reducedf rom 160/90 to 130.80: D. angiotensin II receptor
antagonist (blocker), prescribed from treatment of HTN. The desired effect is a
decrease in blood pressure.
7. Which instructions should the nurse give to a female client who just
recieved 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: ADEF
8. The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (aldactone)
for a client who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Which
action should the nurse implement A. verify both prescriptions with the HCP
B. report the med interactions to the nurse manager
C. hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy: A. the concomitant
use of an ACE inhibitor and a potassium-sparing diuretic sucha s
spironolactone, should be given with caution b/c the two drugs may interact to
cause an elevation in serum potassium levels.
, HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam
9. A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be
contraindicated for this client?
A. liothyronine (cytomel) to replace iodine
B. Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention
C. Pentobarbital sodium for sleep
D. nitroglycerin for angina pain: C. persons with myxedema are dangerously
hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and anesthetics. They do not tolerate
liothyronine and usually receive iodine replacement therapy. These clients are
also suceptable to heart problems such as angina for which nitroglycerine
would be indicated and and congestive heart failure for which furosemide would
be indicated 10. A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine and an
IV of normal saline at 50ml/hour. The nurse noes that the client's urinary
output has been 20ml/hour for the last two hours. Which intervention
should the nurse initiate?
A. stop the infusion of dopamine
B. change the normal saline to a keep open rate
C. replace the urinary catheter
D. notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.: D.
11. A healthcare provider prescrives cephalexin monhydrate (Keflex) for a
client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to
assess for what additional drug allergy before administering this
prescription? A. Penicillins
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Erythromycins
D.Sulfonamides: A. Cross-allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporines,
such as keflex. so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise precaution
12. Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while
receiving an opioid analgesic? A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiasepines
C. Antihypertensives
D. Oral antidiabetics: B. respiratory depression increases with the concurrent
use of opioid analgesics and other cns depressant agents, such as alcohol,
barbiturates, and benzodiasepines
13. Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of care for a
client recieving the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan (avapro)?
A. Fluid volume deficit
1. Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client
experiencing an acute anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to
the nurse that the desired effect has been achieved?
A. Client states chest pain is relieved
B. Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90
C. Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90
D. Clients SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%: A. nitroglycerin reduces
mycocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and reduces chest
pain
2. A client with hyperlipidemia recieves a prescription for niacin (niaspan).
which client teaching is most important for the nurse to provide
a. expected duration of flushing
b. symptoms of hyperglycemia
c. diets that minimize gi irritation
d. comfort measure for pruritis: A. flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an
hour, is a frequent reason for discontinuing niacin. inclusion of this effect in
clietn teaching may promote compliance in taking the med.
3. When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(tylonel), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body a. flank
b. abdomen
c. chest
d. head: B. acetaminophen toxicisty an result in liver damage; therefore, it is
especially important for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant
of the abdomen (which might indicated liver damage)
4. A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of
acute myocardial infarction. which medication prescription decreases both
preload and afterload a. nitroglycerin
b. propranolol
c. propranolol
d. captopril: A. nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and
decreases contractility, thereby decreasing both preload and afterload
5. A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU).
The nurse knows that the action of this drug is to
A. decrease the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the
blood
, HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam
B. increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the
blood
C. increase the amount of T4 and decrease the amount of T3 produced by
the thyroid
D. inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland: D. PTU is an adjunct
therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting production of thyroid
hormones.
It is often prescribed in prep for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy 6.
Which change in data indicates to the nurse the desired effect of the
angiotensin II receptor antagonist has been achieved
A. Dependent edema reduced form +3 to +1
B. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55mg/dl
C. PUlse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min
D. Blood pressure reducedf rom 160/90 to 130.80: D. angiotensin II receptor
antagonist (blocker), prescribed from treatment of HTN. The desired effect is a
decrease in blood pressure.
7. Which instructions should the nurse give to a female client who just
recieved 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: ADEF
8. The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (aldactone)
for a client who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Which
action should the nurse implement A. verify both prescriptions with the HCP
B. report the med interactions to the nurse manager
C. hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy: A. the concomitant
use of an ACE inhibitor and a potassium-sparing diuretic sucha s
spironolactone, should be given with caution b/c the two drugs may interact to
cause an elevation in serum potassium levels.
, HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam
9. A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone
synthesis in adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be
contraindicated for this client?
A. liothyronine (cytomel) to replace iodine
B. Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention
C. Pentobarbital sodium for sleep
D. nitroglycerin for angina pain: C. persons with myxedema are dangerously
hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and anesthetics. They do not tolerate
liothyronine and usually receive iodine replacement therapy. These clients are
also suceptable to heart problems such as angina for which nitroglycerine
would be indicated and and congestive heart failure for which furosemide would
be indicated 10. A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine and an
IV of normal saline at 50ml/hour. The nurse noes that the client's urinary
output has been 20ml/hour for the last two hours. Which intervention
should the nurse initiate?
A. stop the infusion of dopamine
B. change the normal saline to a keep open rate
C. replace the urinary catheter
D. notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.: D.
11. A healthcare provider prescrives cephalexin monhydrate (Keflex) for a
client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to
assess for what additional drug allergy before administering this
prescription? A. Penicillins
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Erythromycins
D.Sulfonamides: A. Cross-allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporines,
such as keflex. so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise precaution
12. Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while
receiving an opioid analgesic? A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiasepines
C. Antihypertensives
D. Oral antidiabetics: B. respiratory depression increases with the concurrent
use of opioid analgesics and other cns depressant agents, such as alcohol,
barbiturates, and benzodiasepines
13. Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of care for a
client recieving the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan (avapro)?
A. Fluid volume deficit
