HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 2024
140 QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS ACTUAL BRAND-NEW
EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing
for possible myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for
intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this client
following administration of this pharmacologic agent?
A) Progressive difficulty with swallowing.
B) Decreased respiratory effort.
C) Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D) Decreased muscle weakness. - ....ANSWER...D.
RATIONALE: Administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will temporarily reduce
muscle weakness (D), the most common complaint of
newly-diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This
medication is used to diagnose myasthenia gravis due to its
short duration of action. This drug would temporarily
reverse (A and B), not increase these symptoms. (C) is not
a typical complaint of clients with myasthenia gravis, but
weakness of specific muscles, especially after prolonged
use, is a common symptom.
1
,Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most
commonly prescribed for a client with which condition?
A) Shock.
B) Asthma.
C) Hypotension.
D) Heart failure - ....ANSWER...D.
RATIONALE: Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist
that is indicated for short term use in cardiac
decompensation or heart failure (D) related to reduced
cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac
surgical procedures. Alpha and beta adrenergic agonists,
such as epinephrine and dopamine, are sympathomimetics
used in the treatment of shock (A). Other selective beta-2
adrenergic agonists, such as terbutaline and isoproterenol,
are indicated in the treatment of asthma (B). Although
dobutamine improves cardiac output, it is not used to treat
hypotension (C).
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one
month ago calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining
of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement
reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should
provide to this client?
A) Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since
low potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
B) Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
C) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
2
,because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side
effect.
D) Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking
the drug to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. -
....ANSWER...C.
RATIONALE: Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and
weakness, is a serious, and potentially life-threatening,
complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated
immediately by the healthcare provider (C). Although
electrolyte imbalances such as (A or B) can cause muscle
spasms in some cases, this is not the likely cause of leg
pain in the client receiving Lipitor, and evaluation by the
healthcare provider should not be delayed for any reason.
A low-cholesterol diet is recommended for those taking
Lipitor since the drug is used to lower total cholesterol (D),
but diet is not related to the leg pain symptom.
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client
receiving antibiotic therapy. What is the optimum time for
the nurse to obtain the trough level?
A) Sixty minutes after the antibiotic dose is administered.
B) Immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given.
C) When the next blood glucose level is to be checked.
D) Thirty minutes before the next antibiotic dose is given.
- ....ANSWER...B.
RATIONALE:Trough levels are drawn when the blood
level is at its lowest, which is typically just before the next
3
, dose is given (B). (A, C, and D) do not describe the
optimum time for obtaining a trough level of an antibiotic.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in
clients taking high dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). -
....ANSWER...C.
RATIONALE: Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol)
contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate preparation). (A, B,
and D) do not pose the degree of risk of drug interaction
with aspirin as Pepto Bismol would.
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose
aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old client with arthritis. The
client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions
because her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse
implement?
A) Refer the client to an audiologist for evaluation of her
hearing.
4
140 QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
VERIFIED AND 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS ACTUAL BRAND-NEW
EXAM ALREADY GRADED A+
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing
for possible myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for
intravenous administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this client
following administration of this pharmacologic agent?
A) Progressive difficulty with swallowing.
B) Decreased respiratory effort.
C) Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D) Decreased muscle weakness. - ....ANSWER...D.
RATIONALE: Administration of edrophonium chloride
(Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will temporarily reduce
muscle weakness (D), the most common complaint of
newly-diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This
medication is used to diagnose myasthenia gravis due to its
short duration of action. This drug would temporarily
reverse (A and B), not increase these symptoms. (C) is not
a typical complaint of clients with myasthenia gravis, but
weakness of specific muscles, especially after prolonged
use, is a common symptom.
1
,Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most
commonly prescribed for a client with which condition?
A) Shock.
B) Asthma.
C) Hypotension.
D) Heart failure - ....ANSWER...D.
RATIONALE: Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist
that is indicated for short term use in cardiac
decompensation or heart failure (D) related to reduced
cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac
surgical procedures. Alpha and beta adrenergic agonists,
such as epinephrine and dopamine, are sympathomimetics
used in the treatment of shock (A). Other selective beta-2
adrenergic agonists, such as terbutaline and isoproterenol,
are indicated in the treatment of asthma (B). Although
dobutamine improves cardiac output, it is not used to treat
hypotension (C).
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one
month ago calls the triage nurse at the clinic complaining
of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement
reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse should
provide to this client?
A) Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since
low potassium levels can cause muscle spasms.
B) Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled
appointment to assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
C) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider,
2
,because muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side
effect.
D) Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking
the drug to enhance the effectiveness of the drug. -
....ANSWER...C.
RATIONALE: Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and
weakness, is a serious, and potentially life-threatening,
complication of Lipitor, and should be evaluated
immediately by the healthcare provider (C). Although
electrolyte imbalances such as (A or B) can cause muscle
spasms in some cases, this is not the likely cause of leg
pain in the client receiving Lipitor, and evaluation by the
healthcare provider should not be delayed for any reason.
A low-cholesterol diet is recommended for those taking
Lipitor since the drug is used to lower total cholesterol (D),
but diet is not related to the leg pain symptom.
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client
receiving antibiotic therapy. What is the optimum time for
the nurse to obtain the trough level?
A) Sixty minutes after the antibiotic dose is administered.
B) Immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given.
C) When the next blood glucose level is to be checked.
D) Thirty minutes before the next antibiotic dose is given.
- ....ANSWER...B.
RATIONALE:Trough levels are drawn when the blood
level is at its lowest, which is typically just before the next
3
, dose is given (B). (A, C, and D) do not describe the
optimum time for obtaining a trough level of an antibiotic.
Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in
clients taking high dosages of aspirin for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). -
....ANSWER...C.
RATIONALE: Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol)
contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for
salicylate toxicity when used concurrently with aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid, another salicylate preparation). (A, B,
and D) do not pose the degree of risk of drug interaction
with aspirin as Pepto Bismol would.
The nurse is assessing the effectiveness of high dose
aspirin therapy for an 88-year-old client with arthritis. The
client reports that she can't hear the nurse's questions
because her ears are ringing. What action should the nurse
implement?
A) Refer the client to an audiologist for evaluation of her
hearing.
4
