HESI Pharmacology Practice Exam: Complete
Solutions with Expert-Verified Questions, Thorough
Explanations, and Correct Answers for Top
Academic Performance
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor valsartan (Diovan) has been achieved? - CORRECT ANS- -Blood pressure reduced
from 160/90 to 130/80.
This medication is an angiotensin recptor blocker, prescribed for the treatment of
hypertension. The desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications? - CORRECT
ANS- -Refrain from eating foods high in potassium. This medication is an aldosterone
antagonist, is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so a diet high in postassium should be avoided,
including potassium salt substiutes, which can lead to hyperkalemia.
The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis (Digoxin) for a client diagnosed with congestive
heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to administering the
digoxin? - CORRECT ANS- -Assess the serum potassium level. Hypokalemia will precipitate
digitalis toxicity.
The nurse is reviwing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with a client in
the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour
basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maxiamlly per hour. What
assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? - CORRECT ANS- -The
rate and depth of the client's respirations. The PCA pump should be stopped and the
healthcare provider notified if the client's respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute,
and the nurse should anticipate adjustments in the client's dosage before the PCA pump is
restarted.
,A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What advers effects associated with thyroid horomone toxicity should the
nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider? - CORRECT ANS- -
Tachycardia and chest pain. This medication increases the metabolic rate of all tissues, so
common signs and symptoms of toxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis in
adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be contraindicated for this client? -
CORRECT ANS- -Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep. People with diagnosis
are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and anesthetics.
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 shoudl the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANS- -Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately. Tinnitus is an early sign of salicylate
toxicity.
The nurse is teaching a client with cancer about opioid management for intractable pain
and tolerance related side effects. The nurse should prepare the client for which side effect
that is most likely to persist during long-term use of opioids? - CORRECT ANS- -
Constipation. The cilent should be prepared to implement measures for constipation.
An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse knows
that the purpose of this medication is to? - CORRECT ANS- -Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or
above. The objective of this medication is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or
above which is necessary for pepsinogen inactivity.
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every evening with her
9:00 p.m. dose. What action can the nurse take to alleviate this side effect? - CORRECT
ANS- -Administer the dose with a snack. Administering oral doses with food help minimize
GI discomfort.
,Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (Inderal)? - CORRECT ANS- -Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block. This is the
most serious adverse effect. AV block is generally associated with bradycardia and results
in potentially life-threatening decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing
secondary to bronchospasm and hyptension represent life-threatening respiratory and
cardiac disorders.
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications during the
use of an opioid analgesic? - CORRECT ANS- -A young adult with inflammatory bowel
disease.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for a client with
which condition? - CORRECT ANS- -Heart failure. This medicaiton is a beta-1 adrenergic
agonist that is indicated for short term use in cardiac decompensation or heart failure
related to reduced cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical
procedures.
Which anitdiarrheal agen should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspriin for arthritis? - CORRECT ANS- -Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol). This
medication contains subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with other salicylates.
A client is recieving methypredinsolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily. The nurse anticipates
an increase in which laboratory value as the result of this medicaiton? - CORRECT ANS- -
Serum glucose. This medication is a corticosteroid with glucocorticoid and
mineralcorticoid actions. These effects can lead to hyperglycemia, which is reflected as an
increase in the serum glucose value.
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet). Which
observation by the nurse would indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - CORRECT ANS- -Lessening of tremors. This medication increases the
amount of levodopa to the CNS (dopamine to the brain). Increased amounts of dopamine
, improve the symptoms of Parkinson's, such as involuntary movements, resting tremors,
shuffling gait, etc.
A client is taking hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid IV
q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The client
received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain medication.
What intervention should the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANS- -Administer only the
Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain. Dilaudid is an opioid agonist. Stadol is opioid antagonist. Use of
an agonis-antagonist for the client who has been receiving opioid agonists may result in
abrupt withdrawal symptoms and should be avoided.
A female client with rheumatoid arthritis take ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg PO 4 times a day.
To prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol (Cyotec) 100 mcg PO is prescribed.
Which information is most important for the nurse to include in client teaching? -
CORRECT ANS- -Use contraception during intercourse.
A client is being treated for osteoporosis with aldendronate (Fosamax), and the nurse has
completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration. Which morining
schedule would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has been effective? -
CORRECT ANS- -Take medication, go for a 30 minutes morning walk, then eat breakfast.
This medication is best absorbed when taken thrity minutes before eating in the morning.
The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for at least thirty minutes
after taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal reflux and irritation.
An older client with a decreased precentage of lean body mass is likely to receive a
prescription that is adjusted based on which pharmacokinetic process? - CORRECT ANS- -
Distribution. A decreased lean body mass in an older adult affects the distribution of drugs,
which affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs.
Which medication should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic? - CORRECT ANS- -Benzodiazepines
Solutions with Expert-Verified Questions, Thorough
Explanations, and Correct Answers for Top
Academic Performance
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor valsartan (Diovan) has been achieved? - CORRECT ANS- -Blood pressure reduced
from 160/90 to 130/80.
This medication is an angiotensin recptor blocker, prescribed for the treatment of
hypertension. The desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.
A client with heart failure is prescribed spironolactone (Aldactone). Which information is
most important for the nurse to provide to the client about diet modifications? - CORRECT
ANS- -Refrain from eating foods high in potassium. This medication is an aldosterone
antagonist, is a potassium-sparing diuretic, so a diet high in postassium should be avoided,
including potassium salt substiutes, which can lead to hyperkalemia.
The healthcare provider prescribes digitalis (Digoxin) for a client diagnosed with congestive
heart failure. Which intervention should the nurse implement prior to administering the
digoxin? - CORRECT ANS- -Assess the serum potassium level. Hypokalemia will precipitate
digitalis toxicity.
The nurse is reviwing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump with a client in
the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour
basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to total 5 mg IV maxiamlly per hour. What
assessment has the highest priority before initiating the PCA pump? - CORRECT ANS- -The
rate and depth of the client's respirations. The PCA pump should be stopped and the
healthcare provider notified if the client's respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute,
and the nurse should anticipate adjustments in the client's dosage before the PCA pump is
restarted.
,A 43-year-old female client is receiving thyroid replacement hormone following a
thyroidectomy. What advers effects associated with thyroid horomone toxicity should the
nurse instruct the client to report promptly to the healthcare provider? - CORRECT ANS- -
Tachycardia and chest pain. This medication increases the metabolic rate of all tissues, so
common signs and symptoms of toxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis in
adults. The nurse knows that which medication would be contraindicated for this client? -
CORRECT ANS- -Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium) for sleep. People with diagnosis
are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and anesthetics.
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 shoudl the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANS- -Notify the
healthcare provider of this finding immediately. Tinnitus is an early sign of salicylate
toxicity.
The nurse is teaching a client with cancer about opioid management for intractable pain
and tolerance related side effects. The nurse should prepare the client for which side effect
that is most likely to persist during long-term use of opioids? - CORRECT ANS- -
Constipation. The cilent should be prepared to implement measures for constipation.
An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse knows
that the purpose of this medication is to? - CORRECT ANS- -Maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or
above. The objective of this medication is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or
above which is necessary for pepsinogen inactivity.
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every evening with her
9:00 p.m. dose. What action can the nurse take to alleviate this side effect? - CORRECT
ANS- -Administer the dose with a snack. Administering oral doses with food help minimize
GI discomfort.
,Which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (Inderal)? - CORRECT ANS- -Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block. This is the
most serious adverse effect. AV block is generally associated with bradycardia and results
in potentially life-threatening decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing
secondary to bronchospasm and hyptension represent life-threatening respiratory and
cardiac disorders.
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for complications during the
use of an opioid analgesic? - CORRECT ANS- -A young adult with inflammatory bowel
disease.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for a client with
which condition? - CORRECT ANS- -Heart failure. This medicaiton is a beta-1 adrenergic
agonist that is indicated for short term use in cardiac decompensation or heart failure
related to reduced cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical
procedures.
Which anitdiarrheal agen should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspriin for arthritis? - CORRECT ANS- -Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol). This
medication contains subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with other salicylates.
A client is recieving methypredinsolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily. The nurse anticipates
an increase in which laboratory value as the result of this medicaiton? - CORRECT ANS- -
Serum glucose. This medication is a corticosteroid with glucocorticoid and
mineralcorticoid actions. These effects can lead to hyperglycemia, which is reflected as an
increase in the serum glucose value.
A client with Parkinson's disease is taking carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet). Which
observation by the nurse would indicate that the desired outcome of the medication is
being achieved? - CORRECT ANS- -Lessening of tremors. This medication increases the
amount of levodopa to the CNS (dopamine to the brain). Increased amounts of dopamine
, improve the symptoms of Parkinson's, such as involuntary movements, resting tremors,
shuffling gait, etc.
A client is taking hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PO q4h at home. Following surgery, Dilaudid IV
q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) IV q4h PRN are prescribed for pain. The client
received a dose of the Dilaudid IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain medication.
What intervention should the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANS- -Administer only the
Dilaudid q4h PRN for pain. Dilaudid is an opioid agonist. Stadol is opioid antagonist. Use of
an agonis-antagonist for the client who has been receiving opioid agonists may result in
abrupt withdrawal symptoms and should be avoided.
A female client with rheumatoid arthritis take ibuprofen (Motrin) 600 mg PO 4 times a day.
To prevent gastrointestinal bleeding, misoprostol (Cyotec) 100 mcg PO is prescribed.
Which information is most important for the nurse to include in client teaching? -
CORRECT ANS- -Use contraception during intercourse.
A client is being treated for osteoporosis with aldendronate (Fosamax), and the nurse has
completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration. Which morining
schedule would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has been effective? -
CORRECT ANS- -Take medication, go for a 30 minutes morning walk, then eat breakfast.
This medication is best absorbed when taken thrity minutes before eating in the morning.
The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for at least thirty minutes
after taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal reflux and irritation.
An older client with a decreased precentage of lean body mass is likely to receive a
prescription that is adjusted based on which pharmacokinetic process? - CORRECT ANS- -
Distribution. A decreased lean body mass in an older adult affects the distribution of drugs,
which affects the pharmacokinetics of drugs.
Which medication should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic? - CORRECT ANS- -Benzodiazepines
