HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM WITH DETAILED
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A++
Marasmus - ANSWER Severe protein and calorie deficiency characterized
by low heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, dull hair, and
emaciated appearance.
Kwashiorkor - ANSWER Severe protein deficiency characterized by hair
discoloration, enlarged liver, and pitting edema.
Protein-calorie malnutrition - ANSWER Loss of lean tissues and muscle
mass caused by inadequate protein and calorie intake, resulting in skeletal
muscle loss and diarrhea.
Right-sided heart failure - ANSWER Peripheral edema, jugular vein
distention, and hepatomegaly due to the inability of the right ventricle to
adequately pump blood.
Left-sided heart failure - ANSWER Pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and
decreased cardiac output due to the inability of the left ventricle to
adequately pump blood.
Diastolic dysfunction - ANSWER Reduced ability of the heart to fill during
diastole, leading to heart failure; often caused by conditions such as
myocardial hypertrophy and hypertension.
Acute myocardial infarction - ANSWER Most common cause of left-sided
heart failure, characterized by sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart
muscle.
Diffuse glomerulonephritis - ANSWER Inflammation of the glomeruli in both
kidneys, affecting all parts of the glomeruli.
Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis - ANSWER Inflammation of the
glomeruli following a streptococcal infection, characterized by hematuria,
proteinuria, and edema.
,Nephrotic syndrome - ANSWER Condition characterized by massive
proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, generalized edema, and hyperlipidemia.
Cirrhosis - ANSWER Late stage of liver disease characterized by diffuse
liver fibrosis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, and portosystemic
shunts.
Portal hypertension - ANSWER Increased pressure in the portal vein
system due to obstruction of blood flow, leading to the formation of
collateral circulation and portosystemic shunts.
Tension pneumothorax - ANSWER Life-threatening condition caused by
trapped air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse and mediastinal
shift.
Esophageal varices - ANSWER Dilated veins in the esophagus due to
portal hypertension, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Thyroid storm - ANSWER Extreme and life-threatening form of
thyrotoxicosis, characterized by high fever, tachycardia, and severe CNS
effects.
Glucocorticoid - ANSWER Steroid hormone that regulates glucose
metabolism and suppresses the immune response.
Adrenal insufficiency - ANSWER Condition characterized by decreased
production of adrenal hormones, leading to fatigue, weight loss, and
hypoglycemia.
CD4+ TH1 cells - ANSWER T cells that control and coordinate host
defenses against intracellular pathogens.
Intracellular pathogen infection - ANSWER Infection caused by pathogens
that reside and replicate within host cells, such as viruses and certain
bacteria.
Passive immunity - ANSWER Short-term protection against infectious
disease provided by the injection of antibodies from another individual.
,Pattern theory - ANSWER Pain theory proposing that different activity
patterns of the same neurons can be used to signal painful or nonpainful
stimuli.
Dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway - ANSWER Pathway through
which proprioceptive information from stretch-sensitive receptors in the skin
is processed and transmitted to the CNS.
What should raise a concern when a patient is taking nitrofurantoin
(Macrodantin)? - ANSWER Numbness and tingling of extremities can
indicate irreversible peripheral neuropathy.
What is the drug of choice for treating C. difficile? - ANSWER
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
To reduce GI upset, what can you take with metronidazole (Flagyl)? -
ANSWER Food
What is important when taking metronidazole (Flagyl)? - ANSWER Take
around the clock and avoid alcohol and products containing alcohol
(Disulfiram-like reaction).
Gentamycin (Garamycin), neomycin, tobramycin (Nebecin) are what kinds
of drug? - ANSWER Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides are given in what route? - ANSWER IV for several days
What are adverse effects of aminoglycosides? - ANSWER Ototoxicity and
nephrotoxicity
What labs should you check when a patient is taking aminoglycosides? -
ANSWER BUN and creatinine tests.
What is the drug of choice for MRSA? - ANSWER Vancomycin
What is MRSA? - ANSWER Severe staph infections that have become
resistant to most antibiotics.
When does the trough in Vancomycin usually occur? - ANSWER Just
before the next dose
, When a patient is taking Vancomycin, what are they at risk for? - ANSWER
Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Even thrombophlebitis.
What is the condition called if Vancomycin is infused too rapidly? -
ANSWER Red Man Syndrome
What are the symptoms of Red Man Syndrome? - ANSWER Flushing or
rash of upper body, dyspnea, itching, hypotension. All of these can be
lethal.
IV infusions of Vancomycin should be greater than how long? - ANSWER
69 minutes
What is the sulfonamide treatment for UTI? - ANSWER
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim/Septra)
What are some things to consider and look out for when a patient is taking
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim/Septra)? - ANSWER This has high
concentrations of drug in kidneys. If a patient has a sulfa allergy, don't give
it to them. Assess for rashes!
Why is trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole a combo drug? - ANSWER Because
it will attack folic acid in 2 different points.
When a woman is taking antibiotics and is on oral contraceptives what is
the issue and what would you teach her? - ANSWER Oral contraceptives
pills have decreased efficacy while on antibiotics. Use 2nd method of birth
control.
Penicillin's have a cross-sensitivity to what drug and why? - ANSWER
Cephalosporins because they are structurally similar.
When a patient is taking penicillin or cephalosporin for the first time what
should you observe for, for how long and why? - ANSWER Observe
respiratory status for the first 30 minutes after administration. Watch for
anaphylaxis if allergic to one or the other.
How do you treat anaphylaxis? - ANSWER Epinephrine
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS/ ALREADY
GRADED A++
Marasmus - ANSWER Severe protein and calorie deficiency characterized
by low heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, dull hair, and
emaciated appearance.
Kwashiorkor - ANSWER Severe protein deficiency characterized by hair
discoloration, enlarged liver, and pitting edema.
Protein-calorie malnutrition - ANSWER Loss of lean tissues and muscle
mass caused by inadequate protein and calorie intake, resulting in skeletal
muscle loss and diarrhea.
Right-sided heart failure - ANSWER Peripheral edema, jugular vein
distention, and hepatomegaly due to the inability of the right ventricle to
adequately pump blood.
Left-sided heart failure - ANSWER Pulmonary congestion, dyspnea, and
decreased cardiac output due to the inability of the left ventricle to
adequately pump blood.
Diastolic dysfunction - ANSWER Reduced ability of the heart to fill during
diastole, leading to heart failure; often caused by conditions such as
myocardial hypertrophy and hypertension.
Acute myocardial infarction - ANSWER Most common cause of left-sided
heart failure, characterized by sudden blockage of blood flow to the heart
muscle.
Diffuse glomerulonephritis - ANSWER Inflammation of the glomeruli in both
kidneys, affecting all parts of the glomeruli.
Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis - ANSWER Inflammation of the
glomeruli following a streptococcal infection, characterized by hematuria,
proteinuria, and edema.
,Nephrotic syndrome - ANSWER Condition characterized by massive
proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, generalized edema, and hyperlipidemia.
Cirrhosis - ANSWER Late stage of liver disease characterized by diffuse
liver fibrosis, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, ascites, and portosystemic
shunts.
Portal hypertension - ANSWER Increased pressure in the portal vein
system due to obstruction of blood flow, leading to the formation of
collateral circulation and portosystemic shunts.
Tension pneumothorax - ANSWER Life-threatening condition caused by
trapped air in the pleural space, leading to lung collapse and mediastinal
shift.
Esophageal varices - ANSWER Dilated veins in the esophagus due to
portal hypertension, which can lead to life-threatening bleeding.
Thyroid storm - ANSWER Extreme and life-threatening form of
thyrotoxicosis, characterized by high fever, tachycardia, and severe CNS
effects.
Glucocorticoid - ANSWER Steroid hormone that regulates glucose
metabolism and suppresses the immune response.
Adrenal insufficiency - ANSWER Condition characterized by decreased
production of adrenal hormones, leading to fatigue, weight loss, and
hypoglycemia.
CD4+ TH1 cells - ANSWER T cells that control and coordinate host
defenses against intracellular pathogens.
Intracellular pathogen infection - ANSWER Infection caused by pathogens
that reside and replicate within host cells, such as viruses and certain
bacteria.
Passive immunity - ANSWER Short-term protection against infectious
disease provided by the injection of antibodies from another individual.
,Pattern theory - ANSWER Pain theory proposing that different activity
patterns of the same neurons can be used to signal painful or nonpainful
stimuli.
Dorsal column-medial lemniscus pathway - ANSWER Pathway through
which proprioceptive information from stretch-sensitive receptors in the skin
is processed and transmitted to the CNS.
What should raise a concern when a patient is taking nitrofurantoin
(Macrodantin)? - ANSWER Numbness and tingling of extremities can
indicate irreversible peripheral neuropathy.
What is the drug of choice for treating C. difficile? - ANSWER
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
To reduce GI upset, what can you take with metronidazole (Flagyl)? -
ANSWER Food
What is important when taking metronidazole (Flagyl)? - ANSWER Take
around the clock and avoid alcohol and products containing alcohol
(Disulfiram-like reaction).
Gentamycin (Garamycin), neomycin, tobramycin (Nebecin) are what kinds
of drug? - ANSWER Aminoglycosides
Aminoglycosides are given in what route? - ANSWER IV for several days
What are adverse effects of aminoglycosides? - ANSWER Ototoxicity and
nephrotoxicity
What labs should you check when a patient is taking aminoglycosides? -
ANSWER BUN and creatinine tests.
What is the drug of choice for MRSA? - ANSWER Vancomycin
What is MRSA? - ANSWER Severe staph infections that have become
resistant to most antibiotics.
When does the trough in Vancomycin usually occur? - ANSWER Just
before the next dose
, When a patient is taking Vancomycin, what are they at risk for? - ANSWER
Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Even thrombophlebitis.
What is the condition called if Vancomycin is infused too rapidly? -
ANSWER Red Man Syndrome
What are the symptoms of Red Man Syndrome? - ANSWER Flushing or
rash of upper body, dyspnea, itching, hypotension. All of these can be
lethal.
IV infusions of Vancomycin should be greater than how long? - ANSWER
69 minutes
What is the sulfonamide treatment for UTI? - ANSWER
Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim/Septra)
What are some things to consider and look out for when a patient is taking
trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim/Septra)? - ANSWER This has high
concentrations of drug in kidneys. If a patient has a sulfa allergy, don't give
it to them. Assess for rashes!
Why is trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole a combo drug? - ANSWER Because
it will attack folic acid in 2 different points.
When a woman is taking antibiotics and is on oral contraceptives what is
the issue and what would you teach her? - ANSWER Oral contraceptives
pills have decreased efficacy while on antibiotics. Use 2nd method of birth
control.
Penicillin's have a cross-sensitivity to what drug and why? - ANSWER
Cephalosporins because they are structurally similar.
When a patient is taking penicillin or cephalosporin for the first time what
should you observe for, for how long and why? - ANSWER Observe
respiratory status for the first 30 minutes after administration. Watch for
anaphylaxis if allergic to one or the other.
How do you treat anaphylaxis? - ANSWER Epinephrine
