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HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE / ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 60+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS / 2025.
which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (inderal)?
A. Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
B. Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
C. Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
D. Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. - (answers)B. Wheezing,
hypotension, and AV block.
(B) represents the most serious adverse effects of beta-blocking agents. AV block
is generally associated with bradycardia and results in potentially life-threatening
decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing secondary to bronchospasm
and hypotension represent life-threatening respiratory and cardiac disorders. (A,
C, and D) are not associated with beta-blockers.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone (Narcan) for a client in the
emergency room. Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has
been effective? The client's...
A. Statement that the chest pain is better
B) respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
C) seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
D) pupils are constricted bilaterally. - (answers)B.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory
depression effects of opiate overdose, so assessment of a normal respiratory rate
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(B) would indicate that the respiratory depression has been halted. (A, C, and D)
are not related to naloxone (Narcan) administration.
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 - (answers)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
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex)
orally for symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to administering
the first dose?
A) Review the client's hemoglobin results.
B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Inquire about the reaction to sulfa.
D) Record the client's vital signs. - (answers)B.
Celebrex contains a sulfur molecule, which can lead to an allergic reaction in
individuals who are sensitive to sulfonamides, so the healthcare provider should
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be notified of the client's allergies (B). Although (A, C, and D) are important
assessments, it is most important to notify the healthcare provider for an
alternate prescription.
The client with a dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide (pronestyl) in 4 divided
doses over the next 24 hours. What dosing schedule is best for the nurse to
implement?
A. q4h
B. QID
C. AC and bedtime
D. PC and bedtime - (answers)A. q6h
A client has a continous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and an IV of normal
saline at 50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20
ml/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. - (answers)D. Notify the
healthcare provider of the urinary output.
An adult client has prescriptions for morphine sulfate 2.5 mg IV q6h and ketorlac
(toradol) 30mg IV q6h. which action should the nurse implement?
A. administer both medications according to the prescription
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B. Hold the ketorolac to prevent an antagonist effect
C. Hold the morphine to prevent an additive drug interaction
D. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify the prescription - (answers)A.
Administer both medications according to the prescription
Morphine and ketorolac can be administered concurrently and may produce
additive analgesic effect resulting in ability to reduce the dose of morphine, as
seen in this prescription
A client is being treated for hyperthyridism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse
knows that the action of this drug is to:
A. decrease the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone circulating in the blood.
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. - (answers)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
A female client with RA takes ibuprofen (motrin) 600mg PO 4xday. To preven GI
bleeding, misoprostol (cytotec) 100mcg PO is prescribed. Which information is
most important for the nurse to include in client teaching?
A. use contraception during intercourse
B. ensure the cytotec is taken on an empty stomach
C. encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation
HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE / ACTUAL EXAM
COMPLETE 60+ QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS / 2025.
which symptoms are serious adverse effects of beta-adrenergic blockers such as
propranolol (inderal)?
A. Headache, hypertension, and blurred vision.
B. Wheezing, hypotension, and AV block.
C. Vomiting, dilated pupils, and papilledema.
D. Tinnitus, muscle weakness, and tachypnea. - (answers)B. Wheezing,
hypotension, and AV block.
(B) represents the most serious adverse effects of beta-blocking agents. AV block
is generally associated with bradycardia and results in potentially life-threatening
decreases in cardiac output. Additionally, wheezing secondary to bronchospasm
and hypotension represent life-threatening respiratory and cardiac disorders. (A,
C, and D) are not associated with beta-blockers.
The healthcare provider prescribes naloxone (Narcan) for a client in the
emergency room. Which assessment data would indicate that the naloxone has
been effective? The client's...
A. Statement that the chest pain is better
B) respiratory rate is 16 breaths/minute.
C) seizure activity has stopped temporarily.
D) pupils are constricted bilaterally. - (answers)B.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory
depression effects of opiate overdose, so assessment of a normal respiratory rate
,2|Page
(B) would indicate that the respiratory depression has been halted. (A, C, and D)
are not related to naloxone (Narcan) administration.
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 - (answers)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
A client with osteoarthritis receives a new prescription for celecoxib (Celebrex)
orally for symptom management. The nurse notes the client is allergic to sulfa.
Which action is most important for the nurse to implement prior to administering
the first dose?
A) Review the client's hemoglobin results.
B) Notify the healthcare provider.
C) Inquire about the reaction to sulfa.
D) Record the client's vital signs. - (answers)B.
Celebrex contains a sulfur molecule, which can lead to an allergic reaction in
individuals who are sensitive to sulfonamides, so the healthcare provider should
,3|Page
be notified of the client's allergies (B). Although (A, C, and D) are important
assessments, it is most important to notify the healthcare provider for an
alternate prescription.
The client with a dysrhythmia is to receive procainamide (pronestyl) in 4 divided
doses over the next 24 hours. What dosing schedule is best for the nurse to
implement?
A. q4h
B. QID
C. AC and bedtime
D. PC and bedtime - (answers)A. q6h
A client has a continous IV infusion of dopamine (Intropin) and an IV of normal
saline at 50 ml/hour. The nurse notes that the client's urinary output has been 20
ml/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. - (answers)D. Notify the
healthcare provider of the urinary output.
An adult client has prescriptions for morphine sulfate 2.5 mg IV q6h and ketorlac
(toradol) 30mg IV q6h. which action should the nurse implement?
A. administer both medications according to the prescription
, 4|Page
B. Hold the ketorolac to prevent an antagonist effect
C. Hold the morphine to prevent an additive drug interaction
D. Contact the healthcare provider to clarify the prescription - (answers)A.
Administer both medications according to the prescription
Morphine and ketorolac can be administered concurrently and may produce
additive analgesic effect resulting in ability to reduce the dose of morphine, as
seen in this prescription
A client is being treated for hyperthyridism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse
knows that the action of this drug is to:
A. decrease the amount of thyroid stimulating hormone circulating in the blood.
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. - (answers)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
A female client with RA takes ibuprofen (motrin) 600mg PO 4xday. To preven GI
bleeding, misoprostol (cytotec) 100mcg PO is prescribed. Which information is
most important for the nurse to include in client teaching?
A. use contraception during intercourse
B. ensure the cytotec is taken on an empty stomach
C. encourage oral fluid intake to prevent constipation
