HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
A client receives a prescription for theophylline (Theo-Dur) PO to be initiated in the morning
after the dose of theophylline IV is complete. The nurse determines that a theophylline level
drawn yesterday was 22 mcg/mL. Based on this information, which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Hold the theophylline dose and notify the health care provider.
B. Start the client on a half-dose of theophylline PO.
C. The theophylline dose can be initiated as planned.
D. The client is not ready to be weaned from the IV to the PO route. - correct answer A. Hold
the theophylline dose and notify the health care provider.
***The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL, so the theophylline dose should
be held for fear of causing toxicity (A). (B, C, and D) are not indicated actions based on the
reported theophylline level.
The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results before a procedure in which a
neuromuscular blocking agent is a standing order. Which finding should the nurse report to the
health care provider?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia - correct answer A. Hypokalemia
,HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Low potassium levels enhance the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents, so the health
care provider should be informed of the client's hypokalemia (A). (B, C, and D) are of concern
but do not enhance the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents.
The nurse is preparing a child for transport to the operating room for an emergency
appendectomy. The anesthesiologist prescribes atropine sulfate (Atropine), IM STAT. What is
the primary purpose for administering this drug to the child at this time?
A. Decrease the oral secretions.
B. Reduce the child's anxiety
C. Potentiate the opioid effects
D. Prevent possible peritonitis - correct answer A. Decrease the oral secretions.
***Atropine sulfate (Atropine), an anticholinergic agent, is given to decrease oral secretions
during a surgical procedure (A). (B, C, and D) are not actions of anticholinergic agents.
When caring for a client on digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy, the nurse knows to be alert for digoxin
(Lanoxin) toxicity. Which finding would predispose this client to developing digoxin toxicity?
A. Low serum sodium level
B. High serum sodium level
C. Low serum potassium level
D. High serum potassium level - correct answer C. Low serum potassium level
,HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Hypokalemia (C) predisposes the client on digoxin to digoxin toxicity, which usually presents
as abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, bradycardia, and
atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. Assessment of serum potassium levels with prompt
correction of hypokalemia are important interventions for the client taking digoxin. (A, B, and
D) are not relevant.
A client is receiving anti-infective drug therapy for a postoperative infection. Which complaint
should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client has contracted a superinfection?
A. " My mouth feels sore"
B. "I have a headache."
C. "My ears feel plugged up."
D. "I feel constipated" - correct answer A. " My mouth feels sore"
***Stomatitis caused by a thrush infection, which can cause mouth pain, is a sign of
superinfection (A). (B, C, and D) are more typical side effects, rather than symptoms, of a
superinfection.
During the initial nursing assessment history, a client tells the nurse that he is taking
tetracycline hydrochloride (Sumycin) for urethritis. Which medication taken concurrently with
Sumycin could interfere with its absorption?
A. Sucralfate (Carafate)
B. Hydrochlorothiazide (Diuril)
C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
D. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - correct answer A. Sucralfate (Carafate)
, HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Sucralfate (Carafate) (A) is used to treat duodenal ulcers and will bind with tetracycline
hydrochloride (Sumycin), inhibiting this antibiotic's absorption. (B, C, and D) have no drug
interaction properties that prohibit concurrent use with tetracycline hydrochloride (Sumycin).
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, which assessment finding indicates
that the medication was effective?
A. Decrease in level of chest pain
B. Clear bilateral breath sounds
C. Increase in blood pressure
D. Increase in urinary output - correct answer A. Decrease in level of chest pain
***Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen consumption, which decreases ischemia and
reduces chest pain (A). (B, C, and D) are not expected outcomes of sublingual nitroglycerin.
Alteration of which laboratory finding represents the achievement of a therapeutic goal for
heparin administration?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Fibrin split products
C. Platelet count
D. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) - correct answer D. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
A client receives a prescription for theophylline (Theo-Dur) PO to be initiated in the morning
after the dose of theophylline IV is complete. The nurse determines that a theophylline level
drawn yesterday was 22 mcg/mL. Based on this information, which action should the nurse
implement?
A. Hold the theophylline dose and notify the health care provider.
B. Start the client on a half-dose of theophylline PO.
C. The theophylline dose can be initiated as planned.
D. The client is not ready to be weaned from the IV to the PO route. - correct answer A. Hold
the theophylline dose and notify the health care provider.
***The therapeutic range for theophylline is 10 to 20 mcg/mL, so the theophylline dose should
be held for fear of causing toxicity (A). (B, C, and D) are not indicated actions based on the
reported theophylline level.
The nurse is reviewing a client's laboratory results before a procedure in which a
neuromuscular blocking agent is a standing order. Which finding should the nurse report to the
health care provider?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia - correct answer A. Hypokalemia
,HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Low potassium levels enhance the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents, so the health
care provider should be informed of the client's hypokalemia (A). (B, C, and D) are of concern
but do not enhance the effects of neuromuscular blocking agents.
The nurse is preparing a child for transport to the operating room for an emergency
appendectomy. The anesthesiologist prescribes atropine sulfate (Atropine), IM STAT. What is
the primary purpose for administering this drug to the child at this time?
A. Decrease the oral secretions.
B. Reduce the child's anxiety
C. Potentiate the opioid effects
D. Prevent possible peritonitis - correct answer A. Decrease the oral secretions.
***Atropine sulfate (Atropine), an anticholinergic agent, is given to decrease oral secretions
during a surgical procedure (A). (B, C, and D) are not actions of anticholinergic agents.
When caring for a client on digoxin (Lanoxin) therapy, the nurse knows to be alert for digoxin
(Lanoxin) toxicity. Which finding would predispose this client to developing digoxin toxicity?
A. Low serum sodium level
B. High serum sodium level
C. Low serum potassium level
D. High serum potassium level - correct answer C. Low serum potassium level
,HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Hypokalemia (C) predisposes the client on digoxin to digoxin toxicity, which usually presents
as abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, bradycardia, and
atrioventricular (AV) dissociation. Assessment of serum potassium levels with prompt
correction of hypokalemia are important interventions for the client taking digoxin. (A, B, and
D) are not relevant.
A client is receiving anti-infective drug therapy for a postoperative infection. Which complaint
should alert the nurse to the possibility that the client has contracted a superinfection?
A. " My mouth feels sore"
B. "I have a headache."
C. "My ears feel plugged up."
D. "I feel constipated" - correct answer A. " My mouth feels sore"
***Stomatitis caused by a thrush infection, which can cause mouth pain, is a sign of
superinfection (A). (B, C, and D) are more typical side effects, rather than symptoms, of a
superinfection.
During the initial nursing assessment history, a client tells the nurse that he is taking
tetracycline hydrochloride (Sumycin) for urethritis. Which medication taken concurrently with
Sumycin could interfere with its absorption?
A. Sucralfate (Carafate)
B. Hydrochlorothiazide (Diuril)
C. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
D. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - correct answer A. Sucralfate (Carafate)
, HESI & Final – Comprehensive Review with Practice Questions and Correct answers for Fundamentals, Pharmacology, Med-Surg,
Pediatrics, Maternity, Mental Health, and NCLEX Prep
***Sucralfate (Carafate) (A) is used to treat duodenal ulcers and will bind with tetracycline
hydrochloride (Sumycin), inhibiting this antibiotic's absorption. (B, C, and D) have no drug
interaction properties that prohibit concurrent use with tetracycline hydrochloride (Sumycin).
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin, which assessment finding indicates
that the medication was effective?
A. Decrease in level of chest pain
B. Clear bilateral breath sounds
C. Increase in blood pressure
D. Increase in urinary output - correct answer A. Decrease in level of chest pain
***Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen consumption, which decreases ischemia and
reduces chest pain (A). (B, C, and D) are not expected outcomes of sublingual nitroglycerin.
Alteration of which laboratory finding represents the achievement of a therapeutic goal for
heparin administration?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Fibrin split products
C. Platelet count
D. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT) - correct answer D. Partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
