HESI Exit Exam Pharmacology Practice Questions
(Set 2)
80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions on Pharmacology
1. A patient is prescribed losartan for hypertension. What class of medication is losartan?
A. Beta-blocker
B. Angiotensin II receptor blocker
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Correct Answer: B (Losartan is an ARB that blocks angiotensin II receptors.)
2. What is a common side effect of hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Mood changes
C. Hypotension
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B (Corticosteroids can cause mood swings and emotional changes.)
3. A nurse is administering enoxaparin. What should the nurse monitor to prevent complica-
tions?
A. Bleeding time
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Blood glucose
Correct Answer: C (Enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, requires monitoring for
thrombocytopenia.)
4. A patient is ordered 750 mg of levofloxacin daily. The pharmacy provides 250 mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C (750 mg œ 250 mg/tablet = 3 tablets.)
5. What should a nurse teach a patient taking clopidogrel to prevent bleeding?
A. Avoid using sharp objects
B. Increase vitamin K intake
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Skip doses if feeling well
1
, Correct Answer: A (Clopidogrel increases bleeding risk; avoiding sharp objects reduces
injury.)
6. Which medication is classified as a thiazide diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Bumetanide
C. Torsemide
D. Amiloride
Correct Answer: A (Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic.)
7. A patient taking glyburide reports shakiness and sweating. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Increase the dose
D. Stop the medication
Correct Answer: B (Shakiness and sweating suggest hypoglycemia, requiring a blood glu-
cose check.)
8. A nurse is administering 0.6 mg of atropine IV. The vial contains 0.4 mg/mL. How many
mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2 mL
Correct Answer: C (0.6 mg œ 0.4 mg/mL = 1.5 mL.)
9. What is a potential side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertra-
line?
A. Bradycardia
B. Insomnia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B (SSRIs can cause insomnia as a side effect.)
10. A patient is prescribed ipratropium for COPD. What class of medication is ipratropium?
A. Beta-2 agonist
B. Anticholinergic
C. Corticosteroid
D. Leukotriene modifier
Correct Answer: B (Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.)
11. A nurse is administering regular insulin. What is the peak action time for this insulin?
A. 30 minutes
B. 24 hours
C. 68 hours
D. 1216 hours
Correct Answer: B (Regular insulin peaks at 24 hours.)
12. What should a nurse monitor in a patient taking allopurinol for gout?
A. Kidney function
B. Blood glucose
2
(Set 2)
80 NCLEX-Style Multiple-Choice Questions on Pharmacology
1. A patient is prescribed losartan for hypertension. What class of medication is losartan?
A. Beta-blocker
B. Angiotensin II receptor blocker
C. Calcium channel blocker
D. Diuretic
Correct Answer: B (Losartan is an ARB that blocks angiotensin II receptors.)
2. What is a common side effect of hydrocortisone, a corticosteroid?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Mood changes
C. Hypotension
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B (Corticosteroids can cause mood swings and emotional changes.)
3. A nurse is administering enoxaparin. What should the nurse monitor to prevent complica-
tions?
A. Bleeding time
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Blood glucose
Correct Answer: C (Enoxaparin, a low-molecular-weight heparin, requires monitoring for
thrombocytopenia.)
4. A patient is ordered 750 mg of levofloxacin daily. The pharmacy provides 250 mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C (750 mg œ 250 mg/tablet = 3 tablets.)
5. What should a nurse teach a patient taking clopidogrel to prevent bleeding?
A. Avoid using sharp objects
B. Increase vitamin K intake
C. Take with grapefruit juice
D. Skip doses if feeling well
1
, Correct Answer: A (Clopidogrel increases bleeding risk; avoiding sharp objects reduces
injury.)
6. Which medication is classified as a thiazide diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Bumetanide
C. Torsemide
D. Amiloride
Correct Answer: A (Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic.)
7. A patient taking glyburide reports shakiness and sweating. What should the nurse do?
A. Administer insulin
B. Check blood glucose
C. Increase the dose
D. Stop the medication
Correct Answer: B (Shakiness and sweating suggest hypoglycemia, requiring a blood glu-
cose check.)
8. A nurse is administering 0.6 mg of atropine IV. The vial contains 0.4 mg/mL. How many
mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 2 mL
Correct Answer: C (0.6 mg œ 0.4 mg/mL = 1.5 mL.)
9. What is a potential side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertra-
line?
A. Bradycardia
B. Insomnia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Weight loss
Correct Answer: B (SSRIs can cause insomnia as a side effect.)
10. A patient is prescribed ipratropium for COPD. What class of medication is ipratropium?
A. Beta-2 agonist
B. Anticholinergic
C. Corticosteroid
D. Leukotriene modifier
Correct Answer: B (Ipratropium is an anticholinergic bronchodilator.)
11. A nurse is administering regular insulin. What is the peak action time for this insulin?
A. 30 minutes
B. 24 hours
C. 68 hours
D. 1216 hours
Correct Answer: B (Regular insulin peaks at 24 hours.)
12. What should a nurse monitor in a patient taking allopurinol for gout?
A. Kidney function
B. Blood glucose
2
