6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM 2025-2026
\NEWEST VERSION |COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE DETAILED ANSWERS \VERIFIED ANSWERS
\ACTUAL EXAM HESI PHARMACOLOGY \VERIFIED 100%
ALREADY GRADED A+ \LATEST UPDATE
1) A nurse is caring for a client 3. Calcitonin
with (Miacalcin)
hyperparathyroidism and
Rationale:
notes that the client's serum The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing
calcium level is 13 mg/dL.
Which medication should the hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride
nurse are medications used for the treatment of tetany,
prepare to administer as
which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
prescribed to the client?
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be
1. Calcium chloride
avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
4. Large doses of vitamin D lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements 4. Orange
are prescribed for a 6-year- juice
old child with iron deficiency Rationale
anemia. The nurse instructs :
the mother to administer Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
the iron with which best The mother should be instructed to administer the
food medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
item? vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
1. Milk
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
2. Water
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
/ 1/167
,6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
3.) Salicylic acid is 1. Tinnitus
prescribed for a client with Rationale:
a diagnosis of psoriasis. Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
The nurse systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
monitors the client, include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and
knowing that which of the psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea
following would indicate the are not associated with salicylism.
presence of systemic
toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
4.) The camp nurse asks the 4. At least 30 minutes before
children exposure to the sun Rationale:
preparing to swim in the lake
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
if they have applied
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
sunscreen. The nurse reminds
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
the
after swimming or sweating.
children that chemical
sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before
swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure
to the sun
3. Immediately before
exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes
before exposure to the
sun
5.) Mafenide acetate 3. Informing the client that this is
(Sulfamylon) is normal Rationale:
prescribed for the client with a
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
burn injury.
and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns
When applying the
medication, the client to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
complains of local discomfort client
and burning. should be informed that the medication will cause local
Which of the following is the
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
/ 2/167
,6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
most appropriate nursing reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
action?
1. Notifying the registered
nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this
is normal
4. Applying a thinner film
than prescribed to the
burn site
6.) The burn client is 1.Hyperventilation
receiving treatments of Rationale:
topical mafenide acetate Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
(Sulfamylon) to the site of can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
injury. The nurse monitors acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
the monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
client, knowing that which of (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should
the following indicates that a be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4
systemic effect has describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated
occurred? blood pressure may be expected from the pain that
1. Hyperventilation
occurs with a burn injury.
2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed 2.
for a client with severe acne. Triglyceride
Before the administration of level
this medication, the nurse Rationale:
anticipates that which Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood
laboratory test will be triglyceride levels should be measured before
prescribed? treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on
1. Platelet count
the
2. Triglyceride level
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4
3. Complete blood count
do not need to be monitored specifically during this
4. White blood cell count
treatment.
/ 3/167
, 6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
8.) A client with severe acne 1.
is seen in the clinic and the Vitamin
health care provider (HCP) A
prescribes isotretinoin. The Ration
nurse reviews the client's ale:
medication record and Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can
would contact the (HCP) if produce generalized intensification of isotretinoin
the client is taking which toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity,
medication? vitamin A
1. Vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
with the use of isotretinoin.
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
9.) The nurse is applying a 2. Axilla
topical corticosteroid to a Rationale:
client with eczema. The nurse Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the
would monitor for the systemic circulation. Absorption is higher from regions
potential for where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla,
increased systemic absorption face,
of the
medication if the medication eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from
were being applied to which regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms,
of the following body areas? soles).
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
10.) The clinic nurse is 1. Acne
performing an admission Rationale:
assessment on a client. The Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to
nurse notes that the client is moderate acne. The acid appears to work by
taking azelaic acid (Azelex). suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes
Because of the medication and
prescription, the nurse decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4
are incorrect.
would suspect that the
client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
/ 4/167
HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM 2025-2026
\NEWEST VERSION |COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND
ACCURATE DETAILED ANSWERS \VERIFIED ANSWERS
\ACTUAL EXAM HESI PHARMACOLOGY \VERIFIED 100%
ALREADY GRADED A+ \LATEST UPDATE
1) A nurse is caring for a client 3. Calcitonin
with (Miacalcin)
hyperparathyroidism and
Rationale:
notes that the client's serum The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing
calcium level is 13 mg/dL.
Which medication should the hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride
nurse are medications used for the treatment of tetany,
prepare to administer as
which occurs as a result of acute hypocalcemia. In
prescribed to the client?
hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be
1. Calcium chloride
avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and
4. Large doses of vitamin D lowering the serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements 4. Orange
are prescribed for a 6-year- juice
old child with iron deficiency Rationale
anemia. The nurse instructs :
the mother to administer Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body.
the iron with which best The mother should be instructed to administer the
food medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
item? vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water
1. Milk
will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a
2. Water
greater amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
/ 1/167
,6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
3.) Salicylic acid is 1. Tinnitus
prescribed for a client with Rationale:
a diagnosis of psoriasis. Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
The nurse systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
monitors the client, include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and
knowing that which of the psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea
following would indicate the are not associated with salicylism.
presence of systemic
toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
4.) The camp nurse asks the 4. At least 30 minutes before
children exposure to the sun Rationale:
preparing to swim in the lake
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
if they have applied
minutes before exposure to the sun so that they can
sunscreen. The nurse reminds
penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
the
after swimming or sweating.
children that chemical
sunscreens are most
effective when applied:
1. Immediately before
swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure
to the sun
3. Immediately before
exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes
before exposure to the
sun
5.) Mafenide acetate 3. Informing the client that this is
(Sulfamylon) is normal Rationale:
prescribed for the client with a
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
burn injury.
and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat burns
When applying the
medication, the client to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
complains of local discomfort client
and burning. should be informed that the medication will cause local
Which of the following is the
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal
/ 2/167
,6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
most appropriate nursing reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
action?
1. Notifying the registered
nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this
is normal
4. Applying a thinner film
than prescribed to the
burn site
6.) The burn client is 1.Hyperventilation
receiving treatments of Rationale:
topical mafenide acetate Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and
(Sulfamylon) to the site of can suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing
injury. The nurse monitors acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should be
the monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
client, knowing that which of (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should
the following indicates that a be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4
systemic effect has describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated
occurred? blood pressure may be expected from the pain that
1. Hyperventilation
occurs with a burn injury.
2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed 2.
for a client with severe acne. Triglyceride
Before the administration of level
this medication, the nurse Rationale:
anticipates that which Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood
laboratory test will be triglyceride levels should be measured before
prescribed? treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on
1. Platelet count
the
2. Triglyceride level
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4
3. Complete blood count
do not need to be monitored specifically during this
4. White blood cell count
treatment.
/ 3/167
, 6/16/25, 4:58 AM HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
8.) A client with severe acne 1.
is seen in the clinic and the Vitamin
health care provider (HCP) A
prescribes isotretinoin. The Ration
nurse reviews the client's ale:
medication record and Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can
would contact the (HCP) if produce generalized intensification of isotretinoin
the client is taking which toxicity. Because of the potential for increased toxicity,
medication? vitamin A
1. Vitamin A
supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
with the use of isotretinoin.
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
9.) The nurse is applying a 2. Axilla
topical corticosteroid to a Rationale:
client with eczema. The nurse Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the
would monitor for the systemic circulation. Absorption is higher from regions
potential for where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla,
increased systemic absorption face,
of the
medication if the medication eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from
were being applied to which regions in which permeability is poor (back, palms,
of the following body areas? soles).
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
10.) The clinic nurse is 1. Acne
performing an admission Rationale:
assessment on a client. The Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to
nurse notes that the client is moderate acne. The acid appears to work by
taking azelaic acid (Azelex). suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes
Because of the medication and
prescription, the nurse decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4
are incorrect.
would suspect that the
client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
/ 4/167
