HESI PN Pharmacology Exam |
Verified Questions and Correct
Answers | A+ Graded | 2025/2026
Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This document presents a fully verified set of questions and 100% correct answers from the
HESI PN Pharmacology Exam, updated for the 2025/2026 academic year. It covers core
pharmacological topics such as drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects,
dosage calculations, safe medication administration, and patient education. Designed to
reflect actual HESI testing standards, this A+ graded resource helps practical nursing students
master pharmacology concepts essential for clinical safety and exam success.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 40 mg IV to a patient with heart failure.
What is the priority assessment before administration?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Potassium level
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate
Full Answer: Answer B. Potassium level. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause
hypokalemia, requiring monitoring before administration.
2. A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg PO twice daily for type 2 diabetes. What
should the nurse instruct the patient to do?
A. Take with a full meal
B. Skip doses if nausea occurs
C. Monitor for weight gain
D. Take on an empty stomach
Full Answer: Answer A. Take with a full meal. This reduces gastrointestinal side
effects like nausea.
3. A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV to a patient with acute pain. What is the
most important action to monitor?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Urine output
D. Temperature
Full Answer: Answer B. Respiratory rate. Morphine can cause respiratory
depression, requiring close monitoring.
4. A patient receiving warfarin has an INR of 4.5. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Increase the warfarin dose
C. Continue monitoring
, D. Hold the next dose
Full Answer: Answer D. Hold the next dose. An INR of 4.5 exceeds the therapeutic
range (2-3), increasing bleeding risk.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about albuterol inhaler use for asthma. What instruction
is most important?
A. Rinse mouth after use
B. Use as needed without limit
C. Store in a warm place
D. Shake well before use
Full Answer: Answer A. Rinse mouth after use. This prevents oral thrush, a common
side effect.
6. A patient is prescribed lisinopril 10 mg PO daily for hypertension. What side effect
should the nurse monitor?
A. Dry cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Weight gain
Full Answer: Answer A. Dry cough. This is a common adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors like lisinopril.
7. A nurse is calculating a dose of acetaminophen for a 6-year-old child weighing 20 kg.
The safe dose is 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours. What is the maximum single dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 400 mg
Full Answer: Answer C. 300 mg. The maximum single dose is 15 mg/kg × 20 kg =
300 mg.
8. A patient is receiving gentamicin IV. What lab value should the nurse monitor to
prevent toxicity?
A. Creatinine
B. Hemoglobin
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Full Answer: Answer A. Creatinine. Gentamicin is nephrotoxic, and creatinine
monitors kidney function.
9. A nurse is administering digoxin 0.125 mg PO to a patient with heart failure. What is
a critical assessment?
A. Apical pulse
B. Blood glucose
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Bowel sounds
Full Answer: Answer A. Apical pulse. A pulse below 60 beats/min may indicate
digoxin toxicity.
10. A patient is prescribed prednisone 20 mg PO daily for an autoimmune disorder. What
teaching is essential?
A. Take with food
B. Expect immediate relief
C. Stop abruptly if side effects occur
D. Avoid sunlight exposure
Verified Questions and Correct
Answers | A+ Graded | 2025/2026
Edition
Section 1: Introduction
This document presents a fully verified set of questions and 100% correct answers from the
HESI PN Pharmacology Exam, updated for the 2025/2026 academic year. It covers core
pharmacological topics such as drug classifications, mechanisms of action, side effects,
dosage calculations, safe medication administration, and patient education. Designed to
reflect actual HESI testing standards, this A+ graded resource helps practical nursing students
master pharmacology concepts essential for clinical safety and exam success.
Section 2: Exam Questions and Answers
1. A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 40 mg IV to a patient with heart failure.
What is the priority assessment before administration?
A. Blood glucose level
B. Potassium level
C. Heart rate
D. Respiratory rate
Full Answer: Answer B. Potassium level. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can cause
hypokalemia, requiring monitoring before administration.
2. A patient is prescribed metformin 500 mg PO twice daily for type 2 diabetes. What
should the nurse instruct the patient to do?
A. Take with a full meal
B. Skip doses if nausea occurs
C. Monitor for weight gain
D. Take on an empty stomach
Full Answer: Answer A. Take with a full meal. This reduces gastrointestinal side
effects like nausea.
3. A nurse is administering morphine 2 mg IV to a patient with acute pain. What is the
most important action to monitor?
A. Blood pressure
B. Respiratory rate
C. Urine output
D. Temperature
Full Answer: Answer B. Respiratory rate. Morphine can cause respiratory
depression, requiring close monitoring.
4. A patient receiving warfarin has an INR of 4.5. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Increase the warfarin dose
C. Continue monitoring
, D. Hold the next dose
Full Answer: Answer D. Hold the next dose. An INR of 4.5 exceeds the therapeutic
range (2-3), increasing bleeding risk.
5. A nurse is teaching a patient about albuterol inhaler use for asthma. What instruction
is most important?
A. Rinse mouth after use
B. Use as needed without limit
C. Store in a warm place
D. Shake well before use
Full Answer: Answer A. Rinse mouth after use. This prevents oral thrush, a common
side effect.
6. A patient is prescribed lisinopril 10 mg PO daily for hypertension. What side effect
should the nurse monitor?
A. Dry cough
B. Bradycardia
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Weight gain
Full Answer: Answer A. Dry cough. This is a common adverse effect of ACE
inhibitors like lisinopril.
7. A nurse is calculating a dose of acetaminophen for a 6-year-old child weighing 20 kg.
The safe dose is 10-15 mg/kg every 4-6 hours. What is the maximum single dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 400 mg
Full Answer: Answer C. 300 mg. The maximum single dose is 15 mg/kg × 20 kg =
300 mg.
8. A patient is receiving gentamicin IV. What lab value should the nurse monitor to
prevent toxicity?
A. Creatinine
B. Hemoglobin
C. White blood cell count
D. Platelet count
Full Answer: Answer A. Creatinine. Gentamicin is nephrotoxic, and creatinine
monitors kidney function.
9. A nurse is administering digoxin 0.125 mg PO to a patient with heart failure. What is
a critical assessment?
A. Apical pulse
B. Blood glucose
C. Oxygen saturation
D. Bowel sounds
Full Answer: Answer A. Apical pulse. A pulse below 60 beats/min may indicate
digoxin toxicity.
10. A patient is prescribed prednisone 20 mg PO daily for an autoimmune disorder. What
teaching is essential?
A. Take with food
B. Expect immediate relief
C. Stop abruptly if side effects occur
D. Avoid sunlight exposure
