1 | Page
Pharmacology HESI Practice Questions and
Answers
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.
Ans: 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.
Ans: B.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory
depression effects of opiate overdose, so assessment of a normal
respiratory rate (B) would indicate that the respiratory depression has
been halted. (A, C, and D) are not related to naloxone (Narcan)
administration.
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, 2 | Page
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
Ans: 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.
Ans: 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 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
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, 3 | Page
Ans: 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.
Ans: 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
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
Ans: 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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
Pharmacology HESI Practice Questions and
Answers
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.
Ans: 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.
Ans: B.
Naloxone (Narcan) is a narcotic antagonist that reverses the respiratory
depression effects of opiate overdose, so assessment of a normal
respiratory rate (B) would indicate that the respiratory depression has
been halted. (A, C, and D) are not related to naloxone (Narcan)
administration.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
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
Ans: 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.
Ans: 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 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
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Ans: 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.
Ans: 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
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
Ans: 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.
© 2025 All rights reserved
