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HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY LATEST 2025/2026
RETAKE EXAM
( VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)
1. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex) for a
client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess
for what additional drug allergy before administering this prescription?
A) Penicillins.
B) Aminoglycosides.
C) Erythromycins.
D) Sulfonamides.
A) Penicillins.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins (A) and cephalosporins, such as
cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex), so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise
precaution before administering this drug.
2. Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client
receiving the antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for chemotherapy?
A) Hydrate the client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
B) Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
D) Monitor the client's urine pH for increased acidity.
C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity (C). (A, B, and D) are not typical interventions associated with the
administration of antimetabolites.
3. When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(Tylenol), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body?
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A) Flank.
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B) Abdomen.
C) Chest.
D) Head.
B) Abdomen.
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially
important for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the
abdomen (B), which might indicate liver damage. (A, C, and D) are not areas
where pain would be anticipated.
4. An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should the
nurse provide to the client?
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
C) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and
has a peak onset in 6 hours, so the client should be instructed to apply the patch
at least 4 hours before departure (A) on the cruise ship. The duration of the
transdermal patch is 72 hours, so (B) is not needed. Scolopamine blocks
muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to the vomiting center, so the best
application site of the patch is behind the ear, not at the base of the skull (C).
Anticholinergic medications are CNS depressants, so the client should be
instructed to avoid alcohol (D) while using the patch.
5. The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
with a client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive
morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to
total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. What assessment has the highest priority
before initiating the PCA pump?
A) The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B) The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
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C) The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D) The client's subjective and objective signs of pain.
HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY LATEST 2025/2026
RETAKE EXAM
( VERIFIED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)
1. A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex) for a
client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess
for what additional drug allergy before administering this prescription?
A) Penicillins.
B) Aminoglycosides.
C) Erythromycins.
D) Sulfonamides.
A) Penicillins.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins (A) and cephalosporins, such as
cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex), so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise
precaution before administering this drug.
2. Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client
receiving the antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for chemotherapy?
A) Hydrate the client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
B) Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
D) Monitor the client's urine pH for increased acidity.
C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity (C). (A, B, and D) are not typical interventions associated with the
administration of antimetabolites.
3. When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(Tylenol), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body?
,2
A) Flank.
,3
B) Abdomen.
C) Chest.
D) Head.
B) Abdomen.
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially
important for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the
abdomen (B), which might indicate liver damage. (A, C, and D) are not areas
where pain would be anticipated.
4. An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should the
nurse provide to the client?
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
C) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and
has a peak onset in 6 hours, so the client should be instructed to apply the patch
at least 4 hours before departure (A) on the cruise ship. The duration of the
transdermal patch is 72 hours, so (B) is not needed. Scolopamine blocks
muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to the vomiting center, so the best
application site of the patch is behind the ear, not at the base of the skull (C).
Anticholinergic medications are CNS depressants, so the client should be
instructed to avoid alcohol (D) while using the patch.
5. The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump
with a client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will receive
morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes per PCA to
total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. What assessment has the highest priority
before initiating the PCA pump?
A) The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B) The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
, 4
C) The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D) The client's subjective and objective signs of pain.
