PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI| QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
VERIFIED| NEWEST 2025/2026
An emergency department triage nurse is interviewing a female client who has a
history of epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures controlled by penguin (Dilantin).
Which information is most significant in planning this client's care? -
CORRECT ANSWER C. she ran out of her medication 4 days ago
Rationale: abruptly stopping anticonvulsant medications can precipitate seizures
or the development of status epilepticus
The nurse should instruct a client to avoid which product while taking
carisoprodol (Soma) for muscle spasms? -CORRECT ANSWER C. alcoholic
beverages
Rationale: Soma is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant that can cause CNS
depression, and can have an additive effect when taken with other CNS
depressants, such as alcohol.
A client calls the clinic and states that she forgot to take her oral contraceptives
for the past two days. Which instruction is best or the nurse to provide to t his
client? -CORRECT ANSWER A. take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an
alternate method of contraception for 7 days
Rationale: if two pills are missed the client should implement (A).
A 48-year-old client is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to an
injection of contrast media. What pharmacologic agent is of greatest use in this
situation? -CORRECT ANSWER D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
,Rationale: Epinephrine is the drug of choice in treating hypotension and
circulatory failure associated with anaphylaxis because it is a potent
vasoconstrictor. An anaphylactic reaction is an acute systemic hypersensitivity
reaction that occurs within minutes of antigen exposure (such as with contrast
material containing iodine) that can result in peripheral vascular collapse.
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate (Eskalith) to
treat bipolar disorder. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's
caregivers? -CORRECT ANSWER D. Report symptoms of hypothyroidism
such as fatigue and constipation
Rationale: Lithium carbonate (Eskalith) causes hypothyroidism in 1 to 4% of
those clients receiving the medication, so caregivers should assess for signs of
hypothyroidism including fatigue and constipation (early signs) and myxedema
or goiter (late symptoms)
A 38-year-old gravid 2 para 2 is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis 9-months
postpartum. A prescription is written for metronidazole (Flagyl). Which
information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client before
initiating treatment? -CORRECT ANSWER C. Method of infant feeding
Rationale: Flagyl is contraindicated if the woman is breastfeeding because high
concentrations have been found in infants. If flatly must be prescribed, the
woman should be instructed to pump and discard the milk during treatment and
for 48 to 72 hours after the last dose.
A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mpg
subcutaneously daily. During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing
action? -CORRECT ANSWER D. The nurse's highest priority is to observe for
signs of hypersensitivity, such as skin rash, hives, or anaphylaxis.
, When assessing a client prior to the administration of digoxin (Lanoxin), which
data is most important for the nurse to consider? -CORRECT ANSWER C.
Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87.
Rationale: The action of digoxin is to slow the heart rate and strengthen the
force of contraction, so it is essential for the nurse to ensure that the apical pulse
is within determined parameters prior to administration.
The healthcare provider prescribes pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) tablets
for a client with myasthenia gravis (MG). What instruction should the nurse
provide this client? -CORRECT ANSWER B. Take the medication 30 to 45
minutes before eating.
Rationale: Mestinon, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, increases the amount of
neuromuscular transmitters to promote muscular strength and swallowing, so
the client should take the medication at least 30 minutes before meals.
A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare provider prescribes
disopyramide (Norpace). After explaining the action of this antidysrhythmic
agent, which complaint should the nurse instruct the client to report? -
CORRECT ANSWER C. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
Rationale: Disopyramide (Norpace) is a class IA antiarrhythmic (with similar
actions such as procainamide) used to suppress and prevent premature
ventricular contractions, episodes of ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutters and
atrial fibrillation. The nurse should instruct the client to report any sudden
weight gain that may indicate fluid retention related to poor cardiac output,
which may e the result of ineffective management of the dysrhythmia.
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client
who is currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse
VERIFIED| NEWEST 2025/2026
An emergency department triage nurse is interviewing a female client who has a
history of epilepsy with tonic-clonic seizures controlled by penguin (Dilantin).
Which information is most significant in planning this client's care? -
CORRECT ANSWER C. she ran out of her medication 4 days ago
Rationale: abruptly stopping anticonvulsant medications can precipitate seizures
or the development of status epilepticus
The nurse should instruct a client to avoid which product while taking
carisoprodol (Soma) for muscle spasms? -CORRECT ANSWER C. alcoholic
beverages
Rationale: Soma is a centrally-acting muscle relaxant that can cause CNS
depression, and can have an additive effect when taken with other CNS
depressants, such as alcohol.
A client calls the clinic and states that she forgot to take her oral contraceptives
for the past two days. Which instruction is best or the nurse to provide to t his
client? -CORRECT ANSWER A. take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an
alternate method of contraception for 7 days
Rationale: if two pills are missed the client should implement (A).
A 48-year-old client is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to an
injection of contrast media. What pharmacologic agent is of greatest use in this
situation? -CORRECT ANSWER D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
,Rationale: Epinephrine is the drug of choice in treating hypotension and
circulatory failure associated with anaphylaxis because it is a potent
vasoconstrictor. An anaphylactic reaction is an acute systemic hypersensitivity
reaction that occurs within minutes of antigen exposure (such as with contrast
material containing iodine) that can result in peripheral vascular collapse.
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate (Eskalith) to
treat bipolar disorder. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's
caregivers? -CORRECT ANSWER D. Report symptoms of hypothyroidism
such as fatigue and constipation
Rationale: Lithium carbonate (Eskalith) causes hypothyroidism in 1 to 4% of
those clients receiving the medication, so caregivers should assess for signs of
hypothyroidism including fatigue and constipation (early signs) and myxedema
or goiter (late symptoms)
A 38-year-old gravid 2 para 2 is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis 9-months
postpartum. A prescription is written for metronidazole (Flagyl). Which
information is most important for the nurse to obtain from the client before
initiating treatment? -CORRECT ANSWER C. Method of infant feeding
Rationale: Flagyl is contraindicated if the woman is breastfeeding because high
concentrations have been found in infants. If flatly must be prescribed, the
woman should be instructed to pump and discard the milk during treatment and
for 48 to 72 hours after the last dose.
A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mpg
subcutaneously daily. During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing
action? -CORRECT ANSWER D. The nurse's highest priority is to observe for
signs of hypersensitivity, such as skin rash, hives, or anaphylaxis.
, When assessing a client prior to the administration of digoxin (Lanoxin), which
data is most important for the nurse to consider? -CORRECT ANSWER C.
Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87.
Rationale: The action of digoxin is to slow the heart rate and strengthen the
force of contraction, so it is essential for the nurse to ensure that the apical pulse
is within determined parameters prior to administration.
The healthcare provider prescribes pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) tablets
for a client with myasthenia gravis (MG). What instruction should the nurse
provide this client? -CORRECT ANSWER B. Take the medication 30 to 45
minutes before eating.
Rationale: Mestinon, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, increases the amount of
neuromuscular transmitters to promote muscular strength and swallowing, so
the client should take the medication at least 30 minutes before meals.
A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare provider prescribes
disopyramide (Norpace). After explaining the action of this antidysrhythmic
agent, which complaint should the nurse instruct the client to report? -
CORRECT ANSWER C. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
Rationale: Disopyramide (Norpace) is a class IA antiarrhythmic (with similar
actions such as procainamide) used to suppress and prevent premature
ventricular contractions, episodes of ventricular tachycardia, atrial flutters and
atrial fibrillation. The nurse should instruct the client to report any sudden
weight gain that may indicate fluid retention related to poor cardiac output,
which may e the result of ineffective management of the dysrhythmia.
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client
who is currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse
