HESI EXAM NUR 100 VERSION 1: NUR 100
PHARMACOLOGY (LATEST 2026–2027
UPDATE) WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
Study Guide with 120 Questions, Verified Answers, and Deep
Rationales
Target: Grade A | 100% Correct | Fortis-aligned
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV gentamicin (Garamycin). Which of the following
findings indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Proteinuria
C. Nasal congestion
D. Visual disturbances
Correct Answer: B. Proteinuria
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Proteinuria
indicates kidney damage, a classic adverse effect. Hypoglycemia and nasal congestion are not associated
with gentamicin, and visual disturbances are more commonly linked to anticholinergics or corticosteroids.
Question 2
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for baclofen. The nurse should
instruct the client that this medication has which of the following therapeutic effects?
A. Reduces skeletal muscle spasticity
B. Treats seizure disorders
,C. Decreases inflammation in joints
D. Improves neuromuscular transmission
Correct Answer: A. Reduces skeletal muscle spasticity
Rationale: Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity associated with
spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. It does not treat seizures, inflammation, or neuromuscular junction
disorders.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oral amiodarone for atrial fibrillation.
The nurse should recognize that amiodarone is contraindicated in which of the following allergies?
A. Aspirin
B. Soy products
C. Peanut sensitivity
D. Shellfish
Correct Answer: D. Shellfish
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine. Clients with shellfish allergies are at increased risk for
hypersensitivity reactions due to iodine content. The other allergies are not contraindications.
Question 4
A nurse is monitoring laboratory values for a client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion. The
client’s aPTT is 90 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Reduce the infusion rate
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Prepare for CPR
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the infusion rate
Rationale: Therapeutic aPTT for heparin is typically 60–80 seconds. A value of 90 seconds indicates
excessive anticoagulation. The nurse should reduce the infusion rate. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin,
not heparin.
Question 5
,A nurse is caring for a client with hepatic encephalopathy who is prescribed lactulose. What is the
primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Promote coagulation
C. Decrease fluid retention
D. Reduce ammonia levels
Correct Answer: D. Reduce ammonia levels
Rationale: Lactulose traps ammonia in the gut and promotes its excretion, reducing serum ammonia levels
and improving mental status. It does not affect blood pressure, coagulation, or fluid retention.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching about metoclopramide. Which of the following conditions is a
contraindication to this medication?
A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Intestinal obstruction
C. Glaucoma
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B. Intestinal obstruction
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases gastrointestinal motility and is contraindicated in intestinal obstruction
because it can worsen the condition or cause perforation.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching about contraindications to ceftriaxone. A severe allergy to which medication is a
contraindication to ceftriaxone?
A. Penicillins
B. Sulfonamides
C. Macrolides
D. Aminoglycosides
Correct Answer: A. Penicillins
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin. Clients with a history of severe penicillin allergy may have cross-
reactivity and should not receive cephalosporins.
, Question 8
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to
monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the risk for hypokalemia and
cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine IV. Which finding indicates an adverse effect?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. Blood glucose 98 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Rationale: Opioids cause respiratory depression. A rate below 12/min is concerning and requires
intervention.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will increase foods high in vitamin K.”
B. “I will use an electric razor.”
C. “I can take aspirin for pain.”
D. “I do not need regular blood tests.”
Correct Answer: B. “I will use an electric razor.”
Rationale: Using an electric razor reduces bleeding risk. Vitamin K intake should be consistent, aspirin
increases bleeding risk, and INR monitoring is required.
PHARMACOLOGY (LATEST 2026–2027
UPDATE) WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
Study Guide with 120 Questions, Verified Answers, and Deep
Rationales
Target: Grade A | 100% Correct | Fortis-aligned
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving IV gentamicin (Garamycin). Which of the following
findings indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this medication?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Proteinuria
C. Nasal congestion
D. Visual disturbances
Correct Answer: B. Proteinuria
Rationale: Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic known for nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Proteinuria
indicates kidney damage, a classic adverse effect. Hypoglycemia and nasal congestion are not associated
with gentamicin, and visual disturbances are more commonly linked to anticholinergics or corticosteroids.
Question 2
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for baclofen. The nurse should
instruct the client that this medication has which of the following therapeutic effects?
A. Reduces skeletal muscle spasticity
B. Treats seizure disorders
,C. Decreases inflammation in joints
D. Improves neuromuscular transmission
Correct Answer: A. Reduces skeletal muscle spasticity
Rationale: Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat spasticity associated with
spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis. It does not treat seizures, inflammation, or neuromuscular junction
disorders.
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for oral amiodarone for atrial fibrillation.
The nurse should recognize that amiodarone is contraindicated in which of the following allergies?
A. Aspirin
B. Soy products
C. Peanut sensitivity
D. Shellfish
Correct Answer: D. Shellfish
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine. Clients with shellfish allergies are at increased risk for
hypersensitivity reactions due to iodine content. The other allergies are not contraindications.
Question 4
A nurse is monitoring laboratory values for a client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion. The
client’s aPTT is 90 seconds. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Reduce the infusion rate
C. Stop the infusion and notify the provider
D. Prepare for CPR
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the infusion rate
Rationale: Therapeutic aPTT for heparin is typically 60–80 seconds. A value of 90 seconds indicates
excessive anticoagulation. The nurse should reduce the infusion rate. Vitamin K is the antidote for warfarin,
not heparin.
Question 5
,A nurse is caring for a client with hepatic encephalopathy who is prescribed lactulose. What is the
primary therapeutic effect of this medication?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Promote coagulation
C. Decrease fluid retention
D. Reduce ammonia levels
Correct Answer: D. Reduce ammonia levels
Rationale: Lactulose traps ammonia in the gut and promotes its excretion, reducing serum ammonia levels
and improving mental status. It does not affect blood pressure, coagulation, or fluid retention.
Question 6
A nurse is providing teaching about metoclopramide. Which of the following conditions is a
contraindication to this medication?
A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Intestinal obstruction
C. Glaucoma
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B. Intestinal obstruction
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases gastrointestinal motility and is contraindicated in intestinal obstruction
because it can worsen the condition or cause perforation.
Question 7
A nurse is teaching about contraindications to ceftriaxone. A severe allergy to which medication is a
contraindication to ceftriaxone?
A. Penicillins
B. Sulfonamides
C. Macrolides
D. Aminoglycosides
Correct Answer: A. Penicillins
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin. Clients with a history of severe penicillin allergy may have cross-
reactivity and should not receive cephalosporins.
, Question 8
A nurse is administering furosemide. Which laboratory value is most important for the nurse to
monitor?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Magnesium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium loss, increasing the risk for hypokalemia and
cardiac dysrhythmias.
Question 9
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine IV. Which finding indicates an adverse effect?
A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
B. Blood pressure 128/76 mm Hg
C. Urine output 40 mL/hr
D. Blood glucose 98 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10/min
Rationale: Opioids cause respiratory depression. A rate below 12/min is concerning and requires
intervention.
Question 10
A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will increase foods high in vitamin K.”
B. “I will use an electric razor.”
C. “I can take aspirin for pain.”
D. “I do not need regular blood tests.”
Correct Answer: B. “I will use an electric razor.”
Rationale: Using an electric razor reduces bleeding risk. Vitamin K intake should be consistent, aspirin
increases bleeding risk, and INR monitoring is required.
