HESI EXAM VERSION 1: NUR 100 / NUR100
PHARMACOLOGY (LATEST 2026–2027
UPDATE) WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
Total Questions: 100
Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Includes: Correct Answer + Deep Rationale
Level: Fundamentals / Intro Pharmacology (HESI-style)
1. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV gentamicin (Garamycin). Which finding
indicates 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 that is nephrotoxic. Proteinuria indicates kidney
damage due to impaired glomerular filtration. Monitoring BUN, creatinine, and urine output is essential.
Hypoglycemia, nasal congestion, and visual disturbances are not typical adverse effects.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for baclofen. Which
therapeutic effect should the nurse describe?
A. Decreased muscle spasticity
B. Increased alertness
C. Pain relief from inflammation
D. Prevention of seizures
Correct Answer: A. Decreased muscle spasticity
Rationale: Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasticity related to
spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. It does not reduce inflammation or prevent seizures.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client newly prescribed oral amiodarone for atrial fibrillation.
The nurse recognizes amiodarone is contraindicated with which allergy?
A. Aspirin
B. Soy products
C. Peanut sensitivity
D. Shellfish
Correct Answer: D. Shellfish
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine, which may cause hypersensitivity reactions in clients with shellfish
allergies. This is a critical safety consideration prior to therapy initiation.
4. A client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion has an aPTT of 90 seconds. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Reduce the infusion rate
C. Stop infusion and notify provider
D. Prepare for CPR
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the infusion rate
Rationale: Therapeutic aPTT range is typically 60–80 seconds. A value of 90 seconds indicates increased
bleeding risk. The correct action is to reduce the infusion rate, not stop it unless critically high.
5. Lactulose is prescribed for a client with hepatic encephalopathy. What is the expected
therapeutic effect?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Promote coagulation
C. Decrease fluid retention
D. Reduce ammonia levels
Correct Answer: D. Reduce ammonia levels
Rationale: Lactulose lowers blood ammonia by trapping it in the colon and promoting excretion. This
reduces neurotoxicity and improves mental status in hepatic encephalopathy.
6. Which condition is a contraindication to metoclopramide?
, A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Intestinal obstruction
C. Glaucoma
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B. Intestinal obstruction
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases GI motility. In intestinal obstruction, this can cause perforation,
making it contraindicated.
7. A severe allergy to which medication contraindicates ceftriaxone?
A. Penicillins
B. Sulfonamides
C. Tetracyclines
D. Macrolides
Correct Answer: A. Penicillins
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin. Clients with a history of severe penicillin allergy may
experience cross-reactivity.
Questions 8–200
questions covering antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, anticoagulants, endocrine agents, CNS
medications, respiratory drugs, GI agents, fluids & electrolytes, and safety principles.)
8. A nurse should monitor for which adverse effect in a client receiving vancomycin?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Ototoxicity
C. Constipation
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, especially with high trough levels.
9. Which medication requires monitoring of INR levels?
PHARMACOLOGY (LATEST 2026–2027
UPDATE) WITH CORRECT/ACCURATE
ANSWERS
Total Questions: 100
Format: Multiple Choice (A–D)
Includes: Correct Answer + Deep Rationale
Level: Fundamentals / Intro Pharmacology (HESI-style)
1. A nurse is caring for a client receiving IV gentamicin (Garamycin). Which finding
indicates 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 that is nephrotoxic. Proteinuria indicates kidney
damage due to impaired glomerular filtration. Monitoring BUN, creatinine, and urine output is essential.
Hypoglycemia, nasal congestion, and visual disturbances are not typical adverse effects.
2. A nurse is providing teaching to a client with a new prescription for baclofen. Which
therapeutic effect should the nurse describe?
A. Decreased muscle spasticity
B. Increased alertness
C. Pain relief from inflammation
D. Prevention of seizures
Correct Answer: A. Decreased muscle spasticity
Rationale: Baclofen is a centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasticity related to
spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis. It does not reduce inflammation or prevent seizures.
,3. A nurse is caring for a client newly prescribed oral amiodarone for atrial fibrillation.
The nurse recognizes amiodarone is contraindicated with which allergy?
A. Aspirin
B. Soy products
C. Peanut sensitivity
D. Shellfish
Correct Answer: D. Shellfish
Rationale: Amiodarone contains iodine, which may cause hypersensitivity reactions in clients with shellfish
allergies. This is a critical safety consideration prior to therapy initiation.
4. A client receiving a continuous IV heparin infusion has an aPTT of 90 seconds. What
action should the nurse take?
A. Administer vitamin K
B. Reduce the infusion rate
C. Stop infusion and notify provider
D. Prepare for CPR
Correct Answer: B. Reduce the infusion rate
Rationale: Therapeutic aPTT range is typically 60–80 seconds. A value of 90 seconds indicates increased
bleeding risk. The correct action is to reduce the infusion rate, not stop it unless critically high.
5. Lactulose is prescribed for a client with hepatic encephalopathy. What is the expected
therapeutic effect?
A. Increase blood pressure
B. Promote coagulation
C. Decrease fluid retention
D. Reduce ammonia levels
Correct Answer: D. Reduce ammonia levels
Rationale: Lactulose lowers blood ammonia by trapping it in the colon and promoting excretion. This
reduces neurotoxicity and improves mental status in hepatic encephalopathy.
6. Which condition is a contraindication to metoclopramide?
, A. Peptic ulcer disease
B. Intestinal obstruction
C. Glaucoma
D. Hypotension
Correct Answer: B. Intestinal obstruction
Rationale: Metoclopramide increases GI motility. In intestinal obstruction, this can cause perforation,
making it contraindicated.
7. A severe allergy to which medication contraindicates ceftriaxone?
A. Penicillins
B. Sulfonamides
C. Tetracyclines
D. Macrolides
Correct Answer: A. Penicillins
Rationale: Ceftriaxone is a cephalosporin. Clients with a history of severe penicillin allergy may
experience cross-reactivity.
Questions 8–200
questions covering antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, anticoagulants, endocrine agents, CNS
medications, respiratory drugs, GI agents, fluids & electrolytes, and safety principles.)
8. A nurse should monitor for which adverse effect in a client receiving vancomycin?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Ototoxicity
C. Constipation
D. Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B. Ototoxicity
Rationale: Vancomycin can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, especially with high trough levels.
9. Which medication requires monitoring of INR levels?
