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HESI PHARMACOLOGY (NCLEX PN) EXAM 2 LATEST UPDATE -
2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have
applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
, 2
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure
to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and
burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms
and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
client should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and
burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are
incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
, 3
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should
be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected
from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test
will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored
specifically during this treatment.
8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
, 4
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is
higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability
is poor (back, palms, soles).
10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
HESI PHARMACOLOGY (NCLEX PN) EXAM 2 LATEST UPDATE -
2026- 100+ QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSWERS ALL THE BEST
Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse
monitors the client, knowing that which of the following would indicate the
presence of systemic toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have
applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are
most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
, 2
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure
to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied
after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury.
When applying the medication, the client complains of local discomfort and
burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms
and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The
client should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort and
burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4 are
incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate
(Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that
which of the following indicates that a systemic effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site
, 3
1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment should
be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If this occurs,
the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe
local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be expected
from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test
will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be monitored
specifically during this treatment.
8.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
, 4
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
9.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption is
higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which permeability
is poor (back, palms, soles).
10.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
