ESTUDYR
PHARMACOLOGY HESI 2026 UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED
SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage nurse
complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-
specific teaching the nurse should provide?
A. "Continue taking the medication; muscle pain is a normal side effect."
B. "Take an over-the-counter analgesic and rest your legs."
C. "Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an
indication of a serious side effect."
D. "Discontinue the medication immediately without consulting the provider."
Answer: C
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious adverse effect that may present as
muscle pain or weakness. Clients should be instructed to notify their healthcare provider
promptly.
2. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar) for a client with hypertension and
heart failure. The client’s serum potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer the dose with caution
B. Contact pharmacy for a dosage adjustment
C. Withhold the scheduled dose
D. Monitor the potassium level after administering the dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Losartan can increase potassium levels. Hyperkalemia (>5.5 mEq/L) is dangerous
and requires withholding the drug and notifying the provider immediately.
3. A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. When is the
optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level?
A. Immediately after the dose
B. Immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given
C. 30 minutes after administration
D. Anytime during the day
,ESTUDYR
Answer: B
Rationale: The trough level measures the lowest concentration of the drug in the bloodstream
to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and prevent toxicity.
4. Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of valsartan (Diovan) has
been achieved?
A. Heart rate increased from 70 to 90 bpm
B. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg
C. Urine output decreased
D. Potassium level decreased
Answer: B
Rationale: Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to reduce blood
pressure; a decrease to within normal range reflects effectiveness.
5. A medication classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a client with:
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-1 agonists (e.g., dobutamine) increase cardiac contractility, improving cardiac
output in heart failure.
6. A client is receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily. The nurse anticipates
an increase in which laboratory value as a result of this medication?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Corticosteroids stimulate gluconeogenesis, leading to elevated blood glucose levels,
especially in diabetic clients.
, ESTUDYR
7. A client receiving albuterol tablets complains of nausea with her 9:00 p.m. dose. What action
can the nurse take to alleviate this side effect?
A. Give an antiemetic one hour before
B. Reduce the dose
C. Administer the dose with a snack
D. Skip the dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol can cause GI upset. Administering with food often reduces nausea without
affecting drug absorption.
8. A client is admitted for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares
for IV administration of edrophonium (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased muscle weakness
C. Reduced heart rate
D. Sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Edrophonium inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at
neuromuscular junctions, temporarily improving muscle strength.
9. When teaching a liver transplant client about cyclosporine (Sandimmune), which adverse
response should the nurse encourage the client to report?
A. Mild nausea
B. Presence of hand tremors
C. Slight fatigue
D. Hair thinning
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyclosporine can cause neurotoxicity, presenting as tremors. Early detection
prevents complications.
PHARMACOLOGY HESI 2026 UPDATED EXAM WITH MOST
TESTED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | ASSURED
SUCCESS WITH DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the triage nurse
complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-
specific teaching the nurse should provide?
A. "Continue taking the medication; muscle pain is a normal side effect."
B. "Take an over-the-counter analgesic and rest your legs."
C. "Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle pain may be an
indication of a serious side effect."
D. "Discontinue the medication immediately without consulting the provider."
Answer: C
Rationale: Atorvastatin can cause rhabdomyolysis, a serious adverse effect that may present as
muscle pain or weakness. Clients should be instructed to notify their healthcare provider
promptly.
2. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar) for a client with hypertension and
heart failure. The client’s serum potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. What action should the nurse take
first?
A. Administer the dose with caution
B. Contact pharmacy for a dosage adjustment
C. Withhold the scheduled dose
D. Monitor the potassium level after administering the dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Losartan can increase potassium levels. Hyperkalemia (>5.5 mEq/L) is dangerous
and requires withholding the drug and notifying the provider immediately.
3. A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic therapy. When is the
optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough level?
A. Immediately after the dose
B. Immediately before the next antibiotic dose is given
C. 30 minutes after administration
D. Anytime during the day
,ESTUDYR
Answer: B
Rationale: The trough level measures the lowest concentration of the drug in the bloodstream
to ensure therapeutic effectiveness and prevent toxicity.
4. Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of valsartan (Diovan) has
been achieved?
A. Heart rate increased from 70 to 90 bpm
B. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmHg
C. Urine output decreased
D. Potassium level decreased
Answer: B
Rationale: Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to reduce blood
pressure; a decrease to within normal range reflects effectiveness.
5. A medication classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly prescribed for a client with:
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure
C. Hypothyroidism
D. Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: Beta-1 agonists (e.g., dobutamine) increase cardiac contractility, improving cardiac
output in heart failure.
6. A client is receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily. The nurse anticipates
an increase in which laboratory value as a result of this medication?
A. Potassium
B. Sodium
C. Serum glucose
D. Hemoglobin
Answer: C
Rationale: Corticosteroids stimulate gluconeogenesis, leading to elevated blood glucose levels,
especially in diabetic clients.
, ESTUDYR
7. A client receiving albuterol tablets complains of nausea with her 9:00 p.m. dose. What action
can the nurse take to alleviate this side effect?
A. Give an antiemetic one hour before
B. Reduce the dose
C. Administer the dose with a snack
D. Skip the dose
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol can cause GI upset. Administering with food often reduces nausea without
affecting drug absorption.
8. A client is admitted for diagnostic testing for possible myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares
for IV administration of edrophonium (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome?
A. Increased blood pressure
B. Decreased muscle weakness
C. Reduced heart rate
D. Sedation
Answer: B
Rationale: Edrophonium inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine at
neuromuscular junctions, temporarily improving muscle strength.
9. When teaching a liver transplant client about cyclosporine (Sandimmune), which adverse
response should the nurse encourage the client to report?
A. Mild nausea
B. Presence of hand tremors
C. Slight fatigue
D. Hair thinning
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyclosporine can cause neurotoxicity, presenting as tremors. Early detection
prevents complications.
