PN HESI PHARM questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade
While taking a client's history, the practical nurse (PN) discovers that the client, who takes Coumadin
daily, has added a ginger supplement on the advice of a friend. What comment is critical for the PN to
provide to this client?
- correct answer "Your health care provider is interested in all medications and herbs you take."
A client with diabetes mellitus takes insulin daily and is prescribed propranolol (Inderal). Which
information should the nurse provide to this client?
- correct answer A sign of hypoglycemia is that propranolol slows a rapid heart rate.
A client has a positive skin test for tuberculosis. What prophylactic drug should the practical nurse (PN)
expect to be prescribed for this client?
- correct answer Isoniazid (INH)
Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) is prescribed for an adult female client who is clinically depressed.
Five days after beginning the drug, the client is admitted to the hospital because of suicide ideation. She
tells the practical nurse (PN) that the drug is not working because she is not feeling any better. Which
explanation should the PN provide?
- correct answer "It takes 2 to 4 weeks for antidepressant medications to become effective."
In planning care for a client diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, which intervention should the practical
nurse implement?
- correct answer Obtain the sputum specimen before administering prescribed antibiotics.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) is prescribed for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which statement by the client
indicates to the practical nurse that the instruction about this drug has been effective?
- correct answer "I know that I should never stop taking this medication abruptly."
, The practical nurse (PN) is obtaining the medical history of a female client starting a new prescription for
conjugated estrogens (Premarin) 0.625 mg PO daily. Before taking the first dose of the medication,
which information is most important for the PN to obtain from the client?
- correct answer Cigarette smoking history
A mother brings her 3-month-old infant to the well-baby clinic because the baby has developed oral
thrush. Which pharmacological agent should the practical nurse (PN) expect to be prescribed for the
thrush?
- correct answer Nystatin (Mycostatin)
The H2 receptor blocker famotidine (Pepcid) is prescribed for a client who has been taking antacids for
chronic gastritis. Which client statement indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that teaching was effective
regarding concurrent use of these medications?
- correct answer "I will take the antacid after meals and the Pepcid at bedtime."
A mother brings her 18-month-old child to the clinic because the child has had "bad diarrhea" for the
last 3 days. She states, "I bought some of this liquid at the pharmacy and gave my daughter a half-
ounce." The practical nurse (PN) sees that the bottle contains loperamide (Imodium AD). What
intervention is most important for the PN to implement initially?
- correct answer Ask the mother when the child last voided.
A client who received a prescription for cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis) for dry eyes asks
the practical nurse (PN) if it is safe to continue using artificial tears. What information should the PN
provide?
- correct answer Allow a 15-minute interval between the administration of Restasis and artificial tears.
The health care provider prescribes morphine sulfate grain 1/8 IM stat. Morphine is available in 8
mg/mL. How many milliliters should the practical nurse (PN) administer?
- correct answer 1 mL
A 74-year-old female client asks the practical nurse (PN) if she should get a flu shot. Which response
should the PN provide?
- correct answer "Yes. Normal aging decreases your immunity, making you more susceptible to
contagious diseases such as the flu."
2026\2027 A+ Grade
While taking a client's history, the practical nurse (PN) discovers that the client, who takes Coumadin
daily, has added a ginger supplement on the advice of a friend. What comment is critical for the PN to
provide to this client?
- correct answer "Your health care provider is interested in all medications and herbs you take."
A client with diabetes mellitus takes insulin daily and is prescribed propranolol (Inderal). Which
information should the nurse provide to this client?
- correct answer A sign of hypoglycemia is that propranolol slows a rapid heart rate.
A client has a positive skin test for tuberculosis. What prophylactic drug should the practical nurse (PN)
expect to be prescribed for this client?
- correct answer Isoniazid (INH)
Amitriptyline hydrochloride (Elavil) is prescribed for an adult female client who is clinically depressed.
Five days after beginning the drug, the client is admitted to the hospital because of suicide ideation. She
tells the practical nurse (PN) that the drug is not working because she is not feeling any better. Which
explanation should the PN provide?
- correct answer "It takes 2 to 4 weeks for antidepressant medications to become effective."
In planning care for a client diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia, which intervention should the practical
nurse implement?
- correct answer Obtain the sputum specimen before administering prescribed antibiotics.
Phenytoin (Dilantin) is prescribed for a client who has a seizure disorder. Which statement by the client
indicates to the practical nurse that the instruction about this drug has been effective?
- correct answer "I know that I should never stop taking this medication abruptly."
, The practical nurse (PN) is obtaining the medical history of a female client starting a new prescription for
conjugated estrogens (Premarin) 0.625 mg PO daily. Before taking the first dose of the medication,
which information is most important for the PN to obtain from the client?
- correct answer Cigarette smoking history
A mother brings her 3-month-old infant to the well-baby clinic because the baby has developed oral
thrush. Which pharmacological agent should the practical nurse (PN) expect to be prescribed for the
thrush?
- correct answer Nystatin (Mycostatin)
The H2 receptor blocker famotidine (Pepcid) is prescribed for a client who has been taking antacids for
chronic gastritis. Which client statement indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that teaching was effective
regarding concurrent use of these medications?
- correct answer "I will take the antacid after meals and the Pepcid at bedtime."
A mother brings her 18-month-old child to the clinic because the child has had "bad diarrhea" for the
last 3 days. She states, "I bought some of this liquid at the pharmacy and gave my daughter a half-
ounce." The practical nurse (PN) sees that the bottle contains loperamide (Imodium AD). What
intervention is most important for the PN to implement initially?
- correct answer Ask the mother when the child last voided.
A client who received a prescription for cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis) for dry eyes asks
the practical nurse (PN) if it is safe to continue using artificial tears. What information should the PN
provide?
- correct answer Allow a 15-minute interval between the administration of Restasis and artificial tears.
The health care provider prescribes morphine sulfate grain 1/8 IM stat. Morphine is available in 8
mg/mL. How many milliliters should the practical nurse (PN) administer?
- correct answer 1 mL
A 74-year-old female client asks the practical nurse (PN) if she should get a flu shot. Which response
should the PN provide?
- correct answer "Yes. Normal aging decreases your immunity, making you more susceptible to
contagious diseases such as the flu."
