HESI EXAM BSN315: PHARMACOLOGY
ASSESSMENT 2026
Practice Test Assessment Performance
94%
Boom!
Correct
Incorrect Correct
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every
evening with her 9:00 p.m. dose. What action can the nurse take to alleviate
this side effect?
Change the time of the dose.
Hold the 9 p.m. dose.
Administer the dose with a snack.
Administer an antiemetic with the dose.
Rationale
Administering oral doses of albuterol with food helps minimize GI discomfort.
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a
controlled-release oxycodone prescription?
As needed.
Every 12 hours.
, Every 24 hours.
Every 4 to 6 hours.
Rationale
A controlled-release oxycodone provides long-acting analgesia to relieve moderate to severe pain, so a dosing
schedule of every 12 hours provides the best around-the-clock pain management. Controlled-release oxycodone
is not prescribed for breakthrough pain on a PRN or as needed schedule. Using a schedule of every 4 to 6 hours
may jeopardize patient safety due to cumulative effects.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for
a client with which condition?
Shock.
Asthma.
Hypotension.
Heart failure.
Rationale
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that is indicated for short term use in cardiac decompensation or
heart failure related to reduced cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures.
On the other hand, alpha and beta adrenergic agonists, such as epinephrine and dopamine, are
sympathomimetics used in the treatment of shock. Other selective beta-2 adrenergic agonists, such as
terbutaline and isoproterenol, are indicated in the treatment of asthma. Although dobutamine improves cardiac
output, it is not used to treat hypotension.
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client
experiencing an acute anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to
the nurse that the desired effect has been achieved?
Client states chest pain is relieved.
Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90.
Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90.
Client's SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%.
Rationale
Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and reduces chest pain.
, Which instruction(s) should the nurse give to a female client who just received
a prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas
vaginalis? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use.
Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
Use condoms until treatment is completed.
Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time.
Rationale
Increased fluid intake and cranberry juice are recommended for prevention and treatment of urinary tract
infections, which frequently accompany vaginal infections. It is not necessary to taper use of this drug or to check
the blood pressure daily, as this condition is not related to hypertension. Flagyl can cause a disulfiram-like
reaction if taken in conjunction with ingestion of alcohol, so the client should be instructed to avoid alcohol. All
sexual partners should be treated at the same time and condoms should be used until after treatment is
completed to avoid reinfection.
An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch (Transderm
Scop) to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should
the nurse provide to the client?
Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
Rationale
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and has a peak onset in 6 hours, so
the client should be instructed to apply the patch at least 4 hours before departure on the cruise ship. The
duration of the transdermal patch is 72 hours. Scolopamine blocks muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to
the vomiting center, so the best application site of the patch is behind the ear. Anticholinergic medications are
CNS depressants, so the client should be instructed to avoid alcohol while using the patch.
ASSESSMENT 2026
Practice Test Assessment Performance
94%
Boom!
Correct
Incorrect Correct
A client receiving albuterol (Proventil) tablets complains of nausea every
evening with her 9:00 p.m. dose. What action can the nurse take to alleviate
this side effect?
Change the time of the dose.
Hold the 9 p.m. dose.
Administer the dose with a snack.
Administer an antiemetic with the dose.
Rationale
Administering oral doses of albuterol with food helps minimize GI discomfort.
Which dosing schedule should the nurse teach the client to observe for a
controlled-release oxycodone prescription?
As needed.
Every 12 hours.
, Every 24 hours.
Every 4 to 6 hours.
Rationale
A controlled-release oxycodone provides long-acting analgesia to relieve moderate to severe pain, so a dosing
schedule of every 12 hours provides the best around-the-clock pain management. Controlled-release oxycodone
is not prescribed for breakthrough pain on a PRN or as needed schedule. Using a schedule of every 4 to 6 hours
may jeopardize patient safety due to cumulative effects.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for
a client with which condition?
Shock.
Asthma.
Hypotension.
Heart failure.
Rationale
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that is indicated for short term use in cardiac decompensation or
heart failure related to reduced cardiac contractility due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures.
On the other hand, alpha and beta adrenergic agonists, such as epinephrine and dopamine, are
sympathomimetics used in the treatment of shock. Other selective beta-2 adrenergic agonists, such as
terbutaline and isoproterenol, are indicated in the treatment of asthma. Although dobutamine improves cardiac
output, it is not used to treat hypotension.
Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client
experiencing an acute anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to
the nurse that the desired effect has been achieved?
Client states chest pain is relieved.
Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90.
Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90.
Client's SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%.
Rationale
Nitroglycerin reduces myocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and reduces chest pain.
, Which instruction(s) should the nurse give to a female client who just received
a prescription for oral metronidazole (Flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas
vaginalis? (Select all that apply.)
Select all that apply
Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use.
Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
Use condoms until treatment is completed.
Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time.
Rationale
Increased fluid intake and cranberry juice are recommended for prevention and treatment of urinary tract
infections, which frequently accompany vaginal infections. It is not necessary to taper use of this drug or to check
the blood pressure daily, as this condition is not related to hypertension. Flagyl can cause a disulfiram-like
reaction if taken in conjunction with ingestion of alcohol, so the client should be instructed to avoid alcohol. All
sexual partners should be treated at the same time and condoms should be used until after treatment is
completed to avoid reinfection.
An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch (Transderm
Scop) to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which information should
the nurse provide to the client?
Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
Rationale
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and has a peak onset in 6 hours, so
the client should be instructed to apply the patch at least 4 hours before departure on the cruise ship. The
duration of the transdermal patch is 72 hours. Scolopamine blocks muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to
the vomiting center, so the best application site of the patch is behind the ear. Anticholinergic medications are
CNS depressants, so the client should be instructed to avoid alcohol while using the patch.
