HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE
UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES 2026/2027
LATEST UPDATE
1 0.) 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
3 . Hair loss
4 . Herpes simplex - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>1. Acne Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid
appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
1 1.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for the
client with a partial-thickness burn, which has cultured positive for gram-negative
bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing information to the client about the medication.
Which statement made by the client indicates a lack of understanding about the
treatments?
1 . "The medication is an antibacterial."
2 . "The medication will help heal the burn."
3 . "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
, 4 . "The medication should be applied directly to the wound." - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin." Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad spectrum of
activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. It is
applied directly to the wound to assist in healing. It does not stain the skin.
1 2.) A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion
of an antineoplastic medication. During the infusion, the client complains of pain
at the insertion site. During an inspection of the site, the nurse notes redness and
swelling and that the rate of infusion of the medication has slowed. The nurse
should take which appropriate action?
1 . Notify the registered nurse.
2 . Administer pain medication to reduce the discomfort.
3 . Apply ice and maintain the infusion rate, as prescribed.
4 . Elevate the extremity of the IV site, and slow the infusion. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>1. Notify the registered nurse.
Rationale:
When antineoplastic medications (Chemotheraputic Agents) are administered via
IV, great care must be taken to prevent the medication from escaping into the
tissues surrounding the injection site, because pain, tissue damage, and necrosis can
result. The nurse monitors for signs of extravasation, such as redness or swelling at
the insertion site and a decreased infusion rate. If extravasation occurs, the
registered nurse needs to be notified; he or she will then contact the health care
provider.
1 3.) The client with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is receiving bleomycin
intravenously. The nurse caring for the client anticipates that which diagnostic
study will be prescribed?
, 1 . Echocardiography
2 . Electrocardiography
3 . Cervical radiography
4 . Pulmonary function studies - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>4. Pulmonary function
studies Rationale:
Bleomycin is an antineoplastic medication (Chemotheraputic Agents) that can
cause interstitial pneumonitis, which can progress to pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary function studies along with hematological, hepatic, and renal function
tests need to be monitored. The nurse needs to monitor lung sounds for dyspnea
and crackles, which indicate pulmonary toxicity. The medication needs to be
discontinued immediately if pulmonary toxicity occurs. Options 1, 2, and 3 are
unrelated to the specific use of this medication.
14.) The client with acute myelocytic leukemia is being treated with busulfan
(Myleran). Which laboratory value would the nurse specifically monitor during
treatment with this medication? 1 . Clotting time
2. Uric acid level
3. Potassium level
4. Blood glucose level - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>2. Uric acid level Rationale:
Busulfan (Myleran) can cause an increase in the uric acid level. Hyperuricemia can
produce uric acid nephropathy, renal stones, and acute renal failure. Options 1, 3,
and 4 are not specifically related to this medication.
1 5.) The client with small cell lung cancer is being treated with etoposide
(VePesid). The nurse who is assisting in caring for the client during its
administration understands that which side effect is specifically associated with
this medication?
3
, 1. Alopecia
2. Chest pain
3. Pulmonary fibrosis
4. Orthostatic hypotension - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>4. Orthostatic
hypotension
Rationale:
A side effect specific to etoposide is orthostatic hypotension. The client's blood
pressure is monitored during the infusion. Hair loss occurs with nearly all the
antineoplastic medications. Chest pain and pulmonary fibrosis are unrelated to this
medication.
1 6.) The clinic nurse is reviewing a teaching plan for the client receiving an
antineoplastic medication. When implementing the plan, the nurse tells the client:
1 . To take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) as needed for headache
2 . Drink beverages containing alcohol in moderate amounts each evening
3 . Consult with health care providers (HCPs) before receiving immunizations
4 . That it is not necessary to consult HCPs before receiving a flu vaccine at the
local health fair - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>3. Consult with health care providers
(HCPs) before receiving immunizations Rationale:
Because antineoplastic medications lower the resistance of the body, clients must
be informed not to receive immunizations without a HCP's approval. Clients also
need to avoid contact with individuals who have recently received a live virus
vaccine. Clients need to avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products to minimize
the risk of bleeding, and they need to avoid alcohol to minimize the risk of toxicity
and side effects.
UPDATED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES 2026/2027
LATEST UPDATE
1 0.) 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
3 . Hair loss
4 . Herpes simplex - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>1. Acne Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The acid
appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
1 1.) The health care provider has prescribed silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) for the
client with a partial-thickness burn, which has cultured positive for gram-negative
bacteria. The nurse is reinforcing information to the client about the medication.
Which statement made by the client indicates a lack of understanding about the
treatments?
1 . "The medication is an antibacterial."
2 . "The medication will help heal the burn."
3 . "The medication will permanently stain my skin."
, 4 . "The medication should be applied directly to the wound." - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>3. "The medication will permanently stain my skin." Rationale:
Silver sulfadiazine (Silvadene) is an antibacterial that has a broad spectrum of
activity against gram-negative bacteria, gram-positive bacteria, and yeast. It is
applied directly to the wound to assist in healing. It does not stain the skin.
1 2.) A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving an intravenous (IV) infusion
of an antineoplastic medication. During the infusion, the client complains of pain
at the insertion site. During an inspection of the site, the nurse notes redness and
swelling and that the rate of infusion of the medication has slowed. The nurse
should take which appropriate action?
1 . Notify the registered nurse.
2 . Administer pain medication to reduce the discomfort.
3 . Apply ice and maintain the infusion rate, as prescribed.
4 . Elevate the extremity of the IV site, and slow the infusion. - CORRECT
ANSWER>>>>1. Notify the registered nurse.
Rationale:
When antineoplastic medications (Chemotheraputic Agents) are administered via
IV, great care must be taken to prevent the medication from escaping into the
tissues surrounding the injection site, because pain, tissue damage, and necrosis can
result. The nurse monitors for signs of extravasation, such as redness or swelling at
the insertion site and a decreased infusion rate. If extravasation occurs, the
registered nurse needs to be notified; he or she will then contact the health care
provider.
1 3.) The client with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx is receiving bleomycin
intravenously. The nurse caring for the client anticipates that which diagnostic
study will be prescribed?
, 1 . Echocardiography
2 . Electrocardiography
3 . Cervical radiography
4 . Pulmonary function studies - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>4. Pulmonary function
studies Rationale:
Bleomycin is an antineoplastic medication (Chemotheraputic Agents) that can
cause interstitial pneumonitis, which can progress to pulmonary fibrosis.
Pulmonary function studies along with hematological, hepatic, and renal function
tests need to be monitored. The nurse needs to monitor lung sounds for dyspnea
and crackles, which indicate pulmonary toxicity. The medication needs to be
discontinued immediately if pulmonary toxicity occurs. Options 1, 2, and 3 are
unrelated to the specific use of this medication.
14.) The client with acute myelocytic leukemia is being treated with busulfan
(Myleran). Which laboratory value would the nurse specifically monitor during
treatment with this medication? 1 . Clotting time
2. Uric acid level
3. Potassium level
4. Blood glucose level - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>2. Uric acid level Rationale:
Busulfan (Myleran) can cause an increase in the uric acid level. Hyperuricemia can
produce uric acid nephropathy, renal stones, and acute renal failure. Options 1, 3,
and 4 are not specifically related to this medication.
1 5.) The client with small cell lung cancer is being treated with etoposide
(VePesid). The nurse who is assisting in caring for the client during its
administration understands that which side effect is specifically associated with
this medication?
3
, 1. Alopecia
2. Chest pain
3. Pulmonary fibrosis
4. Orthostatic hypotension - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>4. Orthostatic
hypotension
Rationale:
A side effect specific to etoposide is orthostatic hypotension. The client's blood
pressure is monitored during the infusion. Hair loss occurs with nearly all the
antineoplastic medications. Chest pain and pulmonary fibrosis are unrelated to this
medication.
1 6.) The clinic nurse is reviewing a teaching plan for the client receiving an
antineoplastic medication. When implementing the plan, the nurse tells the client:
1 . To take aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) as needed for headache
2 . Drink beverages containing alcohol in moderate amounts each evening
3 . Consult with health care providers (HCPs) before receiving immunizations
4 . That it is not necessary to consult HCPs before receiving a flu vaccine at the
local health fair - ✔✔✔ANSWER>>>>3. Consult with health care providers
(HCPs) before receiving immunizations Rationale:
Because antineoplastic medications lower the resistance of the body, clients must
be informed not to receive immunizations without a HCP's approval. Clients also
need to avoid contact with individuals who have recently received a live virus
vaccine. Clients need to avoid aspirin and aspirin-containing products to minimize
the risk of bleeding, and they need to avoid alcohol to minimize the risk of toxicity
and side effects.
