Pharmacology HESI Practice 2026
With Complete Correct Answers
The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an
angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), for a client with hypertension and
heart failure. The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes
that the client's serum potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. What action should
the nurse take first? - CORRECT ANSWER- Withhold the scheduled
dose
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic
therapy. What is the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough
level? - CORRECT ANSWER- immediately before the next antibiotic
dose is given
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls
the triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness
in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching
the nurse should provide to this client? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle
pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the
angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan (Diovan) has been
achieved? - CORRECT ANSWER- blood pressure reduced from
160/90 to 130/80
A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly
prescribed for a client with which condition? - CORRECT ANSWER-
heart failure
A client is receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily.
The nurse anticipates an increase in which laboratory value as the result
of this medication? - CORRECT ANSWER- serum glucose
, 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? - CORRECT ANSWER- administer the
dose with a snack
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible
myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of
edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this
client following administration of this pharmacologic agent? -
CORRECT ANSWER- decreased muscle weakness
In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine
(Sandimmune), the nurse should encourage the client to report which
adverse response to the healthcare provider? - CORRECT ANSWER-
presence of hand tremors
A client is taking hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PO q4h at home. Following
surgery, Dilaudid IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) IV q4h
PRN are prescribed for pain. The client received a dose of the Dilaudid
IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain medication. What
intervention should the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANSWER-
administer only the dilaudid q4h PRN for pain.
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen (Naproxen) twice daily for
a client with osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the
drug does not seem to be effective after three weeks. Which is the best
response for the nurse to provide? - CORRECT ANSWER- another
type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for
complications during the use of an opioid analgesic? - CORRECT
ANSWER- a young adult with inflammatory bowel disease
A client receiving Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intravenously (IV) complains
of pain at the insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement? -
CORRECT ANSWER- discontinue IV fluids
With Complete Correct Answers
The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an
angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), for a client with hypertension and
heart failure. The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes
that the client's serum potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. What action should
the nurse take first? - CORRECT ANSWER- Withhold the scheduled
dose
A peak and trough level must be drawn for a client receiving antibiotic
therapy. What is the optimum time for the nurse to obtain the trough
level? - CORRECT ANSWER- immediately before the next antibiotic
dose is given
A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls
the triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness
in his legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching
the nurse should provide to this client? - CORRECT ANSWER-
Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because muscle
pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Which change in data indicates to the nurse that the desired effect of the
angiotensin II receptor antagonist valsartan (Diovan) has been
achieved? - CORRECT ANSWER- blood pressure reduced from
160/90 to 130/80
A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly
prescribed for a client with which condition? - CORRECT ANSWER-
heart failure
A client is receiving methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol) 40 mg IV daily.
The nurse anticipates an increase in which laboratory value as the result
of this medication? - CORRECT ANSWER- serum glucose
, 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? - CORRECT ANSWER- administer the
dose with a snack
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible
myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of
edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this
client following administration of this pharmacologic agent? -
CORRECT ANSWER- decreased muscle weakness
In teaching a client who had a liver transplant about cyclosporine
(Sandimmune), the nurse should encourage the client to report which
adverse response to the healthcare provider? - CORRECT ANSWER-
presence of hand tremors
A client is taking hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PO q4h at home. Following
surgery, Dilaudid IV q4h PRN and butorphanol tartrate (Stadol) IV q4h
PRN are prescribed for pain. The client received a dose of the Dilaudid
IV four hours ago, and is again requesting pain medication. What
intervention should the nurse implement? - CORRECT ANSWER-
administer only the dilaudid q4h PRN for pain.
The healthcare provider prescribes naproxen (Naproxen) twice daily for
a client with osteoarthritis of the hands. The client tells the nurse that the
drug does not seem to be effective after three weeks. Which is the best
response for the nurse to provide? - CORRECT ANSWER- another
type of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug may be indicated
Which client should the nurse identify as being at highest risk for
complications during the use of an opioid analgesic? - CORRECT
ANSWER- a young adult with inflammatory bowel disease
A client receiving Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) intravenously (IV) complains
of pain at the insertion site, and the nurse notes edema at the site.
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement? -
CORRECT ANSWER- discontinue IV fluids
