RN Exit HESI – Pharmacology 2024 | Comprehensive Exam
Questions and Answers for Nursing Students
NursePrepHub
THIS EXAM CONTAINS
RN Exit HESI – Pharmacology
2024 | Comprehensive Exam
Questions and Answers
,RN EXIT HESI - PHARMACOLOGY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
1. A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine phosphokinase
(CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive bruising
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness
2. An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk for
coronary artery disease?
A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein)
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
3. Which nursing action has the highest priority when administering a dose of
codeine with acetaminophen to a client?
A. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom
B. Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic
C. Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes
D. Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved
Answer: A. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the
bathroom
1/30
,4. To evaluate the effectiveness of a client's prescription for rosuvastatin, which
action should the nurse implement?
A. Evaluate the client's serum cholesterol level results
B. Measure skin folds for body mass index calculations
C. Obtain the client's heart rate and blood pressure
D. Review the client's daily food and weight log
Answer: A. Evaluate the client's serum cholesterol level results
5. Which action should the nurse implement to assess the effectiveness of calcium
channel blocker amlodipine?
A. Note the client's serum calcium levels
B. Monitor the client's serum electrolytes
C. Review the client's intake and output
D. Measure the client's blood pressure
Answer: D. Measure the client's blood pressure
6. The nurse prepares to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol by mouth to a
client with hypertension. The client's vital signs are temperature 99°F (37.2°C), heart
rate 48 beats/minute, respirations 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 150/90 mm
Hg. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Assess for orthostatic hypotension before administering the dose
B. Administer the dose and monitor the client's BP regularly
C. Apply a telemetry monitor before administering the dose
D. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the health care provider
Answer: D. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the health care provider
7. A client with atrial fibrillation receives a new prescription for dabigatran. Which
instruction should the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
A. Eliminate spinach and other green vegetables in the diet
B. Continue obtaining scheduled laboratory bleeding tests
C. Keep an antidote available in the event of hemorrhage
D. Avoid use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Answer: D. Avoid use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
8. A client who receives multiple antihypertensive medications experiences syncope
due to a drop in blood pressure to 70/40 mm Hg. Which is the rationale for the
nurse's decision to hold the client's scheduled antihypertensive medications?
2/30
, A. Increased urinary clearance of the multiple medications has produced diuresis
and lowered the blood pressure
B. The synergistic effect of the multiple medications has resulted in drug toxicity and
hypotension
C. The antagonistic interaction among the various blood pressure medications has
reduced their effectiveness
D. The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood pressure to drop
too low
Answer: D. The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood
pressure to drop too low
9. What action should the nurse take prior to administering digoxin (Lanoxin) PO?
A. Obtain a left radial pulse for 30 seconds
B. Listen to the heart at the left 5th intercostal space
C. Check the client for signs of orthostatic hypotension
D. Verify that the urine output exceeds 30 ml/hour
Answer: B. Listen to the heart at the left 5th intercostal space
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
10. A client with nasal congestion receives a prescription for phenylep hrine 10 mg by
mouth every 4 hours. Which client condition should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider before administering the medication?
A. Diarrhea
B. Bronchitis
C. Hypertension
D. Edema
Answer: C. Hypertension
11. To control asthma, a client in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone
propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system, which provides an inhaled
powdered form of these combined medications. Which instruction should the nurse
provide to this client's caregivers?
A. When using the discus, have the client breathe out rapidly into the mouthpiece
B. Offer the discus to the client for use during an acute asthma attack
C. Clients using the discus may experience decreased blood pressure
D. Explain that the client should not use the discus more than twice daily
Answer: D. Explain that the client should not use the discus more than twice daily
3/30
Questions and Answers for Nursing Students
NursePrepHub
THIS EXAM CONTAINS
RN Exit HESI – Pharmacology
2024 | Comprehensive Exam
Questions and Answers
,RN EXIT HESI - PHARMACOLOGY
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
1. A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine phosphokinase
(CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Excessive bruising
D. Peripheral edema
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness
2. An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk for
coronary artery disease?
A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein)
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
3. Which nursing action has the highest priority when administering a dose of
codeine with acetaminophen to a client?
A. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the bathroom
B. Administer a stool softener/laxative at the same time as the analgesic
C. Advise the client that the medication should start to work in about 30 minutes
D. Tell the client to notify the nurse if the pain is not relieved
Answer: A. Instruct the client to request assistance when ambulating to the
bathroom
1/30
,4. To evaluate the effectiveness of a client's prescription for rosuvastatin, which
action should the nurse implement?
A. Evaluate the client's serum cholesterol level results
B. Measure skin folds for body mass index calculations
C. Obtain the client's heart rate and blood pressure
D. Review the client's daily food and weight log
Answer: A. Evaluate the client's serum cholesterol level results
5. Which action should the nurse implement to assess the effectiveness of calcium
channel blocker amlodipine?
A. Note the client's serum calcium levels
B. Monitor the client's serum electrolytes
C. Review the client's intake and output
D. Measure the client's blood pressure
Answer: D. Measure the client's blood pressure
6. The nurse prepares to administer a scheduled dose of labetalol by mouth to a
client with hypertension. The client's vital signs are temperature 99°F (37.2°C), heart
rate 48 beats/minute, respirations 16 breaths/minute, and blood pressure 150/90 mm
Hg. Which action should the nurse take?
A. Assess for orthostatic hypotension before administering the dose
B. Administer the dose and monitor the client's BP regularly
C. Apply a telemetry monitor before administering the dose
D. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the health care provider
Answer: D. Withhold the scheduled dose and notify the health care provider
7. A client with atrial fibrillation receives a new prescription for dabigatran. Which
instruction should the nurse include in this client's teaching plan?
A. Eliminate spinach and other green vegetables in the diet
B. Continue obtaining scheduled laboratory bleeding tests
C. Keep an antidote available in the event of hemorrhage
D. Avoid use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Answer: D. Avoid use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
8. A client who receives multiple antihypertensive medications experiences syncope
due to a drop in blood pressure to 70/40 mm Hg. Which is the rationale for the
nurse's decision to hold the client's scheduled antihypertensive medications?
2/30
, A. Increased urinary clearance of the multiple medications has produced diuresis
and lowered the blood pressure
B. The synergistic effect of the multiple medications has resulted in drug toxicity and
hypotension
C. The antagonistic interaction among the various blood pressure medications has
reduced their effectiveness
D. The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood pressure to drop
too low
Answer: D. The additive effect of multiple medications has caused the blood
pressure to drop too low
9. What action should the nurse take prior to administering digoxin (Lanoxin) PO?
A. Obtain a left radial pulse for 30 seconds
B. Listen to the heart at the left 5th intercostal space
C. Check the client for signs of orthostatic hypotension
D. Verify that the urine output exceeds 30 ml/hour
Answer: B. Listen to the heart at the left 5th intercostal space
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
10. A client with nasal congestion receives a prescription for phenylep hrine 10 mg by
mouth every 4 hours. Which client condition should the nurse report to the
healthcare provider before administering the medication?
A. Diarrhea
B. Bronchitis
C. Hypertension
D. Edema
Answer: C. Hypertension
11. To control asthma, a client in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone
propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system, which provides an inhaled
powdered form of these combined medications. Which instruction should the nurse
provide to this client's caregivers?
A. When using the discus, have the client breathe out rapidly into the mouthpiece
B. Offer the discus to the client for use during an acute asthma attack
C. Clients using the discus may experience decreased blood pressure
D. Explain that the client should not use the discus more than twice daily
Answer: D. Explain that the client should not use the discus more than twice daily
3/30
