1
PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
JUST RELEASED VERSION
A client has an anaphylactic reaction after receiving intravenous penicillin. What
does the nurse conclude is the cause of this reaction?
1 An acquired atopic sensitization occurred.
2 There was passive immunity to the penicillin allergen.
3 Antibodies to penicillin developed after a previous exposure.
4 Potent antibodies were produced when the infusion was instituted -Answer: 3
During the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), an assessment of
the client reveals a bounding pulse, distended jugular veins, dyspnea, and cough.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
1 Restart the client's infusion at another site.
2 Slow the rate of the client's infusion of the TPN.
3 Interrupt the client's infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
4 Obtain the vital signs and continue monitoring the client's status -Answer: 3
A client develops a fever after surgery. Ceftriaxone is prescribed. For which
potential adverse effect should the nurse monitor the client?
1 Dehydration
2 Heart failure
3 Constipation
4 Allergic response -Answer: 4
,2
A healthcare provider prescribes famotidine and magnesium hydroxide/aluminum
hydroxide antacid for a client with a peptic ulcer. The nurse should teach the client
to take the antacid at what time?
1 Only at bedtime, when famotidine is not taken
2 Only if famotidine is ineffective
3 At the same time as famotidine, with a full glass of water
4 One hour before or 2 hours after famotidine -Answer: 4
A healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic intravenous piggyback twice a day
for a client with an infection. The healthcare provider prescribes peak and trough
levels 48 and 72 hours after initiation of the therapy. The client asks the nurse why
there is a need for so many blood tests. What reason does the nurse provide?
1 "They determine adequate dosage levels of the drug."
2 "They detect if you are having an allergic reaction to the drug."
3 "The tests permit blood culture specimens to be obtained when the drug is at its
lowest level."
4 "These allow comparison of your fever to when the blood level of the antibiotic
is at its highest." -Answer: 1
A nurse is administering a histamine H2 antagonist to a client who has extensive
burns. The nurse explains to the client that this drug is given prophylactically
during the first few weeks after extensive burns. What complication of burns will
it prevent?
1 Colitis
2 Gastritis
3 Stress ulcer
4 Metabolic acidosis -Answer: 3
A client is receiving penicillin G and probenecid for syphilis. What rationale
should the nurse give for the need to take these two drugs?
,3
1 Each drug attacks the organism during different stages of cell multiplication.
2 The penicillin treats the syphilis, whereas the probenecid relieves the severe
urethritis.
, 4
3 Probenecid delays excretion of penicillin, thus maintaining blood levels for
longer periods.
4 Probenecid decreases the potential for an allergic reaction to penicillin, which
treats the syphilis -Answer: 3
Ampicillin 250 mg by mouth every 6 hours is prescribed for a client who is to be
discharged. Which statement indicates to the nurse that the client understands
the teaching about ampicillin?
1 "I should drink a glass of milk with each pill."
2 "I should drink at least six glasses of water every day."
3 "The medicine should be taken with meals and at bedtime."
4 "The medicine should be taken one hour before or two hours after meals -
Answer: 4
A healthcare provider prescribes ampicillin for a client with an infection. What
information should the nurse include in the teaching plan about this medication?
1 Take the ampicillin with meals.
2 Store the ampicillin in a light-resistant container.
3 Notify the healthcare provider if diarrhea develops.
4 Continue the drug until a negative culture is obtained -Answer: 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking several antibiotic medications
for a prolonged time. Because long-term use of antibiotics interferes with the
absorption of fat, what prescription does the nurse anticipate?
1 High-fat diet
2 Supplemental cod liver oil
3 Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
4 Water-soluble forms of vitamins A and E -Answer: 4
PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
JUST RELEASED VERSION
A client has an anaphylactic reaction after receiving intravenous penicillin. What
does the nurse conclude is the cause of this reaction?
1 An acquired atopic sensitization occurred.
2 There was passive immunity to the penicillin allergen.
3 Antibodies to penicillin developed after a previous exposure.
4 Potent antibodies were produced when the infusion was instituted -Answer: 3
During the administration of total parenteral nutrition (TPN), an assessment of
the client reveals a bounding pulse, distended jugular veins, dyspnea, and cough.
What is the priority nursing intervention?
1 Restart the client's infusion at another site.
2 Slow the rate of the client's infusion of the TPN.
3 Interrupt the client's infusion and notify the healthcare provider.
4 Obtain the vital signs and continue monitoring the client's status -Answer: 3
A client develops a fever after surgery. Ceftriaxone is prescribed. For which
potential adverse effect should the nurse monitor the client?
1 Dehydration
2 Heart failure
3 Constipation
4 Allergic response -Answer: 4
,2
A healthcare provider prescribes famotidine and magnesium hydroxide/aluminum
hydroxide antacid for a client with a peptic ulcer. The nurse should teach the client
to take the antacid at what time?
1 Only at bedtime, when famotidine is not taken
2 Only if famotidine is ineffective
3 At the same time as famotidine, with a full glass of water
4 One hour before or 2 hours after famotidine -Answer: 4
A healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic intravenous piggyback twice a day
for a client with an infection. The healthcare provider prescribes peak and trough
levels 48 and 72 hours after initiation of the therapy. The client asks the nurse why
there is a need for so many blood tests. What reason does the nurse provide?
1 "They determine adequate dosage levels of the drug."
2 "They detect if you are having an allergic reaction to the drug."
3 "The tests permit blood culture specimens to be obtained when the drug is at its
lowest level."
4 "These allow comparison of your fever to when the blood level of the antibiotic
is at its highest." -Answer: 1
A nurse is administering a histamine H2 antagonist to a client who has extensive
burns. The nurse explains to the client that this drug is given prophylactically
during the first few weeks after extensive burns. What complication of burns will
it prevent?
1 Colitis
2 Gastritis
3 Stress ulcer
4 Metabolic acidosis -Answer: 3
A client is receiving penicillin G and probenecid for syphilis. What rationale
should the nurse give for the need to take these two drugs?
,3
1 Each drug attacks the organism during different stages of cell multiplication.
2 The penicillin treats the syphilis, whereas the probenecid relieves the severe
urethritis.
, 4
3 Probenecid delays excretion of penicillin, thus maintaining blood levels for
longer periods.
4 Probenecid decreases the potential for an allergic reaction to penicillin, which
treats the syphilis -Answer: 3
Ampicillin 250 mg by mouth every 6 hours is prescribed for a client who is to be
discharged. Which statement indicates to the nurse that the client understands
the teaching about ampicillin?
1 "I should drink a glass of milk with each pill."
2 "I should drink at least six glasses of water every day."
3 "The medicine should be taken with meals and at bedtime."
4 "The medicine should be taken one hour before or two hours after meals -
Answer: 4
A healthcare provider prescribes ampicillin for a client with an infection. What
information should the nurse include in the teaching plan about this medication?
1 Take the ampicillin with meals.
2 Store the ampicillin in a light-resistant container.
3 Notify the healthcare provider if diarrhea develops.
4 Continue the drug until a negative culture is obtained -Answer: 3
A nurse is caring for a client who has been taking several antibiotic medications
for a prolonged time. Because long-term use of antibiotics interferes with the
absorption of fat, what prescription does the nurse anticipate?
1 High-fat diet
2 Supplemental cod liver oil
3 Total parenteral nutrition (TPN)
4 Water-soluble forms of vitamins A and E -Answer: 4
