Pharmacology HESI Exam
Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years. The
healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril to manage
the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?
A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair. - Answer✔✔-D. Rise slowly
when getting out of bed or chair.
The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor, which has the side effect oforthostatic hypotension. Instructing the
client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is important to teach
the client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
,A female client calls the clinic and talks with the nurse to inquire about a
possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal
discomfort, itching, and a white discharge. The nurse should discuss which
action with the client?
A. Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided
B. Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
D. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions. -
Answer✔✔-C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for
this effect.
A superinfection with normal flora yeast may occur during antibiotic therapy. If
suspected, the new onset of findings should be reported to the healthcare
provider for another prescribed treatment to treat the superinfection.
The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients when a client
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse administers a
PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor agonist agent. Which client response
should the nurse expect?
(Select all that apply)
A. Tachycardia.
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Rapid resolution of wheezing.
D. Improved pulse oximetry values.
E. Reduce fever airway inflammation. - Answer✔✔-C. Rapid resolution of
wheezing.
D. Improved pulse oximetry values.
,Beta 2 receptor agonist agents should provide immediate return of airflow and
resolve wheezing and improve oxygenation.
A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg, displaying a
sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of 0.24.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for orthostatic vital sign
changes.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
C. Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
D. Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider. - Answer✔✔-
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
Since the client's blood pressure is within normal limits, and the pulse is above
50 beats/min with a first degree block, the medication can be administered.
Atenolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and lowers the blood
pressure; this drug is generally held if the heart rate is less than 50 beats/min
or the client exhibits dizziness related to hypotension.
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. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Repeat the serum potassium level. - Answer✔✔-A. Withhold the scheduled
dose.
, The nurse should first withhold the scheduled dose of Cozaar because the
client is hyperkalemic (normal range 3.5 to 5 mEq/l). Although hypokalemia is
usually associated with diuretic therapy in heart failure, hyperkalemia is
associated with several heart failure medications, including ARBs. Because
hyperkalemia may lead to cardiac dysrhythmias, the nurse should check the
apical pulse for rate and rhythm, and blood pressure.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the
nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
1. Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
2. Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
3. Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
4. Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus) - Answer✔✔-1. Albuterol (Proventil) puffs
2. Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus)
3. Prednisone (Deltasone) orally
4. Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM
Status asthmaticus is potentially a life-threatening respiratory event, so
albuterol, a beta2 adrenergic agonist and short acting bronchodilator, should
be administered by inhalation first to provide rapid and deep topical
penetration to relieve bronchospasms, dilate the bronchioles, and increase
oxygenation. In stepwise management of persistent asthma, a long-action
bronchodilator, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), with a 12-hour duration
of action should be given next. Prednisone, an oral corticosteroid, provides
prolonged anti-inflammatory effects and should be given after the client's
respiratory distress begins to resolves. Gentamicin, an antibiotic, is given deep
IM, which can be painful, and may require repositioning the client, so should
be last in the sequence.
Study Guide – Practice
Questions with Verified
Answers. GRADED A+. Latest
2026/2027 Update
The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years. The
healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril to manage
the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?
A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair. - Answer✔✔-D. Rise slowly
when getting out of bed or chair.
The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitor, which has the side effect oforthostatic hypotension. Instructing the
client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is important to teach
the client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
,A female client calls the clinic and talks with the nurse to inquire about a
possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having vaginal
discomfort, itching, and a white discharge. The nurse should discuss which
action with the client?
A. Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided
B. Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this effect.
D. Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions. -
Answer✔✔-C. Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for
this effect.
A superinfection with normal flora yeast may occur during antibiotic therapy. If
suspected, the new onset of findings should be reported to the healthcare
provider for another prescribed treatment to treat the superinfection.
The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients when a client
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse administers a
PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor agonist agent. Which client response
should the nurse expect?
(Select all that apply)
A. Tachycardia.
B. Increased blood pressure
C. Rapid resolution of wheezing.
D. Improved pulse oximetry values.
E. Reduce fever airway inflammation. - Answer✔✔-C. Rapid resolution of
wheezing.
D. Improved pulse oximetry values.
,Beta 2 receptor agonist agents should provide immediate return of airflow and
resolve wheezing and improve oxygenation.
A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg, displaying a
sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of 0.24.
Which action should the nurse take?
A. Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for orthostatic vital sign
changes.
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
C. Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
D. Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider. - Answer✔✔-
B. Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client.
Since the client's blood pressure is within normal limits, and the pulse is above
50 beats/min with a first degree block, the medication can be administered.
Atenolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and lowers the blood
pressure; this drug is generally held if the heart rate is less than 50 beats/min
or the client exhibits dizziness related to hypotension.
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. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Withhold the scheduled dose.
B. Check the client's apical pulse.
C. Notify the healthcare provider.
D. Repeat the serum potassium level. - Answer✔✔-A. Withhold the scheduled
dose.
, The nurse should first withhold the scheduled dose of Cozaar because the
client is hyperkalemic (normal range 3.5 to 5 mEq/l). Although hypokalemia is
usually associated with diuretic therapy in heart failure, hyperkalemia is
associated with several heart failure medications, including ARBs. Because
hyperkalemia may lead to cardiac dysrhythmias, the nurse should check the
apical pulse for rate and rhythm, and blood pressure.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the
nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
1. Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
2. Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
3. Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
4. Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus) - Answer✔✔-1. Albuterol (Proventil) puffs
2. Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus)
3. Prednisone (Deltasone) orally
4. Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM
Status asthmaticus is potentially a life-threatening respiratory event, so
albuterol, a beta2 adrenergic agonist and short acting bronchodilator, should
be administered by inhalation first to provide rapid and deep topical
penetration to relieve bronchospasms, dilate the bronchioles, and increase
oxygenation. In stepwise management of persistent asthma, a long-action
bronchodilator, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), with a 12-hour duration
of action should be given next. Prednisone, an oral corticosteroid, provides
prolonged anti-inflammatory effects and should be given after the client's
respiratory distress begins to resolves. Gentamicin, an antibiotic, is given deep
IM, which can be painful, and may require repositioning the client, so should
be last in the sequence.
