HESI PHARMACOLOGY V1 CONCEPT REVIEW
GUIDE 2026 CLINICAL DECISION MAKING IN
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
◉ The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy
with her clinical group. What hormone, produced during pregnancy,
would the instructor tell the students helps to maintain the
pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A)High levels of estrogen only
B)High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C)Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D)High levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Answer: D
Feedback:
In a pregnant woman, both estrogen and progesterone hormones
have specific functions. High levels of both hormones are needed for
the maintenance of pregnancy.
◉ The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about
the female reproductive system. A student is trying to understand
the role of progesterone in the body. What nonreproductive affect
does progesterone have on the body?
,A)Decreased body temperature B)Decreased appetite C)Anti-
insulinD)Increased uterine motility.
Answer: C
Feedback:
Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate a higher blood
glucose concentration to allow for rapid diffusion of glucose to the
developing embryo. Body temperature and appetite are increased by
progesterone. Uterine motility is decreased to provide increased
chance that implantation can occur.
◉ What hormone causes ovulation to occur? A)Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)
B)Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C)Prolactin
D)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Answer: B
Feedback:
When the circulating estrogen level rises high enough, it stimulates a
massive release of LH from the anterior pituitary causing one of the
developing follicles to burst and release the ovum with its stored
hormones into the system. ACTH targets the adrenal corticosteroid
hormone, which helps prepare the body for the "fight or flight"
response. Prolactin is responsible for milk production and FSH in
combination with LH stimulate follicles on the outer surface of the
,uterus to grow and develop and also stimulates the release of
estrogen and progesterone.
◉ A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe
menstrual cramps. The girl is concerned about the pain and worried
that "something is wrong." The nurse explains to the patient that she
has cramping during her menstrual period because of what?
A)An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which
cause uterine contractions
B)Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of
the lining of the uterus
C)Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions
to clamp off vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D)An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the
lining of the uterus to slough away.
Answer: C Feedback:
Prostaglandins in the uterus stimulate uterine contractions to clamp
off vessels in the lining of the uterus, which is the cause of the
cramping. The decrease of estrogen and progesterone after the
involution of the corpus luteum triggers the release of follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The
decreased levels of FSH and LH cause the inner lining of the uterus
to slough off because the vascular system is no longer being
stimulated. High, not low, levels of plasminogen in the uterus
prevent clotting of the lining as the vessels shear off.
, ◉ What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific
adrenergic agonist effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm
during anesthesia?
A)Dobutamine (Dobutrex) B)Ephedrine (generic) C)Isoproterenol
(Isuprel) D)Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine).
Answer: C
Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent
bronchospasm during anesthesia. Phenylephrine is an alpha-specific
adrenergic agonist. Both dobutamine and ephedrine are alpha- and
beta-adrenergic agonists.
◉ The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients.
Which patient should be advised by the nurse that over-the-counter
cold and allergy preparations contain phenylephrine and should be
avoided?
A)A 47-year-old woman with hypertensionB)A 52-year-old man
with adult onset diabetes
C)A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory
infection
D)A 62-year-old man with gout.
Answer: A
Feedback:
Phenylephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor and alpha1-agonist with
little or no effect on the heart or bronchi, is used in many
GUIDE 2026 CLINICAL DECISION MAKING IN
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT
◉ The nursing instructor is discussing the physiology of pregnancy
with her clinical group. What hormone, produced during pregnancy,
would the instructor tell the students helps to maintain the
pregnancy until birth of the fetus?
A)High levels of estrogen only
B)High levels of estrogen, low levels of progesterone
C)Low levels of estrogen, high levels of progesterone
D)High levels of estrogen and progesterone.
Answer: D
Feedback:
In a pregnant woman, both estrogen and progesterone hormones
have specific functions. High levels of both hormones are needed for
the maintenance of pregnancy.
◉ The nursing instructor is talking with her class of students about
the female reproductive system. A student is trying to understand
the role of progesterone in the body. What nonreproductive affect
does progesterone have on the body?
,A)Decreased body temperature B)Decreased appetite C)Anti-
insulinD)Increased uterine motility.
Answer: C
Feedback:
Progesterone has an anti-insulin effect to generate a higher blood
glucose concentration to allow for rapid diffusion of glucose to the
developing embryo. Body temperature and appetite are increased by
progesterone. Uterine motility is decreased to provide increased
chance that implantation can occur.
◉ What hormone causes ovulation to occur? A)Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH)
B)Luteinizing hormone (LH)
C)Prolactin
D)Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Answer: B
Feedback:
When the circulating estrogen level rises high enough, it stimulates a
massive release of LH from the anterior pituitary causing one of the
developing follicles to burst and release the ovum with its stored
hormones into the system. ACTH targets the adrenal corticosteroid
hormone, which helps prepare the body for the "fight or flight"
response. Prolactin is responsible for milk production and FSH in
combination with LH stimulate follicles on the outer surface of the
,uterus to grow and develop and also stimulates the release of
estrogen and progesterone.
◉ A 16-year-old girl comes to the clinic complaining of severe
menstrual cramps. The girl is concerned about the pain and worried
that "something is wrong." The nurse explains to the patient that she
has cramping during her menstrual period because of what?
A)An increase in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, which
cause uterine contractions
B)Low levels of plasminogen in the uterus that cause the shedding of
the lining of the uterus
C)Prostaglandins in the uterus, which stimulate uterine contractions
to clamp off vessels as the lining of her uterus sheds
D)An increase in progesterone and a decrease of estrogen cause the
lining of the uterus to slough away.
Answer: C Feedback:
Prostaglandins in the uterus stimulate uterine contractions to clamp
off vessels in the lining of the uterus, which is the cause of the
cramping. The decrease of estrogen and progesterone after the
involution of the corpus luteum triggers the release of follicle-
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). The
decreased levels of FSH and LH cause the inner lining of the uterus
to slough off because the vascular system is no longer being
stimulated. High, not low, levels of plasminogen in the uterus
prevent clotting of the lining as the vessels shear off.
, ◉ What drug would the nurse expect to administer if beta-specific
adrenergic agonist effects are desired to prevent bronchospasm
during anesthesia?
A)Dobutamine (Dobutrex) B)Ephedrine (generic) C)Isoproterenol
(Isuprel) D)Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine).
Answer: C
Isoproterenol is a beta-specific adrenergic agonist used to prevent
bronchospasm during anesthesia. Phenylephrine is an alpha-specific
adrenergic agonist. Both dobutamine and ephedrine are alpha- and
beta-adrenergic agonists.
◉ The nurse is preparing discharge teaching for four patients.
Which patient should be advised by the nurse that over-the-counter
cold and allergy preparations contain phenylephrine and should be
avoided?
A)A 47-year-old woman with hypertensionB)A 52-year-old man
with adult onset diabetes
C)A 17-year-old girl with symptoms of an upper respiratory
infection
D)A 62-year-old man with gout.
Answer: A
Feedback:
Phenylephrine, a potent vasoconstrictor and alpha1-agonist with
little or no effect on the heart or bronchi, is used in many
