HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 4 EXAM
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ Name the 5 injection sites for subcutaneous.
Answer: Abdomen
Upper Arm
Back
Buttocks
Thighs
◉ Name the 5 injection sites for intramuscular.
Answer: Dorsogluteal
Ventrogluteal
Rectus Femoris
Vastus Lateralis
Deltoid
◉ Which IM injection site is used mainly on infants?
Answer: Rectus femoris.
,◉ Which IM injection site do you use for children and adults?
Answer: Ventrogluteal
◉ Which IM injection site is used on infants, children, and patients
with poorly developed butt muscles?
Answer: Vastus lateralis.
◉ Name the 4 injection sites for intradermal.
Answer: Inner Forearm
Upper Chest
Back
Upper Back Arm
◉ Where should you place a transdermal patch?
Answer: Upper Arm & Back
Chest
Forearm
Butt
Stomach
◉ What is the peak time for rapid acting insulin?
Answer: 30-60 minutes
,◉ What is the peak time for regular insulin?
Answer: 2-4 hours
◉ What is the peak time for intermediate acting insulin?
Answer: 4-12 hours
◉ What is the peak time for long acting insulin?
Answer: 8-10 hours
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Answer: Cool and clammy skin, confused, weakness, palpitations,
irritable, and hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia?
Answer: The 3 Ps: Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weakness,
headache, and blurred vision.
, Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the
breath, abdominal pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
◉ Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a
patient before administering a blood transfusion?
Answer: diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
◉ What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion?
Answer:
◉ What are isotonic IV fluids?
Answer: A solution used to replace or maintain fluid and electrolyte
levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
◉ What are hypotonic IV fluids?
PREPARATION PACK 2026 KEY CONCEPTS
AND REVISION NOTES
◉ Name the 5 injection sites for subcutaneous.
Answer: Abdomen
Upper Arm
Back
Buttocks
Thighs
◉ Name the 5 injection sites for intramuscular.
Answer: Dorsogluteal
Ventrogluteal
Rectus Femoris
Vastus Lateralis
Deltoid
◉ Which IM injection site is used mainly on infants?
Answer: Rectus femoris.
,◉ Which IM injection site do you use for children and adults?
Answer: Ventrogluteal
◉ Which IM injection site is used on infants, children, and patients
with poorly developed butt muscles?
Answer: Vastus lateralis.
◉ Name the 4 injection sites for intradermal.
Answer: Inner Forearm
Upper Chest
Back
Upper Back Arm
◉ Where should you place a transdermal patch?
Answer: Upper Arm & Back
Chest
Forearm
Butt
Stomach
◉ What is the peak time for rapid acting insulin?
Answer: 30-60 minutes
,◉ What is the peak time for regular insulin?
Answer: 2-4 hours
◉ What is the peak time for intermediate acting insulin?
Answer: 4-12 hours
◉ What is the peak time for long acting insulin?
Answer: 8-10 hours
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Answer: Cool and clammy skin, confused, weakness, palpitations,
irritable, and hunger.
Blood glucose: < 60 mg/dL
Numbness or tingling of lips or tongue
◉ What are the signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia?
Answer: The 3 Ps: Polyphagia, polydipsia, polyuria, weakness,
headache, and blurred vision.
, Later signs include pruritus, dry mouth, confusion, fruity odor of the
breath, abdominal pain, or coma (DKA).
Blood glucose: > 200 mg/dL
Acetone breath
◉ Which medication would a nurse anticipate to administer to a
patient before administering a blood transfusion?
Answer: diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
◉ What are the allergic reactions to a blood transfusion?
Answer:
◉ What are isotonic IV fluids?
Answer: A solution used to replace or maintain fluid and electrolyte
levels.
Examples: 0.9% NS, Lactated Ringers, and D5W
◉ What are hypotonic IV fluids?
