Pharmacology HESI - Respiratory
System Drugs Revision Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
A client has been taking isoniazid for 2 months. The client complains to the nurse about
numbness, paresthesia’s, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse interprets that the client is
experiencing which problem?
a. Hypercalcemia
b. Peripheral neuritis
c. Small blood vessel spasm
d. Impaired peripheral circulation - correct answer: b. Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is
peripheral neuritis, manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesia’s in the extremities. This
can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not associated
with the information in the question.
Strategy: Focus on the data in the question, numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the
extremities. Options 3 and 4 would not cause the symptoms presented in the question but
instead would cause pallor and coolness. From the remaining options, you should know that
peripheral neuritis is an adverse effect of isoniazid, and that these signs and symptoms do not
correlate with hypercalcemia.
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin. The nurse determines that the client understands
the proper administration of this medication if the client states that she or he will perform
which action?
a. Take an extra dose if fever develops
b. Take the medication with meals only
c. Take the tablet with a full glass of water
,d. Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake - correct answer: c. Take the tablet with a full glass
of water
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant and should be taken with a full glass of water to
decrease the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken. The client should contact
the primary health care provider if the cough lasts longer than 1 week or is accompanied by
fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are needed to decrease the viscosity of
secretions. The medication does not have to be taken with meals.
Strategy: Begin to answer this question by eliminating option 1 first, recalling that extra doses of
medication should not be taken. Next, eliminate option 2 because of the closed-ended word
"only." Next, knowing that increased fluid helps liquefy secretions for more effective coughing
directs you to the correct option.
The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone intravenously to a client with an opioid
overdose. Which supportive medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's
bedside?
a. Nasogastric tube
b. Paracentesis tray
c. Resuscitation equipment
d. Central line insertion tray - correct answer: c. Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should have
resuscitation equipment readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is needed. Other
adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen, a mechanical ventilator, and vasopressors.
Strategy: Focus on the subject, supportive medical equipment. Note the words opioid overdose.
Recalling the effects of these types of medications will direct you to the correct option. The
correct option is also the umbrella option.
,The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine, which has been prescribed as
a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that the client needs further instruction if the client
makes which statement?
a. "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b. "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c. "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this medication."
d. "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my mouth." - correct
answer: a. "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine has several uses, including as an antihistamine, antitussive,
antidyskinetic, and sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking with food or milk to
decrease gastrointestinal upset and using oral rinses, sugarless gum, or hard candy to minimize
dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness, the client should avoid use of alcohol or
central nervous system depressants, operating a car, or engaging in other activities requiring
mental awareness during use.
Strategy: Note the strategic words, needs further instruction. These words indicate a negative
event query and ask you to select an option that is incorrect. Knowing that the medication has a
sedative effect helps you eliminate options 2 and 3 first because they are comparable or alike.
Recalling that the medication causes a dry mouth helps you choose the correct option as the
answer, according to the way the question is stated.
A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma. The nurse provides
instructions regarding the adverse effects of this medication and should tell the client that
which undesirable effect is associated with this medication?
a. Insomnia
b. Constipation
c. Hypotension
d. Bronchospasm - correct answer: d. Bronchospasm
, Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell
stabilizer. Undesirable effects associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium are
bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and wheezing. Clients receiving this
medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
Strategy: Note the words undesirable effect. This should assist in directing you to the correct
option. In addition, use the ABCs—airway, breathing, and circulation—to select the correct
option. The correct option addresses the airway.
Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. Which disorder in the client's medical
history requires caution by the nurse?
a. Osteoarthritis
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Diabetes mellitus
d. Polycystic disease - correct answer: c. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity
to sympathomimetics. It should be used with caution in clients with impaired cardiac function,
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or a history of seizures. The medication may
increase blood glucose levels.
Focus on the subject, cautions for using terbutaline. Specific knowledge regarding the
contraindications and cautions associated with the use of this medication is needed to answer
this question. Remember that terbutaline is used with caution in the client with diabetes
mellitus.
Zafirlukast is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which laboratory test does the nurse
expect to be prescribed before the administration of this medication?
a. Platelet count
b. Neutrophil count
System Drugs Revision Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
A client has been taking isoniazid for 2 months. The client complains to the nurse about
numbness, paresthesia’s, and tingling in the extremities. The nurse interprets that the client is
experiencing which problem?
a. Hypercalcemia
b. Peripheral neuritis
c. Small blood vessel spasm
d. Impaired peripheral circulation - correct answer: b. Peripheral neuritis
Rationale: Isoniazid is an antitubercular medication. A common side effect of isoniazid is
peripheral neuritis, manifested by numbness, tingling, and paresthesia’s in the extremities. This
can be minimized with pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake. Options 1, 3, and 4 are not associated
with the information in the question.
Strategy: Focus on the data in the question, numbness, paresthesias, and tingling in the
extremities. Options 3 and 4 would not cause the symptoms presented in the question but
instead would cause pallor and coolness. From the remaining options, you should know that
peripheral neuritis is an adverse effect of isoniazid, and that these signs and symptoms do not
correlate with hypercalcemia.
A client has a prescription to take guaifenesin. The nurse determines that the client understands
the proper administration of this medication if the client states that she or he will perform
which action?
a. Take an extra dose if fever develops
b. Take the medication with meals only
c. Take the tablet with a full glass of water
,d. Decrease the amount of daily fluid intake - correct answer: c. Take the tablet with a full glass
of water
Rationale: Guaifenesin is an expectorant and should be taken with a full glass of water to
decrease the viscosity of secretions. Extra doses should not be taken. The client should contact
the primary health care provider if the cough lasts longer than 1 week or is accompanied by
fever, rash, sore throat, or persistent headache. Fluids are needed to decrease the viscosity of
secretions. The medication does not have to be taken with meals.
Strategy: Begin to answer this question by eliminating option 1 first, recalling that extra doses of
medication should not be taken. Next, eliminate option 2 because of the closed-ended word
"only." Next, knowing that increased fluid helps liquefy secretions for more effective coughing
directs you to the correct option.
The nurse is preparing to administer a dose of naloxone intravenously to a client with an opioid
overdose. Which supportive medical equipment should the nurse plan to have at the client's
bedside?
a. Nasogastric tube
b. Paracentesis tray
c. Resuscitation equipment
d. Central line insertion tray - correct answer: c. Resuscitation equipment
Rationale: The nurse administering naloxone for suspected opioid overdose should have
resuscitation equipment readily available to support naloxone therapy if it is needed. Other
adjuncts that may be needed include oxygen, a mechanical ventilator, and vasopressors.
Strategy: Focus on the subject, supportive medical equipment. Note the words opioid overdose.
Recalling the effects of these types of medications will direct you to the correct option. The
correct option is also the umbrella option.
,The nurse teaches a client about the effects of diphenhydramine, which has been prescribed as
a cough suppressant. The nurse determines that the client needs further instruction if the client
makes which statement?
a. "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
b. "I won't drink alcohol while taking this medication."
c. "I won't do activities that require mental alertness while taking this medication."
d. "I will use sugarless gum, candy, or oral rinses to decrease dryness in my mouth." - correct
answer: a. "I will take the medication on an empty stomach."
Rationale: Diphenhydramine has several uses, including as an antihistamine, antitussive,
antidyskinetic, and sedative-hypnotic. Instructions for use include taking with food or milk to
decrease gastrointestinal upset and using oral rinses, sugarless gum, or hard candy to minimize
dry mouth. Because the medication causes drowsiness, the client should avoid use of alcohol or
central nervous system depressants, operating a car, or engaging in other activities requiring
mental awareness during use.
Strategy: Note the strategic words, needs further instruction. These words indicate a negative
event query and ask you to select an option that is incorrect. Knowing that the medication has a
sedative effect helps you eliminate options 2 and 3 first because they are comparable or alike.
Recalling that the medication causes a dry mouth helps you choose the correct option as the
answer, according to the way the question is stated.
A cromolyn sodium inhaler is prescribed for a client with allergic asthma. The nurse provides
instructions regarding the adverse effects of this medication and should tell the client that
which undesirable effect is associated with this medication?
a. Insomnia
b. Constipation
c. Hypotension
d. Bronchospasm - correct answer: d. Bronchospasm
, Rationale: Cromolyn sodium is an inhaled nonsteroidal antiallergy agent and a mast cell
stabilizer. Undesirable effects associated with inhalation therapy of cromolyn sodium are
bronchospasm, cough, nasal congestion, throat irritation, and wheezing. Clients receiving this
medication orally may experience pruritus, nausea, diarrhea, and myalgia.
Strategy: Note the words undesirable effect. This should assist in directing you to the correct
option. In addition, use the ABCs—airway, breathing, and circulation—to select the correct
option. The correct option addresses the airway.
Terbutaline is prescribed for a client with bronchitis. Which disorder in the client's medical
history requires caution by the nurse?
a. Osteoarthritis
b. Hypothyroidism
c. Diabetes mellitus
d. Polycystic disease - correct answer: c. Diabetes mellitus
Rationale: Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and is contraindicated in clients with hypersensitivity
to sympathomimetics. It should be used with caution in clients with impaired cardiac function,
diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or a history of seizures. The medication may
increase blood glucose levels.
Focus on the subject, cautions for using terbutaline. Specific knowledge regarding the
contraindications and cautions associated with the use of this medication is needed to answer
this question. Remember that terbutaline is used with caution in the client with diabetes
mellitus.
Zafirlukast is prescribed for a client with bronchial asthma. Which laboratory test does the nurse
expect to be prescribed before the administration of this medication?
a. Platelet count
b. Neutrophil count
