PHARMACOLOGY HESI V2 (NCLEX-PN) NEWEST 2026
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| HESI PN
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A) Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B) Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C) Peripheral edema +3
D) Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility (positive
inotropy) and reduces preload, improving cardiac output. A
therapeutic response includes decreased dyspnea, improved lung
sounds, and reduced edema. Bradycardia (52 bpm) is a sign of
digoxin toxicity. Edema and jugular vein distention indicate
worsening heart failure, not improvement .
1
,2. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client
with pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires
immediate action?
A) Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). A level of 3.2
mEq/L increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially if the
client is also on digoxin. Adequate urine output (200 mL in 2
hours) is expected. The blood pressure and respiratory rate are
within normal limits .
3. A client receives a new prescription for nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat) tablets. Which instruction should the nurse include
in client teaching?
A) Take the medication at least one hour before every meal
B) Monitor your pulse for 60 seconds before administration
2
,C) Place under the tongue as needed every 5 minutes up to 3
times
D) Resume normal activities after chest pain relief is obtained
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is:
take one tablet at the onset of chest pain. If pain is not relieved
in 5 minutes, call 911, then take a second tablet. If pain persists
another 5 minutes, take a third tablet. Do not delay seeking
emergency care. Patients should sit or lie down before taking
nitroglycerin due to the risk of hypotension .
4. A nurse monitors a client receiving IV heparin. Which
laboratory value indicates the heparin is therapeutic?
A) aPTT of 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
B) INR of 2.5
C) Platelet count of 50,000/mm³
D) PT of 12 seconds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic goal for heparin therapy is an aPTT
of 1.5–2.5 times the control value (45–75 seconds if control is 30
3
, seconds). Option A represents 2 times the control—therapeutic.
INR monitors warfarin therapy. A platelet count of 50,000/mm³
is low and may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
PT monitors the extrinsic pathway and warfarin therapy .
5. A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare
provider prescribes disopyramide (Norpace). After explaining
the action of this antidysrhythmic agent, which complaint
should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Joint pain
B) Drowsiness
C) Hypotension
D) Dry mouth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disopyramide, a Class Ia antidysrhythmic, can cause
significant hypotension due to its negative inotropic effects and
vasodilation. Clients should be instructed to report dizziness or
lightheadedness. Dry mouth and drowsiness are anticholinergic
side effects but are not the most critical to report .
4
ACTUAL EXAM TEST BANK| HESI PN
PHARMACOLOGY EXAM WITH COMPLETE 300 REAL
EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST
RECENT!!)
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed digoxin. Which
finding indicates a therapeutic response to the medication?
A) Heart rate of 52 beats/min
B) Decreased shortness of breath and clear lung sounds
C) Peripheral edema +3
D) Jugular vein distention while sitting upright
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility (positive
inotropy) and reduces preload, improving cardiac output. A
therapeutic response includes decreased dyspnea, improved lung
sounds, and reduced edema. Bradycardia (52 bpm) is a sign of
digoxin toxicity. Edema and jugular vein distention indicate
worsening heart failure, not improvement .
1
,2. A nurse administers furosemide intravenously to a client
with pulmonary edema. Which assessment finding requires
immediate action?
A) Urine output of 200 mL in 2 hours
B) Serum potassium of 3.2 mEq/L
C) Blood pressure of 135/85 mm Hg
D) Respiratory rate of 20 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause
hypokalemia (normal potassium is 3.5-5.0 mEq/L). A level of 3.2
mEq/L increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially if the
client is also on digoxin. Adequate urine output (200 mL in 2
hours) is expected. The blood pressure and respiratory rate are
within normal limits .
3. A client receives a new prescription for nitroglycerin
(Nitrostat) tablets. Which instruction should the nurse include
in client teaching?
A) Take the medication at least one hour before every meal
B) Monitor your pulse for 60 seconds before administration
2
,C) Place under the tongue as needed every 5 minutes up to 3
times
D) Resume normal activities after chest pain relief is obtained
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct protocol for sublingual nitroglycerin is:
take one tablet at the onset of chest pain. If pain is not relieved
in 5 minutes, call 911, then take a second tablet. If pain persists
another 5 minutes, take a third tablet. Do not delay seeking
emergency care. Patients should sit or lie down before taking
nitroglycerin due to the risk of hypotension .
4. A nurse monitors a client receiving IV heparin. Which
laboratory value indicates the heparin is therapeutic?
A) aPTT of 60 seconds (control 30 seconds)
B) INR of 2.5
C) Platelet count of 50,000/mm³
D) PT of 12 seconds
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The therapeutic goal for heparin therapy is an aPTT
of 1.5–2.5 times the control value (45–75 seconds if control is 30
3
, seconds). Option A represents 2 times the control—therapeutic.
INR monitors warfarin therapy. A platelet count of 50,000/mm³
is low and may indicate heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
PT monitors the extrinsic pathway and warfarin therapy .
5. A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the healthcare
provider prescribes disopyramide (Norpace). After explaining
the action of this antidysrhythmic agent, which complaint
should the nurse instruct the client to report?
A) Joint pain
B) Drowsiness
C) Hypotension
D) Dry mouth
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Disopyramide, a Class Ia antidysrhythmic, can cause
significant hypotension due to its negative inotropic effects and
vasodilation. Clients should be instructed to report dizziness or
lightheadedness. Dry mouth and drowsiness are anticholinergic
side effects but are not the most critical to report .
4
