HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM Q & A
100% CORRECTLY VERIFIED ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 GRADED A+
HESI
PHARMACOLOGY
• A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex) for
a client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse
to assess for what additional drug allergy before administering this
prescription?
A) Penicillins.
B) Aminoglycosides.
C) Erythromycins.
D) Sulfonamid
es. A)
Penicillins.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins (A) and cephalosporins, such as
cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex), so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise
precaution before administering this drug.
• Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a
client receiving the antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for
chemotherapy?
A) Hydrate the client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
B) Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
,C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
D) Monitor the client's urine pH for
increased acidity. C) Inspect the client's
oral mucosa for ulcerations.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity (C). (A, B, and D) are not typical interventions associated with the
administration of antimetabolites.
• When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(Tylenol), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body?
A) Flank.
B) Abdomen.
C) Chest.
D) Head.
B) Abdomen.
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially
important for the
,nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (B),
which might indicate liver damage. (A, C, and D) are not areas where pain
would be anticipated.
• An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch
(Transderm Scop) to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which
information should the nurse provide to the client?
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
C) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks
during the cruise. A) Apply the patch at least 4
hours prior to departure.
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and
has a peak onset in 6 hours, so the client should be instructed to apply the
patch at least 4 hours before departure (A) on the cruise ship. The duration of
the transdermal patch is 72 hours, so (B) is not needed.
Scolopamine blocks muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to the vomiting
center, so the best application site of the patch is behind the ear, not at the base
of the skull (C). Anticholinergic medications are CNS depressants, so the client
should be instructed to avoid alcohol (D) while using the patch.
• The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump with a client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will
receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes
, per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. What assessment has the
highest priority before initiating the PCA pump?
A) The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B) The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
C) The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D) The client's subjective and objective
signs of pain. B) The rate and depth of the
client's respirations.
A life-threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine
sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is respiratory depression (B). The PCA pump
should be stopped and the healthcare provider notified if the client's
respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute, and the nurse should
anticipate adjustments in the client's dosage before the PCA pump is
restarted. (A, C, and D) provide helpful information, but are not as high a
priority as the assessment described in (B).
100% CORRECTLY VERIFIED ANSWERS
LATEST UPDATE 2026/2027 GRADED A+
HESI
PHARMACOLOGY
• A healthcare provider prescribes cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex) for
a client with a postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse
to assess for what additional drug allergy before administering this
prescription?
A) Penicillins.
B) Aminoglycosides.
C) Erythromycins.
D) Sulfonamid
es. A)
Penicillins.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins (A) and cephalosporins, such as
cephalexin monohydrate (Keflex), so checking for penicillin allergy is a wise
precaution before administering this drug.
• Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a
client receiving the antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for
chemotherapy?
A) Hydrate the client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
B) Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
,C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
D) Monitor the client's urine pH for
increased acidity. C) Inspect the client's
oral mucosa for ulcerations.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the body,
therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of antimetabolite
toxicity (C). (A, B, and D) are not typical interventions associated with the
administration of antimetabolites.
• When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(Tylenol), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of
the body?
A) Flank.
B) Abdomen.
C) Chest.
D) Head.
B) Abdomen.
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially
important for the
,nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (B),
which might indicate liver damage. (A, C, and D) are not areas where pain
would be anticipated.
• An adult client is given a prescription for a scopolamine patch
(Transderm Scop) to prevent motion sickness while on a cruise. Which
information should the nurse provide to the client?
A) Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure.
B) Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
C) Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
D) Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks
during the cruise. A) Apply the patch at least 4
hours prior to departure.
Scopolamine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to prevent motion sickness and
has a peak onset in 6 hours, so the client should be instructed to apply the
patch at least 4 hours before departure (A) on the cruise ship. The duration of
the transdermal patch is 72 hours, so (B) is not needed.
Scolopamine blocks muscarinic receptors in the inner ear and to the vomiting
center, so the best application site of the patch is behind the ear, not at the base
of the skull (C). Anticholinergic medications are CNS depressants, so the client
should be instructed to avoid alcohol (D) while using the patch.
• The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump with a client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will
receive morphine 1 mg IV per hour basal rate with 1 mg IV every 15 minutes
, per PCA to total 5 mg IV maximally per hour. What assessment has the
highest priority before initiating the PCA pump?
A) The expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B) The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
C) The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D) The client's subjective and objective
signs of pain. B) The rate and depth of the
client's respirations.
A life-threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine
sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is respiratory depression (B). The PCA pump
should be stopped and the healthcare provider notified if the client's
respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per minute, and the nurse should
anticipate adjustments in the client's dosage before the PCA pump is
restarted. (A, C, and D) provide helpful information, but are not as high a
priority as the assessment described in (B).
