2026 HESI Pharmacology V1 Questions
And Answers
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's
serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL.Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer asprescribed to the client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Largedoses of vitamin D - (Correct Answer) `3.Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serumcalcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client isexperiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride aremedications used for the
treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acutehypocalcemia. Inhypercalcemia,
largedoses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases
the plasma calcium level by inhibiting boneresorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
Oral iron supplements areprescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron withwhich best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Applejuice
4. Orangejuice - (Correct Answer) `4. Orange juice
Rationale:
,Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mothershould be
instructed toadminister themedication with a citrus fruit ora juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorptionof the iron. Water will not assist inabsorption.
Orange juicecontains a greateramount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid isprescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nursemonitors
theclient, knowing that which of the following would indicate thepresence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - (Correct Answer)`1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid isabsorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result.Symptoms includetinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea,and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they haveapplied
sunscreen. The nursexremindsxthexchildrenxthatxchemicalxsunscreensxarexmost
effectivewhenapplied:
1.xImmediatelybeforeswimming
2.x15xminutesxbeforexexposurextoxthexsun
3.xImmediatelyxbeforexexposurextoxthexsun
4.xAtxleastx30xminutesxbeforexexposurextoxthexsunx-
x(Correct
minutes xAnswer)x`4.xAtx
xbeforeexposure least
xto x30
xthe xsun
Rationale:
Sunscreensxarexmostxeffectivexwhenappliedxatxleastx30xminutesbeforexexposurextoxth
e
sunxsoxthatxtheyxcanxpenetratexthexskin.xAllsunscreensxshouldxbereapplied xafter
swimmingxorxsweating
,x
Mafenidexacetatex(Sulfamylon)xisxprescribedxforxthexclientxwithxaxburnxinjury.xWhen
applyingxthemedication,xthexclientxcomplainsxofxlocalxdiscomfortxandxburning.xWhic
h
ofxthefollowingxisxthexmostxappropriatexnursingxaction?
1.xNotifyingxthexregisteredxnurse
2.xDiscontinuingxthexmedication
3.xInformingxthexclientxthatxthisxisxnormal
4.xApplyingxaxthinnerxfilmxthanxprescribedxtoxthexburnxsitex-
x(CorrectxxAnswer)
Informing thexclientx`3.
xthatxthisxisxnormal
Rationale:
Mafenidexacetatexisxbacteriostaticxforgram-negativeandxgram-positivexorganismsxand
isxusedxtoxtreatxburnsxtoxreducebacteriaxpresentxinxavascularxtissues.xThexclientxshoul
d
bexinformedxthatxthemedicationxwillxcausexlocalxdiscomfortxandxburningxandxthatxthisx
is
The xburnclient
axnormal xisreceiving xtreatments
xreaction;therefore xoptionsx1,xxoftopical xmafenide
2,xandx4xare xacetatex(Sulfamylon)xtoxth
xincorrect
e
sitexofxinjury.xThexnursexmonitorsxthexclient,xknowingxthatxwhichxofxthexfollowing
indicatesxthatxaxsystemicxeffectxhasxoccurred?1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevatedxbloodxpressure
3.Localxpainxatxthexburnxsite
4.Localxrashxatxthexburnxsitex-
x(CorrectxAnswer)x`1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenidexacetatexisa xcarbonicxanhydrasexinhibitorxandxcanxsuppressxrenalxexcretionx
of
acid,therebycausingacidosis. xClientsxreceivingxthisxtreatmentxshouldxbexmonitored
forxsignsxofxanacid-baseximbalancex(hyperventilation).xIfxthisxoccurs,xthexmedication
shouldxbediscontinuedxforx1xtox2xdays.xOptionsx3xandx4xdescribexlocalxratherxthan
syeffects.xAnxelevatedxbloodxpressurexmayxbexexpectedxfromxthexpainxthatxoccursxwith
xa
Isotretinoin
burnxinjury.xisxprescribedxforxaxclientxwithxseverexacne.xBeforetheadministration xo
f
thisxmedication,thenursexanticipatesxthatxwhichxlaboratorytestxwillxbeprescribed?
,x
1.xPlateletxcount
2.xTriglyceridexlevel
3.xCompleteblood xcount
4.xWhitexbloodxcellxcountx-
x(CorrectxAnswer)`2. xTriglyceridexlevel
Rationale:
Isotretinoinxcanxelevatextriglyceridexlevels.Bloodxtriglyceridexlevelsshouldxbe
measuredxbeforetreatmentxandxperiodicallythereafterxuntilxthexeffectxonxthe
triglyceridesxhasxbeenxevaluated.xOptionsx1,x3,xandx4do xnotxneedxtoxbexmonitore
d
specificallyxduringxthisxtreatment.
Axclientxwithxseverexacnexisxseenxinxthexclinicxandxthexhealthxcareproviderx(HCP)
prescribesxisotretinoin.xThexnursexreviewsxthexclient'smedicationrecord xandxwoul
d
contactxthex(HCP)xifxthexclientxisxtakingxwhichmedication?
1.xVitaminxA
2.xDigoxinx(Lanoxin)
3.xFurosemidex(Lasix)
4.xPhenytoinx(Dilantin)x-
x(CorrectxAnswer)x`1.xVitaminxA
Rationale:
IsotretinoinxisxaxmetabolitexofxvitaminxAxandxcanxproducexgeneralizedxintensificationx
of
isotretinoinxtoxicity.xBecausexofxthexpotentialxforxincreasedxtoxicity,vitaminxA
supplementsxshouldxbexdiscontinuedxbeforeisotretinoinxtherapy.Optionsx2,x3,xandx4
arexnotxcontraindicatedxwithxthexusexofxisotretinoin
Thexnursexisxapplyingxaxtopicalxcorticosteroidxtoxaxclientxwithxeczema.xThexnursewou
ld
monitorxforxthexpotentialxforincreasedxsystemicxabsorptionxofxthemedicationxifxthe
medicationxwerexbeingxappliedxtoxwhichxofxthexfollowingxbodyareas?
1.xBack
2.xAxilla
3.xSolesxofxthexfeet
And Answers
A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's
serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL.Which medication should the nurse prepare to
administer asprescribed to the client?1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Largedoses of vitamin D - (Correct Answer) `3.Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serumcalcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client isexperiencing
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride aremedications used for the
treatment of tetany, which occurs as a result of acutehypocalcemia. Inhypercalcemia,
largedoses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases
the plasma calcium level by inhibiting boneresorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
Oral iron supplements areprescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron withwhich best food
item?
1. Milk
2. Water
3. Applejuice
4. Orangejuice - (Correct Answer) `4. Orange juice
Rationale:
,Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mothershould be
instructed toadminister themedication with a citrus fruit ora juice that is high in
vitamin C. Milk may affect absorptionof the iron. Water will not assist inabsorption.
Orange juicecontains a greateramount of vitamin C than apple juice.
Salicylic acid isprescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nursemonitors
theclient, knowing that which of the following would indicate thepresence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased Respirations - (Correct Answer)`1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid isabsorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result.Symptoms includetinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea,and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they haveapplied
sunscreen. The nursexremindsxthexchildrenxthatxchemicalxsunscreensxarexmost
effectivewhenapplied:
1.xImmediatelybeforeswimming
2.x15xminutesxbeforexexposurextoxthexsun
3.xImmediatelyxbeforexexposurextoxthexsun
4.xAtxleastx30xminutesxbeforexexposurextoxthexsunx-
x(Correct
minutes xAnswer)x`4.xAtx
xbeforeexposure least
xto x30
xthe xsun
Rationale:
Sunscreensxarexmostxeffectivexwhenappliedxatxleastx30xminutesbeforexexposurextoxth
e
sunxsoxthatxtheyxcanxpenetratexthexskin.xAllsunscreensxshouldxbereapplied xafter
swimmingxorxsweating
,x
Mafenidexacetatex(Sulfamylon)xisxprescribedxforxthexclientxwithxaxburnxinjury.xWhen
applyingxthemedication,xthexclientxcomplainsxofxlocalxdiscomfortxandxburning.xWhic
h
ofxthefollowingxisxthexmostxappropriatexnursingxaction?
1.xNotifyingxthexregisteredxnurse
2.xDiscontinuingxthexmedication
3.xInformingxthexclientxthatxthisxisxnormal
4.xApplyingxaxthinnerxfilmxthanxprescribedxtoxthexburnxsitex-
x(CorrectxxAnswer)
Informing thexclientx`3.
xthatxthisxisxnormal
Rationale:
Mafenidexacetatexisxbacteriostaticxforgram-negativeandxgram-positivexorganismsxand
isxusedxtoxtreatxburnsxtoxreducebacteriaxpresentxinxavascularxtissues.xThexclientxshoul
d
bexinformedxthatxthemedicationxwillxcausexlocalxdiscomfortxandxburningxandxthatxthisx
is
The xburnclient
axnormal xisreceiving xtreatments
xreaction;therefore xoptionsx1,xxoftopical xmafenide
2,xandx4xare xacetatex(Sulfamylon)xtoxth
xincorrect
e
sitexofxinjury.xThexnursexmonitorsxthexclient,xknowingxthatxwhichxofxthexfollowing
indicatesxthatxaxsystemicxeffectxhasxoccurred?1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevatedxbloodxpressure
3.Localxpainxatxthexburnxsite
4.Localxrashxatxthexburnxsitex-
x(CorrectxAnswer)x`1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenidexacetatexisa xcarbonicxanhydrasexinhibitorxandxcanxsuppressxrenalxexcretionx
of
acid,therebycausingacidosis. xClientsxreceivingxthisxtreatmentxshouldxbexmonitored
forxsignsxofxanacid-baseximbalancex(hyperventilation).xIfxthisxoccurs,xthexmedication
shouldxbediscontinuedxforx1xtox2xdays.xOptionsx3xandx4xdescribexlocalxratherxthan
syeffects.xAnxelevatedxbloodxpressurexmayxbexexpectedxfromxthexpainxthatxoccursxwith
xa
Isotretinoin
burnxinjury.xisxprescribedxforxaxclientxwithxseverexacne.xBeforetheadministration xo
f
thisxmedication,thenursexanticipatesxthatxwhichxlaboratorytestxwillxbeprescribed?
,x
1.xPlateletxcount
2.xTriglyceridexlevel
3.xCompleteblood xcount
4.xWhitexbloodxcellxcountx-
x(CorrectxAnswer)`2. xTriglyceridexlevel
Rationale:
Isotretinoinxcanxelevatextriglyceridexlevels.Bloodxtriglyceridexlevelsshouldxbe
measuredxbeforetreatmentxandxperiodicallythereafterxuntilxthexeffectxonxthe
triglyceridesxhasxbeenxevaluated.xOptionsx1,x3,xandx4do xnotxneedxtoxbexmonitore
d
specificallyxduringxthisxtreatment.
Axclientxwithxseverexacnexisxseenxinxthexclinicxandxthexhealthxcareproviderx(HCP)
prescribesxisotretinoin.xThexnursexreviewsxthexclient'smedicationrecord xandxwoul
d
contactxthex(HCP)xifxthexclientxisxtakingxwhichmedication?
1.xVitaminxA
2.xDigoxinx(Lanoxin)
3.xFurosemidex(Lasix)
4.xPhenytoinx(Dilantin)x-
x(CorrectxAnswer)x`1.xVitaminxA
Rationale:
IsotretinoinxisxaxmetabolitexofxvitaminxAxandxcanxproducexgeneralizedxintensificationx
of
isotretinoinxtoxicity.xBecausexofxthexpotentialxforxincreasedxtoxicity,vitaminxA
supplementsxshouldxbexdiscontinuedxbeforeisotretinoinxtherapy.Optionsx2,x3,xandx4
arexnotxcontraindicatedxwithxthexusexofxisotretinoin
Thexnursexisxapplyingxaxtopicalxcorticosteroidxtoxaxclientxwithxeczema.xThexnursewou
ld
monitorxforxthexpotentialxforincreasedxsystemicxabsorptionxofxthemedicationxifxthe
medicationxwerexbeingxappliedxtoxwhichxofxthexfollowingxbodyareas?
1.xBack
2.xAxilla
3.xSolesxofxthexfeet
