PHARMACOLOGY AND EKG TEST HCA
HIRES FOR NURSES PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ A nurse is reviewing new prescriptions with a client who has heart disease.
The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following drugs is
prescribed to treat hypercholesterolemia?
A. Simvastatin
B. Furosemide
C. Losartan
D. Nitroglycerin.
Answer: A. Simvastatin
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is taking carvedilol and has a prescription
for an oral antidiabetic drug to manage their new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes mellitus. By taking both drugs concurrently, the nurse should
identify that the client is at an increased risk for which of the following
conditions?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia.
Answer: D. Hypoglycemia
◍ A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine
phosphokinase (CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset
of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness.
, B. Nausea and vomiting.
C. Excessive bruising.
D. Peripheral edema..
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness.
◍ An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk
for coronary artery disease?
A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides (Type of fat)
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein).
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
◍ NGN - Patient DataHistory and Physical:The client is a 36-year-old female
with moderate persistent asthma. She takes fluticasone/salmeterol 250
mcg/50 mcg 1 inhalation twice daily and albuterol 90 mcg/inhalation 2
inhalations every 4-6 hours as needed.Nurses notes:The client states that she
has had more severe asthma symptoms than usual in the past week. Her
forced expiratory volume has been 60-65% even with multiple doses of
albuterol for several days in a row. She came to the hospital feeling dizzy,
lightheaded, and complaining of “heart palpitations”. Upon assessment, no
wheezes were found. Her oxygen saturation is 99%.Review H and P, and
nurse’s note. Identify from the choices below which condition the client is
most likely experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that
condition, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s
progress..
Answer: Potential Condition: MethemoglobinemiaActions to Take:1. Draw
blood for a complete blood count2. Administer methylene blueParameters to
Monitor:1. Methemoglobin level2. Heart rate and rhythm
◍ A nurse should identify that which of the following drugs is used only for
the short-term treatment of a cardiac dysrhythmia because of the serious
adverse effects associated with long-term use?
, A. Quinidine
B. Procainamide
C. Nitroglyceride
D. Verapamil.
Answer: B. Procainamide
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for verapamil to
treat atrial fibrillation. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid drinking
grapefruit juice while taking verapamil because it can cause the client to
experience which of the following conditions?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dehydration
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypotension.
Answer: D. Hypotension
◍ A nurse should recognize that milrinone is contraindicated for a client who
has which of the following conditions?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Peripheral vascular disease
C. Ulcerative colitis
D. Ventricular tachycardia.
Answer: A. Acute myocardial infarction
◍ A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for quinidine. Which
of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Monitor your pulse rate and report changes."
B. "Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking this medication."
C. "This medication can decrease digoxin levels."
D. "This medication can cause urinary incontinence.".
Answer: A. "Monitor your pulse rate and report changes."
◍ The nurse provide discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed
gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three times a day for post herpetic neuralgia.
Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the healthcare
, provider?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Gastric irritation
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Photosensitivity.
Answer: B. Gastric irritation
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for aliskiren to treat
hypertension. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
findings as an adverse effect of the drug? (Select all that apply).
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Throat swelling
C. Constipation
D. Cough
E. Joint pain.
Answer: A, B, D
◍ A client with chronic lower back pain has been taking non steroidal
anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug ibuprofen by mouth twice a day for
several months. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to
complete?
A. Assess back pain using numeric scale
B. Palpate volume of pedal pulses
C. Determine presence of abdominal pain
D. Evaluate ongoing sleep patterns.
Answer: C. Determine presence of abdominal pain
◍ A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for nitroglycerin.
The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following
manifestations is a potential adverse effect of this drug?
A. Headache
B. Constipation
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia.
HIRES FOR NURSES PRACTICE
EXAMINATION 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS GRADED A+
◍ A nurse is reviewing new prescriptions with a client who has heart disease.
The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following drugs is
prescribed to treat hypercholesterolemia?
A. Simvastatin
B. Furosemide
C. Losartan
D. Nitroglycerin.
Answer: A. Simvastatin
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who is taking carvedilol and has a prescription
for an oral antidiabetic drug to manage their new diagnosis of type 2
diabetes mellitus. By taking both drugs concurrently, the nurse should
identify that the client is at an increased risk for which of the following
conditions?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia.
Answer: D. Hypoglycemia
◍ A client taking atorvastatin develops an increased serum creatine
phosphokinase (CK) level. The nurse should assess the client for the onset
of which problem?
A. Muscle tenderness.
, B. Nausea and vomiting.
C. Excessive bruising.
D. Peripheral edema..
Answer: A. Muscle tenderness.
◍ An increase in which serum laboratory value indicates to the nurse that a
prescription for atorvastatin is having the desired effect for a client at risk
for coronary artery disease?
A. LDL (Low-density lipoprotein)
B. Triglycerides (Type of fat)
C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
D. VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein).
Answer: C. HDL (High-density lipoprotein)
◍ NGN - Patient DataHistory and Physical:The client is a 36-year-old female
with moderate persistent asthma. She takes fluticasone/salmeterol 250
mcg/50 mcg 1 inhalation twice daily and albuterol 90 mcg/inhalation 2
inhalations every 4-6 hours as needed.Nurses notes:The client states that she
has had more severe asthma symptoms than usual in the past week. Her
forced expiratory volume has been 60-65% even with multiple doses of
albuterol for several days in a row. She came to the hospital feeling dizzy,
lightheaded, and complaining of “heart palpitations”. Upon assessment, no
wheezes were found. Her oxygen saturation is 99%.Review H and P, and
nurse’s note. Identify from the choices below which condition the client is
most likely experiencing, two actions the nurse should take to address that
condition, and two parameters the nurse should monitor to assess the client’s
progress..
Answer: Potential Condition: MethemoglobinemiaActions to Take:1. Draw
blood for a complete blood count2. Administer methylene blueParameters to
Monitor:1. Methemoglobin level2. Heart rate and rhythm
◍ A nurse should identify that which of the following drugs is used only for
the short-term treatment of a cardiac dysrhythmia because of the serious
adverse effects associated with long-term use?
, A. Quinidine
B. Procainamide
C. Nitroglyceride
D. Verapamil.
Answer: B. Procainamide
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for verapamil to
treat atrial fibrillation. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid drinking
grapefruit juice while taking verapamil because it can cause the client to
experience which of the following conditions?
A. Tachycardia
B. Dehydration
C. Diarrhea
D. Hypotension.
Answer: D. Hypotension
◍ A nurse should recognize that milrinone is contraindicated for a client who
has which of the following conditions?
A. Acute myocardial infarction
B. Peripheral vascular disease
C. Ulcerative colitis
D. Ventricular tachycardia.
Answer: A. Acute myocardial infarction
◍ A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for quinidine. Which
of the following statements should the nurse include?
A. "Monitor your pulse rate and report changes."
B. "Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking this medication."
C. "This medication can decrease digoxin levels."
D. "This medication can cause urinary incontinence.".
Answer: A. "Monitor your pulse rate and report changes."
◍ The nurse provide discharge instructions to a client who has been prescribed
gabapentin 300 mg by mouth three times a day for post herpetic neuralgia.
Which symptoms should the nurse tell the client to report to the healthcare
, provider?
A. Sexual dysfunction
B. Gastric irritation
C. Rapid weight gain
D. Photosensitivity.
Answer: B. Gastric irritation
◍ A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for aliskiren to treat
hypertension. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following
findings as an adverse effect of the drug? (Select all that apply).
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Throat swelling
C. Constipation
D. Cough
E. Joint pain.
Answer: A, B, D
◍ A client with chronic lower back pain has been taking non steroidal
anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug ibuprofen by mouth twice a day for
several months. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to
complete?
A. Assess back pain using numeric scale
B. Palpate volume of pedal pulses
C. Determine presence of abdominal pain
D. Evaluate ongoing sleep patterns.
Answer: C. Determine presence of abdominal pain
◍ A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for nitroglycerin.
The nurse should instruct the client that which of the following
manifestations is a potential adverse effect of this drug?
A. Headache
B. Constipation
C. Hypertension
D. Hyperglycemia.
