PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES NURSING STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years. The
healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril to manage
the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?: A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair. Correct
The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which has the side ettect ofortho-
static hypotension. Instructing the client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is important to teach the
client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
2. A female client calls the clinic and talks with the nurse to inquire about
a possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having
vaginal discomfort, itching, and a white discharge. The nurse should discuss
which action with the client?: Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided.
Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this ettect. Correct
Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions.
A superinfection with normal flora yeast may occur during antibiotic therapy. If suspected, the new onset of findings
should be reported to the healthcare provider for another prescribed treatment to treat the superinfection.
3. The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients when a client
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse administers
a PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor agonist agent. Which client response
should the nurse expect?: Tachycardia.
Increased blood pressure.
Rapid resolution of wheezing. Correct
, PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES NURSING STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
Improved pulse oximetry values. Correct
Reduce fever airway inflammation.
Beta 2 receptor agonist agents should provide immediate return of airflow and resolve wheezing and improve
oxygenation.
4. A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg, display-
ing a sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of
0.24. Which action should the nurse take?: Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for
orthostatic vital sign changes.
Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client. Correct
Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider.
Since the client's blood pressure is within normal limits, and the pulse is above 50 beats/min with a first degree
block, the medication can be administered. Atenolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and lowers the blood
pressure; this drug is generally held if the heart rate is less than 50 beats/min or the client exhibits dizziness related
to hypotension.
5. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an angiotensin
II receptor blocker (ARB), for a client with hypertension and heart failure. The
nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes that the client's serum
potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first?: Withhold
the scheduled dose. Correct
Check the client's apical pulse.
Notify the healthcare provider.
Repeat the serum potassium level.
, PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES NURSING STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
The nurse should first withhold the scheduled dose of Cozaar because the client is hyperkalemic (normal range 3.5 to
5 mEq/l). Although hypokalemia is usually associated with diuretic therapy in heart failure, hyperkalemia is associated
with several heart failure medications, including ARBs. Because hyperkalemia may lead to cardiac dysrhythmias, the
nurse should check the apical pulse for rate and rhythm, and blood pressure.
Awarded 1.0 points out of 1.0 possible
6. Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should
the nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)-
: Albuterol (Proventil) putts.
Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus).
Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
Status asthmaticus is potentially a life-threatening respiratory event, so albuterol, a beta2 adrenergic agonist and
short acting bronchodilator, should be administered by inhalation first to provide rapid and deep topical penetration
to relieve bronchospasms, dilate the bronchioles, and increase oxygenation. In stepwise management of persistent
asthma, a long-action bronchodilator, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), with a 12-hour duration of action should
be given next. Prednisone, an oral corticosteroid, provides prolonged anti-inflammatory ettects and should be given
after the client's respiratory distress begins to resolves. Gentamicin, an antibiotic, is given deep IM, which can be
painful, and may require repositioning the client, so should be last in the sequence.
7. 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?: Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure. Correct
Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
1. The nurse is caring for a client who has taken atenolol for 2 years. The
healthcare provider recently changed the medication to enalapril to manage
the client's blood pressure. Which instruction should the nurse provide the
client regarding the new medication?: A. Take the medication at bedtime.
B. Report presence of increased bruising.
C. Check pulse before taking medication.
D. Rise slowly when getting out of bed or chair. Correct
The client's new medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which has the side ettect ofortho-
static hypotension. Instructing the client to rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position is important to teach the
client to avoid dizziness and potentially falling.
2. A female client calls the clinic and talks with the nurse to inquire about
a possible reaction after taking amoxicillin for 5 days. She reports having
vaginal discomfort, itching, and a white discharge. The nurse should discuss
which action with the client?: Discontinue the antibiotic because original symptoms have subsided.
Continue taking medication until finished until the symptoms subside.
Consult with healthcare provider about another treatment for this ettect. Correct
Use an over-the-counter (OTC) vaginal wash to flush out the secretions.
A superinfection with normal flora yeast may occur during antibiotic therapy. If suspected, the new onset of findings
should be reported to the healthcare provider for another prescribed treatment to treat the superinfection.
3. The nurse is making early morning rounds on a group of clients when a client
begins exhibiting symptoms of an acute asthma attack. The nurse administers
a PRN prescription for a Beta 2 receptor agonist agent. Which client response
should the nurse expect?: Tachycardia.
Increased blood pressure.
Rapid resolution of wheezing. Correct
, PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES NURSING STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
Improved pulse oximetry values. Correct
Reduce fever airway inflammation.
Beta 2 receptor agonist agents should provide immediate return of airflow and resolve wheezing and improve
oxygenation.
4. A client prescribed atenolol has a blood pressure of 120/68 mmHg, display-
ing a sinus bradycardia with a rate of 58 beats/minute, and a P-R interval of
0.24. Which action should the nurse take?: Lower the head of the bed and assess the client for
orthostatic vital sign changes.
Give the medication as prescribed and continue to monitor the client. Correct
Prepare to administer atropine sulfate IV push.
Hold the prescribed dose and contact the healthcare provider.
Since the client's blood pressure is within normal limits, and the pulse is above 50 beats/min with a first degree
block, the medication can be administered. Atenolol is a beta-blocker that slows the heart rate and lowers the blood
pressure; this drug is generally held if the heart rate is less than 50 beats/min or the client exhibits dizziness related
to hypotension.
5. The nurse is preparing the 0900 dose of losartan (Cozaar), an angiotensin
II receptor blocker (ARB), for a client with hypertension and heart failure. The
nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes that the client's serum
potassium level is 5.9 mEq/L. Which action should the nurse take first?: Withhold
the scheduled dose. Correct
Check the client's apical pulse.
Notify the healthcare provider.
Repeat the serum potassium level.
, PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE HESI EXAM QUESTIONS AND RATIONALES NURSING STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE REVIEW MATERIAL VERIFIED A+ ALREADY GRADED (2026-2027)
The nurse should first withhold the scheduled dose of Cozaar because the client is hyperkalemic (normal range 3.5 to
5 mEq/l). Although hypokalemia is usually associated with diuretic therapy in heart failure, hyperkalemia is associated
with several heart failure medications, including ARBs. Because hyperkalemia may lead to cardiac dysrhythmias, the
nurse should check the apical pulse for rate and rhythm, and blood pressure.
Awarded 1.0 points out of 1.0 possible
6. Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should
the nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)-
: Albuterol (Proventil) putts.
Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus).
Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
Status asthmaticus is potentially a life-threatening respiratory event, so albuterol, a beta2 adrenergic agonist and
short acting bronchodilator, should be administered by inhalation first to provide rapid and deep topical penetration
to relieve bronchospasms, dilate the bronchioles, and increase oxygenation. In stepwise management of persistent
asthma, a long-action bronchodilator, such as salmeterol (Serevent Diskus), with a 12-hour duration of action should
be given next. Prednisone, an oral corticosteroid, provides prolonged anti-inflammatory ettects and should be given
after the client's respiratory distress begins to resolves. Gentamicin, an antibiotic, is given deep IM, which can be
painful, and may require repositioning the client, so should be last in the sequence.
7. 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?: Apply the patch at least 4 hours prior to departure. Correct
Change the patch every other day while on the cruise.
Place the patch on a hairless area at the base of the skull.
Drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks during the cruise.
