NGN HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
TEST BANK (4 VERSIONS) QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
NGN HESI RN Pharmacology Exam – Version 1
1. A 55-year-old patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which
assessment finding should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cough
C. Tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause a persistent dry cough due to
accumulation of bradykinin. Monitoring for this adverse effect is essential.
2. A patient receiving warfarin therapy asks why frequent blood tests are
needed. What is the best explanation?
A. “Warfarin interacts with most foods.”
B. “Warfarin affects your clotting time, which must be monitored via INR.”
C. “Blood tests are only needed if you feel unwell.”
D. “This helps prevent infection from the drug.”
Answer: B. “Warfarin affects your clotting time, which must be monitored via
INR.”
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors. The INR ensures the patient remains in the therapeutic range to prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
,3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which instruction is
most important?
A. “Take this medication with meals to reduce GI upset.”
B. “Monitor for hypoglycemia daily.”
C. “Avoid drinking water while on this medication.”
D. “Check liver function weekly.”
Answer: A. “Take this medication with meals to reduce GI upset.”
Rationale: Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it with meals
helps reduce nausea and diarrhea. Hypoglycemia is rare with metformin alone.
4. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which lab value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Glucose
D. Platelets
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide can cause hypokalemia, which may lead
to dysrhythmias. Monitoring electrolytes is essential.
5. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Encourage fluids
D. Reassess vital signs in 4 hours
Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: These are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should hold the
medication and notify the provider immediately.
,6. A patient receiving morphine PCA for post-operative pain has respiratory
rate of 8 breaths/min. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Administer naloxone per protocol
C. Record vital signs
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Answer: B. Administer naloxone per protocol
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression. Naloxone is the antidote
for opioid overdose and should be administered immediately.
7. Which instruction should the nurse give to a patient starting amoxicillin for
an infection?
A. “Take on an empty stomach only.”
B. “Finish the entire prescription even if you feel better.”
C. “Avoid dairy products completely.”
D. “Discontinue if diarrhea occurs.”
Answer: B. “Finish the entire prescription even if you feel better.”
Rationale: Completing the full course prevents antibiotic resistance and ensures
the infection is fully treated.
8. A patient taking corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis develops moon
face and weight gain. What action should the nurse take?
A. Stop the medication immediately
B. Reassure that these are common side effects
C. Notify the provider about potential Cushingoid effects
D. Increase dietary protein
Answer: C. Notify the provider about potential Cushingoid effects
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause Cushingoid features. The
provider may need to adjust the dose or monitor for complications.
, 9. A patient on insulin glargine asks why they cannot mix it with other
insulins. The nurse explains:
A. “It can cause immediate hypoglycemia.”
B. “It has a unique pH and stability; mixing can alter its action.”
C. “It will increase absorption if mixed.”
D. “It causes injection site reactions if mixed.”
Answer: B. “It has a unique pH and stability; mixing can alter its action.”
Rationale: Insulin glargine is long-acting and should not be mixed with other
insulins because it can alter its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effect.
10. A patient taking albuterol inhaler for asthma asks how it works. The nurse
explains:
A. “It opens your airways by relaxing smooth muscles.”
B. “It reduces inflammation in your lungs.”
C. “It removes secretions from your lungs.”
D. “It prevents bacterial infections.”
Answer: A. “It opens your airways by relaxing smooth muscles.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes bronchodilation
by relaxing airway smooth muscle.
TEST BANK (4 VERSIONS) QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
GRADED A+ LATEST
NGN HESI RN Pharmacology Exam – Version 1
1. A 55-year-old patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which
assessment finding should the nurse monitor most closely?
A. Bradycardia
B. Cough
C. Tremors
D. Constipation
Answer: B. Cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause a persistent dry cough due to
accumulation of bradykinin. Monitoring for this adverse effect is essential.
2. A patient receiving warfarin therapy asks why frequent blood tests are
needed. What is the best explanation?
A. “Warfarin interacts with most foods.”
B. “Warfarin affects your clotting time, which must be monitored via INR.”
C. “Blood tests are only needed if you feel unwell.”
D. “This helps prevent infection from the drug.”
Answer: B. “Warfarin affects your clotting time, which must be monitored via
INR.”
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that inhibits vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors. The INR ensures the patient remains in the therapeutic range to prevent
bleeding or clotting complications.
,3. A patient with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which instruction is
most important?
A. “Take this medication with meals to reduce GI upset.”
B. “Monitor for hypoglycemia daily.”
C. “Avoid drinking water while on this medication.”
D. “Check liver function weekly.”
Answer: A. “Take this medication with meals to reduce GI upset.”
Rationale: Metformin can cause gastrointestinal side effects. Taking it with meals
helps reduce nausea and diarrhea. Hypoglycemia is rare with metformin alone.
4. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which lab value should
the nurse monitor closely?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Glucose
D. Platelets
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Loop diuretics like furosemide can cause hypokalemia, which may lead
to dysrhythmias. Monitoring electrolytes is essential.
5. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances.
What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the next scheduled dose
B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
C. Encourage fluids
D. Reassess vital signs in 4 hours
Answer: B. Hold the dose and notify the provider
Rationale: These are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should hold the
medication and notify the provider immediately.
,6. A patient receiving morphine PCA for post-operative pain has respiratory
rate of 8 breaths/min. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?
A. Encourage coughing and deep breathing
B. Administer naloxone per protocol
C. Record vital signs
D. Elevate the head of the bed
Answer: B. Administer naloxone per protocol
Rationale: Morphine can cause respiratory depression. Naloxone is the antidote
for opioid overdose and should be administered immediately.
7. Which instruction should the nurse give to a patient starting amoxicillin for
an infection?
A. “Take on an empty stomach only.”
B. “Finish the entire prescription even if you feel better.”
C. “Avoid dairy products completely.”
D. “Discontinue if diarrhea occurs.”
Answer: B. “Finish the entire prescription even if you feel better.”
Rationale: Completing the full course prevents antibiotic resistance and ensures
the infection is fully treated.
8. A patient taking corticosteroids for rheumatoid arthritis develops moon
face and weight gain. What action should the nurse take?
A. Stop the medication immediately
B. Reassure that these are common side effects
C. Notify the provider about potential Cushingoid effects
D. Increase dietary protein
Answer: C. Notify the provider about potential Cushingoid effects
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid therapy can cause Cushingoid features. The
provider may need to adjust the dose or monitor for complications.
, 9. A patient on insulin glargine asks why they cannot mix it with other
insulins. The nurse explains:
A. “It can cause immediate hypoglycemia.”
B. “It has a unique pH and stability; mixing can alter its action.”
C. “It will increase absorption if mixed.”
D. “It causes injection site reactions if mixed.”
Answer: B. “It has a unique pH and stability; mixing can alter its action.”
Rationale: Insulin glargine is long-acting and should not be mixed with other
insulins because it can alter its pharmacokinetics and therapeutic effect.
10. A patient taking albuterol inhaler for asthma asks how it works. The nurse
explains:
A. “It opens your airways by relaxing smooth muscles.”
B. “It reduces inflammation in your lungs.”
C. “It removes secretions from your lungs.”
D. “It prevents bacterial infections.”
Answer: A. “It opens your airways by relaxing smooth muscles.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that causes bronchodilation
by relaxing airway smooth muscle.
