NCLEX EXAM zm
Exam Solution zm
Pharmacology HESI Comprehensive Review for the NC zm zm zm zm zm zm
LEX PN Exam 6th Edition Study Mode 2026 A+ GRADE
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ASSURED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSW zm zm zm zm zm
ERS (144CF) zm
QUESTION 1 zm
A first-
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day postoperative client vomits 30 minutes after receiving a dose of hydromorphone.
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What initial intervention is best for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
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a. Obtain a prescription for nasogastric intubation.
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b. Administer a prn dose of ondansetron.
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c. Reduce the next scheduled dose of hydromorphone.
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d. Assess the client's abdomen and bowel sounds.
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ANSWER
b. Administer a prn dose of ondansetron. Rationale: Because the emesis appears to be directly relate
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d to the administration of the opiate analgesic, the first action should be to reduce the client's naus
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ea with the administration of the ondansetron, which is an antiemetic.
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QUESTION 2 zm
A client has been prescribed losartan. Which change in data indicates to the practical
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nurse (PN) that the desired effect of this medication has been achieved?
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a. Dependent edema reduced from +3 to +1.
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b. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55 mg/dL.
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c. Pulse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min.
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d. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mm Hg.
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ANSWER
d. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mm Hg. Rationale: Losartan is prescribed for the
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treatment of hypertension. The desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.
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QUESTION 3 zm
,A client is receiving heparin to treat a deep vein thrombosis. The nurse should monit
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or which laboratory result to assist in evaluating the efficacy of the drug?
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a. Platelet count
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b. Prothrombin time
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c. Partial thromboplastin time
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d. Serum levels of protamine sulfate
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ANSWER
c. Partial thromboplastin time Rationale: The nurse should monitor the partial thromboplastin time t
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o evaluate the efficacy of heparin. The platelet count does not monitor heparin efficacy. A client who
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is taking warfarin should have the prothrombin time monitored. Protamine sulfate levels do not mo
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nitor efficacy of heparin.
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QUESTION 4 zm
A client is prescribed clonidine 0.1 mg/24 hour via transdermal patch. Which client o
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utcome would indicate the medication is effective?
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a. No complaints of recent episodes of angina
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b. Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1
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c. No complaints of new onset of nausea or vomiting
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d. Blood pressure changes from 180/120 to 140/70 mm Hg
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ANSWER
d. Blood pressure changes from 180/120 to 140/70 mm Hg Rationale: Clonidine acts as a centrally
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. The decrease in the blood pressure indicates a reductio
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n in hypertension.
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QUESTION 5 zm
A client diagnosed with a urinary tract infection is prescribed an ampicillin. Which nu
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rsing intervention is most important for the practical nurse to do first before adminis
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tering the client's medication?
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a. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen.
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b. Assess the urine pH for acidity.
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c. Insert an indwelling catheter.
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d. Assess for complaints of dysuria.
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ANSWER
a. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen. Rationale: A clean-
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catch urine specimen is used to determine the causative organism and to evaluate the effectiveness
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of pharmacological therapy in treating the source of the infection. The initial specimen should be ob
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tained before beginning treatment with an antiinfective agent.
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QUESTION 6 zm
, A client in the immediate postoperative period is prescribed morphine via a patient-
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controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which finding should the PN consider the highest pr
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iority in this client? zm zm zm
a. The expiration date of the PCA morphine
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b. The rate and depth of the client's respirations
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c. The type of anesthesia used during the surgery
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d. The client's signs of disorientation
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ANSWER
b. The rate and depth of the client's respirations Rationale: A life-
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threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is respi
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ratory depression. If the client is going in to respiratory depression, the PCA pump should be stoppe
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d and the registered nurse (RN) or health care provider should be notified if the client's respiratory
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mrate falls below 10 breaths/min.
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QUESTION 7 zm
A 67-year-
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old client is discharged from the hospital with a prescription for digoxin 0.25 mg dail
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y. Which instruction by the practical nurse (PN) is correct?
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a. Take the medication in the morning before rising.
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b. Do not take the medication if the heartbeat is irregular or slow.
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c. Expect some vision changes due to the medication.
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d. Increase intake of foods rich in vitamin K.
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ANSWER
b. Do not take the medication if the heartbeat is irregular or slow. Rationale: Monitoring the pulse r
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ate for 1 minute is very important when taking digoxin. The client should be further instructed to r
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eport pulse rates lower than 60, greater than 110 beats/min, or irregular, and to withhold the dosa
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ge until consulting with the health care provider in such cases.
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QUESTION 8 zm
A 43-year-
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old female client who has had a thyroidectomy due to Grave's disease is prescribed a
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thyroid replacement hormone. Which signs and symptoms are associated with thyroid
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mhormone toxicity and should be reported promptly to the health care provider?
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a. Tinnitus and dizziness
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b. Tachycardia and chest pain
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c. Dry skin and intolerance to cold
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d. Weight gain and increased appetite
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ANSWER
b. Tachycardia and chest pain Rationale: The signs and symptoms of thyroid replacement hormone t
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oxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
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Exam Solution zm
Pharmacology HESI Comprehensive Review for the NC zm zm zm zm zm zm
LEX PN Exam 6th Edition Study Mode 2026 A+ GRADE
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ASSURED COMPLETE SOLUTIONS AND VERIFIED ANSW zm zm zm zm zm
ERS (144CF) zm
QUESTION 1 zm
A first-
zm
day postoperative client vomits 30 minutes after receiving a dose of hydromorphone.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
What initial intervention is best for the practical nurse (PN) to implement?
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
a. Obtain a prescription for nasogastric intubation.
zm zm zm zm zm zm
b. Administer a prn dose of ondansetron.
zm zm zm zm zm zm
c. Reduce the next scheduled dose of hydromorphone.
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d. Assess the client's abdomen and bowel sounds.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ANSWER
b. Administer a prn dose of ondansetron. Rationale: Because the emesis appears to be directly relate
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
d to the administration of the opiate analgesic, the first action should be to reduce the client's naus
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ea with the administration of the ondansetron, which is an antiemetic.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
QUESTION 2 zm
A client has been prescribed losartan. Which change in data indicates to the practical
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
nurse (PN) that the desired effect of this medication has been achieved?
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
a. Dependent edema reduced from +3 to +1.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
b. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55 mg/dL.
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c. Pulse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min.
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d. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mm Hg.
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ANSWER
d. Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mm Hg. Rationale: Losartan is prescribed for the
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treatment of hypertension. The desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.
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QUESTION 3 zm
,A client is receiving heparin to treat a deep vein thrombosis. The nurse should monit
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or which laboratory result to assist in evaluating the efficacy of the drug?
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a. Platelet count
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b. Prothrombin time
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c. Partial thromboplastin time
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d. Serum levels of protamine sulfate
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ANSWER
c. Partial thromboplastin time Rationale: The nurse should monitor the partial thromboplastin time t
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o evaluate the efficacy of heparin. The platelet count does not monitor heparin efficacy. A client who
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
is taking warfarin should have the prothrombin time monitored. Protamine sulfate levels do not mo
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nitor efficacy of heparin.
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QUESTION 4 zm
A client is prescribed clonidine 0.1 mg/24 hour via transdermal patch. Which client o
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
utcome would indicate the medication is effective?
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a. No complaints of recent episodes of angina
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b. Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1
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c. No complaints of new onset of nausea or vomiting
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d. Blood pressure changes from 180/120 to 140/70 mm Hg
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ANSWER
d. Blood pressure changes from 180/120 to 140/70 mm Hg Rationale: Clonidine acts as a centrally
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. The decrease in the blood pressure indicates a reductio
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n in hypertension.
zm zm
QUESTION 5 zm
A client diagnosed with a urinary tract infection is prescribed an ampicillin. Which nu
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
rsing intervention is most important for the practical nurse to do first before adminis
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
tering the client's medication?
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a. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen.
zm zm zm zm zm
b. Assess the urine pH for acidity.
zm zm zm zm zm zm
c. Insert an indwelling catheter.
zm zm zm zm
d. Assess for complaints of dysuria.
zm zm zm zm zm
ANSWER
a. Obtain a clean-catch urine specimen. Rationale: A clean-
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
catch urine specimen is used to determine the causative organism and to evaluate the effectiveness
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
of pharmacological therapy in treating the source of the infection. The initial specimen should be ob
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tained before beginning treatment with an antiinfective agent.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
QUESTION 6 zm
, A client in the immediate postoperative period is prescribed morphine via a patient-
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. Which finding should the PN consider the highest pr
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
iority in this client? zm zm zm
a. The expiration date of the PCA morphine
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b. The rate and depth of the client's respirations
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c. The type of anesthesia used during the surgery
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d. The client's signs of disorientation
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ANSWER
b. The rate and depth of the client's respirations Rationale: A life-
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
threatening side effect of intravenous administration of morphine sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is respi
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ratory depression. If the client is going in to respiratory depression, the PCA pump should be stoppe
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
d and the registered nurse (RN) or health care provider should be notified if the client's respiratory
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mrate falls below 10 breaths/min.
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QUESTION 7 zm
A 67-year-
zm
old client is discharged from the hospital with a prescription for digoxin 0.25 mg dail
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
y. Which instruction by the practical nurse (PN) is correct?
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
a. Take the medication in the morning before rising.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
b. Do not take the medication if the heartbeat is irregular or slow.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
c. Expect some vision changes due to the medication.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
d. Increase intake of foods rich in vitamin K.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ANSWER
b. Do not take the medication if the heartbeat is irregular or slow. Rationale: Monitoring the pulse r
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ate for 1 minute is very important when taking digoxin. The client should be further instructed to r
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
eport pulse rates lower than 60, greater than 110 beats/min, or irregular, and to withhold the dosa
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
ge until consulting with the health care provider in such cases.
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
QUESTION 8 zm
A 43-year-
zm
old female client who has had a thyroidectomy due to Grave's disease is prescribed a
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
thyroid replacement hormone. Which signs and symptoms are associated with thyroid
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm z
mhormone toxicity and should be reported promptly to the health care provider?
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a. Tinnitus and dizziness
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b. Tachycardia and chest pain
zm zm zm zm
c. Dry skin and intolerance to cold
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d. Weight gain and increased appetite
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ANSWER
b. Tachycardia and chest pain Rationale: The signs and symptoms of thyroid replacement hormone t
zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm zm
oxicity include tachycardia and chest pain.
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