BSN 315 HESI PHARMACOLOGY ACTUAL
EXAM
45+ (Latest 2026 Edition) 100% Verified Q&A + Answer Key Solutions
100% Guarantee Pass
📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 48 Qs
This document, "BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology Actual Exam," covers pharmacology concepts related to
medication administration, adverse reactions, and patient assessment. It provides 48 questions with
correct answers and detailed explanations, offering a comprehensive review of pharmacology principles
for exam preparation. Students can use this document to study and review pharmacology concepts,
understand the rationale behind correct and incorrect answers, and reinforce their knowledge for better
exam performance.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed tamsulosin, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, for
urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). What instruction should the nurse
emphasize to the client?
A) Avoid standing up quickly to prevent dizziness.
B) Sit on the edge of the bed with feet flat on the floor.
C) Stand and walk slowly to prevent falls.
D) Perform deep breathing exercises to relax.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Stand and walk slowly to prevent falls.
RATIONALE: Standing and walking slowly after taking tamsulosin helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, a common side
effect of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. This reduces the risk of falls and injury. Options A and B are incorrect
because they do not directly address the risk of falls. Option D is unrelated to the client's condition and medication.
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, QUESTION 2
A client arrives at the emergency department with complaints of constipation. Before administering a
laxative, which assessment is most critical for the nurse to perform?
A) Evaluate the client's bowel elimination history
B) Assess the client's pain level
C) Determine the client's current medication regimen
D) Check the client's fluid intake for the past 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Evaluate the client's bowel elimination history
RATIONALE: The most important assessment to perform before administering a laxative is to determine the client's
bowel elimination history. This information will help the nurse evaluate the client's bowel regularity and assess the need
for a laxative. The other options, while important for overall client care, are not directly related to the administration of
a laxative.
QUESTION 3
The nurse is assessing a patient who is scheduled to receive ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12 hours
via an infusion pump. The IV bag contains 400 mg of ciprofloxacin in 200 mL of D5W. How many mL
per hour should the nurse set the infusion pump to deliver?
A) 100 mL/hr
B) 150 mL/hr
C) 200 mL/hr
D) 250 mL/hr
CORRECT ANSWER
C) 200 mL/hr
RATIONALE: To calculate the infusion rate, divide the total volume of the IV bag (200 mL) by the time to administer the
medication (1 hour). This yields a rate of 200 mL/hr.
QUESTION 4
A patient has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector to manage severe allergies. During the
home visit, the nurse observes the patient improperly handling the device. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Provide the patient with a new device
B) Educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance
C) Instruct the patient to return the device to the pharmacy
D) Document the incident in the patient's chart
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance
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, RATIONALE: The nurse should educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent contamination and
ensure safe use of the epinephrine auto-injector. Providing a new device (A) is not necessary, as it is not a defective
product. Returning the device to the pharmacy (C) is not required, as the issue lies with the patient's handling of the
device. Documenting the incident (D) is important, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take.
QUESTION 5
The nurse receives report on four clients, including one with hypothyroidism on hormone replacement
therapy with levothyroxine sodium. During the medication review, the nurse identifies a concern with
the client's response to the medication. Which symptom should the nurse instruct the client to report,
indicating that the client is taking too much of the hormonal agent levothyroxine sodium?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Loss of appetite
C) Restlessness
D) Dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Restlessness
RATIONALE: The client should report restlessness as it is a symptom associated with taking too much levothyroxine
sodium, a medication for hypothyroidism. The other options are not directly related to the medication's potential side
effects or overdose symptoms.
QUESTION 6
A client reports liver enzyme level changes after undergoing IV fluconazole treatment for systemic
candidiasis. The nurse identifies an increasing trend in AST levels. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A) Resume the IV fluconazole at the original dose
B) Discontinue the IV fluconazole and notify the healthcare provider
C) Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider of the laboratory findings
D) Decrease the dosage of IV fluconazole to minimize side effects
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider of the laboratory findings
RATIONALE: Holding the dose and notifying the healthcare provider is necessary to prevent further liver damage and
assess the cause of the AST increase. Resuming the original dose or decreasing it without medical guidance could
exacerbate the condition. Discontinuing the IV fluconazole might not be necessary if the client's condition warrants
continued treatment.
QUESTION 7
A nurse observes that a client taking rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease is complaining of insomnia
at night. The nurse has just completed an assessment of the client's medication regimen and has
identified the most likely cause of the insomnia.
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EXAM
45+ (Latest 2026 Edition) 100% Verified Q&A + Answer Key Solutions
100% Guarantee Pass
📋 DOCUMENT OVERVIEW 48 Qs
This document, "BSN 315 HESI Pharmacology Actual Exam," covers pharmacology concepts related to
medication administration, adverse reactions, and patient assessment. It provides 48 questions with
correct answers and detailed explanations, offering a comprehensive review of pharmacology principles
for exam preparation. Students can use this document to study and review pharmacology concepts,
understand the rationale behind correct and incorrect answers, and reinforce their knowledge for better
exam performance.
✓ Verified Answers ✓ Exam Ready ✓ Study Guide
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide
EXAM QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed tamsulosin, an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, for
urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). What instruction should the nurse
emphasize to the client?
A) Avoid standing up quickly to prevent dizziness.
B) Sit on the edge of the bed with feet flat on the floor.
C) Stand and walk slowly to prevent falls.
D) Perform deep breathing exercises to relax.
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Stand and walk slowly to prevent falls.
RATIONALE: Standing and walking slowly after taking tamsulosin helps prevent orthostatic hypotension, a common side
effect of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents. This reduces the risk of falls and injury. Options A and B are incorrect
because they do not directly address the risk of falls. Option D is unrelated to the client's condition and medication.
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 1 of 20
, QUESTION 2
A client arrives at the emergency department with complaints of constipation. Before administering a
laxative, which assessment is most critical for the nurse to perform?
A) Evaluate the client's bowel elimination history
B) Assess the client's pain level
C) Determine the client's current medication regimen
D) Check the client's fluid intake for the past 24 hours
CORRECT ANSWER
A) Evaluate the client's bowel elimination history
RATIONALE: The most important assessment to perform before administering a laxative is to determine the client's
bowel elimination history. This information will help the nurse evaluate the client's bowel regularity and assess the need
for a laxative. The other options, while important for overall client care, are not directly related to the administration of
a laxative.
QUESTION 3
The nurse is assessing a patient who is scheduled to receive ciprofloxacin 400 mg IV every 12 hours
via an infusion pump. The IV bag contains 400 mg of ciprofloxacin in 200 mL of D5W. How many mL
per hour should the nurse set the infusion pump to deliver?
A) 100 mL/hr
B) 150 mL/hr
C) 200 mL/hr
D) 250 mL/hr
CORRECT ANSWER
C) 200 mL/hr
RATIONALE: To calculate the infusion rate, divide the total volume of the IV bag (200 mL) by the time to administer the
medication (1 hour). This yields a rate of 200 mL/hr.
QUESTION 4
A patient has a prescription for an epinephrine auto-injector to manage severe allergies. During the
home visit, the nurse observes the patient improperly handling the device. Which action should the
nurse take?
A) Provide the patient with a new device
B) Educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance
C) Instruct the patient to return the device to the pharmacy
D) Document the incident in the patient's chart
CORRECT ANSWER
B) Educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance
Trusted by thousands of students and professionals worldwide Page 2 of 20
, RATIONALE: The nurse should educate the patient on proper cleaning and maintenance to prevent contamination and
ensure safe use of the epinephrine auto-injector. Providing a new device (A) is not necessary, as it is not a defective
product. Returning the device to the pharmacy (C) is not required, as the issue lies with the patient's handling of the
device. Documenting the incident (D) is important, but it is not the primary action the nurse should take.
QUESTION 5
The nurse receives report on four clients, including one with hypothyroidism on hormone replacement
therapy with levothyroxine sodium. During the medication review, the nurse identifies a concern with
the client's response to the medication. Which symptom should the nurse instruct the client to report,
indicating that the client is taking too much of the hormonal agent levothyroxine sodium?
A) Muscle weakness
B) Loss of appetite
C) Restlessness
D) Dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Restlessness
RATIONALE: The client should report restlessness as it is a symptom associated with taking too much levothyroxine
sodium, a medication for hypothyroidism. The other options are not directly related to the medication's potential side
effects or overdose symptoms.
QUESTION 6
A client reports liver enzyme level changes after undergoing IV fluconazole treatment for systemic
candidiasis. The nurse identifies an increasing trend in AST levels. Which action should the nurse
implement?
A) Resume the IV fluconazole at the original dose
B) Discontinue the IV fluconazole and notify the healthcare provider
C) Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider of the laboratory findings
D) Decrease the dosage of IV fluconazole to minimize side effects
CORRECT ANSWER
C) Hold the dose and notify the healthcare provider of the laboratory findings
RATIONALE: Holding the dose and notifying the healthcare provider is necessary to prevent further liver damage and
assess the cause of the AST increase. Resuming the original dose or decreasing it without medical guidance could
exacerbate the condition. Discontinuing the IV fluconazole might not be necessary if the client's condition warrants
continued treatment.
QUESTION 7
A nurse observes that a client taking rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease is complaining of insomnia
at night. The nurse has just completed an assessment of the client's medication regimen and has
identified the most likely cause of the insomnia.
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