Fortis College NUR100 HESI Pharmacology
Exam V1 (2026/2027) | Actual Exam
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete HESI Success Study
Guide PDF
• This is a comprehensive HESI Pharmacology exam prep guide featuring 200
verified questions with detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to maximize your
exam readiness.
• Each question mirrors the actual HESI exam format — use this by practicing under
timed conditions, reviewing every EXPERT RATIONALE whether you got it right or
wrong, and focusing extra attention on any drug class where you miss more than 2
questions.
FORTIS COLLEGE NUR100 — HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM V1 (2026/2027) 200
QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPERT RATIONALE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. Which assessment
finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
physician?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hour
D. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
E. Apical pulse of 54 beats per minute
Correct Answer: E. Apical pulse of 54 beats per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should withhold
digoxin and notify the physician if the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
an adult, as this indicates bradycardia and risk of digoxin toxicity.
,2. A patient is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
E. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Heparin works on the intrinsic pathway of coagulation.
The aPTT is the test used to monitor heparin therapy effectiveness. Therapeutic
range is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. PT and INR are used to monitor
warfarin therapy.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I can take ibuprofen for my headaches while on this medication."
B. "I should eat as many green leafy vegetables as I want."
C. "I need to have my blood tested regularly while taking this drug."
D. "I should stop taking this medication if I notice any bruising."
E. "I can take aspirin along with warfarin safely."
Correct Answer: C. "I need to have my blood tested regularly while taking
this drug."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring to ensure
therapeutic anticoagulation and avoid bleeding complications. Green leafy
vegetables contain Vitamin K which antagonizes warfarin. NSAIDs and aspirin
increase bleeding risk and should be avoided.
,4. Which of the following medications is classified as a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Spironolactone
C. Triamterene
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
E. Metolazone
Correct Answer: D. Furosemide (Lasix)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that acts on the loop
of Henle to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption. Hydrochlorothiazide is a
thiazide diuretic, and spironolactone and triamterene are potassium-sparing
diuretics.
5. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, vomiting, and
tremors. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antiemetic medication
B. Reassure the patient that these are expected side effects
C. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
D. Check the patient's serum lithium level
E. Withhold the next dose and document findings
Correct Answer: D. Check the patient's serum lithium level
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nausea, vomiting, and tremors are signs of lithium
toxicity. The therapeutic serum level is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Checking the level is the
priority action before any intervention, as toxicity can lead to seizures, coma, or
death.
, 6. A nurse administers penicillin to a patient. Fifteen minutes later, the
patient develops urticaria, wheezing, and hypotension. The nurse should
prepare to administer which medication first?
A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Hydrocortisone IV
C. Albuterol nebulization
D. Epinephrine 1:1000
E. Methylprednisolone IV
Correct Answer: D. Epinephrine 1:1000
EXPERT RATIONALE: These are signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening
emergency. Epinephrine is the drug of choice and must be administered
immediately to reverse bronchospasm, vasodilation, and urticaria. Antihistamines
and corticosteroids are adjunct treatments.
7. A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which condition is a
contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Obesity
C. Renal impairment
D. Hypothyroidism
E. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: C. Renal impairment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal
impairment because it can accumulate in the body and cause lactic acidosis, a rare
but potentially fatal complication. Kidney function must be assessed before and
during therapy.
Exam V1 (2026/2027) | Actual Exam
Questions, Verified Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete HESI Success Study
Guide PDF
• This is a comprehensive HESI Pharmacology exam prep guide featuring 200
verified questions with detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to maximize your
exam readiness.
• Each question mirrors the actual HESI exam format — use this by practicing under
timed conditions, reviewing every EXPERT RATIONALE whether you got it right or
wrong, and focusing extra attention on any drug class where you miss more than 2
questions.
FORTIS COLLEGE NUR100 — HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM V1 (2026/2027) 200
QUESTIONS | VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED EXPERT RATIONALE
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient. Which assessment
finding should cause the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the
physician?
A. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
B. Respiratory rate of 18 breaths per minute
C. Urine output of 40 mL/hour
D. Serum potassium level of 3.0 mEq/L
E. Apical pulse of 54 beats per minute
Correct Answer: E. Apical pulse of 54 beats per minute
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. The nurse should withhold
digoxin and notify the physician if the apical pulse is below 60 beats per minute in
an adult, as this indicates bradycardia and risk of digoxin toxicity.
,2. A patient is receiving heparin therapy. Which laboratory value should the
nurse monitor to evaluate the effectiveness of this medication?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. Platelet count
C. International normalized ratio (INR)
D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
E. Hemoglobin level
Correct Answer: D. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Heparin works on the intrinsic pathway of coagulation.
The aPTT is the test used to monitor heparin therapy effectiveness. Therapeutic
range is typically 1.5–2.5 times the control value. PT and INR are used to monitor
warfarin therapy.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about taking warfarin (Coumadin). Which
statement by the patient indicates understanding?
A. "I can take ibuprofen for my headaches while on this medication."
B. "I should eat as many green leafy vegetables as I want."
C. "I need to have my blood tested regularly while taking this drug."
D. "I should stop taking this medication if I notice any bruising."
E. "I can take aspirin along with warfarin safely."
Correct Answer: C. "I need to have my blood tested regularly while taking
this drug."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin requires regular INR monitoring to ensure
therapeutic anticoagulation and avoid bleeding complications. Green leafy
vegetables contain Vitamin K which antagonizes warfarin. NSAIDs and aspirin
increase bleeding risk and should be avoided.
,4. Which of the following medications is classified as a loop diuretic?
A. Hydrochlorothiazide
B. Spironolactone
C. Triamterene
D. Furosemide (Lasix)
E. Metolazone
Correct Answer: D. Furosemide (Lasix)
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic that acts on the loop
of Henle to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption. Hydrochlorothiazide is a
thiazide diuretic, and spironolactone and triamterene are potassium-sparing
diuretics.
5. A patient taking lithium for bipolar disorder reports nausea, vomiting, and
tremors. What should the nurse do first?
A. Administer an antiemetic medication
B. Reassure the patient that these are expected side effects
C. Encourage increased oral fluid intake
D. Check the patient's serum lithium level
E. Withhold the next dose and document findings
Correct Answer: D. Check the patient's serum lithium level
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nausea, vomiting, and tremors are signs of lithium
toxicity. The therapeutic serum level is 0.6–1.2 mEq/L. Checking the level is the
priority action before any intervention, as toxicity can lead to seizures, coma, or
death.
, 6. A nurse administers penicillin to a patient. Fifteen minutes later, the
patient develops urticaria, wheezing, and hypotension. The nurse should
prepare to administer which medication first?
A. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B. Hydrocortisone IV
C. Albuterol nebulization
D. Epinephrine 1:1000
E. Methylprednisolone IV
Correct Answer: D. Epinephrine 1:1000
EXPERT RATIONALE: These are signs of anaphylaxis, a life-threatening
emergency. Epinephrine is the drug of choice and must be administered
immediately to reverse bronchospasm, vasodilation, and urticaria. Antihistamines
and corticosteroids are adjunct treatments.
7. A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which condition is a
contraindication for this medication?
A. Hypertension
B. Obesity
C. Renal impairment
D. Hypothyroidism
E. Hyperlipidemia
Correct Answer: C. Renal impairment
EXPERT RATIONALE: Metformin is contraindicated in patients with renal
impairment because it can accumulate in the body and cause lactic acidosis, a rare
but potentially fatal complication. Kidney function must be assessed before and
during therapy.
