NIGHTINGALE COLLEGE
BSN 315 Pharmacology
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
HESI V1 Examination Practice
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Complete Question Bank All Questions Included
Question 1
A client who is taking dextroamphetamine-amphetamine extended-release tablets for
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reports about having difficulty sleeping at
night. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Determine at what time the dose is taken.
B. Ask about the client's bedtime routine.
C. Determine daily caffeine intake.
D. Inquire about perceived anxiety.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Determine at what time the dose is taken.
RATIONALE: Stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine-amphetamine can cause insomnia if taken
later in the day. Determining the timing of the dose is the most important assessment to address the sleep
disturbance.
,Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is
taking carbidopa-levodopa. The client is concerned that the medication is not working. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Evaluate the client for signs of dyskinesia.
B. Determine if the client is taking the medication before meals.
C. Explore what the client means by the drug 'is not working'.
D. Ask if the client's morning voids are dark colored.
CORRECT ANSWER C. Explore what the client means by the drug 'is not working'.
RATIONALE: The nurse must first assess the client's specific concerns to understand the perceived lack of
effectiveness. This open-ended assessment guides further evaluation and teaching.
,Question 3
Select all that apply
After receiving the third dose of a new oral anticoagulant prescription, an older client
develops bleeding and tender gums and has many new bruises. Which action(s) should the
nurse implement? Select all that apply.
A. Review the most recent coagulation laboratory values.
B. Complete a medication variance report.
C. Report findings to healthcare provider.
D. Obtain a soft bristle toothbrush for client.
E. Provide a PRN nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) for gum discomfort.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Review the most recent coagulation laboratory values. D. Obtain a soft
bristle toothbrush for client.
RATIONALE: Bleeding gums and bruising indicate anticoagulation may be excessive. The nurse should
review coagulation labs (INR, aPTT) and provide a soft toothbrush to prevent further gum trauma. NSAIDs
should be avoided as they increase bleeding risk. A medication variance report may be needed but is not the
priority.
, Question 4
A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia receives a new prescription of tamsulosin. Which
intervention should the nurse perform to monitor for an adverse reaction?
A. Monitor blood pressure.
B. Assess urine output.
C. Perform a bladder scan.
D. Obtain daily weights.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Monitor blood pressure.
RATIONALE: Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure
monitoring is essential to detect hypotension, especially during the initial dose.
Question 5
The nurse is administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate to a client in acute kidney injury
(AKI). Which laboratory finding indicates that the medication has been effective? Reference
Range: Glucose [74 to 106 mg/dL], Hemoglobin [14 to 18 g/dL], Potassium [3.5 to 5 mEq/L],
Ammonia [10 to 80 g/dL]
A. Serum ammonia level of 30 pg/dL
B. Serum glucose level of 120 mg/dL
C. Serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin level of 13.5 g/dL
CORRECT ANSWER C. Serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium for potassium in the gastrointestinal tract. A serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L falls
within the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating the medication has effectively reduced potassium levels.
BSN 315 Pharmacology
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
HESI V1 Examination Practice
Academic Year: 2026/2027 Complete Question Bank All Questions Included
Question 1
A client who is taking dextroamphetamine-amphetamine extended-release tablets for
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reports about having difficulty sleeping at
night. Which assessment is most important for the nurse to obtain?
A. Determine at what time the dose is taken.
B. Ask about the client's bedtime routine.
C. Determine daily caffeine intake.
D. Inquire about perceived anxiety.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Determine at what time the dose is taken.
RATIONALE: Stimulant medications like dextroamphetamine-amphetamine can cause insomnia if taken
later in the day. Determining the timing of the dose is the most important assessment to address the sleep
disturbance.
,Question 2
The nurse is assessing a client who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and is
taking carbidopa-levodopa. The client is concerned that the medication is not working. Which
intervention should the nurse implement first?
A. Evaluate the client for signs of dyskinesia.
B. Determine if the client is taking the medication before meals.
C. Explore what the client means by the drug 'is not working'.
D. Ask if the client's morning voids are dark colored.
CORRECT ANSWER C. Explore what the client means by the drug 'is not working'.
RATIONALE: The nurse must first assess the client's specific concerns to understand the perceived lack of
effectiveness. This open-ended assessment guides further evaluation and teaching.
,Question 3
Select all that apply
After receiving the third dose of a new oral anticoagulant prescription, an older client
develops bleeding and tender gums and has many new bruises. Which action(s) should the
nurse implement? Select all that apply.
A. Review the most recent coagulation laboratory values.
B. Complete a medication variance report.
C. Report findings to healthcare provider.
D. Obtain a soft bristle toothbrush for client.
E. Provide a PRN nonsteroidal antiinflammatory (NSAID) for gum discomfort.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Review the most recent coagulation laboratory values. D. Obtain a soft
bristle toothbrush for client.
RATIONALE: Bleeding gums and bruising indicate anticoagulation may be excessive. The nurse should
review coagulation labs (INR, aPTT) and provide a soft toothbrush to prevent further gum trauma. NSAIDs
should be avoided as they increase bleeding risk. A medication variance report may be needed but is not the
priority.
, Question 4
A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia receives a new prescription of tamsulosin. Which
intervention should the nurse perform to monitor for an adverse reaction?
A. Monitor blood pressure.
B. Assess urine output.
C. Perform a bladder scan.
D. Obtain daily weights.
CORRECT ANSWER A. Monitor blood pressure.
RATIONALE: Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure
monitoring is essential to detect hypotension, especially during the initial dose.
Question 5
The nurse is administering sodium polystyrene sulfonate to a client in acute kidney injury
(AKI). Which laboratory finding indicates that the medication has been effective? Reference
Range: Glucose [74 to 106 mg/dL], Hemoglobin [14 to 18 g/dL], Potassium [3.5 to 5 mEq/L],
Ammonia [10 to 80 g/dL]
A. Serum ammonia level of 30 pg/dL
B. Serum glucose level of 120 mg/dL
C. Serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin level of 13.5 g/dL
CORRECT ANSWER C. Serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L
RATIONALE: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is a cation-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalemia by
exchanging sodium for potassium in the gastrointestinal tract. A serum potassium level of 3.8 mEq/L falls
within the normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L), indicating the medication has effectively reduced potassium levels.
