2023 HESI Pharmacology (Pharm)
Exam Version 1 (V1) BRAND NEW
Q&As w/A
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and
notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
Answer: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale: The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are used to
treat tetany from acute hypocalcemia. Large doses of vitamin D
would increase calcium absorption and should be avoided.
2. Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child
with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to
administer the iron with which best food item?
, 1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
Answer: 4. Orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron. The mother
should administer the medication with a citrus fruit or juice high
in vitamin C. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C
than apple juice. Milk may decrease iron absorption, and water
will not assist in absorption.
3. Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Answer: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
4. The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the
lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the
children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
, 1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Answer: 4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale: Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before sun exposure to allow penetration into the skin.
They should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
5. Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for a client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the client
complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
Answer: 3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
and gram-positive organisms used to treat burns. The client
should be informed that the medication will cause local
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction.
6. The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that
a systemic effect has occurred?
1. Hyperventilation
, 2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
Answer: 1. Hyperventilation
Rationale: Systemic effects of mafenide acetate can include
hyperventilation due to its carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
properties, which can lead to metabolic acidosis.
7. A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase
(Pancrease MT). The nurse evaluates that the medication is
having the optimal intended benefit if which effect is
observed?
1. Weight loss
2. Relief of heartburn
3. Reduction of steatorrhea
4. Absence of abdominal pain
Answer: 3. Reduction of steatorrhea
Rationale: Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme used as a
digestive aid. The medication should reduce the amount of fatty
stools (steatorrhea). It is not used to treat abdominal pain or
heartburn, and its use could result in weight gain, not loss.
8. An older client recently has been taking cimetidine
(Tagamet). The nurse monitors the client for which most
frequent central nervous system side effect of this
medication?
1. Tremors
2. Dizziness
Exam Version 1 (V1) BRAND NEW
Q&As w/A
ANSWERS
1. A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and
notes that the client's serum calcium level is 13 mg/dL. Which
medication should the nurse prepare to administer as
prescribed?
1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D
Answer: 3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale: The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL.
This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcitonin, a thyroid
hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone
resorption. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are used to
treat tetany from acute hypocalcemia. Large doses of vitamin D
would increase calcium absorption and should be avoided.
2. Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child
with iron deficiency anemia. The nurse instructs the mother to
administer the iron with which best food item?
, 1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
Answer: 4. Orange juice
Rationale: Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron. The mother
should administer the medication with a citrus fruit or juice high
in vitamin C. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C
than apple juice. Milk may decrease iron absorption, and water
will not assist in absorption.
3. Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of
psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which
of the following would indicate the presence of systemic
toxicity from this medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
Answer: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale: Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and
systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
4. The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the
lake if they have applied sunscreen. The nurse reminds the
children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when
applied:
, 1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Answer: 4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun
Rationale: Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30
minutes before sun exposure to allow penetration into the skin.
They should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
5. Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for a client
with a burn injury. When applying the medication, the client
complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the
following is the most appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site
Answer: 3. Informing the client that this is normal
Rationale: Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative
and gram-positive organisms used to treat burns. The client
should be informed that the medication will cause local
discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction.
6. The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of injury. The nurse monitors
the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that
a systemic effect has occurred?
1. Hyperventilation
, 2. Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
Answer: 1. Hyperventilation
Rationale: Systemic effects of mafenide acetate can include
hyperventilation due to its carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
properties, which can lead to metabolic acidosis.
7. A client has begun medication therapy with pancrelipase
(Pancrease MT). The nurse evaluates that the medication is
having the optimal intended benefit if which effect is
observed?
1. Weight loss
2. Relief of heartburn
3. Reduction of steatorrhea
4. Absence of abdominal pain
Answer: 3. Reduction of steatorrhea
Rationale: Pancrelipase is a pancreatic enzyme used as a
digestive aid. The medication should reduce the amount of fatty
stools (steatorrhea). It is not used to treat abdominal pain or
heartburn, and its use could result in weight gain, not loss.
8. An older client recently has been taking cimetidine
(Tagamet). The nurse monitors the client for which most
frequent central nervous system side effect of this
medication?
1. Tremors
2. Dizziness
