HESI Pharmacology Practice
Exam(Updated)Question & Answers
-Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved?
A. Client states chest pain is relieved
B. Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90
C. Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90
D. Clients SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%
((answer))A.
nitroglycerin reduces mycocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and
reduces chest pain)
-A client with hyperlipidemia recieves a prescription for niacin (niaspan). which client
teaching is most important for the nurse to provide
a. expected duration of flushing
b. symptoms of hyperglycemia
c. diets that minimize gi irritation
d. comfort measure for pruritis
((answer))A.
flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an hour, is a frequent reason for
discontinuing niacin. inclusion of this effect in clietn teaching may promote compliance
in taking the med.)
-When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen (tylonel), it
is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body
a. flank
b. abdomen
c. chest
d. head
((answer))B.
acetaminophen toxicisty an result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially important
for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (which might
indicated liver damage))
-A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload
a. nitroglycerin
b. propranolol
,c. propranolol
d. captopril
((answer))A.
nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and decreases contractility,
thereby decreasing both preload and afterload)
-A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse
knows that the action of this drug is to
A. decrease the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the blood
B. increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the blood
C. increase the amount of T4 and decrease the amount of T3 produced by the thyroid
D. inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland
((answer))D.
PTU is an adjunct therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting production of
thyroid hormones. It is often prescribed in prep for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine
therapy)
-Which change in data indicates to the nurse the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist has been achieved
A. Dependent edema reduced form +3 to +1
B. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55mg/dl
C. PUlse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min
D. Blood pressure reducedf rom 160/90 to 130.80
((answer))D.
angiotensin II receptor antagonist (blocker), prescribed from treatment of HTN. The
desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.)
-Which instructions should the nurse give to a female client who just recieved a
prescription for oral metronidazole (flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas vaginalis (select
all that apply)
A. increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice
B. Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use
C. Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension
D. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication
E. Use condoms until treatment is completed
F. Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time
((answer))ADEF
-The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (aldactone) for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement
A. verify both prescriptions with the HCP
B. report the med interactions to the nurse manager
C. hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy
((answer))A.
, the concomitant use of an ACE inhibitor and a potassium-sparing diuretic sucha s
spironolactone, should be given with caution b/c the two drugs may interact to cause an
elevation in serum potassium levels.)
-A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis in
adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be contraindicated for this client?
A. liothyronine (cytomel) to replace iodine
B. Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention
C. Pentobarbital sodium for sleep
D. nitroglycerin for angina pain
((answer))C.
persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and
anesthetics. They do not tolerate liothyronine and usually receive iodine replacement
therapy. These clients are also suceptable to heart problems such as angina for which
nitroglycerine would be indicated and and congestive heart failure for which furosemide
would be indicated)
-A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine and an IV of normal saline at
50ml/hour. The nurse noes that the client's urinary output has been 20ml/hour for the
last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
A. stop the infusion of dopamine
B. change the normal saline to a keep open rate
C. replace the urinary catheter
D. notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.
((answer))D.)
-A healthcare provider prescrives cephalexin monhydrate (Keflex) for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription?
A. Penicillins
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Erythromycins
D.Sulfonamides
((answer))A.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporines, such as keflex. so
checking for penicillin allergy is a wise precaution)
-Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic?
A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiasepines
C. Antihypertensives
D. Oral antidiabetics
((answer))B.
respiratory depression increases with the concurrent use of opioid analgesics and other
cns depressant agents, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiasepines)
Exam(Updated)Question & Answers
-Following the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin to a client experiencing an acute
anginal attack, which assessment finding indicates to the nurse that the desired effect
has been achieved?
A. Client states chest pain is relieved
B. Client's pulse decreases from 120 to 90
C. Client's systolic blood pressure decreases from 180 to 90
D. Clients SaO2 level increases from 92% to 96%
((answer))A.
nitroglycerin reduces mycocardial oxygen consumption which decreases ischemia and
reduces chest pain)
-A client with hyperlipidemia recieves a prescription for niacin (niaspan). which client
teaching is most important for the nurse to provide
a. expected duration of flushing
b. symptoms of hyperglycemia
c. diets that minimize gi irritation
d. comfort measure for pruritis
((answer))A.
flushing of the face and neck, lasting up to an hour, is a frequent reason for
discontinuing niacin. inclusion of this effect in clietn teaching may promote compliance
in taking the med.)
-When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen (tylonel), it
is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body
a. flank
b. abdomen
c. chest
d. head
((answer))B.
acetaminophen toxicisty an result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially important
for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (which might
indicated liver damage))
-A client is admitted to the coronary care unit with a medical diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. which medication prescription decreases both preload and
afterload
a. nitroglycerin
b. propranolol
,c. propranolol
d. captopril
((answer))A.
nitroglycerin is a nitrate that causes peripheral vasodilation and decreases contractility,
thereby decreasing both preload and afterload)
-A client is being treated for hyperthyroidism with propylthiouracil (PTU). The nurse
knows that the action of this drug is to
A. decrease the amount of the thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the blood
B. increase the amount of thyroid-stimulating hormone circulating in the blood
C. increase the amount of T4 and decrease the amount of T3 produced by the thyroid
D. inhibit synthesis of T3 and T4 by the thyroid gland
((answer))D.
PTU is an adjunct therapy used to control hyperthyroidism by inhibiting production of
thyroid hormones. It is often prescribed in prep for thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine
therapy)
-Which change in data indicates to the nurse the desired effect of the angiotensin II
receptor antagonist has been achieved
A. Dependent edema reduced form +3 to +1
B. Serum HDL increased from 35 to 55mg/dl
C. PUlse rate reduced from 150 to 90 beats/min
D. Blood pressure reducedf rom 160/90 to 130.80
((answer))D.
angiotensin II receptor antagonist (blocker), prescribed from treatment of HTN. The
desired effect is a decrease in blood pressure.)
-Which instructions should the nurse give to a female client who just recieved a
prescription for oral metronidazole (flagyl) for treatment of trichomonas vaginalis (select
all that apply)
A. increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice
B. Do not abruptly discontinue the medication; taper use
C. Check blood pressure daily to detect hypertension
D. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication
E. Use condoms until treatment is completed
F. Ensure that all sexual partners are treated at the same time
((answer))ADEF
-The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (aldactone) for a client
who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Which action should the
nurse implement
A. verify both prescriptions with the HCP
B. report the med interactions to the nurse manager
C. hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription
D. Transcribe and send the prescription to the pharmacy
((answer))A.
, the concomitant use of an ACE inhibitor and a potassium-sparing diuretic sucha s
spironolactone, should be given with caution b/c the two drugs may interact to cause an
elevation in serum potassium levels.)
-A client has myxedema, which results from a deficiency of thyroid hormone synthesis in
adults. The nurse knows that which medication should be contraindicated for this client?
A. liothyronine (cytomel) to replace iodine
B. Furosemide (Lasix) for relief of fluid retention
C. Pentobarbital sodium for sleep
D. nitroglycerin for angina pain
((answer))C.
persons with myxedema are dangerously hypersensitive to narcotics, barbiturates, and
anesthetics. They do not tolerate liothyronine and usually receive iodine replacement
therapy. These clients are also suceptable to heart problems such as angina for which
nitroglycerine would be indicated and and congestive heart failure for which furosemide
would be indicated)
-A client has a continuous IV infusion of dopamine and an IV of normal saline at
50ml/hour. The nurse noes that the client's urinary output has been 20ml/hour for the
last two hours. Which intervention should the nurse initiate?
A. stop the infusion of dopamine
B. change the normal saline to a keep open rate
C. replace the urinary catheter
D. notify the healthcare provider of the urinary output.
((answer))D.)
-A healthcare provider prescrives cephalexin monhydrate (Keflex) for a client with a
postoperative infection. It is most important for the nurse to assess for what additional
drug allergy before administering this prescription?
A. Penicillins
B. Aminoglycosides
C. Erythromycins
D.Sulfonamides
((answer))A.
Cross-allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporines, such as keflex. so
checking for penicillin allergy is a wise precaution)
-Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while receiving an
opioid analgesic?
A. Antacids.
B. Benzodiasepines
C. Antihypertensives
D. Oral antidiabetics
((answer))B.
respiratory depression increases with the concurrent use of opioid analgesics and other
cns depressant agents, such as alcohol, barbiturates, and benzodiasepines)
