12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
VERSION 1
A nurse is administering subcutaneous heparin to a client who is at risk for deep vein
thrombosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
1. Administer the medication into the client's abdomen.
2. Inject the medication into a muscle.
3. Massage the site after administering the medication.
4. Use a 22-gauge needle to administer the medication.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a urinary tract infection and new
prescriptions for phenazopyridine and ciprofloxacin. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
1. "If the phenazopyridine upsets my stomach, I can take it with meals."
2. "The phenazopyridine will relieve my discomfort, but the ciprofloxacin will get rid of
the infection."
3. "I need to drink 2 liters of fluid per day while I am taking the ciprofloxacin."
4. "I should notify my provider immediately if my urine turns an orange color."
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of new parents about medications. The nurse
should include that aspirin is contraindicated for children who have a viral infection due
to the risk of developing which of the following adverse effects?
1. Reye's syndrome
2. Visual disturbances
3. Diabetes mellitus
4. Wilms' tumor
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's (LR) 1,000 mL IV to infuse over 8
hr. The drop factor or the manual IV tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the
manual IV infusion to deliver how may gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole
number).
1 hr/60 min = 8 hr/X min
X = 480 min
1,000 mL/480 min x 10 gtt/mL = X gtt/min
X = 20.833 21 gtt/ min
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for tamoxifen. The nurse
should recognize that tamoxifen has which of the following therapeutic effects? ?
1. Antiestrogenic
2. Antimicrobial
3. Androgenic
4. Anti-inflammatory
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 4 mg/kg/day PO divided into 2 equal
doses daily to a toddler who weighs 22 lb. How many mg should the nurse administer
per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number)
2.2 lb/1 kg = 22 lb/X kg
X = 10 kg
4 mg x 10 kg = 40 mg/day
20mg
about:blank 1/113
,12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV gentamicin three times daily. Which of
the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this
medication?
1. Hypoglycemia
2. Proteinuria
3. Nasal congestion
4. Visual disturbances
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has cirrhosis and a new prescription for
lactulose. The nurse should instruct the client that lactulose has which of the following
therapeutic effects?
1. Increases blood pressure
2. Prevents esophageal bleeding
3. Decreases heart rate
4. Reduces ammonia levels
A nurse is providing teaching to a newly licensed nurse about metoclopramide. The
nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following conditions is a
contraindication to this medication?
1. Hyperthyroidism
2. Intestinal obstruction
3. Glaucoma
4. Low blood pressure
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about contraindications to ceftriaxone. The
nurse should include a severe allergy to which of the following medications is a
contraindication to ceftriaxone?
1. Gentamicin
2. Clindamycin
3. Piperacillin
4. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of oral candidiasis after taking
tetracycline for 7 days. The nurse should recognize that candidiasis is a manifestation
of which of the following adverse effects?
1. Allergic response
2. Superinfection
3. Renal toxicity
4. Hepatotoxicity
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client who is receiving a continuous IV
heparin infusion and has an aPTT of 90 seconds. Which of the following actions should
the nurse prepare to take?
1. Administer vitamin K
2. Reduce the infusion rate
3. Give the client a low-dose aspirin
4. Request an INR
Final practice
about:blank 2/113
,12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
a nurse is planning to administer diltiazem via IV bolus to a client who has atrial
fibrillation. When assessing the client, the nurse should recognize that which of the
following findings is a contraindication to administration of diltiazem?
hypotension
tachycardia
decreased level of consciousness
history of diuretic use
a nurse is planning to administer epoetin alfa to a client who has chronic kidney failure.
Which of the following data should the nurse plan to review prior to administration of this
medication ?
blood pressure
temperature
blood glucose levels
total protein levels
a nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for digoxin 0.215 mg PO daily and furosemide 20 mg PO daily. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching ?
"I know that blurred vision is something I will expect to happen while taking digoxin."
"I will measure my urine output each day and document it in my diary."
"I will skip a dose of my digoxin if my resting heart rate is below 72 beats per minute."
"I will eat fruits and vegetables that have high potassium content every day."
a nurse is preparing to administer iron dextran IV to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take?
administer a small test dose before giving the full dose
infuse the medication over 30 seconds
monitor client closely for hypertension
administer cyanocobalamin as an antidote if toxicity occurs
A nurse is administering insulin glulisine 10 units subcutaneously at 0730 to an
adolescent client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should anticipate onset of
action of the insulin at which of the following times?
Insulin glulisine has a very short onset of action of 15 min. The nurse should expect the
onset of action around 0745 and ensure the client eats breakfast immediately following
administration of the insulin.
0745
A nurse in an outpatient facility is assessing a client who is prescribed furosemide 40mg
daily but the client reports she has been taking extra doses to promote weight loss.
Which of the following indicates she is dehydrated?
urine specific gravity of 1.035
Oliguria, increased urine concentration, and an increase in urine specific gravity greater
than 1.030 are expected findings in clients who are dehydrated.
A nurse is planning to administer chlorothiazide 20 mg/kg/day PO divided equally and
administered twice daily for a toddler who weighs 28.6 lb. The amount available is
about:blank 3/113
, 12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
chlorothiazide oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose/ (Round to the nearest tenth)
2.6 mL
2.2 lb/1 kg = 28.6 lb/X kg
X = 13 kg 20 mg x 13 kg = 260 mg/day
250 mg/5 mL = 130 mg/X mL
X = 2.6 mL
A nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a client who is to begin long-term oral
prednisone for asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the plan?
Stop taking the medication if a rash occurs.
Take the medication on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.
Schedule the medication on alternate days to decrease adverse effects.
Treat shortness of breath with an extra dose of the medication.
A nurse is administering ciprofloxacin and phenazopyridine to a client who has a severe
urinary tract infection (UTI). The client asks why both medications are needed. Which of
the following responses should the nurse make?
"Phenazopyridine decreases adverse effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride."
"Combining phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride shortens the course of
therapy."
"The use of phenazopyridine allows for a lower dosage of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride."
"Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats
pain."
A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin 500 mg in 50 ml of dextrose 5% in water
(D5W) to infuse over 15 min. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The
nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the
nearest whole number)
10 gtt/1 mL x 50 mL/15 min = X gtt/min
X = 33.3333 33 gtt/min
A nurse is caring for a client who has congestive heart failure and is taking digoxin. The
client reports nausea and refuses to eat breakfast. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
Encourage the client to eat the toast on the breakfast tray.
Administer an antiemetic.
Inform the client's provider.
Check the client's apical pulse.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new prescription for chlorpromazine to treat
schizophrenia. The client has a mask-like facial expression and is experiencing
about:blank 4/113
HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM
VERSION 1
A nurse is administering subcutaneous heparin to a client who is at risk for deep vein
thrombosis. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
1. Administer the medication into the client's abdomen.
2. Inject the medication into a muscle.
3. Massage the site after administering the medication.
4. Use a 22-gauge needle to administer the medication.
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a urinary tract infection and new
prescriptions for phenazopyridine and ciprofloxacin. Which of the following statements
by the client indicates the need for further teaching?
1. "If the phenazopyridine upsets my stomach, I can take it with meals."
2. "The phenazopyridine will relieve my discomfort, but the ciprofloxacin will get rid of
the infection."
3. "I need to drink 2 liters of fluid per day while I am taking the ciprofloxacin."
4. "I should notify my provider immediately if my urine turns an orange color."
A nurse is providing teaching to a group of new parents about medications. The nurse
should include that aspirin is contraindicated for children who have a viral infection due
to the risk of developing which of the following adverse effects?
1. Reye's syndrome
2. Visual disturbances
3. Diabetes mellitus
4. Wilms' tumor
A nurse is preparing to administer lactated Ringer's (LR) 1,000 mL IV to infuse over 8
hr. The drop factor or the manual IV tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the
manual IV infusion to deliver how may gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole
number).
1 hr/60 min = 8 hr/X min
X = 480 min
1,000 mL/480 min x 10 gtt/mL = X gtt/min
X = 20.833 21 gtt/ min
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new prescription for tamoxifen. The nurse
should recognize that tamoxifen has which of the following therapeutic effects? ?
1. Antiestrogenic
2. Antimicrobial
3. Androgenic
4. Anti-inflammatory
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 4 mg/kg/day PO divided into 2 equal
doses daily to a toddler who weighs 22 lb. How many mg should the nurse administer
per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number)
2.2 lb/1 kg = 22 lb/X kg
X = 10 kg
4 mg x 10 kg = 40 mg/day
20mg
about:blank 1/113
,12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving IV gentamicin three times daily. Which of
the following findings indicates that the client is experiencing an adverse effect of this
medication?
1. Hypoglycemia
2. Proteinuria
3. Nasal congestion
4. Visual disturbances
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has cirrhosis and a new prescription for
lactulose. The nurse should instruct the client that lactulose has which of the following
therapeutic effects?
1. Increases blood pressure
2. Prevents esophageal bleeding
3. Decreases heart rate
4. Reduces ammonia levels
A nurse is providing teaching to a newly licensed nurse about metoclopramide. The
nurse should include in the teaching that which of the following conditions is a
contraindication to this medication?
1. Hyperthyroidism
2. Intestinal obstruction
3. Glaucoma
4. Low blood pressure
A nurse is teaching a newly licensed nurse about contraindications to ceftriaxone. The
nurse should include a severe allergy to which of the following medications is a
contraindication to ceftriaxone?
1. Gentamicin
2. Clindamycin
3. Piperacillin
4. Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim
A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of oral candidiasis after taking
tetracycline for 7 days. The nurse should recognize that candidiasis is a manifestation
of which of the following adverse effects?
1. Allergic response
2. Superinfection
3. Renal toxicity
4. Hepatotoxicity
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory values for a client who is receiving a continuous IV
heparin infusion and has an aPTT of 90 seconds. Which of the following actions should
the nurse prepare to take?
1. Administer vitamin K
2. Reduce the infusion rate
3. Give the client a low-dose aspirin
4. Request an INR
Final practice
about:blank 2/113
,12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
a nurse is planning to administer diltiazem via IV bolus to a client who has atrial
fibrillation. When assessing the client, the nurse should recognize that which of the
following findings is a contraindication to administration of diltiazem?
hypotension
tachycardia
decreased level of consciousness
history of diuretic use
a nurse is planning to administer epoetin alfa to a client who has chronic kidney failure.
Which of the following data should the nurse plan to review prior to administration of this
medication ?
blood pressure
temperature
blood glucose levels
total protein levels
a nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has heart failure and a new
prescription for digoxin 0.215 mg PO daily and furosemide 20 mg PO daily. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching ?
"I know that blurred vision is something I will expect to happen while taking digoxin."
"I will measure my urine output each day and document it in my diary."
"I will skip a dose of my digoxin if my resting heart rate is below 72 beats per minute."
"I will eat fruits and vegetables that have high potassium content every day."
a nurse is preparing to administer iron dextran IV to a client. Which of the following
actions should the nurse plan to take?
administer a small test dose before giving the full dose
infuse the medication over 30 seconds
monitor client closely for hypertension
administer cyanocobalamin as an antidote if toxicity occurs
A nurse is administering insulin glulisine 10 units subcutaneously at 0730 to an
adolescent client who has type 1 diabetes mellitus. The nurse should anticipate onset of
action of the insulin at which of the following times?
Insulin glulisine has a very short onset of action of 15 min. The nurse should expect the
onset of action around 0745 and ensure the client eats breakfast immediately following
administration of the insulin.
0745
A nurse in an outpatient facility is assessing a client who is prescribed furosemide 40mg
daily but the client reports she has been taking extra doses to promote weight loss.
Which of the following indicates she is dehydrated?
urine specific gravity of 1.035
Oliguria, increased urine concentration, and an increase in urine specific gravity greater
than 1.030 are expected findings in clients who are dehydrated.
A nurse is planning to administer chlorothiazide 20 mg/kg/day PO divided equally and
administered twice daily for a toddler who weighs 28.6 lb. The amount available is
about:blank 3/113
, 12/19/23, 6:18 PM HESI PN Pharmacology Proctored EXAM (7 Latest Versions, 2021)
chlorothiazide oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer per dose/ (Round to the nearest tenth)
2.6 mL
2.2 lb/1 kg = 28.6 lb/X kg
X = 13 kg 20 mg x 13 kg = 260 mg/day
250 mg/5 mL = 130 mg/X mL
X = 2.6 mL
A nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a client who is to begin long-term oral
prednisone for asthma. Which of the following instructions should the nurse include in
the plan?
Stop taking the medication if a rash occurs.
Take the medication on an empty stomach to enhance absorption.
Schedule the medication on alternate days to decrease adverse effects.
Treat shortness of breath with an extra dose of the medication.
A nurse is administering ciprofloxacin and phenazopyridine to a client who has a severe
urinary tract infection (UTI). The client asks why both medications are needed. Which of
the following responses should the nurse make?
"Phenazopyridine decreases adverse effects of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride."
"Combining phenazopyridine with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride shortens the course of
therapy."
"The use of phenazopyridine allows for a lower dosage of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride."
"Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride treats the infection, and the phenazopyridine treats
pain."
A nurse is preparing to administer ampicillin 500 mg in 50 ml of dextrose 5% in water
(D5W) to infuse over 15 min. The drop factor of the manual IV tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The
nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round to the
nearest whole number)
10 gtt/1 mL x 50 mL/15 min = X gtt/min
X = 33.3333 33 gtt/min
A nurse is caring for a client who has congestive heart failure and is taking digoxin. The
client reports nausea and refuses to eat breakfast. Which of the following actions should
the nurse take first?
Encourage the client to eat the toast on the breakfast tray.
Administer an antiemetic.
Inform the client's provider.
Check the client's apical pulse.
A nurse is assessing a client who has a new prescription for chlorpromazine to treat
schizophrenia. The client has a mask-like facial expression and is experiencing
about:blank 4/113
