HESI Pharmacology Exam/ Questions With
Answers
HESI Pharmacology Exam
A client with mild parkinsonism is started on oral amantadine (Symmetrel).
What statement accurately describes the action of this medication?
dopamine in central nervous system is increased
A 52-year-old client is admitted to the hospital for possible duodenal ulcers. The
healthcare provider prescribes ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac) 150 mg BID PO.
Which data would indicate that this medication is effective?
Within 4 hours after meals, the client denies having pain.
A 78-year-old client with congestive heart failure receives the cardiac glycoside
digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg PO daily. Which observation by the nurse indicates that
the medication has been effective?
Clear breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly
Minocycline (Minocin) 50 mg every 8 hours is prescribed for an adolescent girl
diagnosed with acne. The nurse discusses self-care with the client while she is
taking the medication. Which teaching points should be included in the
discussion? (Select all that apply.)
Report vaginal itching or discharge.
Protect skin from natural and artificial ultraviolet light.
Avoid driving until response to medication is known.
Use a nonhormonal method of contraception if sexually active.
The nurse is assessing a stuporous client in the emergency department who is
suspected of overdosing with opioids. Which agent should the nurse prepare to
administer if the client becomes comatose?
Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)
, HESI Pharmacology Exam/ Questions With
Answers
The healthcare provider prescribes captopril (Capoten) 37.5 mg. The medication
is available in 25 mg tablets. What should the nurse administer?
1½ tablets
A client who is HIV positive is receiving epoetin (Epogen) for management of
anemia secondary to zidovudine (AZT) therapy. Which laboratory finding is most
important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
Hematocrit (HCT) of 58%
A 75-year-old male client taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is admitted to the
hospital having "palpitations" and "skipped heart beats." What is the most likely
cause of these symptoms given the client's medication history?
Hypokalemia
Which parameter is most important for the nurse to check prior to administering
a subcutaneous injection of heparin?
A. Heart rate
B. Urinary output
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time, commonly referred to as aPTT
Rationale:
The laboratory value that measures heparin's therapeutic anticoagulation time is
the aPTT (C). (A) should be checked before the administration of digoxin. (B) is
valuable information but not a parameter measured for heparin therapy. (D) is
evaluated during anticoagulation therapy using sodium warfarin (Coumadin).
A client is prescribed a cholinesterase inhibitor, and a family member asks the
nurse how this medication works. Which pharmacophysiologic explanation
should the nurse use to describe this class of drug?
Improves nerve impulse transmission
Answers
HESI Pharmacology Exam
A client with mild parkinsonism is started on oral amantadine (Symmetrel).
What statement accurately describes the action of this medication?
dopamine in central nervous system is increased
A 52-year-old client is admitted to the hospital for possible duodenal ulcers. The
healthcare provider prescribes ranitidine hydrochloride (Zantac) 150 mg BID PO.
Which data would indicate that this medication is effective?
Within 4 hours after meals, the client denies having pain.
A 78-year-old client with congestive heart failure receives the cardiac glycoside
digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg PO daily. Which observation by the nurse indicates that
the medication has been effective?
Clear breath sounds anteriorly and posteriorly
Minocycline (Minocin) 50 mg every 8 hours is prescribed for an adolescent girl
diagnosed with acne. The nurse discusses self-care with the client while she is
taking the medication. Which teaching points should be included in the
discussion? (Select all that apply.)
Report vaginal itching or discharge.
Protect skin from natural and artificial ultraviolet light.
Avoid driving until response to medication is known.
Use a nonhormonal method of contraception if sexually active.
The nurse is assessing a stuporous client in the emergency department who is
suspected of overdosing with opioids. Which agent should the nurse prepare to
administer if the client becomes comatose?
Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan)
, HESI Pharmacology Exam/ Questions With
Answers
The healthcare provider prescribes captopril (Capoten) 37.5 mg. The medication
is available in 25 mg tablets. What should the nurse administer?
1½ tablets
A client who is HIV positive is receiving epoetin (Epogen) for management of
anemia secondary to zidovudine (AZT) therapy. Which laboratory finding is most
important for the nurse to report to the healthcare provider?
Hematocrit (HCT) of 58%
A 75-year-old male client taking hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is admitted to the
hospital having "palpitations" and "skipped heart beats." What is the most likely
cause of these symptoms given the client's medication history?
Hypokalemia
Which parameter is most important for the nurse to check prior to administering
a subcutaneous injection of heparin?
A. Heart rate
B. Urinary output
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time, commonly referred to as aPTT
Rationale:
The laboratory value that measures heparin's therapeutic anticoagulation time is
the aPTT (C). (A) should be checked before the administration of digoxin. (B) is
valuable information but not a parameter measured for heparin therapy. (D) is
evaluated during anticoagulation therapy using sodium warfarin (Coumadin).
A client is prescribed a cholinesterase inhibitor, and a family member asks the
nurse how this medication works. Which pharmacophysiologic explanation
should the nurse use to describe this class of drug?
Improves nerve impulse transmission
