HESI Pharmacology Assignment Exam
An emergency department nurse is interviewing a female client who has a history of epilepsy
with tonic-clonic seizures controlled by phenytoin (Dilantin). Which information is most
significant in planning this client's care?
A. She has missed 2 menstrual periods
B. She ran out of her medication 4 days ago.
C. She has smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day for 10 years
D. She has had no dental care for several years - ANS B. She ran out of her medication 4 days
ago.
The nurse should instruct a client to avoid which product while taking carisoprodol (Soma) for
muscle spasms?
A. Aspirin Products
B. Antacids
C. Alcoholic beverages
D. Dairy products - ANS C. Alcoholic beverages
A client calls the clinic and states that she forgot to take her oral contraceptives for the past two
days. Which instruction is best for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. Take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an alternate method of contraception for 7 days
B. Take one extra pill per day for the rest of this cycle, then resume taking pills as usual next
cycle.
C. Quit the pills for this cycle, use an alternate method of contraception, and resume pills on the
fifth day of menstruation.
D. Take 4 pills now and use an alternate method of contraception for the rest of this cycle. - ANS
A. Take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an alternate method of contraception for 7 days
A 48-year-old client is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to an injection of contrast
media. What pharmacologic agent is of greatest use in this situation?
A. Loratadine (Claritin)
B. Dopamine (Intropin)
C. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - ANS D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate (Eskalith) to treat bipolar
disorder. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers?
A. Have the client chew the pill if it is difficult to swallow
B. Offer the morning dose of the medicine before breakfast
C. Encourage high energy fluid intake by providing sports drinks or sodas
D. Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation - ANS D. Report
symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation
, A 38-year-old gravida 2 para 2 is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis 9-months postpartum. A
prescription is written for metronidazole (Flagyl). Which information is most important for the
nurse to obtain for the client before initiating treatment?
A. Method of infant feeding
B. Sexual history
C. Possibility of pregnancy
D. Use of oral contraceptives - ANS A. Method of infant feeding
A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mcg subcutaneously daily.
During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the injection site for inflammation
B. Observe the client for signs of hypersensitivity
C. Evaluate the client's level of pain
D. Monitor the client's alkaline phosphatase levels - ANS B. Observe the client for signs of
hypersensitivity
When assessing a client prior to the administration of digoxin (Lanoxin), which data is most
important for the nurse to consider?
A. Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87
B. Presence of a grade 2 murmur
C. Bilateral lower extremity dependent rubor
D. Nailbed capillary refill of 5 seconds - ANS A. Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87
The HCP prescribes pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) tablets for a client with myasthenia
gravis (MG). What instruction should the nurse provide this client?
A. Use a PRN dose for increasing muscular weakness or fasciculations
B. Take the medication 30 to 45 minutes before eating.
C. Increase activity in the afternoon when the medication is most effective
D. Give the client a dietary guide that describes low-protein foods - ANS B. Take the medication
30 to 45 minutes before eating.
A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the HCP prescribes disopryamide (Norpace). After
explaining the action of this antidysrhythmic agent, which complaint should the nurse instruct
the client to report?
A. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
B. Joint pain
C. Dizziness or muscle weakness
D. Dry mouth - ANS A. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client who is
currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Hang the blood transfusion as soon as the client returns to the unit
B. Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes
An emergency department nurse is interviewing a female client who has a history of epilepsy
with tonic-clonic seizures controlled by phenytoin (Dilantin). Which information is most
significant in planning this client's care?
A. She has missed 2 menstrual periods
B. She ran out of her medication 4 days ago.
C. She has smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day for 10 years
D. She has had no dental care for several years - ANS B. She ran out of her medication 4 days
ago.
The nurse should instruct a client to avoid which product while taking carisoprodol (Soma) for
muscle spasms?
A. Aspirin Products
B. Antacids
C. Alcoholic beverages
D. Dairy products - ANS C. Alcoholic beverages
A client calls the clinic and states that she forgot to take her oral contraceptives for the past two
days. Which instruction is best for the nurse to provide to this client?
A. Take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an alternate method of contraception for 7 days
B. Take one extra pill per day for the rest of this cycle, then resume taking pills as usual next
cycle.
C. Quit the pills for this cycle, use an alternate method of contraception, and resume pills on the
fifth day of menstruation.
D. Take 4 pills now and use an alternate method of contraception for the rest of this cycle. - ANS
A. Take 2 pills a day for 2 days and use an alternate method of contraception for 7 days
A 48-year-old client is experiencing a severe anaphylactic reaction to an injection of contrast
media. What pharmacologic agent is of greatest use in this situation?
A. Loratadine (Claritin)
B. Dopamine (Intropin)
C. Nitroprusside (Nipride)
D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin) - ANS D. Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
A resident of a long-term care facility is taking lithium carbonate (Eskalith) to treat bipolar
disorder. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers?
A. Have the client chew the pill if it is difficult to swallow
B. Offer the morning dose of the medicine before breakfast
C. Encourage high energy fluid intake by providing sports drinks or sodas
D. Report symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation - ANS D. Report
symptoms of hypothyroidism such as fatigue and constipation
, A 38-year-old gravida 2 para 2 is diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis 9-months postpartum. A
prescription is written for metronidazole (Flagyl). Which information is most important for the
nurse to obtain for the client before initiating treatment?
A. Method of infant feeding
B. Sexual history
C. Possibility of pregnancy
D. Use of oral contraceptives - ANS A. Method of infant feeding
A client with Paget's disease is started on calcitonin (Calcimar) 500 mcg subcutaneously daily.
During the initial treatment, what is the priority nursing action?
A. Assess the injection site for inflammation
B. Observe the client for signs of hypersensitivity
C. Evaluate the client's level of pain
D. Monitor the client's alkaline phosphatase levels - ANS B. Observe the client for signs of
hypersensitivity
When assessing a client prior to the administration of digoxin (Lanoxin), which data is most
important for the nurse to consider?
A. Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87
B. Presence of a grade 2 murmur
C. Bilateral lower extremity dependent rubor
D. Nailbed capillary refill of 5 seconds - ANS A. Irregular apical pulse with a rate of 87
The HCP prescribes pyridostigmine bromide (Mestinon) tablets for a client with myasthenia
gravis (MG). What instruction should the nurse provide this client?
A. Use a PRN dose for increasing muscular weakness or fasciculations
B. Take the medication 30 to 45 minutes before eating.
C. Increase activity in the afternoon when the medication is most effective
D. Give the client a dietary guide that describes low-protein foods - ANS B. Take the medication
30 to 45 minutes before eating.
A client is admitted for atrial fibrillation, and the HCP prescribes disopryamide (Norpace). After
explaining the action of this antidysrhythmic agent, which complaint should the nurse instruct
the client to report?
A. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
B. Joint pain
C. Dizziness or muscle weakness
D. Dry mouth - ANS A. Daily weight gain of 2 pounds
The nurse receives a unit of blood from the blood bank for a postoperative client who is
currently in the X-ray department. What action should the nurse implement?
A. Hang the blood transfusion as soon as the client returns to the unit
B. Return the blood to the blood bank for refrigeration within 30 minutes
