2025 NGN HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY REAL EXAMS (4 VERSIONS) WITH
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS) RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY WITH NGN LATEST 4
VERSIONS 2024/2025
1. A nurse is administering an opioid analgesic to a client post-surgery.
The client is drowsy but easily aroused. What is the appropriate action
for the nurse to take?
A. Increase the dose of the opioid
B. Continue to monitor the client and document findings
C. Administer a dose of naloxone
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B. Continue to monitor the client and document findings
Rationale: Drowsiness is a common side effect of opioids, especially in
the post-operative period. Since the client is easily aroused, it is not
necessary to intervene with naloxone or contact the healthcare
provider immediately. Monitoring the client is appropriate to ensure the
patient remains stable.
2. A nurse is educating a client who is starting a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "You should limit your intake of foods high in vitamin K."
B. "You need to stop taking aspirin while on this medication."
C. "Warfarin increases your risk of developing blood clots."
D. "You will need frequent blood tests to monitor your potassium
levels."
,Answer: A. "You should limit your intake of foods high in vitamin K."
Rationale: Vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, as
it is involved in blood clotting. Foods such as leafy green vegetables
(e.g., spinach, kale) are rich in vitamin K and should be consumed in
moderation. The other options are incorrect based on warfarin’s
mechanism and common interactions.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol to a client with
hypertension. Which of the following is the most important to assess
before administering the medication?
A. Serum potassium level
B. Heart rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B. Heart rate
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can decrease heart rate. It
is important to assess the heart rate before administering the drug, as it
may need to be withheld if the heart rate is too low (e.g., below 50-60
bpm). Blood pressure is also important to monitor, but the priority in
this case is the heart rate.
4. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol via inhaler. The nurse
should instruct the client to take which of the following actions?
A. "Use the inhaler 15 minutes before exercise."
B. "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler."
C. "Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
D. "Use the inhaler every 4 hours for prevention."
, Answer: A. "Use the inhaler 15 minutes before exercise."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute
asthma symptoms and as a pre-exercise preventative measure. It should
be used prior to exercise to prevent bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth
is important to prevent dry mouth or oral infections with inhaled
steroids, but albuterol itself does not require this. Albuterol is not
typically used for routine prevention or every 4 hours unless prescribed
for acute symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed digoxin.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a potential
digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Increased urine output
D. Elevated blood pressure
Answer: B. Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity,
which can occur when serum levels exceed the therapeutic range.
Other symptoms include visual disturbances (e.g., seeing halos).
Hyperkalemia can be a sign of toxicity but is less commonly associated
with digoxin compared to other findings.
6. A nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which of the following side effects should the nurse educate the client
to report to their healthcare provider?
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS) RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY WITH NGN LATEST 4
VERSIONS 2024/2025
1. A nurse is administering an opioid analgesic to a client post-surgery.
The client is drowsy but easily aroused. What is the appropriate action
for the nurse to take?
A. Increase the dose of the opioid
B. Continue to monitor the client and document findings
C. Administer a dose of naloxone
D. Notify the healthcare provider immediately
Answer: B. Continue to monitor the client and document findings
Rationale: Drowsiness is a common side effect of opioids, especially in
the post-operative period. Since the client is easily aroused, it is not
necessary to intervene with naloxone or contact the healthcare
provider immediately. Monitoring the client is appropriate to ensure the
patient remains stable.
2. A nurse is educating a client who is starting a new prescription for
warfarin. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A. "You should limit your intake of foods high in vitamin K."
B. "You need to stop taking aspirin while on this medication."
C. "Warfarin increases your risk of developing blood clots."
D. "You will need frequent blood tests to monitor your potassium
levels."
,Answer: A. "You should limit your intake of foods high in vitamin K."
Rationale: Vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of warfarin, as
it is involved in blood clotting. Foods such as leafy green vegetables
(e.g., spinach, kale) are rich in vitamin K and should be consumed in
moderation. The other options are incorrect based on warfarin’s
mechanism and common interactions.
3. A nurse is preparing to administer metoprolol to a client with
hypertension. Which of the following is the most important to assess
before administering the medication?
A. Serum potassium level
B. Heart rate
C. Blood pressure
D. Respiratory rate
Answer: B. Heart rate
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that can decrease heart rate. It
is important to assess the heart rate before administering the drug, as it
may need to be withheld if the heart rate is too low (e.g., below 50-60
bpm). Blood pressure is also important to monitor, but the priority in
this case is the heart rate.
4. A client with asthma is prescribed albuterol via inhaler. The nurse
should instruct the client to take which of the following actions?
A. "Use the inhaler 15 minutes before exercise."
B. "Rinse your mouth after using the inhaler."
C. "Take the medication with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset."
D. "Use the inhaler every 4 hours for prevention."
, Answer: A. "Use the inhaler 15 minutes before exercise."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute
asthma symptoms and as a pre-exercise preventative measure. It should
be used prior to exercise to prevent bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth
is important to prevent dry mouth or oral infections with inhaled
steroids, but albuterol itself does not require this. Albuterol is not
typically used for routine prevention or every 4 hours unless prescribed
for acute symptoms.
5. A nurse is caring for a client who has been prescribed digoxin.
Which of the following findings should alert the nurse to a potential
digoxin toxicity?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Nausea and vomiting
C. Increased urine output
D. Elevated blood pressure
Answer: B. Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity,
which can occur when serum levels exceed the therapeutic range.
Other symptoms include visual disturbances (e.g., seeing halos).
Hyperkalemia can be a sign of toxicity but is less commonly associated
with digoxin compared to other findings.
6. A nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for lisinopril.
Which of the following side effects should the nurse educate the client
to report to their healthcare provider?
