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. Question:
A nurse is administering warfarin to a patient. Which of the following laboratory
tests should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of warfarin?
a) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
c) Prothrombin time (PT)
d) Platelet count
Answer:
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The INR is used to
monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin, which helps in assessing the patient’s
risk of bleeding or clotting. The PT (Prothrombin Time) can also be used but INR
standardizes PT across different labs for consistency.
2. Question:
A nurse is teaching a client about using an albuterol inhaler for asthma. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should use this medication to treat an asthma attack."
b) "I will use this medication every day to prevent asthma attacks."
c) "I should wait at least 5 minutes between puffs."
d) "This medication is an antibiotic to treat my infection."
Answer:
a) "I should use this medication to treat an asthma attack."
,Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used to relieve acute
bronchospasm during an asthma attack. It is not used for daily prevention (for
that, inhaled corticosteroids are prescribed). Waiting 1-2 minutes between puffs is
recommended, not necessarily 5 minutes, and albuterol is not an antibiotic.
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings is the most important to report to the provider?
a) Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
b) Apical pulse of 58 beats/min
c) Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
d) Blood pressure of 120/78 mm Hg
Answer:
b) Apical pulse of 58 beats/min
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia, and an apical pulse of less than 60 beats/min is a
sign of potential toxicity. The nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider.
A potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, and the other lab
values are also within safe limits.
4. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
Which of the following findings indicates that the medication dosage is too high?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Cold intolerance
d) Tremors
Answer:
a) Weight loss
, Rationale:
Excessive doses of levothyroxine can cause hyperthyroid symptoms, such as
weight loss, increased heart rate, and tremors. Cold intolerance is a symptom of
hypothyroidism, indicating the dose may be too low.
5. Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of morphine to a client.
Which of the following assessments is most important prior to administering the
medication?
a) Respiratory rate
b) Blood pressure
c) Temperature
d) Oxygen saturation
Answer:
a) Respiratory rate
Rationale:
Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress the respiratory system.
Therefore, the nurse should assess the respiratory rate before administration. If
the rate is too low, the medication should be withheld, and the healthcare
provider should be notified.
6. Question:
A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed atorvastatin about possible side
effects of the medication. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
a) "This medication can cause leg cramps or muscle weakness."
b) "Atorvastatin can cause dry mouth and constipation."
c) "This medication may cause a cough or nasal congestion."
d) "You may experience drowsiness or dizziness."
Answer:
a) "This medication can cause leg cramps or muscle weakness."
ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100%
CORRECT ANSWERS) RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY WITH NGN LATEST 4
VERSIONS 2024/2025
1. Question:
A nurse is administering warfarin to a patient. Which of the following laboratory
tests should the nurse monitor to evaluate the therapeutic effect of warfarin?
a) Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
c) Prothrombin time (PT)
d) Platelet count
Answer:
b) International normalized ratio (INR)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The INR is used to
monitor the therapeutic effect of warfarin, which helps in assessing the patient’s
risk of bleeding or clotting. The PT (Prothrombin Time) can also be used but INR
standardizes PT across different labs for consistency.
2. Question:
A nurse is teaching a client about using an albuterol inhaler for asthma. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates an understanding of the teaching?
a) "I should use this medication to treat an asthma attack."
b) "I will use this medication every day to prevent asthma attacks."
c) "I should wait at least 5 minutes between puffs."
d) "This medication is an antibiotic to treat my infection."
Answer:
a) "I should use this medication to treat an asthma attack."
,Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) used to relieve acute
bronchospasm during an asthma attack. It is not used for daily prevention (for
that, inhaled corticosteroids are prescribed). Waiting 1-2 minutes between puffs is
recommended, not necessarily 5 minutes, and albuterol is not an antibiotic.
3. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving digoxin for heart failure. Which of the
following findings is the most important to report to the provider?
a) Potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L
b) Apical pulse of 58 beats/min
c) Serum creatinine level of 1.0 mg/dL
d) Blood pressure of 120/78 mm Hg
Answer:
b) Apical pulse of 58 beats/min
Rationale:
Digoxin can cause bradycardia, and an apical pulse of less than 60 beats/min is a
sign of potential toxicity. The nurse should hold the dose and notify the provider.
A potassium level of 3.5 mEq/L is within the normal range, and the other lab
values are also within safe limits.
4. Question:
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving levothyroxine for hypothyroidism.
Which of the following findings indicates that the medication dosage is too high?
a) Weight loss
b) Decreased heart rate
c) Cold intolerance
d) Tremors
Answer:
a) Weight loss
, Rationale:
Excessive doses of levothyroxine can cause hyperthyroid symptoms, such as
weight loss, increased heart rate, and tremors. Cold intolerance is a symptom of
hypothyroidism, indicating the dose may be too low.
5. Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of morphine to a client.
Which of the following assessments is most important prior to administering the
medication?
a) Respiratory rate
b) Blood pressure
c) Temperature
d) Oxygen saturation
Answer:
a) Respiratory rate
Rationale:
Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress the respiratory system.
Therefore, the nurse should assess the respiratory rate before administration. If
the rate is too low, the medication should be withheld, and the healthcare
provider should be notified.
6. Question:
A nurse is teaching a client who is prescribed atorvastatin about possible side
effects of the medication. Which of the following should the nurse include in the
teaching?
a) "This medication can cause leg cramps or muscle weakness."
b) "Atorvastatin can cause dry mouth and constipation."
c) "This medication may cause a cough or nasal congestion."
d) "You may experience drowsiness or dizziness."
Answer:
a) "This medication can cause leg cramps or muscle weakness."
