HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
200+ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
,
,1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum calcium
level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the
client? 1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - ANSWER3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a
result of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin,
a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the
serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency anemia. The
nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food item? 1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - ANSWER4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to administer
the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the
iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple
juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - ANSWER1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
, Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The
nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - ANSWER4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to
the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so that they
can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When applying the
medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the following is the most
appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site - ANSWER3. Informing the client that this is
normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat
burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that the medication
will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4
are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of
injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that a systemic
effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
200+ QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
,
,1) A nurse is caring for a client with hyperparathyroidism and notes that the client's serum calcium
level is 13 mg/dL. Which medication should the nurse prepare to administer as prescribed to the
client? 1. Calcium chloride
2. Calcium gluconate
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
4. Large doses of vitamin D - ANSWER3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin)
Rationale:
The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is experiencing hypercalcemia. Calcium
gluconate and calcium chloride are medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a
result of acute hypocalcemia. In hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided. Calcitonin,
a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the
serum calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are prescribed for a 6-year-old child with iron deficiency anemia. The
nurse instructs the mother to administer the iron with which best food item? 1. Milk
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice - ANSWER4. Orange juice
Rationale:
Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The mother should be instructed to administer
the medication with a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the
iron. Water will not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater amount of vitamin C than apple
juice.
3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of psoriasis. The nurse monitors the client,
knowing that which of the following would indicate the presence of systemic toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations - ANSWER1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
, Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms
include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not
associated with salicylism.
4.) The camp nurse asks the children preparing to swim in the lake if they have applied sunscreen. The
nurse reminds the children that chemical sunscreens are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun - ANSWER4. At least 30 minutes before exposure to
the sun
Rationale:
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun so that they
can penetrate the skin. All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is prescribed for the client with a burn injury. When applying the
medication, the client complains of local discomfort and burning. Which of the following is the most
appropriate nursing action?
1. Notifying the registered nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is normal
4. Applying a thinner film than prescribed to the burn site - ANSWER3. Informing the client that this is
normal
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-positive organisms and is used to treat
burns to reduce bacteria present in avascular tissues. The client should be informed that the medication
will cause local discomfort and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore options 1, 2, and 4
are incorrect
6.) The burn client is receiving treatments of topical mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site of
injury. The nurse monitors the client, knowing that which of the following indicates that a systemic
effect has occurred?
1.Hyperventilation
2.Elevated blood pressure
