1|Page
HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026 | ALL
160 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | CURRENT VERSION, GUARANTEE
PASS
1)
A client prescribed digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision. What
should the nurse assess first?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum digoxin level
D. Blood pressure
Answer: C
Topic: Cardiac glycosides
Rationale: Nausea/visual changes = classic digoxin toxicity; confirm with
serum digoxin.
Reference: Mayo Clinic – Digoxin
2)
Which adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of heparin?
A. Petechiae
B. Nosebleeds
C. Hematuria
D. Platelet count <100,000
Answer: D
Topic: Anticoagulants
Rationale: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is life-threatening and
requires stopping heparin.
Reference: ASH – Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
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3)
A client receiving furosemide develops muscle cramps. Which lab is
most important?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Chloride
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Topic: Diuretics
Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia → cramps, arrhythmias.
Reference: FDA – Furosemide
4)
Which instruction is most important for a client prescribed warfarin?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables
B. Take medication in the morning
C. Report black stools immediately
D. Use sunscreen daily
Answer: C
Topic: Anticoagulants
Rationale: Black stools = GI bleeding, serious complication.
Reference: FDA – Warfarin
5)
A nurse is teaching about albuterol inhalers. Which statement indicates
effective learning?
A. “I will use this inhaler daily at bedtime.”
B. “I will use this inhaler when I have sudden wheezing.”
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C. “I will use this inhaler before my steroid inhaler.”
D. “I will not shake the inhaler before use.”
Answer: B
Topic: Bronchodilators
Rationale: Albuterol = rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
Reference: NHLBI – Asthma Treatment
6)
Which medication is contraindicated with sildenafil use?
A. Beta blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Nitrates
D. Statins
Answer: C
Topic: Vasodilators
Rationale: Sildenafil + nitrates = severe hypotension.
Reference: FDA – Viagra
7)
A client taking lithium reports tremors and polyuria. Which lab is
priority?
A. Sodium
B. Lithium level
C. Creatinine
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Topic: Psychotropic medications
Rationale: Toxicity signs → check serum lithium immediately.
Reference: NIH – Lithium
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8)
Which antibiotic is contraindicated in children under 8 years old?
A. Penicillin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Tetracycline
D. Azithromycin
Answer: C
Topic: Antibiotics
Rationale: Tetracyclines discolor teeth and affect bone growth.
Reference: CDC – Tetracyclines
9)
Which lab should be monitored with vancomycin?
A. Peak and trough levels
B. Potassium
C. Sodium
D. AST/ALT
Answer: A
Topic: Antibiotics
Rationale: Vancomycin requires peak/trough monitoring to avoid
nephro/ototoxicity.
Reference: NIH – Vancomycin
10)
Which teaching is correct for prednisone therapy?
A. “Stop medication if you feel better.”
B. “Avoid contact with people who are sick.”
C. “Take on an empty stomach.”
D. “You can stop suddenly without problems.”
HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026 | ALL
160 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS | VERIFIED
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ | CURRENT VERSION, GUARANTEE
PASS
1)
A client prescribed digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision. What
should the nurse assess first?
A. Blood glucose
B. Serum potassium
C. Serum digoxin level
D. Blood pressure
Answer: C
Topic: Cardiac glycosides
Rationale: Nausea/visual changes = classic digoxin toxicity; confirm with
serum digoxin.
Reference: Mayo Clinic – Digoxin
2)
Which adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of heparin?
A. Petechiae
B. Nosebleeds
C. Hematuria
D. Platelet count <100,000
Answer: D
Topic: Anticoagulants
Rationale: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is life-threatening and
requires stopping heparin.
Reference: ASH – Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
,2|Page
3)
A client receiving furosemide develops muscle cramps. Which lab is
most important?
A. Sodium
B. Potassium
C. Chloride
D. Magnesium
Answer: B
Topic: Diuretics
Rationale: Furosemide causes hypokalemia → cramps, arrhythmias.
Reference: FDA – Furosemide
4)
Which instruction is most important for a client prescribed warfarin?
A. Avoid green leafy vegetables
B. Take medication in the morning
C. Report black stools immediately
D. Use sunscreen daily
Answer: C
Topic: Anticoagulants
Rationale: Black stools = GI bleeding, serious complication.
Reference: FDA – Warfarin
5)
A nurse is teaching about albuterol inhalers. Which statement indicates
effective learning?
A. “I will use this inhaler daily at bedtime.”
B. “I will use this inhaler when I have sudden wheezing.”
,3|Page
C. “I will use this inhaler before my steroid inhaler.”
D. “I will not shake the inhaler before use.”
Answer: B
Topic: Bronchodilators
Rationale: Albuterol = rescue inhaler for acute bronchospasm.
Reference: NHLBI – Asthma Treatment
6)
Which medication is contraindicated with sildenafil use?
A. Beta blockers
B. ACE inhibitors
C. Nitrates
D. Statins
Answer: C
Topic: Vasodilators
Rationale: Sildenafil + nitrates = severe hypotension.
Reference: FDA – Viagra
7)
A client taking lithium reports tremors and polyuria. Which lab is
priority?
A. Sodium
B. Lithium level
C. Creatinine
D. Potassium
Answer: B
Topic: Psychotropic medications
Rationale: Toxicity signs → check serum lithium immediately.
Reference: NIH – Lithium
, 4|Page
8)
Which antibiotic is contraindicated in children under 8 years old?
A. Penicillin
B. Amoxicillin
C. Tetracycline
D. Azithromycin
Answer: C
Topic: Antibiotics
Rationale: Tetracyclines discolor teeth and affect bone growth.
Reference: CDC – Tetracyclines
9)
Which lab should be monitored with vancomycin?
A. Peak and trough levels
B. Potassium
C. Sodium
D. AST/ALT
Answer: A
Topic: Antibiotics
Rationale: Vancomycin requires peak/trough monitoring to avoid
nephro/ototoxicity.
Reference: NIH – Vancomycin
10)
Which teaching is correct for prednisone therapy?
A. “Stop medication if you feel better.”
B. “Avoid contact with people who are sick.”
C. “Take on an empty stomach.”
D. “You can stop suddenly without problems.”
