Pharmacology HESI Exam Preparation
PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXAM PREPARATION FOR 2025/2026
COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW!!
A client's dose of isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur) is increased from 40 mg to 60 mg PO
daily. When the client reports the onset of a headache prior to the next scheduled
dose, which action should the nurse implement?
a) Hold the next scheduled dose of Imdur 60 mg and administer a PRN dose of
acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b) Administer the 40 mg of Imdur and then contact the healthcare provider.
c) Administer the 60 mg dose of Imdur and a PRN dose of acetaminophen
(Tylenol).
d) Do not administer the next dose of Imdur or any acetaminophen until notifying
the healthcare provider.
Rationale: C
Imdur is a nitrate which causes vasodilation. This vasodilation can result in
headaches, which can generally be controlled with acetaminophen until the client
develops a tolerance to this adverse effect.
A client is receiving metoprolol (Lopressor SR, Nu-Metop). What assessment is
most important for the nurse to obtain?
a) Temperature.
b) Lung sounds.
1|Page
, Pharmacology HESI Exam Preparation
c) Blood pressure.
d) Urinary output.
Rationale: C
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure of clients taking this
medication because metoprolol is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive
agent.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition?
a) Shock.
b) Asthma.
c) Hypotension.
d) Heart failure.
Rationale: D
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that is indicated for short term use in
cardiac decompensation or heart failure related to reduced cardiac contractility
due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures. On the other hand,
alpha and beta adrenergic agonists, such as epinephrine and dopamine, are
sympathomimetics used in the treatment of shock. Other selective beta-2
adrenergic agonists, such as terbutaline and isoproterenol, are indicated in the
treatment of asthma. Although dobutamine improves cardiac output, it is not
used to treat hypotension.
A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch.
Which assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has
been achieved?
a) Client denies recent episodes of angina.
b) Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
2|Page
, Pharmacology HESI Exam Preparation
c) Client denies recent nausea or vomiting.
d) Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg.
Rationale: D
Catapres acts as a centrally-acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. A
reduction of the blood pressure to 140/70 mmHg indicates a reduction in
hypertension.
Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of care for a client
receiving the angiotensin-receptor antagonist irbesartan (Avapro)?
a) Fluid volume deficit.
b) Risk for infection.
c) Risk for injury.
d) Impaired sleep patterns.
Rationale: C
Avapro is an antihypertensive agent, which acts by blocking vasoconstrictor effects
at various receptor sites. This can cause hypotension and dizziness, placing the
client at high risk for injury.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the
nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
Ø Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus).
Ø Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
Ø Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
Ø Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
3|Page
PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXAM PREPARATION FOR 2025/2026
COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW!!
A client's dose of isosorbide dinitrate (Imdur) is increased from 40 mg to 60 mg PO
daily. When the client reports the onset of a headache prior to the next scheduled
dose, which action should the nurse implement?
a) Hold the next scheduled dose of Imdur 60 mg and administer a PRN dose of
acetaminophen (Tylenol).
b) Administer the 40 mg of Imdur and then contact the healthcare provider.
c) Administer the 60 mg dose of Imdur and a PRN dose of acetaminophen
(Tylenol).
d) Do not administer the next dose of Imdur or any acetaminophen until notifying
the healthcare provider.
Rationale: C
Imdur is a nitrate which causes vasodilation. This vasodilation can result in
headaches, which can generally be controlled with acetaminophen until the client
develops a tolerance to this adverse effect.
A client is receiving metoprolol (Lopressor SR, Nu-Metop). What assessment is
most important for the nurse to obtain?
a) Temperature.
b) Lung sounds.
1|Page
, Pharmacology HESI Exam Preparation
c) Blood pressure.
d) Urinary output.
Rationale: C
It is most important to monitor the blood pressure of clients taking this
medication because metoprolol is an antianginal, antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive
agent.
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) is an emergency drug most commonly prescribed for a
client with which condition?
a) Shock.
b) Asthma.
c) Hypotension.
d) Heart failure.
Rationale: D
Dobutamine is a beta-1 adrenergic agonist that is indicated for short term use in
cardiac decompensation or heart failure related to reduced cardiac contractility
due to organic heart disease or cardiac surgical procedures. On the other hand,
alpha and beta adrenergic agonists, such as epinephrine and dopamine, are
sympathomimetics used in the treatment of shock. Other selective beta-2
adrenergic agonists, such as terbutaline and isoproterenol, are indicated in the
treatment of asthma. Although dobutamine improves cardiac output, it is not
used to treat hypotension.
A client is receiving clonidine (Catapres) 0.1 mg/24hr via transdermal patch.
Which assessment finding indicates that the desired effect of the medication has
been achieved?
a) Client denies recent episodes of angina.
b) Change in peripheral edema from +3 to +1.
2|Page
, Pharmacology HESI Exam Preparation
c) Client denies recent nausea or vomiting.
d) Blood pressure has changed from 180/120 to 140/70 mmHg.
Rationale: D
Catapres acts as a centrally-acting analgesic and antihypertensive agent. A
reduction of the blood pressure to 140/70 mmHg indicates a reduction in
hypertension.
Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of care for a client
receiving the angiotensin-receptor antagonist irbesartan (Avapro)?
a) Fluid volume deficit.
b) Risk for infection.
c) Risk for injury.
d) Impaired sleep patterns.
Rationale: C
Avapro is an antihypertensive agent, which acts by blocking vasoconstrictor effects
at various receptor sites. This can cause hypotension and dizziness, placing the
client at high risk for injury.
Upon admission to the emergency center, an adult client with acute status
asthmaticus is prescribed this series of medications. In which order should the
nurse administer the prescribed medications? (Arrange from first to last.)
Ø Salmeterol (Serevent Diskus).
Ø Gentamicin (Garamycin) IM.
Ø Albuterol (Proventil) puffs.
Ø Prednisone (Deltasone) orally.
3|Page
