PN HESI PHARM EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
A mother brings her 18-month-old child to the clinic because the child has had "bad
diarrhea" for the last 3 days. She states, "I bought some of this liquid at the
pharmacy and gave my daughter a half-ounce." The practical nurse (PN) sees that
the bottle contains loperamide (Imodium AD). What intervention is most important for
the PN to implement initially? - ANSWER-Ask the mother when the child last voided.
A client who received a prescription for cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis)
for dry eyes asks the practical nurse (PN) if it is safe to continue using artificial tears.
What information should the PN provide? - ANSWER-Allow a 15-minute interval
between the administration of Restasis and artificial tears.
The health care provider prescribes morphine sulfate grain 1/8 IM stat. Morphine is
available in 8 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the practical nurse (PN)
administer? - ANSWER-1 mL
A 74-year-old female client asks the practical nurse (PN) if she should get a flu shot.
Which response should the PN provide? - ANSWER-"Yes. Normal aging decreases
your immunity, making you more susceptible to contagious diseases such as the flu."
A 78-year-old client with congestive heart failure (CHF) receives the cardiac
glycoside digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg PO daily. Which observation by the nurse
indicates that the medication has been effective? - ANSWER-Clear breath sounds
bilaterally.
The healthcare provider orders 1000 mL of 0.5% normal saline to run over 8 hours.
The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse plans to adjust the flow rate to how many
gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.) - ANSWER-31
A client asks the practical nurse (PN) if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. What
answer should the PN provide? - ANSWER-"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be
used only when some beta cell function is present."
A female client who started taking an oral sulfonamide for a urinary tract infection the
previous day reports to the nurse that the medication is causing slight anorexia. She
also states that she continues to experience urinary frequency, so she takes the
medication with a small sip of cranberry juice and limits her fluid intake. What
information should the practical nurse provide - ANSWER-Drink a full glass of water
with the medication and drink additional fluids throughout the day
, A health care provider prescribes cefadroxil (Duricef) for a client with a postoperative
infection. It is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to consider that a cross
allergy is possible with what drug allergy? - ANSWER-Penicillins
A client is receiving the antipsychotic medication haloperidol (Haldol). In evaluating
the effectiveness of this medication, which action provides the practical nurse with
the most reliable information? - ANSWER-Observe the client for changes in behavior
weekly.
A client is receiving benztropine (Cogentin) and olanzapine (Seroquel) to control
psychotic behavior. When reinforcing teaching to the client and/or significant others
about these medications, what should the practical nurse (PN) explain about the use
of benztropine (Cogentin)? - ANSWER-The benztropine (Cogentin) is used to control
extrapyramidal symptoms.
Which question should the practical nurse (PN) ask an older client before beginning
treatment with gentamicin sulfate (Garamycin)? - ANSWER-Are you hard of
hearing?"
Oral metronidazole (Flagyl) is prescribed for a client diagnosed with vaginal
trichomoniasis, a protozoan infection. What precautions should the practical nurse
(PN) instruct the client to follow while taking this medication? - ANSWER-Avoid
ingesting any alcoholic (ethanol) beverage.
Which finding indicates that the desired effect of phenazopyridine (Pyridium), used in
the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs), has been achieved? - ANSWER-
Client denies pain when voiding.
The practical nurse (PN) is evaluating a client in the immediate postoperative period
who is receiving morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. What
finding should the PN consider the highest priority in this client? - ANSWER-The rate
and depth of the client's respirations
The nurse prepares to administer ophthalmic drops to a client before cataract
surgery. List the steps in the order they should be implemented from first step to final
step. - ANSWER-Wash hands and apply clean gloves.
Place the dominant hand on the client's forehead.
Drop prescribed number of drops into the conjunctival sac.
Ask the client to close the eye gently.
Which change in data indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that the desired effect of
the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan (Cozaar) is achieved? - ANSWER-
Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmm Hg
A client with angina pectoris is instructed to take sublingual nitroglycerin tablets PRN
for chest pain. Which information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with this
client? - ANSWER-Take one tablet at the onset of angina and stop activity.
WITH COMPLETE ANSWERS
A mother brings her 18-month-old child to the clinic because the child has had "bad
diarrhea" for the last 3 days. She states, "I bought some of this liquid at the
pharmacy and gave my daughter a half-ounce." The practical nurse (PN) sees that
the bottle contains loperamide (Imodium AD). What intervention is most important for
the PN to implement initially? - ANSWER-Ask the mother when the child last voided.
A client who received a prescription for cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion (Restasis)
for dry eyes asks the practical nurse (PN) if it is safe to continue using artificial tears.
What information should the PN provide? - ANSWER-Allow a 15-minute interval
between the administration of Restasis and artificial tears.
The health care provider prescribes morphine sulfate grain 1/8 IM stat. Morphine is
available in 8 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the practical nurse (PN)
administer? - ANSWER-1 mL
A 74-year-old female client asks the practical nurse (PN) if she should get a flu shot.
Which response should the PN provide? - ANSWER-"Yes. Normal aging decreases
your immunity, making you more susceptible to contagious diseases such as the flu."
A 78-year-old client with congestive heart failure (CHF) receives the cardiac
glycoside digoxin (Lanoxin) 0.25 mg PO daily. Which observation by the nurse
indicates that the medication has been effective? - ANSWER-Clear breath sounds
bilaterally.
The healthcare provider orders 1000 mL of 0.5% normal saline to run over 8 hours.
The drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse plans to adjust the flow rate to how many
gtt/min? (Round to the nearest whole number.) - ANSWER-31
A client asks the practical nurse (PN) if glipizide (Glucotrol) is an oral insulin. What
answer should the PN provide? - ANSWER-"No, it is not an oral insulin and can be
used only when some beta cell function is present."
A female client who started taking an oral sulfonamide for a urinary tract infection the
previous day reports to the nurse that the medication is causing slight anorexia. She
also states that she continues to experience urinary frequency, so she takes the
medication with a small sip of cranberry juice and limits her fluid intake. What
information should the practical nurse provide - ANSWER-Drink a full glass of water
with the medication and drink additional fluids throughout the day
, A health care provider prescribes cefadroxil (Duricef) for a client with a postoperative
infection. It is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to consider that a cross
allergy is possible with what drug allergy? - ANSWER-Penicillins
A client is receiving the antipsychotic medication haloperidol (Haldol). In evaluating
the effectiveness of this medication, which action provides the practical nurse with
the most reliable information? - ANSWER-Observe the client for changes in behavior
weekly.
A client is receiving benztropine (Cogentin) and olanzapine (Seroquel) to control
psychotic behavior. When reinforcing teaching to the client and/or significant others
about these medications, what should the practical nurse (PN) explain about the use
of benztropine (Cogentin)? - ANSWER-The benztropine (Cogentin) is used to control
extrapyramidal symptoms.
Which question should the practical nurse (PN) ask an older client before beginning
treatment with gentamicin sulfate (Garamycin)? - ANSWER-Are you hard of
hearing?"
Oral metronidazole (Flagyl) is prescribed for a client diagnosed with vaginal
trichomoniasis, a protozoan infection. What precautions should the practical nurse
(PN) instruct the client to follow while taking this medication? - ANSWER-Avoid
ingesting any alcoholic (ethanol) beverage.
Which finding indicates that the desired effect of phenazopyridine (Pyridium), used in
the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs), has been achieved? - ANSWER-
Client denies pain when voiding.
The practical nurse (PN) is evaluating a client in the immediate postoperative period
who is receiving morphine via a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump. What
finding should the PN consider the highest priority in this client? - ANSWER-The rate
and depth of the client's respirations
The nurse prepares to administer ophthalmic drops to a client before cataract
surgery. List the steps in the order they should be implemented from first step to final
step. - ANSWER-Wash hands and apply clean gloves.
Place the dominant hand on the client's forehead.
Drop prescribed number of drops into the conjunctival sac.
Ask the client to close the eye gently.
Which change in data indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that the desired effect of
the angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan (Cozaar) is achieved? - ANSWER-
Blood pressure reduced from 160/90 to 130/80 mmm Hg
A client with angina pectoris is instructed to take sublingual nitroglycerin tablets PRN
for chest pain. Which information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with this
client? - ANSWER-Take one tablet at the onset of angina and stop activity.
