HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM
TEST BANK COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1.) 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
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - Correct Answer-1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment
should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If
this occurs, the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and
4 describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be
expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
2.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test
will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
1|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
4. White blood cell count - Correct Answer-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be
monitored specifically during this treatment.
3.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - Correct Answer-1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
4.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
2|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands - Correct Answer-2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption
is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which
permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
5.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - Correct Answer-1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The
acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
6) 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)
3|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer-3. 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.
7.) 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 - Correct Answer-4. 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.
8.) 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
4|Page
HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM PRACTICE NEWEST ACTUAL EXAM
TEST BANK COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) WITH RATIONALES |ALREADY
GRADED A+||BRAND NEW VERSION!!
1.) 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
3.Local pain at the burn site
4.Local rash at the burn site - Correct Answer-1.Hyperventilation
Rationale:
Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can suppress renal
excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis. Clients receiving this treatment
should be monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance (hyperventilation). If
this occurs, the medication should be discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and
4 describe local rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be
expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
2.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a client with severe acne. Before the
administration of this medication, the nurse anticipates that which laboratory test
will be prescribed?
1. Platelet count
2. Triglyceride level
3. Complete blood count
1|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
4. White blood cell count - Correct Answer-2. Triglyceride level
Rationale:
Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride levels should be
measured before treatment and periodically thereafter until the effect on the
triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not need to be
monitored specifically during this treatment.
3.) A client with severe acne is seen in the clinic and the health care provider
(HCP) prescribes isotretinoin. The nurse reviews the client's medication record and
would contact the (HCP) if the client is taking which medication?
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin) - Correct Answer-1. Vitamin A
Rationale:
Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce generalized
intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of the potential for increased
toxicity, vitamin A supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the use of isotretinoin.
4.) The nurse is applying a topical corticosteroid to a client with eczema. The nurse
would monitor for the potential for increased systemic absorption of the
medication if the medication were being applied to which of the following body
areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
2|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands - Correct Answer-2. Axilla
Rationale:
Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic circulation. Absorption
is higher from regions where the skin is especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in which
permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
5.) The clinic nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. The nurse
notes that the client is taking azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of the medication
prescription, the nurse would suspect that the client is being treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex - Correct Answer-1. Acne
Rationale:
Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate acne. The
acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of Propionibacterium acnes and
decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
6) 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)
3|Page
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
4. Large doses of vitamin D - Correct Answer-3. 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.
7.) 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 - Correct Answer-4. 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.
8.) 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
4|Page
