HESI Pharm Practice Questions
Complete With Verified Answers
\Q\.Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - ANSWER-✔C. Bismuth subsalicyclate
(Pepto Bismol)
Pepto Bismol contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with aspirin.
\Q\.A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after initation of the Lipitor prescription, the
nurse assesses the client. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Heartburn
B. Headache
C. Constipation
D. Vomiting - ANSWER-✔D. Vomiting
,Vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since Lipitor
increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate intervention by
the nurse.
\Q\.When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen (Tylenol), it is
most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body?
A. Flank
B. Abdomen
C. Chest
D. Head - ANSWER-✔B. Abdomen
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially important for the
nurse to assess for pain in the RUQ which might indicate liver damage.
\Q\.An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse knows
that the purpose of the medication is to:
A. decrease production of gastric secretions
B. produce an adherent barrier over the ulcer
C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
D. decrease gastric motor activity - ANSWER-✔C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
The objective of antacids is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or above which is
necessary of pepsinogen inactivity.
A is the purpose of H2 receptor antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine)
B is the purpose of sucralfate (Carafate)
,D. is the purpose of anticholinergic drugs which are often used in conjunction with antacids to
allow the antacid to remain in the stomach longer
\Q\.In evaluating the effects of lactulose (Cephulac), which outcome would indicate that the
drug is performing as intended?
A. An increase in urine output
B. Two or three soft stools per day
C. Watery, diarrhea stools
D. Increased serum bilirubin - ANSWER-✔B. Two or three soft stools per day
Lactulose is administered to reduce blood ammonia by excretion of ammonia through the stool.
Two to three stools a day indicate that lactulose is performing as intended.
A. would be expected if the patient received a diuretic
C. would indicate an overdose of lactulose and is not expected
Lactulose does not affect D.
\Q\.A client is being treated for osteoporosis with alendronate (Fosamax), and the nurse has
completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration. Which morning schedule
would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has been effective?
A. Take medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
B. Take medication, rest in bed for 30 minutes, eat breakfast, go for morning walk.
C. Take medication with breakfast, then take a 30 minute morning walk.
D. Go for a 30 minute morning walk, eat breakfast, then take medication. - ANSWER-✔A. Take
medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
, Alendonate (Fosamax) is best absorbed when taken 30 minutes before eating in the morning.
The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after
taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal reflux and irritation.
\Q\.A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which
laboratory findings should the nurse identify that places the client at risk?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Low uric acid levels - ANSWER-✔A. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia affects myocardial contractility, so (A) places this client at greatest risk for
dysrhythmias that may be unresponsive to drug therapy. Although an imbalance of serum
electrolytes, (B and C), can effect cardiac rhythm, the greatest risk for the client receiving
digoxin is (A). (D) does not cause any interactions related to digoxin therapy for SVT.
\Q\.While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergice to penicillin." what related
allergy to another type of anti-infective agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking
nursing history?
A. aminoglycosides
B. Cephalosporins
C. Sulfonamides
D. Tetracyclines - ANSWER-✔B. Cephalosporins
Cross allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporins.
Complete With Verified Answers
\Q\.Which antidiarrheal agent should be used with caution in clients taking high dosages of
aspirin for arthritis?
A) Loperamide (Imodium).
B) Probanthine (Propantheline).
C) Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol).
D) Diphenoxylate hydrochloride with atropine (Lomotil). - ANSWER-✔C. Bismuth subsalicyclate
(Pepto Bismol)
Pepto Bismol contains a subsalicylate that increases the potential for salicylate toxicity when
used concurrently with aspirin.
\Q\.A client with coronary artery disease who is taking digoxin (Lanoxin) receives a new
prescription for atorvastatin (Lipitor). Two weeks after initation of the Lipitor prescription, the
nurse assesses the client. Which finding requires the most immediate intervention?
A. Heartburn
B. Headache
C. Constipation
D. Vomiting - ANSWER-✔D. Vomiting
,Vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain are early indications of digitalis toxicity. Since Lipitor
increases the risk for digitalis toxicity, this finding requires the most immediate intervention by
the nurse.
\Q\.When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen (Tylenol), it is
most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area of the body?
A. Flank
B. Abdomen
C. Chest
D. Head - ANSWER-✔B. Abdomen
Acetaminophen toxicity can result in liver damage; therefore, it is especially important for the
nurse to assess for pain in the RUQ which might indicate liver damage.
\Q\.An antacid (Maalox) is prescribed for a client with peptic ulcer disease. The nurse knows
that the purpose of the medication is to:
A. decrease production of gastric secretions
B. produce an adherent barrier over the ulcer
C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
D. decrease gastric motor activity - ANSWER-✔C. maintain a gastric pH of 3.5 or above
The objective of antacids is to neutralize gastric acids and keep pH of 3.5 or above which is
necessary of pepsinogen inactivity.
A is the purpose of H2 receptor antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine)
B is the purpose of sucralfate (Carafate)
,D. is the purpose of anticholinergic drugs which are often used in conjunction with antacids to
allow the antacid to remain in the stomach longer
\Q\.In evaluating the effects of lactulose (Cephulac), which outcome would indicate that the
drug is performing as intended?
A. An increase in urine output
B. Two or three soft stools per day
C. Watery, diarrhea stools
D. Increased serum bilirubin - ANSWER-✔B. Two or three soft stools per day
Lactulose is administered to reduce blood ammonia by excretion of ammonia through the stool.
Two to three stools a day indicate that lactulose is performing as intended.
A. would be expected if the patient received a diuretic
C. would indicate an overdose of lactulose and is not expected
Lactulose does not affect D.
\Q\.A client is being treated for osteoporosis with alendronate (Fosamax), and the nurse has
completed discharge teaching regarding medication administration. Which morning schedule
would indicate to the nurse that the client teaching has been effective?
A. Take medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
B. Take medication, rest in bed for 30 minutes, eat breakfast, go for morning walk.
C. Take medication with breakfast, then take a 30 minute morning walk.
D. Go for a 30 minute morning walk, eat breakfast, then take medication. - ANSWER-✔A. Take
medication, go for a 30 minute morning walk, then eat breakfast.
, Alendonate (Fosamax) is best absorbed when taken 30 minutes before eating in the morning.
The client should also be advised to remain in an upright position for at least 30 minutes after
taking the medication to reduce the risk of esophageal reflux and irritation.
\Q\.A client is receiving digoxin for the onset of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Which
laboratory findings should the nurse identify that places the client at risk?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Low uric acid levels - ANSWER-✔A. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia affects myocardial contractility, so (A) places this client at greatest risk for
dysrhythmias that may be unresponsive to drug therapy. Although an imbalance of serum
electrolytes, (B and C), can effect cardiac rhythm, the greatest risk for the client receiving
digoxin is (A). (D) does not cause any interactions related to digoxin therapy for SVT.
\Q\.While taking a nursing history, the client states, "I am allergice to penicillin." what related
allergy to another type of anti-infective agent should the nurse ask the client about when taking
nursing history?
A. aminoglycosides
B. Cephalosporins
C. Sulfonamides
D. Tetracyclines - ANSWER-✔B. Cephalosporins
Cross allergies exist between penicillins and cephalosporins.
