PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXIT EXAM 2025 | ALL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
Terms in this set (245)
1) A nurse is caring for a client with 3. Calcitonin
hyperparathyroidism and notes (Miacalcin)
that the client's serum calcium Rationale:
level is 13 mg/dL. The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing
Which medication should the nurse
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are
prepare to administer as
medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride result of acute hypocalcemia. In
2. Calcium gluconate hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided.
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin) Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium
4. Large doses of vitamin D level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are 4. Orange juice
prescribed for a 6-year-old Rationale:
child with iron deficiency Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother should be instructed to administer the medication with
mother to administer the iron a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
with which best food vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will
item? not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater
1. Milk
amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
,3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed 1. Tinnitus
for a client with a diagnosis of Rationale:
psoriasis. The nurse Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic
monitors the client, knowing toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
that which of the following dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
would indicate the presence of Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
systemic toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
4.) The camp nurse asks the 4. At least 30 minutes before
children exposure to the sun Rationale:
preparing to swim in the lake if
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes
they have applied sunscreen.
before exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin.
The nurse reminds the
All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
children that chemical sunscreens
are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before
swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to
the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to
the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is 3. Informing the client that this is
prescribed for the client with a normal Rationale:
burn injury.
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-
When applying the medication, the
positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria
client
complains of local discomfort and present in avascular tissues. The client
burning. should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort
Which of the following is the most and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore
appropriate nursing action? options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
1. Notifying the registered
nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is
, normal
4. Applying a thinner film than
prescribed to the burn site
6.) The burn client is receiving 1.Hyperventilation
treatments of topical mafenide Rationale:
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
of injury. The nurse monitors suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis.
the Clients receiving this treatment should be
client, knowing that which of the monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
following indicates that a (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should be
systemic effect has discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local
occurred? rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be
1. Hyperventilation
expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
2.Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a 2. Triglyceride
client with severe acne. Before level
the administration of this Rationale:
medication, the nurse anticipates Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride
that which laboratory test will be levels should be measured before treatment and periodically
prescribed? thereafter until the effect on the
1. Platelet count triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not
2. Triglyceride level
need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
, 8.) A client with severe acne is 1. Vitamin A
seen in the clinic and the health Rationale:
care provider (HCP) prescribes Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce
isotretinoin. The nurse generalized intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of
reviews the client's medication the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
record and would contact the supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
(HCP) if the client is taking therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the
which medication? use of isotretinoin.
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
9.) The nurse is applying a topical 2. Axilla
corticosteroid to a client with Rationale:
eczema. The nurse would monitor Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic
for the potential for circulation. Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is
increased systemic absorption of especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
the
medication if the medication were eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in
being applied to which of the which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
10.) The clinic nurse is 1. Acne
performing an admission Rationale:
assessment on a client. The nurse Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate
notes that the client is taking acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of
azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of Propionibacterium acnes and
the medication decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are
incorrect.
prescription, the nurse would
suspect that the client is being
treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
CORRECT ANSWERS
Terms in this set (245)
1) A nurse is caring for a client with 3. Calcitonin
hyperparathyroidism and notes (Miacalcin)
that the client's serum calcium Rationale:
level is 13 mg/dL. The normal serum calcium level is 8.6 to 10.0 mg/dL. This client is
experiencing
Which medication should the nurse
hypercalcemia. Calcium gluconate and calcium chloride are
prepare to administer as
medications used for the treatment of tetany, which occurs as a
prescribed to the client?
1. Calcium chloride result of acute hypocalcemia. In
2. Calcium gluconate hypercalcemia, large doses of vitamin D need to be avoided.
3. Calcitonin (Miacalcin) Calcitonin, a thyroid hormone, decreases the plasma calcium
4. Large doses of vitamin D level by inhibiting bone resorption and lowering the serum
calcium concentration.
2.) Oral iron supplements are 4. Orange juice
prescribed for a 6-year-old Rationale:
child with iron deficiency Vitamin C increases the absorption of iron by the body. The
anemia. The nurse instructs the mother should be instructed to administer the medication with
mother to administer the iron a citrus fruit or a juice that is high in
with which best food vitamin C. Milk may affect absorption of the iron. Water will
item? not assist in absorption. Orange juice contains a greater
1. Milk
amount of vitamin C than apple juice.
2. Water
3. Apple juice
4. Orange juice
,3.) Salicylic acid is prescribed 1. Tinnitus
for a client with a diagnosis of Rationale:
psoriasis. The nurse Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic
monitors the client, knowing toxicity (salicylism) can result. Symptoms include tinnitus,
that which of the following dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological disturbances.
would indicate the presence of Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
systemic toxicity from this
medication?
1. Tinnitus
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations
4.) The camp nurse asks the 4. At least 30 minutes before
children exposure to the sun Rationale:
preparing to swim in the lake if
Sunscreens are most effective when applied at least 30 minutes
they have applied sunscreen.
before exposure to the sun so that they can penetrate the skin.
The nurse reminds the
All sunscreens should be reapplied after swimming or sweating.
children that chemical sunscreens
are most effective when applied:
1. Immediately before
swimming
2. 15 minutes before exposure to
the sun
3. Immediately before exposure to
the sun
4. At least 30 minutes before
exposure to the sun
5.) Mafenide acetate (Sulfamylon) is 3. Informing the client that this is
prescribed for the client with a normal Rationale:
burn injury.
Mafenide acetate is bacteriostatic for gram-negative and gram-
When applying the medication, the
positive organisms and is used to treat burns to reduce bacteria
client
complains of local discomfort and present in avascular tissues. The client
burning. should be informed that the medication will cause local discomfort
Which of the following is the most and burning and that this is a normal reaction; therefore
appropriate nursing action? options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect
1. Notifying the registered
nurse
2. Discontinuing the medication
3. Informing the client that this is
, normal
4. Applying a thinner film than
prescribed to the burn site
6.) The burn client is receiving 1.Hyperventilation
treatments of topical mafenide Rationale:
acetate (Sulfamylon) to the site Mafenide acetate is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor and can
of injury. The nurse monitors suppress renal excretion of acid, thereby causing acidosis.
the Clients receiving this treatment should be
client, knowing that which of the monitored for signs of an acid-base imbalance
following indicates that a (hyperventilation). If this occurs, the medication should be
systemic effect has discontinued for 1 to 2 days. Options 3 and 4 describe local
occurred? rather than systemic effects. An elevated blood pressure may be
1. Hyperventilation
expected from the pain that occurs with a burn injury.
2.Elevated blood pressure
3. Local pain at the burn site
4. Local rash at the burn site
7.) Isotretinoin is prescribed for a 2. Triglyceride
client with severe acne. Before level
the administration of this Rationale:
medication, the nurse anticipates Isotretinoin can elevate triglyceride levels. Blood triglyceride
that which laboratory test will be levels should be measured before treatment and periodically
prescribed? thereafter until the effect on the
1. Platelet count triglycerides has been evaluated. Options 1, 3, and 4 do not
2. Triglyceride level
need to be monitored specifically during this treatment.
3. Complete blood count
4. White blood cell count
, 8.) A client with severe acne is 1. Vitamin A
seen in the clinic and the health Rationale:
care provider (HCP) prescribes Isotretinoin is a metabolite of vitamin A and can produce
isotretinoin. The nurse generalized intensification of isotretinoin toxicity. Because of
reviews the client's medication the potential for increased toxicity, vitamin A
record and would contact the supplements should be discontinued before isotretinoin
(HCP) if the client is taking therapy. Options 2, 3, and 4 are not contraindicated with the
which medication? use of isotretinoin.
1. Vitamin A
2. Digoxin (Lanoxin)
3. Furosemide (Lasix)
4. Phenytoin (Dilantin)
9.) The nurse is applying a topical 2. Axilla
corticosteroid to a client with Rationale:
eczema. The nurse would monitor Topical corticosteroids can be absorbed into the systemic
for the potential for circulation. Absorption is higher from regions where the skin is
increased systemic absorption of especially permeable (scalp, axilla, face,
the
medication if the medication were eyelids, neck, perineum, genitalia), and lower from regions in
being applied to which of the which permeability is poor (back, palms, soles).
following body areas?
1. Back
2. Axilla
3. Soles of the feet
4. Palms of the hands
10.) The clinic nurse is 1. Acne
performing an admission Rationale:
assessment on a client. The nurse Azelaic acid is a topical medication used to treat mild to moderate
notes that the client is taking acne. The acid appears to work by suppressing the growth of
azelaic acid (Azelex). Because of Propionibacterium acnes and
the medication decreasing the proliferation of keratinocytes. Options 2, 3, and 4 are
incorrect.
prescription, the nurse would
suspect that the client is being
treated for:
1. Acne
2. Eczema
3. Hair loss
4. Herpes simplex
