HESI PN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 4 REVISION
HANDBOOK 2026 ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTS
AND PATIENT SAFETY
◉ Hypertension
Answer: Managed using beta-1 blocking agents.
◉ Heart failure
Answer: Indicated for treatment with beta-1 agonists to improve
cardiac output.
◉ Asthma
Answer: Managed with medications that stimulate beta-2 receptors
in the bronchi.
◉ Ibuprofen (Motrin)
Answer: 600 mg PO 4 times a day for rheumatoid arthritis.
◉ Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Answer: 100 mcg PO prescribed to prevent gastrointestinal
bleeding.
,◉ Cytotec
Answer: A synthetic form of a prostaglandin classified as pregnancy
Category X.
◉ Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Answer: A potassium-sparing diuretic that requires dietary
modifications.
◉ Diet modification for heart failure with Aldactone
Answer: Refrain from eating foods high in potassium.
◉ Lactulose (Cephulac)
Answer: Administered to reduce blood ammonia by excretion
through stool.
◉ Desired outcome of lactulose
Answer: Two or three soft stools per day indicate the drug is
performing as intended.
◉ Naproxen (Naproxen)
Answer: Prescribed twice daily for osteoarthritis.
◉ Effectiveness of Naproxen
,Answer: Therapeutic blood levels are reached in 4 to 6 weeks.
◉ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Answer: Individual responses to these drugs are variable.
◉ Potassium-sparing diuretic
Answer: A type of diuretic that helps retain potassium.
◉ Pregnancy Category X
Answer: Indicates a drug that can cause fetal harm.
◉ Gastrointestinal bleeding prevention
Answer: Cytotec is prescribed to prevent this when taking NSAIDs.
◉ Hyperkalemia
Answer: A condition to avoid when taking spironolactone.
◉ Fluid intake restriction
Answer: Not indicated with the prescription of spironolactone.
◉ Diarrhea as a side effect
Answer: A common side effect of Cytotec.
, ◉ Corticosteroids for osteoarthritis
Answer: Not indicated for pain relief in osteoarthritis.
◉ Dosing frequency for Naproxen
Answer: Usually prescribed every 8 hours.
◉ Peak effect of Naproxen
Answer: Occurs one to two hours after administration.
◉ Contraception during intercourse
Answer: Recommended for clients taking Cytotec to prevent
pregnancy.
◉ Metronidazole (Flagyl) Instructions
Answer: Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
◉ Albuterol (Proventil) Nausea Management
Answer: Administer the dose with a snack.
◉ Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) Intervention
Answer: Discontinue the IV fluids.
HANDBOOK 2026 ADVERSE DRUG EFFECTS
AND PATIENT SAFETY
◉ Hypertension
Answer: Managed using beta-1 blocking agents.
◉ Heart failure
Answer: Indicated for treatment with beta-1 agonists to improve
cardiac output.
◉ Asthma
Answer: Managed with medications that stimulate beta-2 receptors
in the bronchi.
◉ Ibuprofen (Motrin)
Answer: 600 mg PO 4 times a day for rheumatoid arthritis.
◉ Misoprostol (Cytotec)
Answer: 100 mcg PO prescribed to prevent gastrointestinal
bleeding.
,◉ Cytotec
Answer: A synthetic form of a prostaglandin classified as pregnancy
Category X.
◉ Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Answer: A potassium-sparing diuretic that requires dietary
modifications.
◉ Diet modification for heart failure with Aldactone
Answer: Refrain from eating foods high in potassium.
◉ Lactulose (Cephulac)
Answer: Administered to reduce blood ammonia by excretion
through stool.
◉ Desired outcome of lactulose
Answer: Two or three soft stools per day indicate the drug is
performing as intended.
◉ Naproxen (Naproxen)
Answer: Prescribed twice daily for osteoarthritis.
◉ Effectiveness of Naproxen
,Answer: Therapeutic blood levels are reached in 4 to 6 weeks.
◉ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Answer: Individual responses to these drugs are variable.
◉ Potassium-sparing diuretic
Answer: A type of diuretic that helps retain potassium.
◉ Pregnancy Category X
Answer: Indicates a drug that can cause fetal harm.
◉ Gastrointestinal bleeding prevention
Answer: Cytotec is prescribed to prevent this when taking NSAIDs.
◉ Hyperkalemia
Answer: A condition to avoid when taking spironolactone.
◉ Fluid intake restriction
Answer: Not indicated with the prescription of spironolactone.
◉ Diarrhea as a side effect
Answer: A common side effect of Cytotec.
, ◉ Corticosteroids for osteoarthritis
Answer: Not indicated for pain relief in osteoarthritis.
◉ Dosing frequency for Naproxen
Answer: Usually prescribed every 8 hours.
◉ Peak effect of Naproxen
Answer: Occurs one to two hours after administration.
◉ Contraception during intercourse
Answer: Recommended for clients taking Cytotec to prevent
pregnancy.
◉ Metronidazole (Flagyl) Instructions
Answer: Increase fluid intake, especially cranberry juice.
◉ Albuterol (Proventil) Nausea Management
Answer: Administer the dose with a snack.
◉ Doxorubicin (Adriamycin) Intervention
Answer: Discontinue the IV fluids.
