NGN HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY (4 VERSIONS)
WITH ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS) RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY WITH
NGN 2024/ 2025
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is available in an oral form. The
provider has prescribed 10 mg of the medication, but the available tablet strength is 5 mg.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 5 tablets
D) 10 tablets
Answer: B) 2 tablets
Rationale:
The prescribed dosage is 10 mg, and the available tablet strength is 5 mg. To find how many
tablets are needed, divide the prescribed dose by the strength of each tablet:
10 mg ÷ 5 mg per tablet = 2 tablets.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2 tablets.
Question 2
A nurse is administering a medication to a client who is receiving both a medication that
alters liver function and one that is metabolized by the liver. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Assess for signs of toxicity from the second medication.
B) Monitor for increased therapeutic effect of both medications.
C) Increase the dosage of the second medication.
D) Administer the medications at different times.
Answer: A) Assess for signs of toxicity from the second medication.
,Rationale:
Medications that are metabolized by the liver may not be processed effectively if the liver
function is impaired. This can lead to drug toxicity. The nurse should assess for signs of toxicity,
such as nausea, vomiting, or confusion, especially when taking multiple drugs that affect liver
metabolism. It is not appropriate to increase the dosage or alter the schedule of administration
without consulting the provider first.
Question 3
A nurse is providing education to a client who is prescribed warfarin. The client also takes
aspirin daily for pain relief. What should the nurse inform the client about this drug
combination?
A) The combination is safe and does not require any monitoring.
B) Warfarin may increase the therapeutic effect of aspirin, reducing pain.
C) There is an increased risk of bleeding due to the combined effect of both drugs.
D) Aspirin will reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Answer: C) There is an increased risk of bleeding due to the combined effect of both drugs.
Rationale:
Both warfarin (an anticoagulant) and aspirin (an antiplatelet) can increase the risk of bleeding.
When taken together, they have a synergistic effect, which raises the risk of bleeding
complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The nurse should educate the client to watch for
signs of bleeding (e.g., bruising, blood in urine or stool, prolonged bleeding) and encourage
regular follow-up with their healthcare provider.
Question 4
A client taking lithium reports excessive thirst, frequent urination, and tremors. What
should the nurse do next?
A) Increase the lithium dose.
B) Withhold the next dose of lithium and contact the provider.
C) Tell the client these are common side effects and to continue taking the medication.
D) Encourage the client to drink less water to reduce urination.
Answer: B) Withhold the next dose of lithium and contact the provider.
Rationale:
Excessive thirst, frequent urination, and tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity. Lithium has a
narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is
, small. The nurse should withhold the next dose, assess the client further, and notify the provider
to evaluate the need for dose adjustment or further interventions.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer a new prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
The nurse should prioritize which action before administering the drug?
A) Assess the client's blood pressure.
B) Offer the client food to avoid gastric upset.
C) Take the client's temperature to check for infection.
D) Administer the drug with a full glass of water.
Answer: A) Assess the client's blood pressure.
Rationale:
Antihypertensive medications lower blood pressure. The nurse should assess the client's blood
pressure before administering the drug to ensure that it is within a safe range. If the blood
pressure is too low, the medication may cause further hypotension and increase the risk of
adverse effects such as dizziness or fainting. Offering food or water may be important but is not
the priority action before administering this medication.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client newly prescribed insulin about self-administration. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will inject the insulin into the fatty tissue just beneath my skin."
B) "I can reuse the same needle for several injections if I clean it properly."
C) "I need to rotate the injection sites to prevent tissue damage."
D) "I should store my insulin in the refrigerator to keep it effective."
Answer: B) "I can reuse the same needle for several injections if I clean it properly."
Rationale:
The reuse of insulin needles is not recommended due to the risk of infection and tissue damage.
Even though cleaning the needle might help reduce some risks, it does not eliminate the
possibility of harm. Needles should be disposed of after a single use to prevent infection and
ensure accurate dosing. The nurse should provide further education on safe injection practices.
WITH ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES (100% CORRECT
ANSWERS) RN HESI PHARMACOLOGY WITH
NGN 2024/ 2025
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer a medication that is available in an oral form. The
provider has prescribed 10 mg of the medication, but the available tablet strength is 5 mg.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 5 tablets
D) 10 tablets
Answer: B) 2 tablets
Rationale:
The prescribed dosage is 10 mg, and the available tablet strength is 5 mg. To find how many
tablets are needed, divide the prescribed dose by the strength of each tablet:
10 mg ÷ 5 mg per tablet = 2 tablets.
Therefore, the nurse should administer 2 tablets.
Question 2
A nurse is administering a medication to a client who is receiving both a medication that
alters liver function and one that is metabolized by the liver. What is the nurse's priority
action?
A) Assess for signs of toxicity from the second medication.
B) Monitor for increased therapeutic effect of both medications.
C) Increase the dosage of the second medication.
D) Administer the medications at different times.
Answer: A) Assess for signs of toxicity from the second medication.
,Rationale:
Medications that are metabolized by the liver may not be processed effectively if the liver
function is impaired. This can lead to drug toxicity. The nurse should assess for signs of toxicity,
such as nausea, vomiting, or confusion, especially when taking multiple drugs that affect liver
metabolism. It is not appropriate to increase the dosage or alter the schedule of administration
without consulting the provider first.
Question 3
A nurse is providing education to a client who is prescribed warfarin. The client also takes
aspirin daily for pain relief. What should the nurse inform the client about this drug
combination?
A) The combination is safe and does not require any monitoring.
B) Warfarin may increase the therapeutic effect of aspirin, reducing pain.
C) There is an increased risk of bleeding due to the combined effect of both drugs.
D) Aspirin will reduce the anticoagulant effect of warfarin.
Answer: C) There is an increased risk of bleeding due to the combined effect of both drugs.
Rationale:
Both warfarin (an anticoagulant) and aspirin (an antiplatelet) can increase the risk of bleeding.
When taken together, they have a synergistic effect, which raises the risk of bleeding
complications, such as gastrointestinal bleeding. The nurse should educate the client to watch for
signs of bleeding (e.g., bruising, blood in urine or stool, prolonged bleeding) and encourage
regular follow-up with their healthcare provider.
Question 4
A client taking lithium reports excessive thirst, frequent urination, and tremors. What
should the nurse do next?
A) Increase the lithium dose.
B) Withhold the next dose of lithium and contact the provider.
C) Tell the client these are common side effects and to continue taking the medication.
D) Encourage the client to drink less water to reduce urination.
Answer: B) Withhold the next dose of lithium and contact the provider.
Rationale:
Excessive thirst, frequent urination, and tremors are early signs of lithium toxicity. Lithium has a
narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is
, small. The nurse should withhold the next dose, assess the client further, and notify the provider
to evaluate the need for dose adjustment or further interventions.
Question 5
A nurse is preparing to administer a new prescription for an antihypertensive medication.
The nurse should prioritize which action before administering the drug?
A) Assess the client's blood pressure.
B) Offer the client food to avoid gastric upset.
C) Take the client's temperature to check for infection.
D) Administer the drug with a full glass of water.
Answer: A) Assess the client's blood pressure.
Rationale:
Antihypertensive medications lower blood pressure. The nurse should assess the client's blood
pressure before administering the drug to ensure that it is within a safe range. If the blood
pressure is too low, the medication may cause further hypotension and increase the risk of
adverse effects such as dizziness or fainting. Offering food or water may be important but is not
the priority action before administering this medication.
Question 6
A nurse is teaching a client newly prescribed insulin about self-administration. Which of
the following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will inject the insulin into the fatty tissue just beneath my skin."
B) "I can reuse the same needle for several injections if I clean it properly."
C) "I need to rotate the injection sites to prevent tissue damage."
D) "I should store my insulin in the refrigerator to keep it effective."
Answer: B) "I can reuse the same needle for several injections if I clean it properly."
Rationale:
The reuse of insulin needles is not recommended due to the risk of infection and tissue damage.
Even though cleaning the needle might help reduce some risks, it does not eliminate the
possibility of harm. Needles should be disposed of after a single use to prevent infection and
ensure accurate dosing. The nurse should provide further education on safe injection practices.
