HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
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1. 2.) 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: 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.
2. 3.) 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
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
3. 22.) A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium
gluconate is prescribed for the client. The nurse determines that this medica-
tion has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.: 3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
Rationale:
Hypocalcemia can develop after thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are acci-
dentally removed or injured during surgery. Manifestations develop 1 to 7 days after
surgery. If the client develops numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or
toes or muscle spasms or twitching, the health care provider is notified immediately.
Calcium gluconate should be kept at the bedside.
4. 23.) A client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has been
stabilized with daily insulin injections. Which information should the nurse
teach when carrying out plans for discharge?
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
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1. Keep insulin vials refrigerated at all times.
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
3. Increase the amount of insulin before unusual exercise.
4. Monitor the urine acetone level to determine the insulin dosage.: 2. Rotate
the insulin injection sites systematically.
Rationale:
Insulin dosages should not be adjusted or increased before unusual exercise. If
acetone is found in the urine, it may possibly indicate the need for additional insulin.
To minimize the discomfort associated with insulin injections, the insulin should be
administered at room temperature. Injection sites should be systematically rotated
from one area to another. The client should be instructed to give injections in one
area, about 1 inch apart, until the whole area has been used and then to change to
another site. This prevents dramatic changes in daily insulin absorption.
5. 24.) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client regarding how to mix regular
insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe. Which of the following actions, if
performed by the client, indicates the need for further teaching?
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
2. Withdraws the regular insulin first
3. Injects air into NPH insulin vial first
4. Injects an amount of air equal to the desired dose of insulin into the vial: 1.
Withdraws the NPH insulin first
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular insulin with another insulin preparation, the
regular insulin is drawn into the syringe first. This sequence will avoid contaminating
the vial of regular insulin with insulin of another type. Options 2, 3, and 4 identify the
correct actions for preparing NPH and regular insulin.
6. 25.) A home care nurse visits a client recently diagnosed with diabetes
mellitus who is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily. The client asks the nurse
how to store the unopened vials of insulin. The nurse tells the client to:
1. Freeze the insulin.
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
3. Store the insulin in a dark, dry place.
4. Keep the insulin at room temperature.: 2. Refrigerate the insulin.
Rationale:
Insulin in unopened vials should be stored under refrigeration until needed. Vials
should not be frozen. When stored unopened under refrigeration, insulin can be
used up to the expiration date on the vial. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
7. 27.) Sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed to treat a client with erectile dysfunc-
tion. A nurse reviews the client's medical record and would question the
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
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prescription if which of the following is noted in the client's history?
1. Neuralgia
2. Insomnia
3. Use of nitroglycerin
4. Use of multivitamins: 3. Use of nitroglycerin
Rationale:
Sildenafil (Viagra) enhances the vasodilating effect of nitric oxide in the corpus
cavernosum of the penis, thus sustaining an erection. Because of the effect of
the medication, it is contraindicated with concurrent use of organic nitrates and
nitroglycerin. Sildenafil is not contraindicated with the use of vitamins. Neuralgia and
insomnia are side effects of the medication.
8. 28.) The health care provider (HCP) prescribes exenatide (Byetta) for a client
with type 1 diabetes mellitus who takes insulin. The nurse knows that which
of the following is the appropriate intervention?
1. The medication is administered within 60 minutes before the morning and
evening meal.
2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question the prescrip-
tion for the client.
3. The client is monitored for gastrointestinal side effects after administration
of the medication.
4. The insulin is withdrawn from the Penlet into an insulin syringe to prepare
for administration.: 2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question
the prescription for the client.
Rationale:
Exenatide (Byetta) is an incretin mimetic used for type 2 diabetes mellitus only. It
is not recommended for clients taking insulin. Hence, the nurse should hold the
medication and question the HCP regarding this prescription. Although options 1
and 3 are correct statements about the medication, in this situation the medication
should not be administered. The medication is packaged in prefilled pens ready for
injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe.
9. 29.) A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse
reinforces instructions for the client and tells the client that the most likely
time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
1. 2 to 4 hours after administration
2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
3. 16 to 18 hours after administration
4. 18 to 24 hours after administration: 2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
Rationale:
Humulin NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ffs1lb
1. 2.) 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: 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.
2. 3.) 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
2. Diarrhea
3. Constipation
4. Decreased respirations: 1. Tinnitus
Rationale:
Salicylic acid is absorbed readily through the skin, and systemic toxicity (salicylism)
can result. Symptoms include tinnitus, dizziness, hyperpnea, and psychological
disturbances. Constipation and diarrhea are not associated with salicylism.
3. 22.) A nurse is caring for a client after thyroidectomy and notes that calcium
gluconate is prescribed for the client. The nurse determines that this medica-
tion has been prescribed to:
1. Treat thyroid storm.
2. Prevent cardiac irritability.
3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
4. Stimulate the release of parathyroid hormone.: 3. Treat hypocalcemic tetany.
Rationale:
Hypocalcemia can develop after thyroidectomy if the parathyroid glands are acci-
dentally removed or injured during surgery. Manifestations develop 1 to 7 days after
surgery. If the client develops numbness and tingling around the mouth, fingertips, or
toes or muscle spasms or twitching, the health care provider is notified immediately.
Calcium gluconate should be kept at the bedside.
4. 23.) A client who has been newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus has been
stabilized with daily insulin injections. Which information should the nurse
teach when carrying out plans for discharge?
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ffs1lb
1. Keep insulin vials refrigerated at all times.
2. Rotate the insulin injection sites systematically.
3. Increase the amount of insulin before unusual exercise.
4. Monitor the urine acetone level to determine the insulin dosage.: 2. Rotate
the insulin injection sites systematically.
Rationale:
Insulin dosages should not be adjusted or increased before unusual exercise. If
acetone is found in the urine, it may possibly indicate the need for additional insulin.
To minimize the discomfort associated with insulin injections, the insulin should be
administered at room temperature. Injection sites should be systematically rotated
from one area to another. The client should be instructed to give injections in one
area, about 1 inch apart, until the whole area has been used and then to change to
another site. This prevents dramatic changes in daily insulin absorption.
5. 24.) A nurse is reinforcing teaching for a client regarding how to mix regular
insulin and NPH insulin in the same syringe. Which of the following actions, if
performed by the client, indicates the need for further teaching?
1. Withdraws the NPH insulin first
2. Withdraws the regular insulin first
3. Injects air into NPH insulin vial first
4. Injects an amount of air equal to the desired dose of insulin into the vial: 1.
Withdraws the NPH insulin first
Rationale:
When preparing a mixture of regular insulin with another insulin preparation, the
regular insulin is drawn into the syringe first. This sequence will avoid contaminating
the vial of regular insulin with insulin of another type. Options 2, 3, and 4 identify the
correct actions for preparing NPH and regular insulin.
6. 25.) A home care nurse visits a client recently diagnosed with diabetes
mellitus who is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily. The client asks the nurse
how to store the unopened vials of insulin. The nurse tells the client to:
1. Freeze the insulin.
2. Refrigerate the insulin.
3. Store the insulin in a dark, dry place.
4. Keep the insulin at room temperature.: 2. Refrigerate the insulin.
Rationale:
Insulin in unopened vials should be stored under refrigeration until needed. Vials
should not be frozen. When stored unopened under refrigeration, insulin can be
used up to the expiration date on the vial. Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect.
7. 27.) Sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed to treat a client with erectile dysfunc-
tion. A nurse reviews the client's medical record and would question the
, HESI Pharmacology Exam Practice
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_ffs1lb
prescription if which of the following is noted in the client's history?
1. Neuralgia
2. Insomnia
3. Use of nitroglycerin
4. Use of multivitamins: 3. Use of nitroglycerin
Rationale:
Sildenafil (Viagra) enhances the vasodilating effect of nitric oxide in the corpus
cavernosum of the penis, thus sustaining an erection. Because of the effect of
the medication, it is contraindicated with concurrent use of organic nitrates and
nitroglycerin. Sildenafil is not contraindicated with the use of vitamins. Neuralgia and
insomnia are side effects of the medication.
8. 28.) The health care provider (HCP) prescribes exenatide (Byetta) for a client
with type 1 diabetes mellitus who takes insulin. The nurse knows that which
of the following is the appropriate intervention?
1. The medication is administered within 60 minutes before the morning and
evening meal.
2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question the prescrip-
tion for the client.
3. The client is monitored for gastrointestinal side effects after administration
of the medication.
4. The insulin is withdrawn from the Penlet into an insulin syringe to prepare
for administration.: 2. The medication is withheld and the HCP is called to question
the prescription for the client.
Rationale:
Exenatide (Byetta) is an incretin mimetic used for type 2 diabetes mellitus only. It
is not recommended for clients taking insulin. Hence, the nurse should hold the
medication and question the HCP regarding this prescription. Although options 1
and 3 are correct statements about the medication, in this situation the medication
should not be administered. The medication is packaged in prefilled pens ready for
injection without the need for drawing it up into another syringe.
9. 29.) A client is taking Humulin NPH insulin daily every morning. The nurse
reinforces instructions for the client and tells the client that the most likely
time for a hypoglycemic reaction to occur is:
1. 2 to 4 hours after administration
2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
3. 16 to 18 hours after administration
4. 18 to 24 hours after administration: 2. 4 to 12 hours after administration
Rationale:
Humulin NPH is an intermediate-acting insulin. The onset of action is 1.5 hours, it
