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HESI Pharmacology Test Bank 2025 | Drug Class
Questions + Rationales | Medications Mastery Pack
1. Digoxin (Cardiac Glycoside)
Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient’s apical pulse is
54 bpm. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Recheck the pulse using the radial site
C. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
D. Give the medication and monitor for dizziness
✅ Correct Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults. Administering it could
lead to bradycardia or toxicity.
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2. Furosemide (Loop Diuretic)
Question:
A patient receiving furosemide complains of muscle weakness and leg cramps. Which lab result should
the nurse evaluate first?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
✅ Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale:
Furosemide can cause hypokalemia, leading to muscle cramps, weakness, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Always check potassium levels.
3. Warfarin (Anticoagulant)
Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. “I will avoid green leafy vegetables.”
B. “I’ll have my blood checked regularly.”
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C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I’ll wear a medical alert bracelet.”
✅ Correct Answer: C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
Rationale:
Aspirin increases bleeding risk when taken with warfarin. Patients should consult their provider
before using any over-the-counter meds.
4. Insulin (Rapid-Acting)
Question:
A nurse administers 5 units of lispro insulin subcutaneously at 0730. When should the nurse monitor
the patient for signs of hypoglycemia?
A. 0930–1030
B. 1230–1400
C. 0830–0930
D. 1130–1230
✅ Correct Answer: C. 0830–0930
Rationale:
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin, with an onset of 15 minutes and peak action at 1 to 2 hours, when
hypoglycemia is most likely.
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5. Opioid Analgesics (Morphine)
Question:
A patient is receiving IV morphine for postoperative pain. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Pain rating of 6/10
C. Sedation score of 1
D. Pulse oximetry 96%
✅ Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale:
Opioids depress respiratory drive. A respiratory rate below 12 is a red flag and may indicate
overdose or need for dose adjustment.
6. Albuterol (Beta-2 Agonist)
Question:
A patient using albuterol reports tremors and palpitations after using the inhaler. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Stop using the inhaler immediately.”
B. “Skip your next dose and rest today.”
C. “These are common side effects of the medication.”
D. “Call 911 if it happens again.”
✅ Correct Answer: C. “These are common side effects of the medication.”
HESI Pharmacology Test Bank 2025 | Drug Class
Questions + Rationales | Medications Mastery Pack
1. Digoxin (Cardiac Glycoside)
Question:
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a patient with heart failure. The patient’s apical pulse is
54 bpm. What is the nurse’s priority action?
A. Administer the medication as prescribed
B. Recheck the pulse using the radial site
C. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
D. Give the medication and monitor for dizziness
✅ Correct Answer: C. Hold the medication and notify the healthcare provider
Rationale:
Digoxin should be withheld if the apical pulse is less than 60 bpm in adults. Administering it could
lead to bradycardia or toxicity.
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2. Furosemide (Loop Diuretic)
Question:
A patient receiving furosemide complains of muscle weakness and leg cramps. Which lab result should
the nurse evaluate first?
A. Sodium
B. Calcium
C. Potassium
D. Magnesium
✅ Correct Answer: C. Potassium
Rationale:
Furosemide can cause hypokalemia, leading to muscle cramps, weakness, and cardiac arrhythmias.
Always check potassium levels.
3. Warfarin (Anticoagulant)
Question:
A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin. Which statement by the patient indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. “I will avoid green leafy vegetables.”
B. “I’ll have my blood checked regularly.”
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C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
D. “I’ll wear a medical alert bracelet.”
✅ Correct Answer: C. “I can take aspirin for headaches.”
Rationale:
Aspirin increases bleeding risk when taken with warfarin. Patients should consult their provider
before using any over-the-counter meds.
4. Insulin (Rapid-Acting)
Question:
A nurse administers 5 units of lispro insulin subcutaneously at 0730. When should the nurse monitor
the patient for signs of hypoglycemia?
A. 0930–1030
B. 1230–1400
C. 0830–0930
D. 1130–1230
✅ Correct Answer: C. 0830–0930
Rationale:
Lispro is a rapid-acting insulin, with an onset of 15 minutes and peak action at 1 to 2 hours, when
hypoglycemia is most likely.
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5. Opioid Analgesics (Morphine)
Question:
A patient is receiving IV morphine for postoperative pain. Which finding requires immediate
intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
B. Pain rating of 6/10
C. Sedation score of 1
D. Pulse oximetry 96%
✅ Correct Answer: A. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
Rationale:
Opioids depress respiratory drive. A respiratory rate below 12 is a red flag and may indicate
overdose or need for dose adjustment.
6. Albuterol (Beta-2 Agonist)
Question:
A patient using albuterol reports tremors and palpitations after using the inhaler. What is the nurse’s
best response?
A. “Stop using the inhaler immediately.”
B. “Skip your next dose and rest today.”
C. “These are common side effects of the medication.”
D. “Call 911 if it happens again.”
✅ Correct Answer: C. “These are common side effects of the medication.”
