BSN 315 HESI PHARMACOLOGY EXAM
NIGHTGALE NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
Q1: A client with osteoarthritis is prescribed celecoxib for pain relief. The nurse
notes the client has a sulfa allergy. What is the most appropriate action before
giving the first dose?
A. Check the client’s hemoglobin levels
B. Inform the prescribing provider about the allergy
C. Ask the client to describe their past sulfa reaction
D. Measure the client’s vital signs
✔ Correct Answer: B. Inform the prescribing provider about the allergy
Explanation:
Celecoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor that contains a sulfonamide group. A sulfa allergy
may indicate risk for hypersensitivity, so notifying the healthcare provider is the
safest first step.
Q2: During early rounds, a patient begins showing signs of an asthma attack.
The nurse gives a prescribed beta-2 agonist. What are expected signs that the
medication is working? (Select all that apply)
A. Elevated heart rate
B. Higher blood pressure
C. Wheezing decreases or resolves
D. Oxygen saturation improves
E. Body temperature drops
✔ Correct Answers: A, C, D
Explanation:
Beta-2 agonists relax bronchial smooth muscle, improving airflow and
,oxygenation. Tachycardia is a common side effect. These drugs do not reduce
fever (E), nor are they primarily aimed at blood pressure changes (B).
Q3: A client is being treated with valsartan for hypertension. Which change
would show the drug is effective?
A. Swelling in legs improves
B. HDL cholesterol level increases
C. Heart rate drops significantly
D. Blood pressure decreases to target range
✔ Correct Answer: D. Blood pressure decreases to target range
Explanation:
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that works by lowering blood
pressure. While it may have secondary benefits, the primary therapeutic goal is
blood pressure reduction.
Q4: An elderly client on high-dose aspirin for arthritis reports ringing in the ears.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Recommend an audiology consult
B. Reassure the client that this is normal
C. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
D. Suggest the client remove their hearing aid
✔ Correct Answer: C. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
Explanation:
Tinnitus can be an early sign of aspirin toxicity, especially in older adults on high
doses. This symptom should be addressed quickly to prevent further
complications.
The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with angina. Which
instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching plan?
, a) Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
b) Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
c) Take the medication with food only.
d) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. - ANSWER✔✔b) Do not get up
quickly. Always rise slowly.
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while
receiving an opioid analgesic?
a) Antacids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Antihypertensives
d) Oral antidiabetics - ANSWER✔✔b) Benzodiazepines
A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the symptoms of
Parkinson's disease has a new prescription for sustained-release
levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his levodopa at 0800. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?
a) "Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your prescription
is filled."
b) "Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to take the
levodopa-carbidopa."
c) "Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to only the levodopa-
carbidopa."
NIGHTGALE NEWEST 2025 ACTUAL
EXAM COMPLETE 250 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
Q1: A client with osteoarthritis is prescribed celecoxib for pain relief. The nurse
notes the client has a sulfa allergy. What is the most appropriate action before
giving the first dose?
A. Check the client’s hemoglobin levels
B. Inform the prescribing provider about the allergy
C. Ask the client to describe their past sulfa reaction
D. Measure the client’s vital signs
✔ Correct Answer: B. Inform the prescribing provider about the allergy
Explanation:
Celecoxib is a COX-2 inhibitor that contains a sulfonamide group. A sulfa allergy
may indicate risk for hypersensitivity, so notifying the healthcare provider is the
safest first step.
Q2: During early rounds, a patient begins showing signs of an asthma attack.
The nurse gives a prescribed beta-2 agonist. What are expected signs that the
medication is working? (Select all that apply)
A. Elevated heart rate
B. Higher blood pressure
C. Wheezing decreases or resolves
D. Oxygen saturation improves
E. Body temperature drops
✔ Correct Answers: A, C, D
Explanation:
Beta-2 agonists relax bronchial smooth muscle, improving airflow and
,oxygenation. Tachycardia is a common side effect. These drugs do not reduce
fever (E), nor are they primarily aimed at blood pressure changes (B).
Q3: A client is being treated with valsartan for hypertension. Which change
would show the drug is effective?
A. Swelling in legs improves
B. HDL cholesterol level increases
C. Heart rate drops significantly
D. Blood pressure decreases to target range
✔ Correct Answer: D. Blood pressure decreases to target range
Explanation:
Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) that works by lowering blood
pressure. While it may have secondary benefits, the primary therapeutic goal is
blood pressure reduction.
Q4: An elderly client on high-dose aspirin for arthritis reports ringing in the ears.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Recommend an audiology consult
B. Reassure the client that this is normal
C. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
D. Suggest the client remove their hearing aid
✔ Correct Answer: C. Contact the healthcare provider immediately
Explanation:
Tinnitus can be an early sign of aspirin toxicity, especially in older adults on high
doses. This symptom should be addressed quickly to prevent further
complications.
The nitrate isosorbide dinitrate is prescribed for a client with angina. Which
instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge teaching plan?
, a) Quit taking the medication if dizziness occurs.
b) Do not get up quickly. Always rise slowly.
c) Take the medication with food only.
d) Increase your intake of potassium-rich foods. - ANSWER✔✔b) Do not get up
quickly. Always rise slowly.
Which medications should the nurse caution the client about taking while
receiving an opioid analgesic?
a) Antacids
b) Benzodiazepines
c) Antihypertensives
d) Oral antidiabetics - ANSWER✔✔b) Benzodiazepines
A client who has been taking levodopa PO TID to control the symptoms of
Parkinson's disease has a new prescription for sustained-release
levodopa/carbidopa PO BID. The client took his levodopa at 0800. Which
instruction should the nurse include in the teaching plan for this client?
a) "Take the first dose of levodopa-carbidopa today, as soon as your prescription
is filled."
b) "Since you already took your levodopa, wait until tomorrow to take the
levodopa-carbidopa."
c) "Take both drugs for the first week, then switch to only the levodopa-
carbidopa."
