PHARMACOLOGY HESI EXAM STUDY
GUIDE | ALL QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATIONS | GRADED
A+ | VERIFIED ANSWERS | LATEST
VERSION (JUST RELEASED)
Which nursing diagnosis is important to include in the plan of care for a
client recieving the angiotensin II receptor antagonist irbesartan (avapro)?
A. Fluid volume deficit
B. Risk for infection
C. Risk for injury
D. Impaired sleep patterns ------CORRECT ANSWER---------------C. Risk for
injury
Avapro is an antihypertensive agent, which acts by blocking
vasoconstrictor effects at various receptor sites. This can cause
hypotension and dizziness, placing the client at high risk for injury
A client is being treated for osteoporosis with alendronate (fosamax), and
the nurse has completed discharge teaching regarding medication
administration. Which morning schedule would indicated to the LPN/LVN
that the client teaching has been effective?
A. take medication, go for a30 minutes morning walk, then eat breakfast
B. take med, rest in bed for 30 min., eat breakfast, go for morning walk
C. take medication with breakfast, then take a 30 minute morning walk
D. go for a 30minute morning walk, eat breakfast, then take the med ------
CORRECT ANSWER---------------A. take medication, go for a30 minutes
morning walk, then eat breakfast
A client is admitted to the hospital for diagnostic testing for possible
myasthenia gravis. The nurse prepares for intravenous administration of
edrophonium chloride (Tensilon). What is the expected outcome for this
client following administration of this pharmacologic agent? A) Progressive
difficulty with swallowing.
,B) Decreased respiratory effort.
C) Improvement in generalized fatigue.
D) Decreased muscle weakness. ------CORRECT ANSWER---------------D)
Decreased muscle weakness. Administration of edrophonium
chloride (Tensilon), a cholinergic agent, will temporarily reduce
muscle weakness (D), the most common complaint of newly-
diagnosed clients with myasthenia gravis. This medication is used to
diagnose myasthenia gravis due to its short duration of action. This
drug would temporarily reverse (A and B), not increase these
symptoms. (C) is not a typical complaint of clients with myasthenia
gravis, but weakness of specific muscles, especially after prolonged
use, is a common symptom.
When assessing an adolescent who recently overdosed on acetaminophen
(tylonel), it is most important for the nurse to assess for pain in which area
of the body
A. flank
B. abdomen
C. chest
D. head ------CORRECT ANSWER---------------B. abdomen
Aacetaminophen toxicisty an result in liver damage; therefore, it is
especially important for the nurse to assess for pain in the right upper
quadrant of the abdomen (which might indicated liver damage)
The nurse is transcribing a new prescription for spironolactone (aldactone)
for a client who receives an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Which
action should the nurse implement
A. verify both prescriptions with the HCP
B. report the med interactions to the nurse manager
C. hold the ACE inhibitor and give the new prescription D. Transcribe and
send the prescription to the pharmacy ------CORRECT ANSWER--------------
-A. Verify both prescriptions with the HCP The concomitant use of an
ACE inhibitor and a potassium-sparing diuretic sucha s
spironolactone, should be given with caution b/c the two drugs may
interact to cause an elevation in serum potassium levels.
,A client who was prescribed atorvastatin (Lipitor) one month ago calls the
triage nurse at the clinic complaining of muscle pain and weakness in his
legs. Which statement reflects the correct drug-specific teaching the nurse
should provide to this client?
A) Increase consumption of potassium-rich foods since low potassium
levels can cause muscle spasms.
B) Have serum electrolytes checked at the next scheduled appointmentto
assess hyponatremia, a cause of cramping.
C) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, becausemuscle
pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
D) Be sure to consume a low-cholesterol diet while taking the drug to
enhance the effectiveness of the drug ------CORRECT ANSWER--------------
-C) Make an appointment to see the healthcare provider, because
muscle pain may be an indication of a serious side effect.
Myopathy, suggested by the leg pain and weakness, is a serious, and
potentially life-threatening, complication of Lipitor, and should be
evaluated immediately by the healthcare provider (C). Although
electrolyte imbalances such as (A or B) can cause muscle spasms in
some cases, this is not the likely cause of leg pain in the client
receiving Lipitor, and evaluation by the healthcare provider should
not be delayed for any reason. A low-cholesterol diet is recommended
for those taking Lipitor since the drug is used to lower total
cholesterol (D), but diet is not related to the leg pain symptom.
The nurse is reviewing the use of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
pump with a client in the immediate postoperative period. The client will
receive morphine 1mg IV/hour basal rate with 1mg IV every 15minutes per
PCA to toal 5mg IV max per hour. WHat assessment has the highest
priority before initating the PCA pump?
A. the expiration date on the morphine syringe in the pump.
B. The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
C. The type of anesthesia used during the surgical procedure.
D. The client's subjective and objective signs of pain. ------CORRECT
ANSWER---------------B. The rate and depth of the client's respirations.
A life-threatening side effect of intravenous administration of
morphine sulfate, an opiate narcotic, is respiratory depression (B).
, The PCA pump should be stopped and the healthcare provider
notified if the client's respiratory rate falls below 12 breaths per
minute, and the nurse should anticipate adjustments in the client's
dosage before the PCA pump is restarted.
Which nursing intervention is most important when caring for a client
receiving the antimetabolite cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) for
chemotherapy?
A) Hydrate the client with IV fluids before and after infusion.
B) Assess the client for numbness and tingling of extremities.
C) Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
D) Monitor the client's urine pH for increased acidity. ------CORRECT
ANSWER---------------C. Inspect the client's oral mucosa for ulcerations.
Cytosine arabinoside (Arc-C) affects the rapidly growing cells of the
body, therefore stomatitis and mucosal ulcerations are key signs of
antimetabolite toxicity (C). (A, B, and D) are not typical interventions
associated with the administration of antimetabolites.
A medication that is classified as a beta-1 agonist is most commonly
prescribed for a client with which condition?
A) Glaucoma.
B) Hypertension.
C) Heart failure.
D) Asthma. ------CORRECT ANSWER---------------C. Heart failure.
Beta-1 agonists improve cardiac output by increasing the heart rate
and blood pressure and are indicated in heart failure (C), shock,
atrioventricular block dysrhythmias, and cardiac arrest. Glaucoma (A)
is managed using adrenergic agents and beta-adrenergic blocking
agents. Beta-1 blocking agents are used in the management of
hypertension (B). Medications that stimulate beta-2 receptors in the
bronchi are effective for bronchoconstriction in respiratory disorders,
such as asthma (D).
