HESI RN
HESI RN 311 Pharmacology Questions
Question 1 of 5
A patient with peptic ulcer disease is scheduled to receive doses of pantoprazole IV and sucralfate PO before breakfast at 0800. The patient reports experiencing heartburn. The nurse brings the scheduled medications. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Administering both medications before breakfast (
D) ensures optimal efficacy. Sucralfate forms a protective ulcer barrier on an empty stomach, 1 hour before meals. Pantoprazole, a proton pump inhibitor, reduces acid production and is most effective before meals. Antacids (
A) interfere with sucralfate absorption. Taking sucralfate with food (
B) reduces efficacy. Delaying pantoprazole (
C) decreases acid suppression.
Question 2 of 5
A client with a history of anaphylactic reaction to penicillin receives a prescription for cephalexin 500 mg PO twice daily. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Contacting the provider (
A) is priority due to a 1-4% cross-reactivity risk between penicillin and cephalexin (a cephalosporin) in penicillin-allergic patients, especially with anaphylaxis history. Antihistamines (
B) cannot prevent anaphylaxis. Administering without consultation (
C) risks severe reaction. Monitoring (
D) is secondary to preventing exposure.
Question 3 of 5
Ferrous sulfate elixir is prescribed for a client with iron deficiency anemia. Which instruction should the nurse provide this client about taking the liquid medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Using a straw (
A) minimizes tooth staining from ferrous sulfate elixir. Swallowing undiluted (
B) causes GI irritation; dilution with water/juice is preferred. Antacids (
C) reduce iron absorption by neutralizing stomach acid. Milk (
D) contains calcium, inhibiting absorption. Taking with vitamin C enhances absorption.
Question 4 of 5
A client with chronic asthma receives a prescription for montelukast, a leukotriene modifier. Which statement by the client indicates to the nurse that medication teaching was effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Montelukast is a maintenance drug taken daily, typically in the evening (
C), to prevent asthma symptoms by reducing airway inflammation. It is not for acute attacks (A,
D). It does not replace inhalers (
B), which remain critical for asthma control.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is providing discharge instructions for a client with metastatic cancer who is prescribed morphine for bone pain. Which information from the client indicates to the nurse an understanding of the medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Morphine causes constipation; monitoring bowel patterns and using stool softeners (
A) shows understanding of managing this side effect. Grapefruit juice (
B) does not significantly interact with morphine (metabolized by UGT2B7, not CYP3A4). Combining with benzodiazepines (
C) risks CNS depression. Agitation/insomnia (
D) are not primary concerns; sedation is more common.