HESI RN
RN HESI Pharmacology Exam 3 Questions
Question 1 of 5
A client has a prescription for heparin 1,000 units IV STAT. Several pre-filled syringes of low molecular weight heparin are available in the client's medication drawer. Which action should the nurse implement?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Standard heparin (IV) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH, subcutaneous) are not interchangeable. Requesting standard heparin from the pharmacy ensures the correct medication and route, preventing dosing errors or inefficacy.
Question 2 of 5
A male client receives a scopolamine transdermal patch 2 hours before surgery. Four hours after surgery, the client tells the nurse that he is experiencing pain and asks why the patch is not working. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Scopolamine prevents postoperative nausea, not pain. Explaining its purpose clarifies the client’s misunderstanding. New patches, expired effects, or placement checks do not address the pain, which requires separate analgesia.
Question 3 of 5
To control asthma, a client in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system, which provides an inhaled powdered form of these combined medications. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Fluticasone/salmeterol is a maintenance therapy, not for acute asthma attacks, and should be used no more than twice daily to avoid side effects like oral thrush. Exhaling into the discus risks clumping the powder, and hypotension is not a common side effect.
Question 4 of 5
The nurse observes that a client has become lethargic 30 minutes after receiving an opioid injection for pain. Which vital sign should the nurse obtain first?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression, a life-threatening side effect presenting as lethargy. Assessing respiratory rate first identifies slowed breathing, guiding urgent interventions like naloxone. Pulse, blood pressure, or temperature are secondary concerns.
Question 5 of 5
Which intervention is most important for the nurse to implement for a client with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who is receiving insulin lispro?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Insulin lispro, rapid-acting, peaks 1-2 hours post-dose, requiring meals shortly after administration to prevent hypoglycemia. Synchronizing meal timing with insulin is critical. Glucose monitoring, hypoglycemia checks, and glucose sources are supportive but secondary.