HESI RN
Pharmacology HESI Questions
Question 1 of 5
After the initial dose, which of the following is the priority assessment for a client being treated for acute congestive heart failure with intravenously administered bumetanide?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is monitoring blood pressure. Bumetanide is a loop diuretic, and monitoring blood pressure is crucial as hypotension is a common side effect. Hypotension can further worsen the condition of a patient with congestive heart failure, so assessing and managing blood pressure is a priority after administering bumetanide.
Question 2 of 5
A client is receiving morphine sulfate subcutaneously for pain. Because morphine sulfate has been prescribed for this client, which nursing action would be included in the plan of care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Morphine sulfate suppresses the cough reflex, which can lead to the retention of secretions in the lungs. Encouraging the client to cough and deep breathe helps prevent pneumonia by clearing the airways of any accumulated secretions. This intervention is crucial in clients receiving morphine sulfate to maintain optimal respiratory function.
Question 3 of 5
A client with trigeminal neuralgia tells the nurse that acetaminophen (Tylenol) is taken on a frequent daily basis for relief of generalized discomfort. The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and determines that which of the following indicates toxicity associated with the medication?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In this scenario, the correct answer is D) A direct bilirubin level of 2 mg/dL. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) toxicity primarily affects the liver. The direct bilirubin level is indicative of liver function, and an elevated level suggests liver damage, which can be caused by acetaminophen overdose. Option A) Sodium of 140 mEq/L is within the normal range and is not directly related to acetaminophen toxicity. Option B) Prothrombin time of 12 seconds is also within the normal range and is not a specific marker for acetaminophen toxicity. Option C) Platelet count of 400,000 cells/mm³ is within the normal range and not typically affected by acetaminophen toxicity. Educationally, understanding the markers of acetaminophen toxicity is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure safe medication administration and monitoring. Teaching students to recognize the signs of acetaminophen overdose, such as elevated bilirubin levels, can help prevent adverse outcomes for patients. It is important to emphasize the significance of monitoring liver function tests in patients taking acetaminophen regularly to prevent toxicity.
Question 4 of 5
A healthcare professional prepares to reinforce instructions to a client who is taking allopurinol (Zyloprim). The healthcare professional plans to include which of the following in the instructions?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Allopurinol is an antigout medication that works by reducing the production of uric acid in the body. To prevent kidney stones and promote the excretion of uric acid, increased fluid intake is essential. Instructing the client to drink 3000 mL of fluid per day helps to reduce the risk of kidney stones and assists in the elimination of uric acid, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of allopurinol therapy.
Question 5 of 5
Before administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client with heart failure, what is the most important laboratory test result for the nurse to check?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is to check the potassium level before administering furosemide (Lasix) to a client with heart failure. Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause hypokalemia, so it is crucial to assess the potassium level to prevent complications like cardiac arrhythmias associated with low potassium levels.