HESI RN
HESI Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A male client has been receiving the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate IV piggyback every 12 hours for several days. Which observations by the nurse indicate that the client may be experiencing an adverse effect of gentamicin?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Gentamicin risks ototoxicity, causing hearing loss (
A). Decreased BUN (
B) suggests improved kidney function, not an adverse effect. Normal WBC (
C) and photophobia (
D) are unrelated.
Question 2 of 5
On admission, the healthcare provider describes a broad spectrum of antibiotic, ticarcillin for a client with a gram-negative infection. Before administering the first dose, it is most important for the nurse to implement which prescription?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Culture and sensitivity tests (
B) identify the causative organism and effective antibiotic, preventing resistance from premature broad-spectrum use like ticarcillin. Monitoring sodium/fluid (
A), wound care (
C), and labs (
D) are secondary.
Question 3 of 5
Two months after taking nitrofurantoin for a bacterial infection, a client reports the onset of severe, watery diarrhea to the home care nurse. How should the nurse respond?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin can cause severe diarrhea, potentially indicating C. difficile infection. Explaining it as an adverse effect needing evaluation (
B) is priority. Completion status (
A) is secondary, antidiarrheals (
C) may worsen infection, and reinfection (
D) is premature.
Question 4 of 5
After taking orlistat for one week, a female client tells the home health nurse that she is experiencing increasingly frequent fatty stools and flatus. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Orlistat blocks dietary fat absorption, commonly causing fatty stools and flatus. Reviewing dietary intake (
B) assesses adherence to a low-fat diet, which can reduce these side effects. Stopping the drug (
A) is premature without evaluation. Increasing saturated fats (
C) worsens symptoms. Stool tests (D, E) are unnecessary as symptoms are expected.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing a client with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and a chronic productive cough for discharged home. Which prescribed medication should the nurse review with the client to manage this symptom?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Guaifenesin (
D), an expectorant, thins mucus, easing cough in COPD. Salmeterol (
A) and tiotropium (
B), bronchodilators, improve airflow but don’t address mucus. Prednisone (
C) reduces inflammation in exacerbations, not chronic cough.