HESI RN
Care Hope College RN HESI Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
A patient who received a renal transplant three months ago is readmitted to the acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. During the patient’s history taking, the nurse finds out that the patient has been self-administering St. John’s Wort, an herbal preparation, on a friend’s advice. What information is most significant about this finding?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: St. John’s Wort induces CYP3A4, reducing cyclosporine levels (
A), risking transplant rejection. It doesn’t affect sodium (
B) or reduce corticosteroid needs (
C). Depression treatment (
D) is secondary to the transplant risk.
Question 2 of 5
Which nursing action has the highest priority when administering a dose of codeine with acetaminophen to a client?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Codeine, an opioid, causes drowsiness and dizziness, increasing fall risk. Instructing the client to request assistance when ambulating (
A) is the highest priority for safety. Stool softeners (
B) address constipation but are secondary. Notifying about unrelieved pain (
C) and onset time (
D) are important but not immediate safety concerns.
Question 3 of 5
A client with chemotherapy-induced nausea receives a prescription for metoclopramide. Which adverse effect is most important for the nurse to report?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Involuntary movements (
D), such as tardive dyskinesia, are a serious, potentially irreversible side effect of metoclopramide, requiring immediate reporting. Diarrhea (
A) and irritability (
B) are less severe. Nausea (
C) is the treated condition, not an adverse effect.
Question 4 of 5
A client has a new prescription for zolpidem, a hypnotic. The client tells the home health nurse that he plans to take a dose of the medication during the day because he is exhausted and needs to take a short afternoon nap prior to an evening activity in his home. Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Zolpidem, a sedative-hypnotic, should be taken at bedtime (
C) to avoid daytime drowsiness and fall risk. Two hours of sleep (
A) is insufficient for safe clearance. Taking with meals (
B) reduces efficacy. Fluid intake (
D) is unrelated to zolpidem’s administration.
Question 5 of 5
The nurse is preparing a discharge teaching plan for a patient who is taking ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets due to suspected anthrax exposure. What instructions should be included in the teaching plan?
Correct Answer: B,D,E
Rationale: Ciprofloxacin requires high fluid intake (
B) to prevent crystalluria, immediate reporting of tendon pain/swelling (
D) due to rupture risk, and sun protection (E) due to photosensitivity. Crushing tablets (
A) alters release, risking side effects. NSAIDs (
C) increase seizure risk with ciprofloxacin.