HESI RN
Care Hope College RN HESI Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
An elderly client with heart failure arrives at the emergency room due to nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Based on the client’s signs and symptoms, which piece of data from the medical history is most significant when planning this client’s care?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Digoxin and furosemide (
D) can cause nausea, vomiting, and anorexia due to toxicity (digoxin) or electrolyte imbalances (furosemide), critical for heart failure management. Past bypass (
A), colonoscopy (
B), and depression (
C) are less relevant to current symptoms.
Question 2 of 5
A patient has received a new prescription for levothyroxine. Which statement made by the patient indicates that the education was effective?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Levothyroxine should be taken on an empty stomach (
C), 30-60 minutes before breakfast, for optimal absorption. Iron supplements (
A) should be timed separately, not avoided. High-iodine foods (
B) don’t enhance efficacy. Bedtime dosing (
D) is less effective than morning.
Question 3 of 5
A patient is receiving a secondary infusion of azithromycin 500 mg in 500 mL of normal saline (NS) to be infused over 2 hours. The intravenous (IV) administration set delivers 10 gtt/mL. How many gtt/min should the nurse regulate the infusion?
Correct Answer: 42
Rationale: Infusion rate: 500 mL / 2 hr = 250 mL/hr. Drops per minute: (250 mL/hr × 10 gtt/mL) / 60 min = 41.67, rounded to 42 gtt/min. This ensures accurate delivery of azithromycin.
Question 4 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 5 of 5
A patient with nasal congestion has been prescribed phenylephrine 10 mg by mouth every 4 hours. What patient condition should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering the medication?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Phenylephrine, a decongestant, can raise blood pressure, making hypertension (
A) a contraindication requiring provider consultation. Bronchitis (
B), diarrhea (
C), and edema (
D) are not directly affected by phenylephrine.