HESI RN
HESI Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
An elderly client with heart failure comet to the emergency room because of nausea, vomiting, and anorexia. Based on the client’s signs and symptoms, which data from the medical history has the most significance when planning this client’s care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Digoxin toxicity causes nausea, vomiting, and anorexia; furosemide risks electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hypokalemia), exacerbating symptoms (
C). Bypass (
A), depression (
B), and colonoscopy (
D) are less relevant.
Question 2 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 3 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 4 of 5
A client who received a renal transplant three months ago is readmitted to the acute care unit with signs of graft rejection. While taking the client’s history, the nurse determines that the client has been self-administering St. John's Wort, an herbal preparation on the advice of a friend. Which information is most significant about this finding?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: St. John’s Wort induces cytochrome P450 enzymes, reducing cyclosporine levels (
B), an immunosuppressant, risking graft rejection. Depression use (
A) is possible but less critical. Sodium (
C) and corticosteroids (D, E) are unrelated.
Choice E is a duplicate.
Question 5 of 5
A client who receives multiple antihypertensive multiple medications experiences syncope due to a drop in blood pressure to 70/40 mm Hg. Which is the rationale for the nurse’s decision to hold the client’s scheduled antihypertensive medications?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Multiple antihypertensives can have an additive effect, excessively lowering blood pressure (
D), causing syncope. Diuresis (
A), toxicity (
B), or antagonism (
C) are less likely.