HESI RN
Nightdale College HESI Pharmacology RN Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
Prior to administering the evening dose of carbamazepine, the nurse notes that the client's morning carbamazepine level was 84 mcg/L (35.6 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse take? Which action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A carbamazepine level of 84 mcg/L is significantly above the therapeutic range (4-12 mcg/mL), indicating toxicity. Notifying the healthcare provider is the most appropriate action to ensure timely intervention, such as withholding the dose or adjusting the regimen, to prevent serious effects like ataxia or seizures.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse admits a client with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. The client has a prescription to wear a subcutaneous morphine sulfate patch for pain. The client is short of breath and difficult to arouse. While performing a head to toe assessment, the nurse discovers four patches on the client's body. Which action should the nurse take first? Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Multiple morphine patches indicate an overdose, causing respiratory depression and sedation. Removing the patches stops further drug absorption, addressing the root cause. Oxygen or reversal drugs may follow, but removing the source is the priority to prevent worsening of the overdose.
Question 3 of 5
A client who is taking an oral contraceptive receives a new prescription for erythromycin. Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client? Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Erythromycin can reduce oral contraceptive efficacy by increasing metabolism. Using an additional contraceptive method, like condoms, prevents unintended pregnancy during and after the antibiotic course. Stopping the contraceptive or timing doses apart is not effective, and photosensitivity is not a concern with erythromycin.
Question 4 of 5
A client with nasal congestion receives a prescription for phenylephrine 10 mg by mouth every 4 hours. Which client condition should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering the medication? Which condition should the nurse report to the healthcare provider before administering the medication?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Phenylephrine, a vasoconstrictor, can elevate blood pressure, exacerbating hypertension and risking cardiovascular complications. Reporting this condition to the provider ensures safe administration. Diarrhea, bronchitis, or edema are not contraindications for phenylephrine.
Question 5 of 5
To control asthma, a client in a residential treatment facility uses a fluticasone propionate and salmeterol discus inhalation system, which provides an inhaled powdered form of these combined medications. Which instruction should the nurse provide to this client's caregivers? Which instruction should the nurse provide to the client's caregivers?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The fluticasone/salmeterol discus is a maintenance therapy, used twice daily to prevent asthma symptoms. Instructing caregivers to limit use to twice daily ensures adherence and prevents overuse. Breathing into the mouthpiece wastes medication, the discus is not for acute attacks, and salmeterol may increase blood pressure.