HESI RN
Care Hope College RN HESI Pharmacology Questions
Extract:
Question 1 of 5
The nurse administers naloxone to a patient with opioid-induced respiratory depression. An hour later, the nurse finds the patient has a respiratory rate of 4 breaths/minute, oxygen saturation of 75%, and is unresponsive. What action should the nurse take?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Severe respiratory depression (4 breaths/min), hypoxia (75% SpO₂), and unresponsiveness require immediate CPR (
D) to restore circulation/oxygenation. A second naloxone dose (
A) may be needed but is secondary. Chest tubes (
B) are irrelevant. Glasgow scoring (
C) delays critical intervention.
Question 2 of 5
A client with heart failure (HF) develops hyperaldosteronism and spironolactone is prescribed. Which instruction should the nurse include in this client’s plan of care?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, can cause hyperkalemia. Limiting high-potassium foods (
C) prevents this risk. Salt substitutes (
A) often contain potassium, worsening hyperkalemia. Sun protection (
B) and bruising (
D) are unrelated to spironolactone’s primary risks.
Question 3 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 4 of 5
A client with atrial fibrillation has been prescribed dabigatran. What instruction should the nurse include in this client’s teaching plan?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Dabigatran increases bleeding risk; avoiding NSAIDs (
B) reduces this risk. Spinach (
A) affects warfarin, not dabigatran. Routine bleeding tests (
C) aren’t required for dabigatran. Antidotes (
D) like idarucizumab are hospital-administered, not kept at home.
Question 5 of 5
A client has been prescribed ciprofloxacin 400 mg intravenously (IV) every 12 hours to be infused over an hour. The IV bag contains ciprofloxacin 400 mg in dextrose 5% in water (D5W) 200 mL. How many mL/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump to deliver? (Enter numerical value only.)
Correct Answer: 200
Rationale: Infusion rate: 200 mL / 1 hr = 200 mL/hr. The pump should be set to deliver 200 mL/hr to administer ciprofloxacin correctly.