HESI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM REVISED QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2024
1. A nurse is caring for a client with histoplasmosis who is receiving
... [Show More] intravenous amphotericin B (Fungizone). What should the nurse do while the medication is being administered?
A. Monitor the client’s urine output Correct
B. Monitor the client for hypothermia
C. Check the client’s neurological status Incorrect
D. Check the client’s blood glucose level
Rationale: Amphotericin B can produce medication toxicity during administration and exhibit symptoms such as chills, fever, headache, vomiting, and impairment of renal function. The medication is also irritating to the IV site, commonly causing thrombophlebitis.
2. A nurse is assessing a peripheral intravenous (IV) site and notes blanching, coolness, and edema at the insertion site. What should the nurse do first?
E. Remove the IV Correct
F. Apply a warm compress
G. Check for blood return
H. Measure the area of infiltration
Rationale: Blanching, coolness, and edema of the IV site are all signs of infiltration. Because infiltration may result in damage to the surrounding tissue, the nurse must first remove the IV cannula to prevent any further damage. The nurse should not depend solely on the blood return for assurance that the cannula is in the vein, because blood return may be present even if the cannula is only partially in the vein. Compresses may be used, but the compress (warm or cool) depends on the type of solution infusing and physician preference. The nurse should measure the area of infiltration after the IV has been removed so that further tissue damage is prevented.
3. A nurse provides instructions to a client who will be taking furosemide (Lasix). Which of the following statements by the client indicates to the nurse that the client needs additional instruction?
I. “I need to sit or stand up slowly.”
J. “I should expect to have ringing in my ears.” Correct
K. “I need to maintain my fluid intake.” Incorrect
L. “This medication will make me urinate.”
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic. Adverse effects of furosemide therapy include orthostatic hypotension and ototoxicity. Therefore the client should change positions slowly to help prevent lightheadedness. The client must also contact the physician if signs of ototoxicity, such as hearing loss or ringing in the ears, occur. Fluid intake should be maintained to prevent dehydration.
4. Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) is prescribed for a client, and the nurse provides instruction regarding the use of the medication. The nurse tells the client that it is best to take the medication: M.At lunchtime
N. In the morning Correct
O. With the evening meal
P. Midafternoon, with an antacid
Rationale: Fluoxetine hydrochloride (Prozac) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that elicits an antidepressant response. It is best administered in the early morning, and there is no need to coordinate the dose with a meal. (If the medication causes lightheadedness or dizziness, the healthcare provider may advise the client to take it at bedtime.) The other options are incorrect.
5. A nurse is changing the central line dressing of a client receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). The nurse notes moisture under the dressing covering the catheter insertion site. What does the nurse assess next?
Q. Temperature
R. Time of the last dressing change
S. Expiration date on the infusion bag
T. Tightness of the tubing connections Correct
Rationale: A loose tubing connection — the most obvious cause of the moisture that could be readily detected and fixed by the nurse — is the first thing the nurse should look for. The client’s temperature would be assessed if the nurse were looking for signs of infection. The expiration date on the infusion bag and the time of the last dressing change are routine observations but have nothing to do with the subject of the question.
6. A client receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) requires fat emulsion (lipids), which will be piggybacked to the PN solution. On obtaining a bottle of fat emulsion, the nurse notes that fat globules are floating at the top of the solution. Which of these actions should the nurse take?
U. Shaking the bottle vigorously
V. Requesting a new bottle from the pharmacy Correct
W. Rotating the bottle gently back and forth to mix the globules
X. Running the bottle under warm water until the globules disappear Incorrect
Rationale: The nurse should not hang a fat emulsion that contains visible fat globules. Another bottle of solution should be obtained and used in its place. When PN is combined with fat emulsion, the solution should not be used if there is a visible “ring” noted in the container of solution. The actions in the other options are incorrect.
7. A home health nurse provides instructions to a client who is taking allopurinol (Zyloprim) for the treatment of gout. The nurse should tell the client to:
A Place an ice pack on the lips if they swell
B Drink at least 8 glasses of fluid every day Correct
C Take the medication on an empty stomach 2 hours before meals D Use an over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine lotion if a rash develops
Rationale: Clients taking allopurinol are encouraged to drink 3000 mL/day of fluid. Allopurinol is to be given with or immediately after meals or milk. If a rash, irritation of the eyes, or swelling of the lips or mouth develops, the client should contact the physician, because this development may indicate hypersensitivity.
8. Cyclophosphamide has been prescribed for a client with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and the nurse is providing instructions to the client. The nurse should tell the client:
A To avoid salt while taking this medication
B That it is best to take the medication with food
C To drink at least 2 glasses of orange juice every day
D To increase fluid intake to 2000 mL to 3000 mL/day Correct
Rationale: Hemorrhagic cystitis is a toxic effect of cyclophosphamide. The client must be instructed to drink copious amounts of fluid during administration of this medication. The client should also monitor her urine for hematuria. The medication should be taken on an empty stomach, unless gastrointestinal upset occurs. Hyperkalemia may also result from the use of the medication; therefore the client would not be encouraged to increase potassium intake (i.e., bananas and orange juice). The client also would not be instructed to alter her sodium intake.
9. A client taking hydrochlorothiazide reports to the clinic for follow-up blood tests. For which side effect of the medication does the nurse monitor the client’s laboratory results?
Y. Hypokalemia Correct
Z. Hypocalcemia AA.Hypernatremia BB.Hypermagnesemia
Rationale: The client taking a potassium-wasting diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide must be monitored for reductions in the potassium level. Other fluid and electrolyte imbalances that may occur with use of this medication are hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypophosphatemia. The nurse should also educate the client about foods that are rich in potassium.
10. A physician prescribes 1000 mL of 5% dextrose in water, to be infused over 24 hours. The drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. At how many drops per minute does the nurse set the flow rate? (Round your answer to the nearest whole number).
400Incorrect
Correct Responses: "42"
11. A nurse is caring for a group of adult clients on an acute care nursing unit. Which [Show Less]