HESI RN PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1. The health care provider prescribes carbamazepine for a child whose
... [Show More] tonic-clonic
seizures have been poorly controlled. The nurse informs the mother that the child
must have blood tests every week. The mother asks why so many blood tests are
necessary. Which complication is assessed through frequent laboratory testing that
the nurse should explain to this mother?
Myelosuppression
Rationale:
Myelosuppression is the highest priority complication that can potentially affect clients
managed with carbamazepine therapy. The client requires close monitoring for this
condition by weekly laboratory testing. Hepatic function may be altered, but this
complication does not have as great a potential for occurrence as Myelosupression
2. A client is prescribed a cholinesterase inhibitor, and a family member asks the nurse
how this medication works. Which pharmacophysiologic explanation should the
nurse use to describe this class of drug?
Improves nerve impulse transmission
Rationale:
Cholinesterase inhibitors work to increase the availability of acetylcholine at cholinergic
synapses, which aids in neuronal transmission and assists in memory formation.
3. A client is ordered 22 mg of gentamicin by IM injection. The drug is available in 20
mg/2 mL. How many milliliters should be administered?
2.2 mL
Rationale:
(22 mg/20 mg) × (x mL/2 mL) = 22x = 40
x = 2.2 mL
4. In addition to nitrate therapy, a client is receiving nifedipine, 10 mg PO every 6 hours.
The nurse should plan to observe for which common side effect of this treatment
regimen?
Hypotension
Rationale:
Nifedipine reduces peripheral vascular resistance and nitrates produce vasodilation, so
concurrent use of nitrates with nifedipine can cause hypotension with the initial
administration of these agents.
5. Which response best supports the observations that the nurse identifies in a client
who is experiencing a placebo effect?
Psychological response to inert medication
Rationale:
The placebo effect is a response in the client that is caused by the psychological impact of
taking an inert drug that has no biochemical properties. A placebo effect can be
therapeutic, negative, or ineffective but provides no cure or benefit to the client's
progress. The placebo effect may evoke behavioral changes but does not affect
neurochemical psychotropic changes. Malingering and drug seeking are behaviors that a
client exhibits to obtain treatment for nonexistent disorders or obtain prescription
medications.
6. A 42-year-old client is admitted to the emergency department after taking an
overdose of amitriptyline in a suicide attempt. Which drug should the nurse plan to
administer to reverse the cardiac and central nervous system effects of amitriptyline?
Sodium bicarbonate
Rationale:
Sodium bicarbonate is an effective treatment for an overdose of tricyclic antidepressants
such as amitriptyline to reverse QRS prolongation.
7. A 67-year-old client is discharged from the hospital with a prescription for digoxin,
0.25 mg daily. Which instruction should the nurse include in this client's discharge
teaching plan?
Take and record radial pulse rate daily. [Show Less]