Pharmacology HESI Practice Exam
An older client who takes risperidone (Risperdal), an antipsychotic, is complaining of constipation. Which dietary changes should the practical nurse (PN) recommend?
Increase daily green vegetables and bran
The practical nurse (PN) administers isoproterenol (suprel) to a client with heart block. The PN should evaluate the client for which physiological response?
Increased heart rate
A client with Parkinson's disease has been taking antiparkinsonian medications for 3 months. Which client finding should the practical nurse (PN) identify as a therapeutic response?
Improved ability to perform activities
A client receives a prescription for clotrimazole 1% (Gyne-Lotrimin) vaginal cream for Candidiasis. Which information should the practical nurse provide the client?
Instill cream using the intravaginal applicator each night for 7 days.
Which client statement indicates to the practical nurse (PN) that a client understands discharge instructions about a new prescription for digoxin (Lanoxin)?
"I will take my pulse for one-minute every day
Which International Normalized Ratio (INR) value indicates that warfarin (Coumadin) therapy is at a therapeutic range?
2.1 to 3.0
Dietary trays usually arrive on the hospital unit at 7:30 AM. When should the practical nurse (PN) plan to administer NPH insulin 40 units subcutaneously to a client with diabetes mellitus?
6:30 and 7:00 AM
Which information should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce with a client who is self-administering insulin injections?
Aspirate regular insulin in the syringe first when mixing insulins.
The practical nurse (PN) observes a thick white-coating on the tongue of a client who takes fluphenazine (Prolixin). What instructions should the P reinforce with the client about this medication?
Brush your teeth and tongue, floss, gargle, and notify the healthcare provider
practical nurse (PN) discusses antihypertensive drug therapy with several clients diagnosed with high blood pressure. To improve client understanding the PN should emphasize that which medication preserves renal function in a client with diabetes?
Captopril (Capoten).
A client receives a prescription for an oral opioid analgesic for post-operative pain. Which adverse effect should the practical nurse (PN) monitor for in the client?
Constipation
The healthcare provider prescribes an antibiotic for a male adolescent with an upper respiratory tract infection, who asks the practical nurse (PN) how long the prescribed antibiotics should be taken. What information should the PN provide?
Continue the medication until all of the prescription is taken
The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing teaching for a client who is receiving diltiazem (Cardizem), a calcium channel blocker Which drug action should the practical nurse explain?
Decreased rate of contraction
Which therapeutic action should the practical nurse (PN) base an explanation to a client who is receiving a cardiac glycoside?
Decreased rate of contraction
A client with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is prescribed amphetamine (Adderal). Which side effect should the practical nurse (PN) explain is commonly experienced?
Difficulty sleeping
healthcare provider prescribes cycloplegic and mydriatic ophthalmic drops for a client who is having a cataract removal what explanation about the drug actions should the practical nurse (PN) provide the client?
Dilates the pupil.
A male client diagnosed with tuberculosis asks the practical nurse (PN) about his course of drug therapy. Which information should the PN provide?
Drug therapy requires compliance for 6 to 12 months.
hich prescription should the practical nurse (PN) administer for client who is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction to an antibiotic?
Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
older adult client receives a prescription for hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL), a thiazide diuretic for the treatment of heart failure. Which side effect(s) should the practical nurse reinforce with the client? (Select all that apply.)
Fatigue And Dehydration
What side effect should the practical nurse (PN) report to the healthcare provider for a client who is taking prednisone (Deltasone)?
Gastric bleeding
A client who has been taking phenazopyridine (Pyridium) for symptoms of urethritis and cystitis comes to the clinic because her urine is reddish-orange. Which question should the practical nurse ask to determine if the medication has been effective?
Have you had any relief from urinary pain, burning, or urgency?
Which adverse effect should the practical nurse monitor for in a client who is taking amikacin (Amikin)?
Hearing loss
female client with recurring headaches tells the practical nurse (PN) that she has been taking at least 4 grams of acetaminophen a day. Which laboratory studies should the PN review for this client?
Hepatic enzymes
The practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the discharge plan for a client with mania who is receiving lithium carbonate (Eskalith) To achieve a stable serum level, which information should the PN reinforce with the client?
How to recognize symptoms of toxicity.
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who is receiving dexamethasone (Decadron) after abdominal surgery. Which finding should the PN report to the charge nurse?
Impaired healing.
A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus received an early AM dose of regular insulin per sliding scale At 1000 the practical nurse (PN) should report which signs indicative of hypoglycemia?
Irritability and confusion
The practical nurse (PN) should emphasize the importance of monitoring for which side effect(s) in a client who takes a daily antilipemic agent?
Liver dysfunction
client who is comatose is admitted after an overdose of baclofen (Lioresal). What nursing action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
Monitor for signs of respiratory arrest.
The practical nurse (PN) is unable to arouse a client who is receiving meperidine (Demerol) for postoperative pain. The client is stuporous, has constricted pupils, and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/minute. Which PRN prescription should the PN give the client?
Naloxone (Narcan)
A client with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is having symptoms of reflux despite taking omeprazole (Prilosec) 20 mg daily. What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement?
Notify the healthcare provider about the symptoms.
The healthcare provider prescribes celecoxib (Celebrex), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), for a client with osteoarthritis. Which finding in the client's history should the practical nurse (PN) report?
Peptic ulcer disease
hich action should the practical nurse implement administering a buccal medication?
Place the medication between the upper molar teeth and cheek.
The practical nurse asks a male client who came to the clinic with an upper respiratory infection if he has any drug allergies. The client cannot remember ir he does or if he ever received penicillin. After administering the injection penicillin, the PN tells the client to stay for 30 minutes of observation. Which finding should the PN identify that is indicative of a reaction to the medication?
Rash, itching, and hives
client who returns from surgery for bowel resection complains of severe pain around the incision. Which assessment is most important for the practical nurse obtain prior to the administration of morphine sulfate?
Rate of respirations
A client with tuberculosis (TB) asks the practical nurse (PN) the value of prescribed multidrug therapy. What explanation should the PN provide?
Reduces development of TB resistant drugs.
male client who is hypertensive is starting a new prescription for clonidine (Catapress) 0.4 mg PO daily. In reviewing common side effects, what information should the practical nurse (PN) provide the client?
Report problems with sexual function.
A male client who has been receiving an antineoplastic drug has developed thrombocytopenia. What instructions should the practical nurse (PN) reinforce?
Shave with an electric razor.
client receives a prescription for nystatin (Mycostatin) oral suspension for the treatment of oral thrush. Which information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
Swish then swallow the medication
The practical nurse (PN) is reinforcing information to a client about the use of an antiemetic to help manage nausea and vomiting during a course of chemotherapy. Which information is most important for the PN to provide?
Take at least 30 minutes before a chemotherapeutic agent is received.
The practical nurse (PN) should reinforce what time frame with a client about self-administration of lispro insulin (umalog)?
Take within 15 minutes of beginning a meal,
35-week gestation primigravida who takes lithium (Eskalith) tells the practical nurse (PN) that she would like to breastfeed her infant. What information should the PN provide to the client?
The drug is excreted in breast milk so use formula to feed the infant.
Which information should the practical nurse (PN) provide a client who receives a new prescription for a benzodiazepine medication?
The interactions of alcohol consumption and cNS depressant drugs.
What assessment is most important for the practical nurse (PN) to obtain prior to initiating medication therapy with phenelzine (Nardil) for a client with depression?
Understanding of diet modification
The practical nurse (PN) is caring for a client who has been taking prednisone (Deltasone) daily for a year. Which adverse effect should the PN document in the client's record?
Weight gain
The practical nurse (PN) should recommend that oral contraceptives be avoided in which group of women?
Women who smoke.
Which prescription should the practical nurse administer for a client who is experiencing an acute episode of bronchial asthma?
albuterol (Proventil)
A client who is receiving an antibiotic suddenly develops hives. The practical nurse should report that the client is most likely experiencing which type of drug response?
hypersensitivity reaction
A client's tissue culture results indicate the wound is infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). What action should the practical nurse (PN) implement first?
implement contact isolation precautions
client who is transferred to the cardiac rehabilitation unit after a myocardial infarction is ready for discharge with a new prescription for metoprolol (Lopressor). The client asks "I don't have high blood pressure, so why did my healthcare provider give me this medicine?" What information should the practical nurse (PN) provide?
slower heart rate reduces the heart's oxygen demand
An adult male arrives in the clinic requesting a prescription for sildenafil (Viagra). Which client history should the practical nurse (PN) report to the healthcare provider?
use of nitrates
