HESI LPN
HESI Practice Test Pharmacology
1. A client with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed alprazolam. The nurse should instruct the client that this medication may have which potential side effect?
- A. Drowsiness
- B. Dry mouth
- C. Nausea
- D. Headache
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Drowsiness. Alprazolam, a medication commonly used to treat anxiety disorders, can cause drowsiness as a common side effect. Clients should be advised not to drive or operate heavy machinery until they know how the medication affects them to ensure their safety.
2. A client has just returned to the medical-surgical unit following a segmental lung resection. After assessing the client, the first nursing action would be to:
- A. Administer pain medication
- B. Suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions
- C. Assist the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough
- D. Monitor oxygen saturation
Correct answer: B
Rationale: After a segmental lung resection, the priority nursing action should be to suction excessive tracheobronchial secretions. This helps in preventing airway obstruction from secretions, ensuring the patency of the airway and optimizing respiratory function. Administering pain medication can be important but addressing airway clearance takes precedence. Assisting the client to turn, deep breathe, and cough is essential for respiratory hygiene but not the first action immediately post-op. Monitoring oxygen saturation is crucial, but ensuring airway clearance is the priority to prevent complications.
3. A nurse is preparing to review medication documentation with a group of newly licensed nurses. Which of the following statements should the nurse manager plan to include in the teaching?
- A. Use the complete name of the medication magnesium sulfate
- B. Maintain the space between the numerical dose and the unit of measure
- C. Note the dosage of insulin in units
- D. Use 'subcut' for indicating a subcutaneous injection
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices recommends using the complete medication name magnesium sulfate when documenting medications to prevent misinterpretation. Choice B is incorrect because spaces should be maintained between the numerical dose and unit of measure for clarity. Choice C is incorrect as the standard notation for insulin dosage is in units, not using the letter U. Choice D is incorrect as the abbreviation for subcutaneous injection is commonly written as 'subcut' or 'subcutaneous,' not as SC.
4. A woman at 26 weeks of gestation is being assessed to determine whether she is experiencing preterm labor. Which finding indicates that preterm labor is occurring?
- A. Estriol is not found in maternal saliva.
- B. Irregular, mild uterine contractions occur every 12 to 15 minutes.
- C. Fetal fibronectin is present in vaginal secretions.
- D. The cervix is effacing and dilated to 2 cm.
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. Cervical changes such as effacement and dilation to 2 cm are strong indicators of imminent preterm labor. These changes, combined with regular contractions, can signify labor at any gestation. Estriol can be detected in maternal plasma as early as 9 weeks of gestation. Levels of salivary estriol have been linked to preterm birth. Irregular, mild contractions occurring every 12 to 15 minutes without cervical change are generally not concerning. While the presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation may predict preterm labor, its predictive value is limited (20%-40%). Therefore, cervical changes provide more reliable information regarding the risk of preterm labor.
5. A group of students is reviewing information about the various types of insulin used to treat type 1 diabetes. The students demonstrate understanding of the information when they identify which of these insulins as having the longest duration?
- A. Lispro
- B. Regular
- C. NPH
- D. Glargine
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is Glargine (Lantus) as it has the longest duration of action among the insulins listed, lasting 12 to 24 hours. Lispro (A) and Regular (B) are rapid-acting insulins with shorter durations of action. NPH (C) is an intermediate-acting insulin with a duration of action of about 12-16 hours. Therefore, Glargine is the correct choice for the insulin with the longest duration.