HESI LPN
Pharmacology HESI Practice
1. A client with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed hydroxyzine. 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. Hydroxyzine is known to cause drowsiness, so clients should be advised to avoid activities like driving until they understand how the medication affects them. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because dry mouth, nausea, and headache are not commonly associated with hydroxyzine use. It is crucial for the client to be aware of the potential drowsiness to ensure their safety and well-being while taking this medication.
2. The nurse is evaluating teaching about drug therapy to treat gout. Which statement by the client demonstrates an understanding of the use of allopurinol to treat Gout?
- A. I need to take the prescribed amount of the drug to get rid of my gout.
- B. I need to take this drug every day to keep from having any flare-ups.
- C. I should take this drug when I have gout attacks to reduce symptoms.
- D. The pain and swelling can be controlled by taking this drug every day.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Taking allopurinol every day helps to prevent gout flare-ups by reducing uric acid levels.
3. A young adult male who is being seen at the employee health care clinic for an annual assessment tells the nurse that his mother was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was his age and that life with a schizophrenic mother was difficult indeed. Which response is best for the nurse to provide?
- A. Ask the client if he is worried about becoming schizophrenic at the age his mother was diagnosed.
- B. Encourage the client to seek genetic counseling to determine his risk for mental illness.
- C. Inform the client that his mother’s schizophrenia has affected his psychological development.
- D. Tell the client that mental illness has a familial predisposition so he should see a psychiatrist.
Correct answer: B
Rationale: Genetic counseling can help assess risk and provide guidance for the client’s concerns about potential hereditary conditions.
4. With an alert of an internal disaster and the need for beds, the charge nurse is asked to list clients who are potential discharges within the next hour. Which client should the charge nurse select?
- A. An elderly client who has had type 2 diabetes for over 20 years, admitted with diabetic ketoacidosis 24 hours ago
- B. An adolescent admitted the prior night with Tylenol intoxication
- C. A middle-aged client with an internal automatic defibrillator and complaints of 'passing out at unknown times' admitted yesterday
- D. A school-age child diagnosed with suspected bacterial meningitis and was admitted at the change of shifts
Correct answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because a client with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) that is being well-managed and has shown improvement within 24 hours is more stable and can be considered for discharge sooner than those with more acute or unstable conditions. Choice B is incorrect as Tylenol intoxication may require further monitoring and intervention. Choice C is incorrect as a client with an automatic defibrillator and episodes of passing out needs careful evaluation and monitoring. Choice D is incorrect as suspected bacterial meningitis is a serious condition that typically requires a longer hospital stay for treatment and observation.
5. The nurse is reviewing blood pressure readings for a group of clients on a medical unit. Which client is at the highest risk for complications related to hypertension?
- A. Post-menopausal Caucasian female who overeats and is 20% above her ideal body weight.
- B. Young adult Hispanic female who has hemoglobin at 11 g/dl (110 g/L) and drinks beer daily.
- C. Older adult who consumes a diet of smoked, cured, and pickled foods.
- D. Middle-aged African-American male who has a serum creatinine level of 2.9 mg/dL (256.4 micromol/L).
Correct answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D. An elevated serum creatinine level indicates kidney damage, which significantly increases the risk of complications from hypertension. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time, leading to impaired kidney function. Choices A, B, and C do not directly correlate with increased risk of complications related to hypertension. Choice A focuses on obesity and overeating, Choice B on anemia and alcohol consumption, and Choice C on a diet high in sodium and nitrates, none of which are as directly related to hypertension complications as kidney damage.