ATI PN
PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
, Passing Score Guarantee
Exam has 70 PHARMACOLOGY nursing questions
multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct answers
structured rationales.
incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has multiple medication allergies. During which of the following
steps of the nursing process should the nurse identify the client's allergies?
A. Planning
B. Evaluation
C. Data Collection
D. Implementation
, Answer: C. Data Collection
Expert Rationale: Allergies should be identified during the Data Collection phase of the nursing process.
This step involves gathering comprehensive information about the client’s health status, including
medication allergies, to ensure safe and effective care planning and implementation.
---
2. A nurse is caring for a client and realizes after administering the 0900 medications that she gave
digoxin 0.25 mg PO to the client instead of the prescribed dose of digoxin 0.125 mg PO. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Contact the nursing supervisor
C. Check the client's apical pulse
D. Complete an incident report
Answer: C. Check the client's apical pulse
Expert Rationale: The priority action is to assess the client’s condition first, specifically by checking the
apical pulse, because digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia. After assessment, the nurse should notify the
provider and complete the incident report.
---
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following abbreviations
indicates the greatest frequency of medication administration?
A. BID
B. TID
C. QID
D. Q8h
Answer: C. QID
, Expert Rationale: QID (four times a day) indicates the greatest frequency compared to BID (twice daily),
TID (three times daily), or Q8h (every 8 hours, which equals three times daily).
---
4. A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a client who has impaired
swallowing. The nurse should crush the medication when administering which of the following
prescriptions?
A. Aspirin EC 80 mg PO daily
B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast
C. Metformin XR 500 mg PO daily
D. Nitroglycerin 0.3 mg SL PRN chest pain, can repeat q 5 min for 2 additional doses
Answer: B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast
Expert Rationale: Enteric-coated (EC) and extended-release (XR) formulations should not be crushed as it
can interfere with their absorption and effectiveness. Nitroglycerin SL (sublingual) is given under the
tongue. Levothyroxine tablets can be crushed safely if the client has difficulty swallowing.
---
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving cefotetan 1 g via intermittent IV bolus every 12
hours to treat a postoperative infection. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
monitor for as an adverse effect of the medication?
A. Disorientation
B. Epistaxis
C. Constipation
D. Jaundice
Answer: B. Epistaxis
Expert Rationale: Cefotetan can alter vitamin K metabolism, increasing bleeding risk such as epistaxis
(nosebleeds). Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important during therapy.
PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM
(NGN-STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO”)
Actual Qs & Ans to Pass the Exam
This ATI test contains:
, Passing Score Guarantee
Exam has 70 PHARMACOLOGY nursing questions
multiple-choice format (A, B, C, D) with correct answers
structured rationales.
incorporate Next Generation NCLEX (NGN)-style.
Some questions feature brief “scenario” elements and rationales.
1. A nurse is caring for a client who has multiple medication allergies. During which of the following
steps of the nursing process should the nurse identify the client's allergies?
A. Planning
B. Evaluation
C. Data Collection
D. Implementation
, Answer: C. Data Collection
Expert Rationale: Allergies should be identified during the Data Collection phase of the nursing process.
This step involves gathering comprehensive information about the client’s health status, including
medication allergies, to ensure safe and effective care planning and implementation.
---
2. A nurse is caring for a client and realizes after administering the 0900 medications that she gave
digoxin 0.25 mg PO to the client instead of the prescribed dose of digoxin 0.125 mg PO. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Notify the provider
B. Contact the nursing supervisor
C. Check the client's apical pulse
D. Complete an incident report
Answer: C. Check the client's apical pulse
Expert Rationale: The priority action is to assess the client’s condition first, specifically by checking the
apical pulse, because digoxin toxicity can cause bradycardia. After assessment, the nurse should notify the
provider and complete the incident report.
---
3. A nurse is preparing to administer medication to a client. Which of the following abbreviations
indicates the greatest frequency of medication administration?
A. BID
B. TID
C. QID
D. Q8h
Answer: C. QID
, Expert Rationale: QID (four times a day) indicates the greatest frequency compared to BID (twice daily),
TID (three times daily), or Q8h (every 8 hours, which equals three times daily).
---
4. A nurse is reviewing the medication administration record of a client who has impaired
swallowing. The nurse should crush the medication when administering which of the following
prescriptions?
A. Aspirin EC 80 mg PO daily
B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast
C. Metformin XR 500 mg PO daily
D. Nitroglycerin 0.3 mg SL PRN chest pain, can repeat q 5 min for 2 additional doses
Answer: B. Levothyroxine 75 mcg PO q AM before breakfast
Expert Rationale: Enteric-coated (EC) and extended-release (XR) formulations should not be crushed as it
can interfere with their absorption and effectiveness. Nitroglycerin SL (sublingual) is given under the
tongue. Levothyroxine tablets can be crushed safely if the client has difficulty swallowing.
---
5. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving cefotetan 1 g via intermittent IV bolus every 12
hours to treat a postoperative infection. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse
monitor for as an adverse effect of the medication?
A. Disorientation
B. Epistaxis
C. Constipation
D. Jaundice
Answer: B. Epistaxis
Expert Rationale: Cefotetan can alter vitamin K metabolism, increasing bleeding risk such as epistaxis
(nosebleeds). Monitoring for signs of bleeding is important during therapy.
