ATI PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE
QUESTION BANK
Comprehensive Review for Proctored
Exams
Format: Multiple Choice with Rationales
Total Questions: 150
Level: NCLEX/ATI-style
Use: Personal Study Only
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following
findings should prompt the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A) Blood pressure 130/86 mm Hg
,B) Apical pulse 52 beats/min
C) Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
D) Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should withhold digoxin and notify the provider if the client's apical pulse is
below 60 beats/min (or below 70 beats/min for children or if specified by provider). Bradycardia is a
sign of digoxin toxicity. Option A is within normal range. Option C is normal. Option D is within
normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Question 2
A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for management of hypertension. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B) Liver function tests
C) Serum potassium levels
D) Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Hypokalemia is a common
adverse effect that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor potassium levels
regularly. Options A, B, and D are not directly affected by furosemide therapy.
Question 3
,A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
B) "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
C) "I will take ibuprofen for my occasional headaches."
D) "I will get my blood drawn regularly as scheduled."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Clients should avoid NSAIDs and use alternative pain relievers like acetaminophen. Option A is
correct (prevents cuts). Option B is correct (vitamin K-rich foods interfere with warfarin). Option D is
correct (monitoring INR is essential).
Question 4
A client receiving a continuous heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
of 120 seconds. The normal range is 25-35 seconds. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Document the finding in the chart
B) Stop the heparin infusion
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Decrease the infusion rate by half
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT of 120 seconds indicates a therapeutic level is dangerously high (therapeutic
range for heparin is typically 1.5-2.5 times normal, or 60-85 seconds). The nurse should first stop the
infusion to prevent further bleeding risk, then notify the provider. The provider may order
protamine sulfate.
, Question 5
A nurse is administering metoprolol (Lopressor) to a client with hypertension. Which of the following
findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?
A) Heart rate increases from 70 to 90 beats/min
B) Blood pressure decreases from 150/90 to 128/78 mm Hg
C) Client reports increased energy level
D) Respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 14 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension by reducing heart rate and
cardiac output, thereby lowering blood pressure. A decrease in blood pressure indicates therapeutic
effectiveness. Option A is incorrect (beta-blockers decrease heart rate). Options C and D are not
primary indicators of effectiveness.
Question 6
A client is prescribed amlodipine (Norvasc) for hypertension. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse include in client teaching?
A) Dry cough
B) Peripheral edema
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
QUESTION BANK
Comprehensive Review for Proctored
Exams
Format: Multiple Choice with Rationales
Total Questions: 150
Level: NCLEX/ATI-style
Use: Personal Study Only
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following
findings should prompt the nurse to hold the medication and notify the provider?
A) Blood pressure 130/86 mm Hg
,B) Apical pulse 52 beats/min
C) Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
D) Potassium level 4.0 mEq/L
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nurse should withhold digoxin and notify the provider if the client's apical pulse is
below 60 beats/min (or below 70 beats/min for children or if specified by provider). Bradycardia is a
sign of digoxin toxicity. Option A is within normal range. Option C is normal. Option D is within
normal range (3.5-5.0 mEq/L).
Question 2
A client is prescribed furosemide (Lasix) for management of hypertension. Which of the following
laboratory values should the nurse monitor most closely?
A) Hemoglobin and hematocrit
B) Liver function tests
C) Serum potassium levels
D) Thyroid stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Hypokalemia is a common
adverse effect that can lead to cardiac dysrhythmias. The nurse should monitor potassium levels
regularly. Options A, B, and D are not directly affected by furosemide therapy.
Question 3
,A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the
following statements by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
B) "I will avoid eating large amounts of spinach and kale."
C) "I will take ibuprofen for my occasional headaches."
D) "I will get my blood drawn regularly as scheduled."
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs increase the risk of bleeding when taken with warfarin.
Clients should avoid NSAIDs and use alternative pain relievers like acetaminophen. Option A is
correct (prevents cuts). Option B is correct (vitamin K-rich foods interfere with warfarin). Option D is
correct (monitoring INR is essential).
Question 4
A client receiving a continuous heparin infusion has an activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
of 120 seconds. The normal range is 25-35 seconds. Which action should the nurse take first?
A) Document the finding in the chart
B) Stop the heparin infusion
C) Notify the healthcare provider
D) Decrease the infusion rate by half
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: An aPTT of 120 seconds indicates a therapeutic level is dangerously high (therapeutic
range for heparin is typically 1.5-2.5 times normal, or 60-85 seconds). The nurse should first stop the
infusion to prevent further bleeding risk, then notify the provider. The provider may order
protamine sulfate.
, Question 5
A nurse is administering metoprolol (Lopressor) to a client with hypertension. Which of the following
findings should indicate to the nurse that the medication is effective?
A) Heart rate increases from 70 to 90 beats/min
B) Blood pressure decreases from 150/90 to 128/78 mm Hg
C) Client reports increased energy level
D) Respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 14 breaths/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension by reducing heart rate and
cardiac output, thereby lowering blood pressure. A decrease in blood pressure indicates therapeutic
effectiveness. Option A is incorrect (beta-blockers decrease heart rate). Options C and D are not
primary indicators of effectiveness.
Question 6
A client is prescribed amlodipine (Norvasc) for hypertension. Which of the following adverse effects
should the nurse include in client teaching?
A) Dry cough
B) Peripheral edema
C) Hyperkalemia
D) Bradycardia
Correct Answer: B
