2023 ATI PN Pharmacology Practice Exam Questions and Answers
|Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s potassium level.
B. Monitor the client’s blood pressure.
C. Administer the medication with food.
D. Measure the apical pulse for one minute.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should always check the apical pulse for a full minute before
administering digoxin. If the heart rate is less than 60 bpm in an adult, the dose should be
held and the provider notified.
2. A client is prescribed furosemide for pulmonary edema. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, leading
to a risk of hypokalemia.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for ferrous sulfate.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with an antacid to prevent stomach upset.
B. Expect stools to become dark green or black.
C. Take the medication with milk to increase absorption.
D. Limit intake of foods high in fiber.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ferrous sulfate commonly causes stools to turn dark green or black, which is a
harmless side effect. It should be taken with Vitamin C to increase absorption and avoided
with milk or antacids.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin via continuous IV infusion.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT/INR is used
for warfarin.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting alendronate for osteoporosis.
Which instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication right before bedtime.
B. Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication with a full glass of orange juice.
D. Expect mild joint pain for the first week.
Answer: B
, Rationale: To prevent esophageal irritation and erosion, the client must remain upright for
at least 30 minutes and take the medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach.
6. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client who has a new
prescription for warfarin. Which of the following medications should the nurse
identify as increasing the risk of bleeding?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Calcium carbonate
C. Vitamin K
D. Aspirin
Answer: D
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that increases the risk of bleeding when taken
with anticoagulants like warfarin.
7. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following
medications should the nurse administer first?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue medication
for acute bronchospasm.
|Rationales
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client’s potassium level.
B. Monitor the client’s blood pressure.
C. Administer the medication with food.
D. Measure the apical pulse for one minute.
Answer: D
Rationale: The nurse should always check the apical pulse for a full minute before
administering digoxin. If the heart rate is less than 60 bpm in an adult, the dose should be
held and the provider notified.
2. A client is prescribed furosemide for pulmonary edema. Which of the
following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypokalemia
Answer: D
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that promotes the excretion of potassium, leading
to a risk of hypokalemia.
,3. A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for ferrous sulfate.
Which of the following instructions should the nurse include?
A. Take the medication with an antacid to prevent stomach upset.
B. Expect stools to become dark green or black.
C. Take the medication with milk to increase absorption.
D. Limit intake of foods high in fiber.
Answer: B
Rationale: Ferrous sulfate commonly causes stools to turn dark green or black, which is a
harmless side effect. It should be taken with Vitamin C to increase absorption and avoided
with milk or antacids.
4. A nurse is caring for a client receiving heparin via continuous IV infusion.
Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse monitor?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International Normalized Ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
Answer: C
Rationale: The aPTT is used to monitor the therapeutic effect of heparin. PT/INR is used
for warfarin.
5. A nurse is providing teaching to a client starting alendronate for osteoporosis.
Which instruction is most important?
A. Take the medication right before bedtime.
B. Remain upright for 30 minutes after taking the medication.
C. Take the medication with a full glass of orange juice.
D. Expect mild joint pain for the first week.
Answer: B
, Rationale: To prevent esophageal irritation and erosion, the client must remain upright for
at least 30 minutes and take the medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach.
6. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client who has a new
prescription for warfarin. Which of the following medications should the nurse
identify as increasing the risk of bleeding?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Calcium carbonate
C. Vitamin K
D. Aspirin
Answer: D
Rationale: Aspirin is an antiplatelet agent that increases the risk of bleeding when taken
with anticoagulants like warfarin.
7. A client is experiencing an acute asthma attack. Which of the following
medications should the nurse administer first?
A. Salmeterol
B. Fluticasone
C. Albuterol
D. Montelukast
Answer: C
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) used as a rescue medication
for acute bronchospasm.
