ATI PN Pharmacology 2026 Proctored Exam with
NGN Actual Exam 2026/2027 – 60 Real Questions
and Answers – Latest – Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Basic Pharmacology & Medication Administration
Q1: You're reviewing the medication administration record before the morning shift.
Which action demonstrates the proper way to verify the "right patient" when preparing to
give a morning dose of metoprolol?
A. Checking the patient's name on the door chart against the MAR
B. Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth while comparing this
information to the medication administration record and wristband [CORRECT]
C. Calling out the patient's name in the hallway and administering the medication when
they respond
D. Accepting the patient's verbal confirmation of identity without checking the wristband
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Two patient identifiers are required for safe medication administration.
Having the patient state their name and date of birth while cross-referencing the MAR
and wristband satisfies this safety requirement. Room numbers and door charts can be
outdated, and single-identifier verification or calling out names in hallways violates
patient privacy and safety protocols.
,Q2: A postoperative patient is receiving pain medication via the intramuscular route. The
nurse recalls that compared to subcutaneous administration, intramuscular injections
generally result in:
A. Slower absorption due to decreased blood flow in muscle tissue
B. Faster absorption due to the rich vascular supply of muscle tissue [CORRECT]
C. Identical absorption rates regardless of tissue type
D. Delayed absorption secondary to muscle protein binding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intramuscular injections typically have faster absorption than subcutaneous
injections because muscle tissue has a greater blood supply. This allows medications
to enter the circulation more rapidly, making IM routes suitable for medications
requiring quicker onset than SC but slower than IV.
Q3: Your patient is prescribed 0.125 mg of digoxin orally. The pharmacy sends tablets
labeled 0.25 mg each. How many tablets will you administer?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 0.25 tablets
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To calculate: Desired dose (0.125 mg) divided by available dose (0.25 mg)
equals 0.5 tablets. Always verify digoxin doses with an apical pulse before
administration, and ensure the tablet is scored if breaking it.
,Q4: The physician orders 1000 mL of normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The tubing
drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. At how many drops per minute should the nurse set the
infusion rate? (Round to the nearest whole number)
A. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
B. 125 gtt/min
C. 15 gtt/min
D. 60 gtt/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Calculation: (1000 mL ÷ 8 hours) = 125 mL/hour. Then (125 mL/hour × 15
gtt/mL) ÷ 60 minutes = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min. This maintains the prescribed
volume over the correct time period.
Q5: Which statement by a nursing student regarding the enteral administration of
medications indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should check gastric residual before administering enteral medications through a
feeding tube"
B. "Crushing enteric-coated tablets makes them easier to dissolve for tube
administration" [CORRECT]
C. "I need to flush the tubing with water before and after medication administration"
D. "Medications given via PEG tube should not be mixed with the feeding formula"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets should never be crushed because the coating protects
the medication from stomach acid or protects the stomach from the medication.
, Crushing destroys this protective mechanism and can alter drug absorption or cause
mucosal damage.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient with a newly inserted peripherally inserted central
catheter (PICC). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild discomfort at the insertion site rated 2/10
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the fingers of the affected arm
C. Swelling of the arm, neck, and shoulder on the side of the PICC insertion [CORRECT]
D. Transparent dressing intact with no drainage noted
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Swelling of the arm, neck, and shoulder suggests venous thrombosis or
infiltration, potentially indicating a deep vein thrombosis or catheter malposition
requiring immediate provider notification. Mild discomfort, intact dressings, and normal
capillary refill (less than 3 seconds) are expected findings.
Q7: When teaching a patient about their newly prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin, which
instruction is most important to include?
A. "Swallow the tablet immediately with a full glass of water"
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve completely" [CORRECT]
C. "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing"
D. "Take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual administration requires placing the medication under the tongue
for absorption through the rich vascular network there, bypassing first-pass hepatic
metabolism. Swallowing or chewing the tablet reduces efficacy and delays onset.
NGN Actual Exam 2026/2027 – 60 Real Questions
and Answers – Latest – Detailed Rationales – Pass
Guaranteed – A+ Graded
Basic Pharmacology & Medication Administration
Q1: You're reviewing the medication administration record before the morning shift.
Which action demonstrates the proper way to verify the "right patient" when preparing to
give a morning dose of metoprolol?
A. Checking the patient's name on the door chart against the MAR
B. Asking the patient to state their full name and date of birth while comparing this
information to the medication administration record and wristband [CORRECT]
C. Calling out the patient's name in the hallway and administering the medication when
they respond
D. Accepting the patient's verbal confirmation of identity without checking the wristband
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Two patient identifiers are required for safe medication administration.
Having the patient state their name and date of birth while cross-referencing the MAR
and wristband satisfies this safety requirement. Room numbers and door charts can be
outdated, and single-identifier verification or calling out names in hallways violates
patient privacy and safety protocols.
,Q2: A postoperative patient is receiving pain medication via the intramuscular route. The
nurse recalls that compared to subcutaneous administration, intramuscular injections
generally result in:
A. Slower absorption due to decreased blood flow in muscle tissue
B. Faster absorption due to the rich vascular supply of muscle tissue [CORRECT]
C. Identical absorption rates regardless of tissue type
D. Delayed absorption secondary to muscle protein binding
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Intramuscular injections typically have faster absorption than subcutaneous
injections because muscle tissue has a greater blood supply. This allows medications
to enter the circulation more rapidly, making IM routes suitable for medications
requiring quicker onset than SC but slower than IV.
Q3: Your patient is prescribed 0.125 mg of digoxin orally. The pharmacy sends tablets
labeled 0.25 mg each. How many tablets will you administer?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 0.25 tablets
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To calculate: Desired dose (0.125 mg) divided by available dose (0.25 mg)
equals 0.5 tablets. Always verify digoxin doses with an apical pulse before
administration, and ensure the tablet is scored if breaking it.
,Q4: The physician orders 1000 mL of normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The tubing
drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. At how many drops per minute should the nurse set the
infusion rate? (Round to the nearest whole number)
A. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
B. 125 gtt/min
C. 15 gtt/min
D. 60 gtt/min
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Calculation: (1000 mL ÷ 8 hours) = 125 mL/hour. Then (125 mL/hour × 15
gtt/mL) ÷ 60 minutes = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min. This maintains the prescribed
volume over the correct time period.
Q5: Which statement by a nursing student regarding the enteral administration of
medications indicates a need for further teaching?
A. "I should check gastric residual before administering enteral medications through a
feeding tube"
B. "Crushing enteric-coated tablets makes them easier to dissolve for tube
administration" [CORRECT]
C. "I need to flush the tubing with water before and after medication administration"
D. "Medications given via PEG tube should not be mixed with the feeding formula"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Enteric-coated tablets should never be crushed because the coating protects
the medication from stomach acid or protects the stomach from the medication.
, Crushing destroys this protective mechanism and can alter drug absorption or cause
mucosal damage.
Q6: A nurse is caring for a patient with a newly inserted peripherally inserted central
catheter (PICC). Which assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Mild discomfort at the insertion site rated 2/10
B. Capillary refill of 3 seconds in the fingers of the affected arm
C. Swelling of the arm, neck, and shoulder on the side of the PICC insertion [CORRECT]
D. Transparent dressing intact with no drainage noted
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Swelling of the arm, neck, and shoulder suggests venous thrombosis or
infiltration, potentially indicating a deep vein thrombosis or catheter malposition
requiring immediate provider notification. Mild discomfort, intact dressings, and normal
capillary refill (less than 3 seconds) are expected findings.
Q7: When teaching a patient about their newly prescribed sublingual nitroglycerin, which
instruction is most important to include?
A. "Swallow the tablet immediately with a full glass of water"
B. "Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve completely" [CORRECT]
C. "Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing"
D. "Take this medication with food to avoid stomach upset"
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Sublingual administration requires placing the medication under the tongue
for absorption through the rich vascular network there, bypassing first-pass hepatic
metabolism. Swallowing or chewing the tablet reduces efficacy and delays onset.
