ATI PHARMACOLOGY
PROCTORED EXAM Exam Study
Guide: GRADED A+. Questions
and Verified Answers. Latest
2026 Update
1. Which action should the nurse take first during the initial phase of
implementation?
a. Determine patient outcomes and goals.
b. Prioritize patient’s nursing diagnoses.
c. Evaluate interventions.
d. Reassess the patient.
ANS: D
Assessment is a continuous process that occurs each time the nurse interacts with
a patient. During the initial phase of implementation, reassess the patient.
Determining the patient’s goals and prioritizing diagnoses take place in the
planning phase before choosing interventions. Evaluation is the last step of the
nursing process.
2. Vital signs for a patient reveal a high blood pressure of 187/100. Orders
state to notify the health care provider for diastolic blood pressure greater than
90. What is the nurse’s first action?
a. Follow the clinical protocol for a stroke.
b. Review the most recent lab results for the patient’s potassium level. Assess
the patient for other symptoms or problems, and then notify the
c. health care provider.
Administer an antihypertensive medication from the stock supply, and
d. then notify the health care provider.
,ANS: C
Communication to other health care professionals must be timely, accurate, and
relevant to a patient’s clinical situation. The best answer is to reassess the
patient for other symptoms or problems, and then notify the health care
provider according to the orders. Reviewing the potassium level does not
address the problem of high blood pressure. The nurse does not follow the
protocol since the order says to notify the health care provider. The orders read
to notify the health care provider, not administer medications.
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3. Which initial intervention is most appropriate for a patient who has a new
onset of chest pain?
a. Reassess the patient.
b. Notify the health care provider.
c. Administer a prn medication for pain.
d. Call radiology for a portable chest x-ray.
ANS: A
Preparation for implementation ensures efficient, safe, and effective nursing care;
the first activity is reassessment. The cause of the patient’s chest pain is
unknown, so the patient needs to be reassessed before pain medication is
administered or a chest x-ray is obtained. The nurse then notifies the patient’s
health care provider of the patient’s current condition in anticipation of receiving
further orders. The patient’s chest pain could be due to muscular injury or a
pulmonary issue. The nurse needs to reassess first.
4. A nurse is making initial rounds on patients. Which intervention for a patient
with poor wound healing should the nurse perform first?
a. Reinforce the wound dressing as needed with 4 × 4 gauze.
b. Perform the ordered dressing change twice daily.
c. Observe wound appearance and edges.
d. Document wound characteristics.
, ANS: C
The most appropriate initial intervention is to assess the wound (observe wound
appearance and edges). The nurse must assess the wound first before the
findings can be documented, reinforcement of the dressing, and the actual skill
of dressing changes.
2
PROCTORED EXAM Exam Study
Guide: GRADED A+. Questions
and Verified Answers. Latest
2026 Update
1. Which action should the nurse take first during the initial phase of
implementation?
a. Determine patient outcomes and goals.
b. Prioritize patient’s nursing diagnoses.
c. Evaluate interventions.
d. Reassess the patient.
ANS: D
Assessment is a continuous process that occurs each time the nurse interacts with
a patient. During the initial phase of implementation, reassess the patient.
Determining the patient’s goals and prioritizing diagnoses take place in the
planning phase before choosing interventions. Evaluation is the last step of the
nursing process.
2. Vital signs for a patient reveal a high blood pressure of 187/100. Orders
state to notify the health care provider for diastolic blood pressure greater than
90. What is the nurse’s first action?
a. Follow the clinical protocol for a stroke.
b. Review the most recent lab results for the patient’s potassium level. Assess
the patient for other symptoms or problems, and then notify the
c. health care provider.
Administer an antihypertensive medication from the stock supply, and
d. then notify the health care provider.
,ANS: C
Communication to other health care professionals must be timely, accurate, and
relevant to a patient’s clinical situation. The best answer is to reassess the
patient for other symptoms or problems, and then notify the health care
provider according to the orders. Reviewing the potassium level does not
address the problem of high blood pressure. The nurse does not follow the
protocol since the order says to notify the health care provider. The orders read
to notify the health care provider, not administer medications.
1
3. Which initial intervention is most appropriate for a patient who has a new
onset of chest pain?
a. Reassess the patient.
b. Notify the health care provider.
c. Administer a prn medication for pain.
d. Call radiology for a portable chest x-ray.
ANS: A
Preparation for implementation ensures efficient, safe, and effective nursing care;
the first activity is reassessment. The cause of the patient’s chest pain is
unknown, so the patient needs to be reassessed before pain medication is
administered or a chest x-ray is obtained. The nurse then notifies the patient’s
health care provider of the patient’s current condition in anticipation of receiving
further orders. The patient’s chest pain could be due to muscular injury or a
pulmonary issue. The nurse needs to reassess first.
4. A nurse is making initial rounds on patients. Which intervention for a patient
with poor wound healing should the nurse perform first?
a. Reinforce the wound dressing as needed with 4 × 4 gauze.
b. Perform the ordered dressing change twice daily.
c. Observe wound appearance and edges.
d. Document wound characteristics.
, ANS: C
The most appropriate initial intervention is to assess the wound (observe wound
appearance and edges). The nurse must assess the wound first before the
findings can be documented, reinforcement of the dressing, and the actual skill
of dressing changes.
2
