ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY – HIGH YIELD PRACTICE
EXAM | WITH CORRECT AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026 | 2027 LATEST UPDATED TEST
Question 1
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will increase my intake of dark green leafy vegetables."
B) "I will use a straight razor to prevent nicks."
C) "I will monitor my INR levels as scheduled."
D) "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
. Correct Answer: C) "I will monitor my INR levels as scheduled."
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized
Ratio (INR) to ensure the therapeutic range (typically 2-3). Option A is incorrect
because vitamin K (found in green leafy vegetables) antagonizes warfarin. Option
B is incorrect; an electric razor should be used to prevent bleeding. Option D is
incorrect because NSAIDs like ibuprofen increase the risk of gastrointestinal
bleeding when combined with anticoagulants.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
dopamine. Which of the following findings indicates that the medication is having
a desired effect?
A) Decreased blood pressure
B) Increased heart rate
C) Increased urine output
D) Decreased cardiac output
. Correct Answer: C) Increased urine output
Rationale: Dopamine at low to moderate doses dilates renal and mesenteric
vessels, increasing renal perfusion and urine output. While dopamine does
increase heart rate and blood pressure (alpha effects at high doses), the desired
effect for shock or hypotension is often verified by adequate urine output
(indicating kidney perfusion).
Question 3
A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a client. Prior to administration, the
nurse checks the apical pulse for 1 minute. Which of the following findings should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A) Pulse rate of 58/min in an adult
,B) Pulse rate of 90/min in an adult
C) Pulse rate of 110/min in an infant
D) Pulse rate of 100/min in a child
. Correct Answer: A) Pulse rate of 58/min in an adult
Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility and decreases heart rate. A
common parameter for withholding digoxin in adults is a heart rate less than
60/min (or below the provider's specific order). Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin
toxicity or excessive vagal effect.
Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for albuterol
(Proventil) HFA inhaler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A) "Rinse your mouth after each use to prevent thrush."
B) "Use this inhaler for sudden shortness of breath."
C) "Wait 10 minutes between puffs if taking two puffs."
D) "Store the canister in the refrigerator."
.Correct Answer: B) "Use this inhaler for sudden shortness of breath."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue
inhaler for acute bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth is typically for corticosteroids
(e.g., fluticasone) to prevent oral candidiasis, not for albuterol.
, Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for
furosemide (Lasix). The nurse should identify which of the following findings as a
contraindication to this medication?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypertension
C) Heart failure
D) Anuria
.Correct Answer: D) Anuria
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic. It is contraindicated in clients with anuria
(failure to produce urine) because the medication requires renal function to work,
and administering it in the absence of urine output can cause ototoxicity and
electrolyte imbalances without therapeutic benefit.
Question 6
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports chills and back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A) Stop the transfusion.
B) Slow the infusion rate.
C) Administer acetaminophen.
EXAM | WITH CORRECT AND VERIFIED ANSWERS
2026 | 2027 LATEST UPDATED TEST
Question 1
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription for
warfarin (Coumadin). Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
A) "I will increase my intake of dark green leafy vegetables."
B) "I will use a straight razor to prevent nicks."
C) "I will monitor my INR levels as scheduled."
D) "I will take ibuprofen for headaches."
. Correct Answer: C) "I will monitor my INR levels as scheduled."
Rationale: Warfarin therapy is monitored using the International Normalized
Ratio (INR) to ensure the therapeutic range (typically 2-3). Option A is incorrect
because vitamin K (found in green leafy vegetables) antagonizes warfarin. Option
B is incorrect; an electric razor should be used to prevent bleeding. Option D is
incorrect because NSAIDs like ibuprofen increase the risk of gastrointestinal
bleeding when combined with anticoagulants.
,Question 2
A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
dopamine. Which of the following findings indicates that the medication is having
a desired effect?
A) Decreased blood pressure
B) Increased heart rate
C) Increased urine output
D) Decreased cardiac output
. Correct Answer: C) Increased urine output
Rationale: Dopamine at low to moderate doses dilates renal and mesenteric
vessels, increasing renal perfusion and urine output. While dopamine does
increase heart rate and blood pressure (alpha effects at high doses), the desired
effect for shock or hypotension is often verified by adequate urine output
(indicating kidney perfusion).
Question 3
A nurse is administering digoxin (Lanoxin) to a client. Prior to administration, the
nurse checks the apical pulse for 1 minute. Which of the following findings should
prompt the nurse to withhold the medication?
A) Pulse rate of 58/min in an adult
,B) Pulse rate of 90/min in an adult
C) Pulse rate of 110/min in an infant
D) Pulse rate of 100/min in a child
. Correct Answer: A) Pulse rate of 58/min in an adult
Rationale: Digoxin increases myocardial contractility and decreases heart rate. A
common parameter for withholding digoxin in adults is a heart rate less than
60/min (or below the provider's specific order). Bradycardia is a sign of digoxin
toxicity or excessive vagal effect.
Question 4
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who has a new prescription for albuterol
(Proventil) HFA inhaler. Which of the following instructions should the nurse
include?
A) "Rinse your mouth after each use to prevent thrush."
B) "Use this inhaler for sudden shortness of breath."
C) "Wait 10 minutes between puffs if taking two puffs."
D) "Store the canister in the refrigerator."
.Correct Answer: B) "Use this inhaler for sudden shortness of breath."
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist (SABA) used as a rescue
inhaler for acute bronchospasm. Rinsing the mouth is typically for corticosteroids
(e.g., fluticasone) to prevent oral candidiasis, not for albuterol.
, Question 5
A nurse is reviewing the medical record of a client who has a prescription for
furosemide (Lasix). The nurse should identify which of the following findings as a
contraindication to this medication?
A) Hypokalemia
B) Hypertension
C) Heart failure
D) Anuria
.Correct Answer: D) Anuria
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic. It is contraindicated in clients with anuria
(failure to produce urine) because the medication requires renal function to work,
and administering it in the absence of urine output can cause ototoxicity and
electrolyte imbalances without therapeutic benefit.
Question 6
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving a blood transfusion. The client
reports chills and back pain. Which of the following actions should the nurse take
first?
A) Stop the transfusion.
B) Slow the infusion rate.
C) Administer acetaminophen.
