ATI RN Pharmacology Practice C
Examination| with verified answers 2026
latest updated test with 2023 Versions
1. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Massage the site after injection.
b) Use a 22-gauge, 1.5-inch needle.
c) Administer the medication into the abdominal tissue.
d) Aspirate before injecting to check for blood return.
Correct Answer: c) Administer the medication into the abdominal tissue.
Rationale: Subcutaneous heparin should be administered into the abdominal fat
tissue, at least 2 inches away from the umbilicus. The site should not be massaged
to prevent bruising and hematoma formation. A small gauge needle (e.g., 25-26
gauge, 3/8 to 5/8 inch) is used. Aspiration is not recommended as it can cause
tissue damage and bleeding.
,2. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin lispro. The nurse
should instruct the client to administer this insulin at which time?
a) 30 minutes before a meal.
b) At the same time as the morning NPH insulin.
c) Immediately before a meal (within 15 minutes).
d) At bedtime.
Correct Answer: c) Immediately before a meal (within 15 minutes).
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of about
15 minutes. It should be administered immediately (0-15 minutes) before a meal
to match the postprandial rise in blood glucose. Administering it 30 minutes prior
could cause hypoglycemia before the meal is eaten.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
dopamine. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
a) Blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg
b) Urine output of 20 mL over the last 2 hours
,c) Heart rate of 88/min
d) Infiltration at the IV site
Correct Answer: b) Urine output of 20 mL over the last 2 hours
Rationale: Dopamine is a vasopressor that increases cardiac output and renal
perfusion. A urine output of <30 mL/hr is a sign of inadequate renal perfusion and
potential acute kidney injury, which is a critical finding requiring immediate
intervention. While infiltration is important, it is not as immediately life-
threatening as renal failure.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
b) "I should expect my stools to be tarry."
c) "I will eat more green, leafy vegetables."
d) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
Correct Answer: d) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using
, an electric razor minimizes the risk of cuts and bleeding. Ibuprofen increases
bleeding risk. Tarry stools are a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. Green, leafy
vegetables are high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's effects.
5. A nurse is administering morphine sulfate IV to a client for postoperative
pain. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
a) Urinary retention
b) Respiratory depression
c) Sedation
d) Nausea
Correct Answer: b) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause severe respiratory
depression by depressing the medullary respiratory center. Using the ABC
(Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, respiratory depression is the priority
finding to monitor and manage as it is immediately life-threatening.
6. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
Examination| with verified answers 2026
latest updated test with 2023 Versions
1. A nurse is preparing to administer heparin subcutaneously to a client. Which
of the following actions should the nurse take?
a) Massage the site after injection.
b) Use a 22-gauge, 1.5-inch needle.
c) Administer the medication into the abdominal tissue.
d) Aspirate before injecting to check for blood return.
Correct Answer: c) Administer the medication into the abdominal tissue.
Rationale: Subcutaneous heparin should be administered into the abdominal fat
tissue, at least 2 inches away from the umbilicus. The site should not be massaged
to prevent bruising and hematoma formation. A small gauge needle (e.g., 25-26
gauge, 3/8 to 5/8 inch) is used. Aspiration is not recommended as it can cause
tissue damage and bleeding.
,2. A client with type 1 diabetes mellitus is prescribed insulin lispro. The nurse
should instruct the client to administer this insulin at which time?
a) 30 minutes before a meal.
b) At the same time as the morning NPH insulin.
c) Immediately before a meal (within 15 minutes).
d) At bedtime.
Correct Answer: c) Immediately before a meal (within 15 minutes).
Rationale: Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting insulin with an onset of action of about
15 minutes. It should be administered immediately (0-15 minutes) before a meal
to match the postprandial rise in blood glucose. Administering it 30 minutes prior
could cause hypoglycemia before the meal is eaten.
3. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving a continuous IV infusion of
dopamine. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the
provider immediately?
a) Blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg
b) Urine output of 20 mL over the last 2 hours
,c) Heart rate of 88/min
d) Infiltration at the IV site
Correct Answer: b) Urine output of 20 mL over the last 2 hours
Rationale: Dopamine is a vasopressor that increases cardiac output and renal
perfusion. A urine output of <30 mL/hr is a sign of inadequate renal perfusion and
potential acute kidney injury, which is a critical finding requiring immediate
intervention. While infiltration is important, it is not as immediately life-
threatening as renal failure.
4. A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who has a new prescription
for warfarin. Which of the following statements by the client indicates an
understanding of the teaching?
a) "I will take ibuprofen if I get a headache."
b) "I should expect my stools to be tarry."
c) "I will eat more green, leafy vegetables."
d) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
Correct Answer: d) "I will use an electric razor for shaving."
Rationale: Warfarin is an anticoagulant that increases the risk of bleeding. Using
, an electric razor minimizes the risk of cuts and bleeding. Ibuprofen increases
bleeding risk. Tarry stools are a sign of gastrointestinal bleeding. Green, leafy
vegetables are high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's effects.
5. A nurse is administering morphine sulfate IV to a client for postoperative
pain. Which of the following findings is the priority for the nurse to monitor?
a) Urinary retention
b) Respiratory depression
c) Sedation
d) Nausea
Correct Answer: b) Respiratory depression
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause severe respiratory
depression by depressing the medullary respiratory center. Using the ABC
(Airway, Breathing, Circulation) framework, respiratory depression is the priority
finding to monitor and manage as it is immediately life-threatening.
6. A client is prescribed digoxin for heart failure. Which of the following findings
indicates digoxin toxicity?
