ATI Pharmacology Proctored Exam Assessment Technologies
Institute, 2026/2027 – 125-Question NGN-Aligned
Pharmacology Examination for NCLEX-RN Readiness
Medications for Infection: Aminoglycosides - ANSWER-Gentamcin - fights infection
- C: pregnancy, renal issues
- AE: Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hypersensitivity
- NC: Peaks and troughs
Medications for Infection: Carbapenems - ANSWER-Meropenem, Imipenem - fights
infection
- C: Penicillin allergy, renal issues
- AE: GI upset, superinfection, allergies
- NC: Monitor for allergic reactions
Medications for Infection: Penicillins - ANSWER-Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin - fights
infection
- C: Allergic to penicillin, renal issues
- AE: Allergies, renal issues, hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, dysrhythmias
- NC: Take with food, use additional contraceptive, complete entire course of therapy
even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Cephalosporins - ANSWER-Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone =- fights
infection
- C: Penicillin or cephalosporin allergy, renal issues
- AE: Renal issues, pain with IM injections, superinfection
- NC: take with food, store oral's in refrigerator
Medications for Infection: Cell wall inhibitor - ANSWER-Vancomycin: fights infection
- C: hearing loss, renal issues
- AE: Red mans syndrome, otoxicity, renal toxicity
- NC: Give slowly over 60 mins IV to help prevent red mans syndrome, complete entire
course of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Tetracyclines - ANSWER-Doxycycline: fights infection, acne,
lyme disease
- C: pregnancy, liver/kidney disease
, - AE: If given to children <8 - causes tooth discoloration, photosensitivity, GI upset,
superinfection
- NC: use additional contraceptive, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is
feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Macrolides - ANSWER-Erythromycin, Azithromycin (z-pak) -
fights infections, pneumonia, pertussis, chlamydia (is an alt. med. for those who are
allergic to penicillin)
- C: Liver disease, prolonged QT
- AE: GI upset, ototoxicity, prolonged QT
- NC: Use additional contraceptive, if treating an STD - treat partner as well.
Medications for Infection: Sulfonamides & Trimethoprim - ANSWER-Trimethoprim-
silfamethoxazole - treats UTI's
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, folate deficiency, renal issues
- AE: Agranulocytosis, hyperkalemia, hypersensitivity
- NC: Take on an empty stomach! Use additional contraceptive, complete entire course
of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Urinary tract antiseptic - ANSWER-Nitrofurantoin: treats UTI's
- C: pregnancy/lactation, renal issues
- AE: GI upset, peripheral neuropathy
- NC: turns urine rust-yellow to brown, can stain teeth, complete entire course of
therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Fluoroquinolones - ANSWER-Ciprofloxacin - fights infection
- C: Can cause spontaneous tendon rupture in children <18, pregnancy/lactation
- AE: GI upset, tendon rupture, superinfection, phototoxicity
- NC: Low doses in pt's with renal impairment, complete entire course of therapy even it
pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: UT analgesic - ANSWER-Phenazopyridine: treats UTI's (is a
dye that functions as a local anesthetic on the mucosa of the urinary tract)
Medications for Infection: Antiprotozoals - ANSWER-Metronidazole: treats protozoal
infections
- C: pregnancy, kidney/cardiac/fungal/candida infection, seizure disorder
- AE: GI upset, darkening of urine, neurotoxicity, superinfection
- NC: Use additional birth control
Medications for Infection: Antimycobacterials - ANSWER-Isoniazid: treats tuberculosis
- C: older adults, people with diabetes, alcoholism
- AE: hepatotoxicity, hyperglycemia, peripheral neuropathy
- NC: Use additional birth control
Rifampin: treats infection & TB
- C: hepatic impairment
- AE: Can turn excretory fluids orange, GI upset, superinfection, hepatotoxicity
- NC: Full glass of water, non-hormonal contraception
Medications for Infection: Antifungals - ANSWER-Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole: treats
fungal infections
- C: Anemia, pregnancy/lactation, renal issues
- AE: Gynecomastia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, electrolyte imbalance, bone marrow
suppression
, - NC: Amphotericin B is VERY toxic, used only for life-threatening situations, use
additional birth control, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Antivirals - ANSWER-Acyclovir, Oseltamivir: Herpes Simplex
& Herpes Zoster (Acyclovir), Influenza (Oseltamivir)
- C: Renal impairment
- AE: Acyclovir can cause phlebitis and nephrotoxicity
- NC: Use additional contraception, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is
feeling better.
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Non-opioid Analgesics - ANSWER-Aspirin,
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celecoxib: treats fever, pain, inflammation, Antiplatelet (aspirin)
- C: Children (aspirin), pregnancy/lactation, peptic ulcer disease
- AE: Reye's syndrome, GI upset, renal issues, increased risk of stroke or heart attack
- NC: Take with food, DO NOT CRUSH/CHEW enteric coated or extended release
aspirin tablets
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Acetaminophen - ANSWER-Acetaminophen:
pain, fever
- C: liver issues, chronic alcohol use disorder
- AE: Toxicity
- NC: Read medication labels, if pain/fever lasts >3 days, contact provider
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Agonists - ANSWER-Morphine: pain,
sedation, cough suppression (codeine)
- C: premature infants, asthma, renal/hepatic disease, kidney failure
- AE: Respiratory depression, sedation, ortho. hypo, constipation
- NC: Assess pain level, check vitals especially RR, double check doses with another
nurse.
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Agonist-Antagonist Opioids - ANSWER-
Butorphanol: pain, less potential for abuse
- C: MI, kidney/liver disease, respiratory depression, opioid dependancy
- AE: Abstinence syndrome, sedation, dizziness, headache
- NC: baseline vitals, have naloxone ready
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Antagonist - ANSWER-Naloxone: Treats
opioid overose
- C: Liver failure, opioid dependency, pragnancy
- AE: Tachycardia, tachypenia, abstinence syndrome
- NC: Rescue medication
Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Benzodiazepines - ANSWER-Alprazolam,
diazepam, lorazepam: Anxiety disorder, panic disorder, Seizure disorder, alcohol
withdrawal
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, liver disease, substance abuse
- AE: CNS depression, amnesia, toxicity
- NC: Take at bedtime
Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical Anxiolytics - ANSWER-Buspirone:
Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder
- C: Pregnancy, liver & kidney problems
- AE: Dizziness, constipation, suicidal ideation
Institute, 2026/2027 – 125-Question NGN-Aligned
Pharmacology Examination for NCLEX-RN Readiness
Medications for Infection: Aminoglycosides - ANSWER-Gentamcin - fights infection
- C: pregnancy, renal issues
- AE: Ototoxicity, nephrotoxicity, hypersensitivity
- NC: Peaks and troughs
Medications for Infection: Carbapenems - ANSWER-Meropenem, Imipenem - fights
infection
- C: Penicillin allergy, renal issues
- AE: GI upset, superinfection, allergies
- NC: Monitor for allergic reactions
Medications for Infection: Penicillins - ANSWER-Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin - fights
infection
- C: Allergic to penicillin, renal issues
- AE: Allergies, renal issues, hyperkalemia, hypernatremia, dysrhythmias
- NC: Take with food, use additional contraceptive, complete entire course of therapy
even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Cephalosporins - ANSWER-Cefazolin, Ceftriaxone =- fights
infection
- C: Penicillin or cephalosporin allergy, renal issues
- AE: Renal issues, pain with IM injections, superinfection
- NC: take with food, store oral's in refrigerator
Medications for Infection: Cell wall inhibitor - ANSWER-Vancomycin: fights infection
- C: hearing loss, renal issues
- AE: Red mans syndrome, otoxicity, renal toxicity
- NC: Give slowly over 60 mins IV to help prevent red mans syndrome, complete entire
course of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Tetracyclines - ANSWER-Doxycycline: fights infection, acne,
lyme disease
- C: pregnancy, liver/kidney disease
, - AE: If given to children <8 - causes tooth discoloration, photosensitivity, GI upset,
superinfection
- NC: use additional contraceptive, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is
feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Macrolides - ANSWER-Erythromycin, Azithromycin (z-pak) -
fights infections, pneumonia, pertussis, chlamydia (is an alt. med. for those who are
allergic to penicillin)
- C: Liver disease, prolonged QT
- AE: GI upset, ototoxicity, prolonged QT
- NC: Use additional contraceptive, if treating an STD - treat partner as well.
Medications for Infection: Sulfonamides & Trimethoprim - ANSWER-Trimethoprim-
silfamethoxazole - treats UTI's
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, folate deficiency, renal issues
- AE: Agranulocytosis, hyperkalemia, hypersensitivity
- NC: Take on an empty stomach! Use additional contraceptive, complete entire course
of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Urinary tract antiseptic - ANSWER-Nitrofurantoin: treats UTI's
- C: pregnancy/lactation, renal issues
- AE: GI upset, peripheral neuropathy
- NC: turns urine rust-yellow to brown, can stain teeth, complete entire course of
therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Fluoroquinolones - ANSWER-Ciprofloxacin - fights infection
- C: Can cause spontaneous tendon rupture in children <18, pregnancy/lactation
- AE: GI upset, tendon rupture, superinfection, phototoxicity
- NC: Low doses in pt's with renal impairment, complete entire course of therapy even it
pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: UT analgesic - ANSWER-Phenazopyridine: treats UTI's (is a
dye that functions as a local anesthetic on the mucosa of the urinary tract)
Medications for Infection: Antiprotozoals - ANSWER-Metronidazole: treats protozoal
infections
- C: pregnancy, kidney/cardiac/fungal/candida infection, seizure disorder
- AE: GI upset, darkening of urine, neurotoxicity, superinfection
- NC: Use additional birth control
Medications for Infection: Antimycobacterials - ANSWER-Isoniazid: treats tuberculosis
- C: older adults, people with diabetes, alcoholism
- AE: hepatotoxicity, hyperglycemia, peripheral neuropathy
- NC: Use additional birth control
Rifampin: treats infection & TB
- C: hepatic impairment
- AE: Can turn excretory fluids orange, GI upset, superinfection, hepatotoxicity
- NC: Full glass of water, non-hormonal contraception
Medications for Infection: Antifungals - ANSWER-Amphotericin B, Ketoconazole: treats
fungal infections
- C: Anemia, pregnancy/lactation, renal issues
- AE: Gynecomastia, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, electrolyte imbalance, bone marrow
suppression
, - NC: Amphotericin B is VERY toxic, used only for life-threatening situations, use
additional birth control, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is feeling better.
Medications for Infection: Antivirals - ANSWER-Acyclovir, Oseltamivir: Herpes Simplex
& Herpes Zoster (Acyclovir), Influenza (Oseltamivir)
- C: Renal impairment
- AE: Acyclovir can cause phlebitis and nephrotoxicity
- NC: Use additional contraception, complete entire course of therapy even it pt. is
feeling better.
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Non-opioid Analgesics - ANSWER-Aspirin,
Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celecoxib: treats fever, pain, inflammation, Antiplatelet (aspirin)
- C: Children (aspirin), pregnancy/lactation, peptic ulcer disease
- AE: Reye's syndrome, GI upset, renal issues, increased risk of stroke or heart attack
- NC: Take with food, DO NOT CRUSH/CHEW enteric coated or extended release
aspirin tablets
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Acetaminophen - ANSWER-Acetaminophen:
pain, fever
- C: liver issues, chronic alcohol use disorder
- AE: Toxicity
- NC: Read medication labels, if pain/fever lasts >3 days, contact provider
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Agonists - ANSWER-Morphine: pain,
sedation, cough suppression (codeine)
- C: premature infants, asthma, renal/hepatic disease, kidney failure
- AE: Respiratory depression, sedation, ortho. hypo, constipation
- NC: Assess pain level, check vitals especially RR, double check doses with another
nurse.
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Agonist-Antagonist Opioids - ANSWER-
Butorphanol: pain, less potential for abuse
- C: MI, kidney/liver disease, respiratory depression, opioid dependancy
- AE: Abstinence syndrome, sedation, dizziness, headache
- NC: baseline vitals, have naloxone ready
Medications for Pain and Inflammation: Opioid Antagonist - ANSWER-Naloxone: Treats
opioid overose
- C: Liver failure, opioid dependency, pragnancy
- AE: Tachycardia, tachypenia, abstinence syndrome
- NC: Rescue medication
Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Benzodiazepines - ANSWER-Alprazolam,
diazepam, lorazepam: Anxiety disorder, panic disorder, Seizure disorder, alcohol
withdrawal
- C: Pregnancy/lactation, liver disease, substance abuse
- AE: CNS depression, amnesia, toxicity
- NC: Take at bedtime
Medications Affecting the Nervous System: Atypical Anxiolytics - ANSWER-Buspirone:
Generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder
- C: Pregnancy, liver & kidney problems
- AE: Dizziness, constipation, suicidal ideation
