ATI CMS PHARMACOLOGY RETAKE EXAM 2
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary action of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of
hypertension?
a. Increase heart rate
b. Block aldosterone secretion
c. Inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
d. Increase sodium reabsorption
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a
potent vasoconstrictor. This helps lower blood pressure by causing vasodilation and
reducing fluid retention, which decreases the workload on the heart.
Question 2
A patient is receiving warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should be
monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of warfarin?
a. Prothrombin time (PT)
b. Platelet count
c. International normalized ratio (INR)
d. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
,Rationale: Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is monitored by measuring the INR, which
standardizes prothrombin time (PT) across different laboratories. The therapeutic INR
range for most patients is between 2.0 and 3.0.
Question 3
Which of the following is a common side effect of digoxin?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Nausea and vomiting
c. Hypertension
d. Rash
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity. Other symptoms
include visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green vision) and arrhythmias. Monitoring of
serum digoxin levels is essential to prevent toxicity.
Question 4
Which of the following medications is most commonly used to treat acute asthma
exacerbations?
a. Fluticasone
b. Montelukast
c. Albuterol
d. Theophylline
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used to relieve acute asthma
symptoms by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles and opening airways. It provides rapid
relief during an asthma attack.
Question 5
Which of the following is a priority nursing action when administering morphine
to a postoperative patient?
a. Monitor blood pressure regularly
b. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
c. Assess respiratory rate frequently
d. Offer a laxative to prevent constipation
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress respiratory rate, which can
lead to respiratory arrest. Therefore, closely monitoring the patient's respiratory rate is a
priority to prevent complications.
Question 6
Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of potassium-sparing
diuretics such as spironolactone?
a. Hypertension
b. Hyperkalemia
c. Edema
d. Renal failure
, Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone increase potassium levels in
the body. In patients with hyperkalemia, these medications can worsen the condition and
lead to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which of the following is a
common side effect of metformin?
a. Weight gain
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Diarrhea
d. Edema
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea,
nausea, and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms often improve over time or with dose
adjustment.
Question 8
A client has a new prescription for spironolactone (Aldactone). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse recognize as a reason to withhold the
morning dose of the medication and notify the provider?
a. Serum sodium 138 mEq/L
b. Serum potassium 5.2 mEq/L
c. Serum creatinine 1.2 mEq/L
d. Serum chloride 106 mEq/L
LATEST 2025-2026 QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Question 1
Which of the following is the primary action of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of
hypertension?
a. Increase heart rate
b. Block aldosterone secretion
c. Inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
d. Increase sodium reabsorption
Rationale: ACE inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a
potent vasoconstrictor. This helps lower blood pressure by causing vasodilation and
reducing fluid retention, which decreases the workload on the heart.
Question 2
A patient is receiving warfarin. Which of the following laboratory tests should be
monitored to assess the therapeutic effect of warfarin?
a. Prothrombin time (PT)
b. Platelet count
c. International normalized ratio (INR)
d. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
,Rationale: Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is monitored by measuring the INR, which
standardizes prothrombin time (PT) across different laboratories. The therapeutic INR
range for most patients is between 2.0 and 3.0.
Question 3
Which of the following is a common side effect of digoxin?
a. Hyperkalemia
b. Nausea and vomiting
c. Hypertension
d. Rash
Rationale: Nausea and vomiting are common signs of digoxin toxicity. Other symptoms
include visual disturbances (e.g., yellow-green vision) and arrhythmias. Monitoring of
serum digoxin levels is essential to prevent toxicity.
Question 4
Which of the following medications is most commonly used to treat acute asthma
exacerbations?
a. Fluticasone
b. Montelukast
c. Albuterol
d. Theophylline
,Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) used to relieve acute asthma
symptoms by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles and opening airways. It provides rapid
relief during an asthma attack.
Question 5
Which of the following is a priority nursing action when administering morphine
to a postoperative patient?
a. Monitor blood pressure regularly
b. Encourage deep breathing and coughing
c. Assess respiratory rate frequently
d. Offer a laxative to prevent constipation
Rationale: Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can depress respiratory rate, which can
lead to respiratory arrest. Therefore, closely monitoring the patient's respiratory rate is a
priority to prevent complications.
Question 6
Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of potassium-sparing
diuretics such as spironolactone?
a. Hypertension
b. Hyperkalemia
c. Edema
d. Renal failure
, Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics like spironolactone increase potassium levels in
the body. In patients with hyperkalemia, these medications can worsen the condition and
lead to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 7
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which of the following is a
common side effect of metformin?
a. Weight gain
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Diarrhea
d. Edema
Rationale: Metformin commonly causes gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea,
nausea, and abdominal discomfort. These symptoms often improve over time or with dose
adjustment.
Question 8
A client has a new prescription for spironolactone (Aldactone). Which of the
following laboratory values should the nurse recognize as a reason to withhold the
morning dose of the medication and notify the provider?
a. Serum sodium 138 mEq/L
b. Serum potassium 5.2 mEq/L
c. Serum creatinine 1.2 mEq/L
d. Serum chloride 106 mEq/L
