ATI Pharmacology 2023 Retake Exam (Levels
1–3) Practice Questions & Verified Answers |
2028 Combined Update Complete Study
Guide PDF
• This is a comprehensive ATI Pharmacology practice guide covering Levels 1–3
concepts, designed to reinforce drug knowledge, nursing priorities, adverse effects,
and client education across all major drug classes.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before checking the
answer, then read every EXPERT RATIONALE — even for questions you got right —
to deepen your understanding and retention.
ATI PHARMACOLOGY 2023 RETAKE EXAM — 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2026 Combined Update | Complete Study Guide
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who takes digoxin. Which finding should the
nurse report to the provider before administering the next dose?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
E. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
✓ Correct Answer: C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. A heart rate below 60 beats/min
(bradycardia) is a sign of digoxin toxicity and the nurse should withhold the dose
and notify the provider immediately.
,Q2. A client is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which adverse effect
should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Dry, nonproductive cough
C. Ankle swelling
D. Fatigue
E. Mild nausea
✓ Correct Answer: B. Dry, nonproductive cough
EXPERT RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent dry
cough due to accumulation of bradykinin. This should be reported to the provider,
as an ARB may be substituted.
Q3. A nurse is educating a client on atenolol therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
B. "I can skip doses when my blood pressure is normal."
C. "I should not stop this medication suddenly without consulting my provider."
D. "I will take extra doses if I miss one."
E. "This medication will cure my hypertension."
✓ Correct Answer: C. "I should not stop this medication suddenly without
consulting my provider."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Beta-blockers like atenolol must be tapered gradually. Abrupt
discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension, angina, or myocardial infarction.
Q4. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
E. Hypermagnesemia
✓ Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting
through the kidneys. Hypokalemia is a major adverse effect and can precipitate
cardiac dysrhythmias, especially in clients on digoxin.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to administer IV nitroglycerin. Which intervention is
most important?
A. Administer the medication via a standard IV tubing set
B. Monitor urine output hourly
C. Use special non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) tubing
D. Mix the medication in a normal saline bag
E. Assess the client's temperature before administration
✓ Correct Answer: C. Use special non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) tubing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin binds to PVC plastic tubing, which reduces the
amount of drug delivered to the client. Special non-PVC tubing must be used to
ensure accurate dosing.
Q6. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which food should the nurse advise
the client to limit?
A. Dairy products
B. Bananas and oranges
, C. Whole grains
D. Red meat
E. Leafy green vegetables
✓ Correct Answer: B. Bananas and oranges
EXPERT RATIONALE: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Consuming
high-potassium foods such as bananas and oranges can lead to dangerous
hyperkalemia.
Q7. A client taking warfarin reports eating large amounts of leafy green
vegetables. The nurse recognizes this is a concern because:
A. Vitamin K in greens increases clotting and reduces warfarin effectiveness
B. Greens cause GI bleeding when combined with warfarin
C. Vitamin C in greens increases warfarin levels
D. Greens increase the risk of bleeding
E. Fiber in greens accelerates warfarin metabolism
✓ Correct Answer: A. Vitamin K in greens increases clotting and reduces
warfarin effectiveness
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors. A high intake of vitamin K-rich foods (e.g., kale, spinach, broccoli)
antagonizes warfarin and can lead to subtherapeutic INR levels.
Q8. A client is prescribed amlodipine. The nurse should monitor for which
common adverse effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Agranulocytosis
1–3) Practice Questions & Verified Answers |
2028 Combined Update Complete Study
Guide PDF
• This is a comprehensive ATI Pharmacology practice guide covering Levels 1–3
concepts, designed to reinforce drug knowledge, nursing priorities, adverse effects,
and client education across all major drug classes.
• Study tip: Work through each question independently before checking the
answer, then read every EXPERT RATIONALE — even for questions you got right —
to deepen your understanding and retention.
ATI PHARMACOLOGY 2023 RETAKE EXAM — 300 PRACTICE QUESTIONS
2026 Combined Update | Complete Study Guide
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
Q1. A nurse is caring for a client who takes digoxin. Which finding should the
nurse report to the provider before administering the next dose?
A. Heart rate of 68 beats/min
B. Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
D. Respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min
E. Blood pressure of 130/80 mmHg
✓ Correct Answer: C. Heart rate of 52 beats/min
EXPERT RATIONALE: Digoxin slows the heart rate. A heart rate below 60 beats/min
(bradycardia) is a sign of digoxin toxicity and the nurse should withhold the dose
and notify the provider immediately.
,Q2. A client is prescribed lisinopril for hypertension. Which adverse effect
should the nurse instruct the client to report immediately?
A. Mild headache
B. Dry, nonproductive cough
C. Ankle swelling
D. Fatigue
E. Mild nausea
✓ Correct Answer: B. Dry, nonproductive cough
EXPERT RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril commonly cause a persistent dry
cough due to accumulation of bradykinin. This should be reported to the provider,
as an ARB may be substituted.
Q3. A nurse is educating a client on atenolol therapy. Which statement by the
client indicates understanding?
A. "I will stop taking this medication if I feel dizzy."
B. "I can skip doses when my blood pressure is normal."
C. "I should not stop this medication suddenly without consulting my provider."
D. "I will take extra doses if I miss one."
E. "This medication will cure my hypertension."
✓ Correct Answer: C. "I should not stop this medication suddenly without
consulting my provider."
EXPERT RATIONALE: Beta-blockers like atenolol must be tapered gradually. Abrupt
discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension, angina, or myocardial infarction.
Q4. A client taking furosemide should be monitored for which electrolyte
imbalance?
,A. Hypernatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hypercalcemia
E. Hypermagnesemia
✓ Correct Answer: C. Hypokalemia
EXPERT RATIONALE: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting
through the kidneys. Hypokalemia is a major adverse effect and can precipitate
cardiac dysrhythmias, especially in clients on digoxin.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to administer IV nitroglycerin. Which intervention is
most important?
A. Administer the medication via a standard IV tubing set
B. Monitor urine output hourly
C. Use special non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) tubing
D. Mix the medication in a normal saline bag
E. Assess the client's temperature before administration
✓ Correct Answer: C. Use special non-polyvinyl chloride (non-PVC) tubing
EXPERT RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin binds to PVC plastic tubing, which reduces the
amount of drug delivered to the client. Special non-PVC tubing must be used to
ensure accurate dosing.
Q6. A client is prescribed spironolactone. Which food should the nurse advise
the client to limit?
A. Dairy products
B. Bananas and oranges
, C. Whole grains
D. Red meat
E. Leafy green vegetables
✓ Correct Answer: B. Bananas and oranges
EXPERT RATIONALE: Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Consuming
high-potassium foods such as bananas and oranges can lead to dangerous
hyperkalemia.
Q7. A client taking warfarin reports eating large amounts of leafy green
vegetables. The nurse recognizes this is a concern because:
A. Vitamin K in greens increases clotting and reduces warfarin effectiveness
B. Greens cause GI bleeding when combined with warfarin
C. Vitamin C in greens increases warfarin levels
D. Greens increase the risk of bleeding
E. Fiber in greens accelerates warfarin metabolism
✓ Correct Answer: A. Vitamin K in greens increases clotting and reduces
warfarin effectiveness
EXPERT RATIONALE: Warfarin works by inhibiting vitamin K–dependent clotting
factors. A high intake of vitamin K-rich foods (e.g., kale, spinach, broccoli)
antagonizes warfarin and can lead to subtherapeutic INR levels.
Q8. A client is prescribed amlodipine. The nurse should monitor for which
common adverse effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Peripheral edema
C. Agranulocytosis
