ATI PN Pharmacology Exam Overview
(2025/2026)
The ATI PN Pharmacology exam focuses heavily on:
• Medication safety
• Drug classifications and prototypes
• Side effects/adverse reactions
• Nursing interventions
• Client teaching
• Dosage calculations
• NGN clinical judgment case studies
• Current NGN-style versions emphasize:
• Bow-tie questions
• SATA (Select All That Apply)
• Matrix/grid items
• Ordered response
• Cloze/drop-down items
• Unfolding case studies ()
High-Yield ATI PN Pharmacology NGN Test Bank
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client with heart failure. Which finding requires
the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse 58/min
B. BP 148/88 mm Hg
C. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse 58/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult client’s apical pulse is below 60/min because of the
risk for bradycardia and digoxin toxicity.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client taking furosemide. Which laboratory value is priority to monitor?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, increasing the risk for
dysrhythmias.
Question 3
A client receiving vancomycin develops flushing and hypotension during infusion. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Increase infusion rate
D. Elevate the legs only
Correct Answer: A. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin may cause Red Man Syndrome. The nurse should stop the
infusion immediately and notify the provider.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin tablets. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will keep the tablets in the bathroom.”
B. “I can take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart.”
C. “I should swallow the tablet immediately.”
D. “I can continue activity after chest pain begins.”
Correct Answer: B. “I can take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart.”
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin may be taken every 5 minutes for a total of 3 doses for chest pain.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine IV. Which assessment is the priority before
administration?
, A. Blood pressure
B. Pain level
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. Respiratory assessment is the priority before
administration
NGN Case Study
Case Scenario
A nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client admitted with heart failure. Current medications include:
• Digoxin
• Furosemide
• Lisinopril
Assessment findings:
• Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
• Apical pulse 54/min
• Nausea
• Yellow vision changes
Question 6 — Bow-Tie NGN
Identify the condition the client is experiencing, two nursing actions, and two parameters to monitor.
Condition
• Digoxin toxicity
Nursing Actions
• Hold digoxin
• Notify provider immediately
Parameters to Monitor
• Potassium level
• Cardiac rhythm
(2025/2026)
The ATI PN Pharmacology exam focuses heavily on:
• Medication safety
• Drug classifications and prototypes
• Side effects/adverse reactions
• Nursing interventions
• Client teaching
• Dosage calculations
• NGN clinical judgment case studies
• Current NGN-style versions emphasize:
• Bow-tie questions
• SATA (Select All That Apply)
• Matrix/grid items
• Ordered response
• Cloze/drop-down items
• Unfolding case studies ()
High-Yield ATI PN Pharmacology NGN Test Bank
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client with heart failure. Which finding requires
the nurse to withhold the medication?
A. Apical pulse 58/min
B. BP 148/88 mm Hg
C. Potassium 4.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 18/min
Correct Answer: A. Apical pulse 58/min
Rationale: Digoxin should be withheld if the adult client’s apical pulse is below 60/min because of the
risk for bradycardia and digoxin toxicity.
,Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client taking furosemide. Which laboratory value is priority to monitor?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Platelet count
D. Calcium
Correct Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that can cause potassium loss, increasing the risk for
dysrhythmias.
Question 3
A client receiving vancomycin develops flushing and hypotension during infusion. Which action should
the nurse take first?
A. Stop the infusion
B. Administer epinephrine
C. Increase infusion rate
D. Elevate the legs only
Correct Answer: A. Stop the infusion
Rationale: Rapid infusion of vancomycin may cause Red Man Syndrome. The nurse should stop the
infusion immediately and notify the provider.
Question 4
A nurse is teaching a client about nitroglycerin tablets. Which statement by the client indicates
understanding?
A. “I will keep the tablets in the bathroom.”
B. “I can take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart.”
C. “I should swallow the tablet immediately.”
D. “I can continue activity after chest pain begins.”
Correct Answer: B. “I can take up to three tablets 5 minutes apart.”
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin may be taken every 5 minutes for a total of 3 doses for chest pain.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client receiving morphine IV. Which assessment is the priority before
administration?
, A. Blood pressure
B. Pain level
C. Respiratory rate
D. Temperature
Correct Answer: C. Respiratory rate
Rationale: Opioids can cause respiratory depression. Respiratory assessment is the priority before
administration
NGN Case Study
Case Scenario
A nurse is caring for a 72-year-old client admitted with heart failure. Current medications include:
• Digoxin
• Furosemide
• Lisinopril
Assessment findings:
• Potassium 2.9 mEq/L
• Apical pulse 54/min
• Nausea
• Yellow vision changes
Question 6 — Bow-Tie NGN
Identify the condition the client is experiencing, two nursing actions, and two parameters to monitor.
Condition
• Digoxin toxicity
Nursing Actions
• Hold digoxin
• Notify provider immediately
Parameters to Monitor
• Potassium level
• Cardiac rhythm
