ATI Pharmacology for Nursing Comprehensive
Study Guide Verified Exam Questions and Detailed
Rationales for a First-Time Pass
Prednisone Side Effects - ANSWER//Causes:
Hyperglycemia, Osteoporosis → fractures, Mood
changes (anger, irritability) ATI Priority for Prednisone -
ANSWER//Monitor blood glucose + bone health
Memory Trick for Prednisone - ANSWER//Prednisone =
Problems with sugar & bones Spironolactone -
ANSWER//Potassium-sparing diuretic Risk of
Spironolactone - ANSWER//Risk: Hyperkalemia
Propylthiouracil (PTU) - ANSWER//Used for
hyperthyroidism Adverse Effect of PTU -
ANSWER//Agranulocytosis → infection risk Report for
PTU - ANSWER//Fever, Sore throat Dopamine -
ANSWER//Increases systolic BP; Used in shock / low
BP states Enoxaparin (Lovenox) - ANSWER//Do NOT
expel air bubble; Prevents bruising + ensures full dose
INR 5.2 - ANSWER//HIGH → risk for bleeding; Give
Vitamin K Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) -
ANSWER//Caused by antipsychotics Signs of Tardive
Dyskinesia - ANSWER//Lip smacking, Tongue
movements, Facial twitching; Can be irreversible
Haloperidol (Haldol) - ANSWER//After IM injection:
Lie flat for 30 minutes Opioids (Codeine, Morphine)
Risk - ANSWER//Risk: Orthostatic hypotension; Watch
how fast they get up Erythromycin Side Effect -
ANSWER//Tinnitus (ringing ears) TB Medications
Monitoring - ANSWER//Monitor: Liver function,
Kidney function; Hepatotoxic drugs → VERY testable
Lupus Classic Sign - ANSWER//Butterfly rash on face
,St. John's Wort - ANSWER//Used for depression; Side
effect: Alertness / insomnia Ginkgo Biloba -
ANSWER//Used for memory; Bleeding risk Valerian
Root - ANSWER//Used for: Sleep Tyramine Foods -
ANSWER//Aged cheese, cured meats (pepperoni); DO
NOT take with MAOIs Risk of Tyramine Foods -
ANSWER//Hypertensive crisis Pancrelipase -
ANSWER//↓ fat in stool Iron Side Effect -
ANSWER//Black stools (normal) Migraine meds in
Pregnancy - ANSWER//Avoid in pregnancy Magnesium
Sulfate - ANSWER//Used for seizures Preeclampsia -
ANSWER//If seizures stop → med is effective Allergic
Reaction During Infusion - ANSWER//STOP infusion
immediately Taper steroids - ANSWER//Stop infusion if
reaction Air bubble stays (Lovenox) - ANSWER//INR
high = Vitamin K TD - ANSWER//stop antipsychotic
PTU - ANSWER//infection risk Ginkgo -
ANSWER//bleeding Tyramine + MAOI -
ANSWER//crisis Iron - ANSWER//black stool (normal)
Post-Lung Surgery Position - ANSWER//Semi-Fowler's
Theophylline - ANSWER//Used for asthma
Theophylline Toxicity - ANSWER//tachycardia,
dysrhythmias Levodopa/Carbidopa - ANSWER//Used
for Parkinson's disease Benztropine (Cogentin) -
ANSWER//Used for Parkinson's, EPS symptoms
Benztropine Side Effects - ANSWER//Urinary retention,
Dry mouth (anticholinergic) Donepezil -
ANSWER//Used for Alzheimer's Donepezil Side Effect -
ANSWER//↓ BP → dizziness Donepezil Fall Risk -
ANSWER//get up slowly Metronidazole (Flagyl) Side
Effects - ANSWER//Metallic taste Metronidazole
Critical Warning - ANSWER//NO alcohol → causes
severe reaction (like disulfiram) Tamoxifen -
,ANSWER//Used for breast cancer Tamoxifen Side
Effect - ANSWER//Hot flashes Tamoxifen Risk -
ANSWER//Risk for blood clots Timolol -
ANSWER//Used for open-angle glaucoma Phenytoin
(Dilantin) - ANSWER//Do NOT give with
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) → ↑ sedation Digoxin -
ANSWER//HOLD if: HR < 60 Digoxin Toxicity Signs -
ANSWER//Yellow halos, Nausea, Anorexia Nitrates
(Isosorbide, Nitroglycerin) - ANSWER//Cause:
Vasodilation Nitrates Use - ANSWER//Used for Angina
Nitrates Warning - ANSWER//After 1st nitro dose →
call 911 if pain persists Heparin - ANSWER//Prevents
new clots Alteplase (tPA) - ANSWER//Clot buster
Alteplase Risk - ANSWER//Severe bleeding Artificial
Valve - ANSWER//Requires Warfarin Lithium Toxicity
- ANSWER//Vomiting, Dehydration Lithium Warning -
ANSWER//Maintain fluid intake Alendronate -
ANSWER//For osteoporosis Alendronate Warning -
ANSWER//Stay upright 30 min, Take with full glass of
water Glipizide - ANSWER//Stimulates pancreas to
release insulin Furosemide (Lasix) Causes -
ANSWER//Potassium loss Furosemide Teaching -
ANSWER//Eat potassium-rich foods: Bananas, Kale,
Potatoes Hepatotoxicity - ANSWER//Monitor liver
enzymes (AST, ALT) Rhabdomyolysis -
ANSWER//Muscle breakdown that is life-threatening
ATI RED FLAGS for Rhabdomyolysis -
ANSWER//Muscle pain, weakness, dark urine Memory
Trick for Statins - ANSWER//STATINS = Sore muscles
+ Toxic to liver MED MATH (ATI PRIORITY) -
ANSWER//Dosage calculations, IV flow rates, Safe dose
ranges Basic Formula for Medication Calculation -
ANSWER//Use this EVERY TIME Example Medication
, Order - ANSWER//Order: 500 mg, Available: 250 mg
tablets ATI TIPS for Medication Administration -
ANSWER//Label units, Double-check decimals, Trailing
zero = OK (2.0), Leading zero REQUIRED (0.5) STOP /
HOLD MEDICATION for Digoxin - ANSWER//HR <
60 STOP / HOLD MEDICATION for Statins -
ANSWER//Muscle pain STOP / HOLD MEDICATION
for ACE inhibitors - ANSWER//Cough STOP / HOLD
MEDICATION for Lithium -
ANSWER//Vomiting/dehydration STOP / HOLD
MEDICATION for PTU - ANSWER//Fever/sore throat
LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS -
ANSWER//Rhabdomyolysis → statins, Agranulocytosis
→ PTU, Bleeding → tPA, Hypertensive crisis → MAOI
+ tyramine Medication Must-Knows for Lasix -
ANSWER//LOW potassium Medication Must-Knows for
Spironolactone - ANSWER//HIGH potassium
Medication Must-Knows for Heparin -
ANSWER//Prevents clots Medication Must-Knows for
tPA - ANSWER//Breaks clots Medication Must-Knows
for Digoxin - ANSWER//Check HR Medication Must-
Knows for Lithium - ANSWER//Fluids Medication
Must-Knows for Flagyl - ANSWER//NO alcohol
Medication Must-Knows for Nitro - ANSWER//Call 911
after 1st dose LAB VALUES for BNP -
ANSWER//Heart failure LAB VALUES for Troponin -
ANSWER//MI LAB VALUES for INR - ANSWER//↑
Vitamin K LAB VALUES for Liver enzymes -
ANSWER//↑ stop statins Positioning for Lung surgery -
ANSWER//Semi-Fowler's Positioning for JVD -
ANSWER//High Fowler's Positioning for Alendronate -
ANSWER//Upright 30 min Positioning for Haldol -
ANSWER//Lie flat SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Study Guide Verified Exam Questions and Detailed
Rationales for a First-Time Pass
Prednisone Side Effects - ANSWER//Causes:
Hyperglycemia, Osteoporosis → fractures, Mood
changes (anger, irritability) ATI Priority for Prednisone -
ANSWER//Monitor blood glucose + bone health
Memory Trick for Prednisone - ANSWER//Prednisone =
Problems with sugar & bones Spironolactone -
ANSWER//Potassium-sparing diuretic Risk of
Spironolactone - ANSWER//Risk: Hyperkalemia
Propylthiouracil (PTU) - ANSWER//Used for
hyperthyroidism Adverse Effect of PTU -
ANSWER//Agranulocytosis → infection risk Report for
PTU - ANSWER//Fever, Sore throat Dopamine -
ANSWER//Increases systolic BP; Used in shock / low
BP states Enoxaparin (Lovenox) - ANSWER//Do NOT
expel air bubble; Prevents bruising + ensures full dose
INR 5.2 - ANSWER//HIGH → risk for bleeding; Give
Vitamin K Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) -
ANSWER//Caused by antipsychotics Signs of Tardive
Dyskinesia - ANSWER//Lip smacking, Tongue
movements, Facial twitching; Can be irreversible
Haloperidol (Haldol) - ANSWER//After IM injection:
Lie flat for 30 minutes Opioids (Codeine, Morphine)
Risk - ANSWER//Risk: Orthostatic hypotension; Watch
how fast they get up Erythromycin Side Effect -
ANSWER//Tinnitus (ringing ears) TB Medications
Monitoring - ANSWER//Monitor: Liver function,
Kidney function; Hepatotoxic drugs → VERY testable
Lupus Classic Sign - ANSWER//Butterfly rash on face
,St. John's Wort - ANSWER//Used for depression; Side
effect: Alertness / insomnia Ginkgo Biloba -
ANSWER//Used for memory; Bleeding risk Valerian
Root - ANSWER//Used for: Sleep Tyramine Foods -
ANSWER//Aged cheese, cured meats (pepperoni); DO
NOT take with MAOIs Risk of Tyramine Foods -
ANSWER//Hypertensive crisis Pancrelipase -
ANSWER//↓ fat in stool Iron Side Effect -
ANSWER//Black stools (normal) Migraine meds in
Pregnancy - ANSWER//Avoid in pregnancy Magnesium
Sulfate - ANSWER//Used for seizures Preeclampsia -
ANSWER//If seizures stop → med is effective Allergic
Reaction During Infusion - ANSWER//STOP infusion
immediately Taper steroids - ANSWER//Stop infusion if
reaction Air bubble stays (Lovenox) - ANSWER//INR
high = Vitamin K TD - ANSWER//stop antipsychotic
PTU - ANSWER//infection risk Ginkgo -
ANSWER//bleeding Tyramine + MAOI -
ANSWER//crisis Iron - ANSWER//black stool (normal)
Post-Lung Surgery Position - ANSWER//Semi-Fowler's
Theophylline - ANSWER//Used for asthma
Theophylline Toxicity - ANSWER//tachycardia,
dysrhythmias Levodopa/Carbidopa - ANSWER//Used
for Parkinson's disease Benztropine (Cogentin) -
ANSWER//Used for Parkinson's, EPS symptoms
Benztropine Side Effects - ANSWER//Urinary retention,
Dry mouth (anticholinergic) Donepezil -
ANSWER//Used for Alzheimer's Donepezil Side Effect -
ANSWER//↓ BP → dizziness Donepezil Fall Risk -
ANSWER//get up slowly Metronidazole (Flagyl) Side
Effects - ANSWER//Metallic taste Metronidazole
Critical Warning - ANSWER//NO alcohol → causes
severe reaction (like disulfiram) Tamoxifen -
,ANSWER//Used for breast cancer Tamoxifen Side
Effect - ANSWER//Hot flashes Tamoxifen Risk -
ANSWER//Risk for blood clots Timolol -
ANSWER//Used for open-angle glaucoma Phenytoin
(Dilantin) - ANSWER//Do NOT give with
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) → ↑ sedation Digoxin -
ANSWER//HOLD if: HR < 60 Digoxin Toxicity Signs -
ANSWER//Yellow halos, Nausea, Anorexia Nitrates
(Isosorbide, Nitroglycerin) - ANSWER//Cause:
Vasodilation Nitrates Use - ANSWER//Used for Angina
Nitrates Warning - ANSWER//After 1st nitro dose →
call 911 if pain persists Heparin - ANSWER//Prevents
new clots Alteplase (tPA) - ANSWER//Clot buster
Alteplase Risk - ANSWER//Severe bleeding Artificial
Valve - ANSWER//Requires Warfarin Lithium Toxicity
- ANSWER//Vomiting, Dehydration Lithium Warning -
ANSWER//Maintain fluid intake Alendronate -
ANSWER//For osteoporosis Alendronate Warning -
ANSWER//Stay upright 30 min, Take with full glass of
water Glipizide - ANSWER//Stimulates pancreas to
release insulin Furosemide (Lasix) Causes -
ANSWER//Potassium loss Furosemide Teaching -
ANSWER//Eat potassium-rich foods: Bananas, Kale,
Potatoes Hepatotoxicity - ANSWER//Monitor liver
enzymes (AST, ALT) Rhabdomyolysis -
ANSWER//Muscle breakdown that is life-threatening
ATI RED FLAGS for Rhabdomyolysis -
ANSWER//Muscle pain, weakness, dark urine Memory
Trick for Statins - ANSWER//STATINS = Sore muscles
+ Toxic to liver MED MATH (ATI PRIORITY) -
ANSWER//Dosage calculations, IV flow rates, Safe dose
ranges Basic Formula for Medication Calculation -
ANSWER//Use this EVERY TIME Example Medication
, Order - ANSWER//Order: 500 mg, Available: 250 mg
tablets ATI TIPS for Medication Administration -
ANSWER//Label units, Double-check decimals, Trailing
zero = OK (2.0), Leading zero REQUIRED (0.5) STOP /
HOLD MEDICATION for Digoxin - ANSWER//HR <
60 STOP / HOLD MEDICATION for Statins -
ANSWER//Muscle pain STOP / HOLD MEDICATION
for ACE inhibitors - ANSWER//Cough STOP / HOLD
MEDICATION for Lithium -
ANSWER//Vomiting/dehydration STOP / HOLD
MEDICATION for PTU - ANSWER//Fever/sore throat
LIFE-THREATENING CONDITIONS -
ANSWER//Rhabdomyolysis → statins, Agranulocytosis
→ PTU, Bleeding → tPA, Hypertensive crisis → MAOI
+ tyramine Medication Must-Knows for Lasix -
ANSWER//LOW potassium Medication Must-Knows for
Spironolactone - ANSWER//HIGH potassium
Medication Must-Knows for Heparin -
ANSWER//Prevents clots Medication Must-Knows for
tPA - ANSWER//Breaks clots Medication Must-Knows
for Digoxin - ANSWER//Check HR Medication Must-
Knows for Lithium - ANSWER//Fluids Medication
Must-Knows for Flagyl - ANSWER//NO alcohol
Medication Must-Knows for Nitro - ANSWER//Call 911
after 1st dose LAB VALUES for BNP -
ANSWER//Heart failure LAB VALUES for Troponin -
ANSWER//MI LAB VALUES for INR - ANSWER//↑
Vitamin K LAB VALUES for Liver enzymes -
ANSWER//↑ stop statins Positioning for Lung surgery -
ANSWER//Semi-Fowler's Positioning for JVD -
ANSWER//High Fowler's Positioning for Alendronate -
ANSWER//Upright 30 min Positioning for Haldol -
ANSWER//Lie flat SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake
