ATI RN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND RATIONALES 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Which
finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 62/min
B. Digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
C. Apical pulse of 52/min
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Apical pulse <60 is a contraindication for digoxin due to risk of bradycardia
and heart block.
2. A client receives a new prescription for lisinopril. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will report if I develop a persistent dry cough.”
B. “I should avoid using salt substitutes.”
C. “I will take this medication with food.”
D. “I can stop taking it if I feel fine.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Lisinopril is for chronic hypertension or heart failure; stopping abruptly can
cause rebound hypertension or worsening heart failure.
, 3. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Correct answer: B
Rationale: INR is the standard monitoring test for warfarin therapy.
4. A nurse is administering furosemide IV. Which finding indicates a therapeutic
response?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg in 24 hours
B. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
C. Urine output 20 mL/hr
D. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss indicates effective diuresis and reduction of fluid overload.
Hypotension, low urine output, and hypokalemia are adverse effects.
5. A client is prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect should the nurse teach
the client to report immediately?
A. Nausea
B. Diarrhea
C. Metallic taste
D. Muscle pain or weakness
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse effect of
metformin.
AND RATIONALES 2026
1. A nurse is caring for a client prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. Which
finding requires the nurse to withhold the medication and notify the provider?
A. Apical pulse of 62/min
B. Digoxin level of 1.2 ng/mL
C. Apical pulse of 52/min
D. Potassium level of 4.0 mEq/L
Correct answer: C
Rationale: Apical pulse <60 is a contraindication for digoxin due to risk of bradycardia
and heart block.
2. A client receives a new prescription for lisinopril. Which statement by the client
indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will report if I develop a persistent dry cough.”
B. “I should avoid using salt substitutes.”
C. “I will take this medication with food.”
D. “I can stop taking it if I feel fine.”
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Lisinopril is for chronic hypertension or heart failure; stopping abruptly can
cause rebound hypertension or worsening heart failure.
, 3. A client is prescribed warfarin. Which laboratory value should the nurse
monitor?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Bleeding time
Correct answer: B
Rationale: INR is the standard monitoring test for warfarin therapy.
4. A nurse is administering furosemide IV. Which finding indicates a therapeutic
response?
A. Weight loss of 2 kg in 24 hours
B. Blood pressure 90/60 mm Hg
C. Urine output 20 mL/hr
D. Serum potassium 3.1 mEq/L
Correct answer: A
Rationale: Weight loss indicates effective diuresis and reduction of fluid overload.
Hypotension, low urine output, and hypokalemia are adverse effects.
5. A client is prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect should the nurse teach
the client to report immediately?
A. Nausea
B. Diarrhea
C. Metallic taste
D. Muscle pain or weakness
Correct answer: D
Rationale: Muscle pain may indicate lactic acidosis, a rare but serious adverse effect of
metformin.
