ATI PHARMACOLOGY CONTENT MASTERY REVIEW – OFFICIAL FULL EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics*
*Safe Medication Administration*
*Dosage Calculations*
*Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Contraindications*
*Individual Body System Medications*
*Pain Management and Anti-inflammatories*
*Infection Control and Antimicrobials*
*Psychotropic Medications*
*Introduction*
*This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate a nurse's proficiency in pharmacological
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Measure the apical pulse for one minute
C. Review the client's most recent potassium level
D. Assess for manifestations of toxicity
,🟢 Correct
B. Measure the apical pulse for one minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is an inotropic medication that can cause bradycardia. The nurse must assess the apical
pulse for a full minute and hold the medication if the rate is below 60/min in an adult.
2. A client is prescribed alendronate for the treatment of osteoporosis. Which instruction is essential for the
nurse to provide?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the dose
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach with water
D. Take the medication immediately before bedtime
🟢 Correct
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach with water
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, requires administration with plain water on an empty stomach to
ensure absorption. The client must remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous heparin infusion for a pulmonary embolism. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
,🔴 RATIONALE: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guide dosage adjustments to
maintain a therapeutic range. PT and INR are used for warfarin.
4. A client has a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin to treat angina pectoris. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. Swallow the tablet with a small sip of water
B. Discard tablets if they cause a tingling sensation under the tongue
C. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle
D. Take up to five tablets every 5 minutes for chest pain
🟢 Correct
C. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle
🔴 RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin is sensitive to light and moisture; it must be kept in its original container. A tingling
sensation indicates the medication is fresh and active.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client with a history of asthma. Which of the following
medications is contraindicated for this client?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Albuterol
D. Theophylline
🟢 Correct
A. Propranolol
🔴 RATIONALE: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-
2 receptors in the lungs, making it dangerous for clients with asthma.
, 6. A nurse is administering vancomycin via IV intermittent infusion. Which of the following findings indicates a
need to slow the infusion rate?
A. Localized pain at the insertion site
B. Flushing of the face and neck
C. Increased urinary output
D. A sudden decrease in heart rate
🟢 Correct
B. Flushing of the face and neck
🔴 RATIONALE: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause "Red Man Syndrome," characterized by flushing and
hypotension. Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves this reaction.
7. Which of the following is the priority assessment for a client who just received their first dose of lisinopril?
A. Intake and output
B. Serum potassium level
C. Blood pressure
D. Daily weight
🟢 Correct
C. Blood pressure
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause severe "first-dose hypotension." Monitoring blood
pressure is the immediate priority for safety.
8. A client is prescribed spironolactone. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid which of the following?
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD
PDF.
*Core Domains*
*Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics*
*Safe Medication Administration*
*Dosage Calculations*
*Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Contraindications*
*Individual Body System Medications*
*Pain Management and Anti-inflammatories*
*Infection Control and Antimicrobials*
*Psychotropic Medications*
*Introduction*
*This comprehensive assessment is designed to evaluate a nurse's proficiency in pharmacological
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to a client with heart failure. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take first?
A. Check the client's blood pressure
B. Measure the apical pulse for one minute
C. Review the client's most recent potassium level
D. Assess for manifestations of toxicity
,🟢 Correct
B. Measure the apical pulse for one minute
🔴 RATIONALE: Digoxin is an inotropic medication that can cause bradycardia. The nurse must assess the apical
pulse for a full minute and hold the medication if the rate is below 60/min in an adult.
2. A client is prescribed alendronate for the treatment of osteoporosis. Which instruction is essential for the
nurse to provide?
A. Take the medication with a full glass of milk
B. Lie down for 30 minutes after taking the dose
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach with water
D. Take the medication immediately before bedtime
🟢 Correct
C. Take the medication on an empty stomach with water
🔴 RATIONALE: Alendronate, a bisphosphonate, requires administration with plain water on an empty stomach to
ensure absorption. The client must remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation.
3. A nurse is caring for a client receiving a continuous heparin infusion for a pulmonary embolism. Which
laboratory value should the nurse monitor to adjust the dosage?
A. Prothrombin time (PT)
B. International normalized ratio (INR)
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
D. Platelet count
🟢 Correct
C. Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT)
,🔴 RATIONALE: aPTT is used to monitor the effectiveness of heparin therapy and guide dosage adjustments to
maintain a therapeutic range. PT and INR are used for warfarin.
4. A client has a new prescription for sublingual nitroglycerin to treat angina pectoris. What should the nurse
include in the teaching?
A. Swallow the tablet with a small sip of water
B. Discard tablets if they cause a tingling sensation under the tongue
C. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle
D. Take up to five tablets every 5 minutes for chest pain
🟢 Correct
C. Store the medication in its original dark glass bottle
🔴 RATIONALE: Nitroglycerin is sensitive to light and moisture; it must be kept in its original container. A tingling
sensation indicates the medication is fresh and active.
5. A nurse is reviewing the medication record of a client with a history of asthma. Which of the following
medications is contraindicated for this client?
A. Propranolol
B. Metoprolol
C. Albuterol
D. Theophylline
🟢 Correct
A. Propranolol
🔴 RATIONALE: Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker that can cause bronchoconstriction by blocking beta-
2 receptors in the lungs, making it dangerous for clients with asthma.
, 6. A nurse is administering vancomycin via IV intermittent infusion. Which of the following findings indicates a
need to slow the infusion rate?
A. Localized pain at the insertion site
B. Flushing of the face and neck
C. Increased urinary output
D. A sudden decrease in heart rate
🟢 Correct
B. Flushing of the face and neck
🔴 RATIONALE: Rapid infusion of vancomycin can cause "Red Man Syndrome," characterized by flushing and
hypotension. Slowing the infusion rate usually resolves this reaction.
7. Which of the following is the priority assessment for a client who just received their first dose of lisinopril?
A. Intake and output
B. Serum potassium level
C. Blood pressure
D. Daily weight
🟢 Correct
C. Blood pressure
🔴 RATIONALE: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can cause severe "first-dose hypotension." Monitoring blood
pressure is the immediate priority for safety.
8. A client is prescribed spironolactone. The nurse should instruct the client to avoid which of the following?
