VATI PN
Pharmacology
(Exam-style)
(NGN- STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO S ”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➢ Exam has 60 Pharmacology nursing questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,1.1 A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has myasthenia gravis and is
experiencing a cholinergic crisis. Which of the following medications should the
nurse expect the RN to administer?
A. Bethanechol
B. Propranolol
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that counteracts excessive
cholinergic stimulation in a cholinergic crisis. It blocks acetylcholine receptors,
reducing excessive secretions, bradycardia, and muscle weakness caused by
cholinesterase inhibitor overdose in myasthenia gravis clients.
2.2 A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and a new prescription
for lithium. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse plan to
monitor for potential adverse effects?
A. Prothrombin Time
B. Hematocrit
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: C. Sodium
Rationale: Lithium is a salt that competes with sodium for reabsorption in the
kidneys. Low sodium levels cause lithium retention and toxicity. The nurse must
monitor sodium levels and ensure adequate hydration to prevent lithium
accumulation and nephrotoxicity.
,3.3 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a prescription for
rosuvastatin to treat high cholesterol levels. For which of the following adverse
effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider
immediately?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Headache
C. Abdominal pain
D. Insomnia
Answer: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Statins can cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle
breakdown. Muscle weakness, pain, or dark urine indicates potential myopathy
requiring immediate intervention. Early detection prevents acute kidney injury
from myoglobin release.
4.4 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse regarding safe
procedures for medication administration. Which of the following statements by
the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will identify the client by verifying the client's name using the room number."
B. "I can administer antibiotics 1 hour before the scheduled time."
C. "I will check the label on the client's medication three times before
administering."
D. "I will leave the client's medication at the client's bedside."
Answer: C. "I will check the label on the client's medication three times before
administering."
Rationale: The "three checks" rule requires verification when retrieving,
preparing, and returning medication. Room numbers are unacceptable identifiers;
two client identifiers are required. Time-critical medications have narrow
windows, and medications should never be left unattended at the bedside.
, 5.5 A nurse is preparing to administer Lactated Ringer's solution 350 mL to
infuse over 1 hr. The drop factor of the tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The nurse should set
the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round answer to the
nearest whole number.)
A. 48 gtt/min
B. 58 gtt/min
C. 68 gtt/min
D. 78 gtt/min
Answer: B. 58 gtt/min
Rationale: Calculation: (350 mL ÷ 60 minutes) × 10 gtt/mL = 58.33 gtt/min,
rounded to 58 gtt/min. This formula (Volume/Time × Drop factor) ensures
accurate manual IV flow rate delivery for safe fluid administration.
6.6 A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving morphine to relieve
postoperative pain. The client's respiratory rate is 9/min. The nurse should
notify the provider and expect a stat prescription for which of the following
medications?
A. Naloxone
B. Glucagon
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Respiratory rate below 10/min indicates opioid-induced respiratory
depression. Naloxone is the opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression
by displacing morphine from mu receptors. It has no effect on non-opioid
medications.
Pharmacology
(Exam-style)
(NGN- STYLE QUESTIONS & CASE “SCENARIO S ”)
Answers with detailed Rationale
What You’ll Get:
➢ Exam has 60 Pharmacology nursing questions
• PN/LPN focused content
• Exam-style questions
• Answer explanations (rationales)
• Clear, organized format for easy studying
• Printable & digital-friendly
Not affiliated with ATI, VATI or NCLEX. For study purposes only.
,1.1 A nurse is assisting with the care of a client who has myasthenia gravis and is
experiencing a cholinergic crisis. Which of the following medications should the
nurse expect the RN to administer?
A. Bethanechol
B. Propranolol
C. Atropine
D. Epinephrine
Answer: C. Atropine
Rationale: Atropine is an anticholinergic agent that counteracts excessive
cholinergic stimulation in a cholinergic crisis. It blocks acetylcholine receptors,
reducing excessive secretions, bradycardia, and muscle weakness caused by
cholinesterase inhibitor overdose in myasthenia gravis clients.
2.2 A nurse is caring for a client who has bipolar disorder and a new prescription
for lithium. Which of the following laboratory values should the nurse plan to
monitor for potential adverse effects?
A. Prothrombin Time
B. Hematocrit
C. Sodium
D. Potassium
Answer: C. Sodium
Rationale: Lithium is a salt that competes with sodium for reabsorption in the
kidneys. Low sodium levels cause lithium retention and toxicity. The nurse must
monitor sodium levels and ensure adequate hydration to prevent lithium
accumulation and nephrotoxicity.
,3.3 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a prescription for
rosuvastatin to treat high cholesterol levels. For which of the following adverse
effects should the nurse instruct the client to monitor and report to the provider
immediately?
A. Muscle weakness
B. Headache
C. Abdominal pain
D. Insomnia
Answer: A. Muscle weakness
Rationale: Statins can cause rhabdomyolysis, a life-threatening muscle
breakdown. Muscle weakness, pain, or dark urine indicates potential myopathy
requiring immediate intervention. Early detection prevents acute kidney injury
from myoglobin release.
4.4 A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a newly licensed nurse regarding safe
procedures for medication administration. Which of the following statements by
the newly licensed nurse indicates an understanding of the teaching?
A. "I will identify the client by verifying the client's name using the room number."
B. "I can administer antibiotics 1 hour before the scheduled time."
C. "I will check the label on the client's medication three times before
administering."
D. "I will leave the client's medication at the client's bedside."
Answer: C. "I will check the label on the client's medication three times before
administering."
Rationale: The "three checks" rule requires verification when retrieving,
preparing, and returning medication. Room numbers are unacceptable identifiers;
two client identifiers are required. Time-critical medications have narrow
windows, and medications should never be left unattended at the bedside.
, 5.5 A nurse is preparing to administer Lactated Ringer's solution 350 mL to
infuse over 1 hr. The drop factor of the tubing is 10 gtt/mL. The nurse should set
the manual IV infusion to deliver how many gtt/min? (Round answer to the
nearest whole number.)
A. 48 gtt/min
B. 58 gtt/min
C. 68 gtt/min
D. 78 gtt/min
Answer: B. 58 gtt/min
Rationale: Calculation: (350 mL ÷ 60 minutes) × 10 gtt/mL = 58.33 gtt/min,
rounded to 58 gtt/min. This formula (Volume/Time × Drop factor) ensures
accurate manual IV flow rate delivery for safe fluid administration.
6.6 A nurse is collecting data from a client who is receiving morphine to relieve
postoperative pain. The client's respiratory rate is 9/min. The nurse should
notify the provider and expect a stat prescription for which of the following
medications?
A. Naloxone
B. Glucagon
C. Flumazenil
D. Protamine
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Respiratory rate below 10/min indicates opioid-induced respiratory
depression. Naloxone is the opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression
by displacing morphine from mu receptors. It has no effect on non-opioid
medications.
