ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY 2023 – 100+
QUESTION BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LREADY GRADED A+
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for furosemide.
Which of the following should the client report to the provider?
A. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) in 1 week
B. Increased urination
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Mild headache
Answer: C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Hypokalemia
(low potassium) presents with muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. These symptoms should be reported immediately. Weight gain of 0.5
kg/week is not clinically significant. Increased urination is the expected therapeutic
effect.
Question 2
,A client is prescribed metoprolol. Which finding should the nurse identify as a reason to
withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 142/90 mm Hg
B. Apical pulse 52 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
D. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
Answer: B. Apical pulse 52 beats/min
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate. A pulse below 60
beats/min (bradycardia) is a common adverse effect. The nurse should withhold the
dose and notify the provider if the pulse is less than the prescribed parameter (typically
60/min).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which finding indicates potential toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Yellow-tinged vision
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate 72 beats/min
Answer: B. Yellow-tinged vision
Rationale: Yellow or green halos (xanthopsia) and blurred vision are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and bradycardia.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range (0.8-2.0 ng/mL).
,Question 4
A client taking warfarin has an INR of 1.2. The nurse should anticipate which order from
the provider?
A. Increase the warfarin dose
B. Decrease the warfarin dose
C. Administer vitamin K
D. Administer protamine sulfate
Answer: A. Increase the warfarin dose
Rationale: For most indications, the therapeutic INR for warfarin is 2.0-3.0. An INR of 1.2
indicates subtherapeutic anticoagulation, increasing clot risk. The provider will likely
increase the dose. Vitamin K is given for excessive anticoagulation (high INR). Protamine
sulfate reverses heparin.
Question 5
Which food should a client taking warfarin be advised to eat in consistent amounts?
A. Cranberries
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Grapefruit
D. Dairy products
Answer: B. Green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's
effects. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K intake rather than avoiding these
foods entirely. Fluctuating intake causes INR instability.
, Question 6
A nurse is administering furosemide IV push. Which rate should the nurse use?
A. 5 mg/min
B. 20 mg/min
C. 40 mg/min
D. 60 mg/min
Answer: B. 20 mg/min
Rationale: IV furosemide should be administered no faster than 20 mg/min to reduce
the risk of ototoxicity (hearing loss). Rapid administration can also cause hypotension.
Question 7
A client has a new prescription for lisinopril. Which adverse effect should the nurse
instruct the client to report?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Weight gain
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Dry, persistent cough
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. A persistent dry, nonproductive cough occurs in
5-20% of clients due to bradykinin accumulation. If the cough becomes intolerable, the
provider may switch to an ARB (e.g., losartan).
QUESTION BANK QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LREADY GRADED A+
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS (Questions 1-20)
Question 1
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a new prescription for furosemide.
Which of the following should the client report to the provider?
A. Weight gain of 0.5 kg (1 lb) in 1 week
B. Increased urination
C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
D. Mild headache
Answer: C. Muscle weakness and leg cramps
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes potassium wasting. Hypokalemia
(low potassium) presents with muscle weakness, leg cramps, fatigue, and cardiac
dysrhythmias. These symptoms should be reported immediately. Weight gain of 0.5
kg/week is not clinically significant. Increased urination is the expected therapeutic
effect.
Question 2
,A client is prescribed metoprolol. Which finding should the nurse identify as a reason to
withhold the medication?
A. Blood pressure 142/90 mm Hg
B. Apical pulse 52 beats/min
C. Respiratory rate 18 breaths/min
D. Temperature 37.2°C (99°F)
Answer: B. Apical pulse 52 beats/min
Rationale: Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that decreases heart rate. A pulse below 60
beats/min (bradycardia) is a common adverse effect. The nurse should withhold the
dose and notify the provider if the pulse is less than the prescribed parameter (typically
60/min).
Question 3
A nurse is caring for a client taking digoxin. Which finding indicates potential toxicity?
A. Increased appetite
B. Yellow-tinged vision
C. Blood pressure 120/80 mm Hg
D. Heart rate 72 beats/min
Answer: B. Yellow-tinged vision
Rationale: Yellow or green halos (xanthopsia) and blurred vision are classic signs of
digoxin toxicity. Other signs include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and bradycardia.
Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic range (0.8-2.0 ng/mL).
,Question 4
A client taking warfarin has an INR of 1.2. The nurse should anticipate which order from
the provider?
A. Increase the warfarin dose
B. Decrease the warfarin dose
C. Administer vitamin K
D. Administer protamine sulfate
Answer: A. Increase the warfarin dose
Rationale: For most indications, the therapeutic INR for warfarin is 2.0-3.0. An INR of 1.2
indicates subtherapeutic anticoagulation, increasing clot risk. The provider will likely
increase the dose. Vitamin K is given for excessive anticoagulation (high INR). Protamine
sulfate reverses heparin.
Question 5
Which food should a client taking warfarin be advised to eat in consistent amounts?
A. Cranberries
B. Green leafy vegetables
C. Grapefruit
D. Dairy products
Answer: B. Green leafy vegetables
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables contain vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin's
effects. Clients should maintain consistent vitamin K intake rather than avoiding these
foods entirely. Fluctuating intake causes INR instability.
, Question 6
A nurse is administering furosemide IV push. Which rate should the nurse use?
A. 5 mg/min
B. 20 mg/min
C. 40 mg/min
D. 60 mg/min
Answer: B. 20 mg/min
Rationale: IV furosemide should be administered no faster than 20 mg/min to reduce
the risk of ototoxicity (hearing loss). Rapid administration can also cause hypotension.
Question 7
A client has a new prescription for lisinopril. Which adverse effect should the nurse
instruct the client to report?
A. Dry, persistent cough
B. Weight gain
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Constipation
Answer: A. Dry, persistent cough
Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. A persistent dry, nonproductive cough occurs in
5-20% of clients due to bradykinin accumulation. If the cough becomes intolerable, the
provider may switch to an ARB (e.g., losartan).
