Page 1 of 59
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for the ATI PN Pharmacology Practice Exam with practice
questions covering Antihypertensives, anticoagulants, medication
classifications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosage
calculations, safe medication administration, adverse effects, drug
interactions, and patient education. This study guide helps reinforce
essential pharmacology concepts and supports effective PN exam
preparation. Suitable for practical nursing students and PN candidates
preparing for ATI pharmacology assessments and nursing exams.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
finding indicates the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A. Blood pressure 150/90 mm Hg
B. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
C. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 28 breaths/min
Correct answer: B. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid
volume. A weight loss of 1–2 lbs/day in a client with fluid
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overload indicates effective diuresis. Hypotension and
hypokalemia are adverse effects, not therapeutic goals.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct answer: B. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is monitored using the International
Normalized Ratio (INR). The therapeutic target for most
indications is INR 2.0–3.0. aPTT monitors heparin therapy.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take this medication with meals to prevent stomach upset.”
B. “I should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol while on this
medication.”
C. “If I miss a dose, I should double the next dose to catch up.”
D. “I will report unusual muscle pain or fatigue to my provider.”
Correct answer: C. “If I miss a dose, I should double the next
dose to catch up.”
Rationale: Doubling a dose of metformin increases the risk of
lactic acidosis and GI side effects without improving efficacy.
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The missed dose should be skipped unless it is within a few
hours of the usual time. Alcohol increases lactic acidosis risk.
4. A client is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler for
asthma. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Use this inhaler every day even if you have no symptoms.”
B. “Rinse your mouth with water after each use to prevent thrush.”
C. “Wait 1 minute between puffs if you need two puffs.”
D. “Store the canister in the refrigerator after opening.”
Correct answer: C. “Wait 1 minute between puffs if you need two
puffs.”
Rationale: Waiting 60 seconds between puffs allows the airways
to open further and improves distribution of the second puff.
Rinsing the mouth is important for inhaled corticosteroids, not
albuterol. Albuterol is a rescue inhaler, not daily maintenance.
5. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and
yellow-tinged vision. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Check the digoxin level
C. Give the next dose of digoxin
D. Offer a light snack
Correct answer: B. Check the digoxin level
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual changes (xanthopsia)
are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should obtain a digoxin
level immediately and withhold the next dose. Potassium levels
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should also be checked because hypokalemia increases toxicity
risk.
6. A client is prescribed enoxaparin (Lovenox) subcutaneously for
DVT prophylaxis. Which technique is correct?
A. Aspirate before injecting to check for blood return
B. Inject into the deltoid muscle
C. Administer in the abdomen, pinching the skin, and do not
aspirate
D. Massage the site after injection to distribute medication
Correct answer: C. Administer in the abdomen, pinching the
skin, and do not aspirate
Rationale: Enoxaparin is given subcutaneously in the abdomen;
aspiration is not recommended because it may cause bleeding;
do not massage the site. The injection should be given at a
90-degree angle or 45-degree if the client is thin.
7. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which finding
indicates possible lithium toxicity?
A. Fine hand tremor
B. Increased thirst and urination
C. Nausea and diarrhea
D. Weight gain
Correct answer: C. Nausea and diarrhea
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and coarse tremor. Fine tremor,
ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE EXAM
2026 COMPLETE (110) CURRENT TESTING
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS WITH
DETAILED RATIONALES.
PHARMACOLOGY
Prepare for the ATI PN Pharmacology Practice Exam with practice
questions covering Antihypertensives, anticoagulants, medication
classifications, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, dosage
calculations, safe medication administration, adverse effects, drug
interactions, and patient education. This study guide helps reinforce
essential pharmacology concepts and supports effective PN exam
preparation. Suitable for practical nursing students and PN candidates
preparing for ATI pharmacology assessments and nursing exams.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
1. A client with heart failure is prescribed furosemide (Lasix). Which
finding indicates the medication is having a therapeutic effect?
A. Blood pressure 150/90 mm Hg
B. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
C. Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L
D. Respiratory rate 28 breaths/min
Correct answer: B. Weight loss of 2 lbs in 24 hours
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that reduces fluid
volume. A weight loss of 1–2 lbs/day in a client with fluid
, Page 2 of 59
overload indicates effective diuresis. Hypotension and
hypokalemia are adverse effects, not therapeutic goals.
2. A client is prescribed warfarin (Coumadin). Which laboratory
value should the nurse monitor to evaluate therapeutic effect?
A. aPTT
B. INR
C. Platelet count
D. Hemoglobin
Correct answer: B. INR
Rationale: Warfarin is monitored using the International
Normalized Ratio (INR). The therapeutic target for most
indications is INR 2.0–3.0. aPTT monitors heparin therapy.
3. A client with type 2 diabetes is started on metformin. Which
statement by the client indicates a need for further teaching?
A. “I will take this medication with meals to prevent stomach upset.”
B. “I should avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol while on this
medication.”
C. “If I miss a dose, I should double the next dose to catch up.”
D. “I will report unusual muscle pain or fatigue to my provider.”
Correct answer: C. “If I miss a dose, I should double the next
dose to catch up.”
Rationale: Doubling a dose of metformin increases the risk of
lactic acidosis and GI side effects without improving efficacy.
, Page 3 of 59
The missed dose should be skipped unless it is within a few
hours of the usual time. Alcohol increases lactic acidosis risk.
4. A client is prescribed albuterol via metered-dose inhaler for
asthma. Which instruction is correct?
A. “Use this inhaler every day even if you have no symptoms.”
B. “Rinse your mouth with water after each use to prevent thrush.”
C. “Wait 1 minute between puffs if you need two puffs.”
D. “Store the canister in the refrigerator after opening.”
Correct answer: C. “Wait 1 minute between puffs if you need two
puffs.”
Rationale: Waiting 60 seconds between puffs allows the airways
to open further and improves distribution of the second puff.
Rinsing the mouth is important for inhaled corticosteroids, not
albuterol. Albuterol is a rescue inhaler, not daily maintenance.
5. A client taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and
yellow-tinged vision. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer an antiemetic
B. Check the digoxin level
C. Give the next dose of digoxin
D. Offer a light snack
Correct answer: B. Check the digoxin level
Rationale: Nausea, vomiting, and visual changes (xanthopsia)
are signs of digoxin toxicity. The nurse should obtain a digoxin
level immediately and withhold the next dose. Potassium levels
, Page 4 of 59
should also be checked because hypokalemia increases toxicity
risk.
6. A client is prescribed enoxaparin (Lovenox) subcutaneously for
DVT prophylaxis. Which technique is correct?
A. Aspirate before injecting to check for blood return
B. Inject into the deltoid muscle
C. Administer in the abdomen, pinching the skin, and do not
aspirate
D. Massage the site after injection to distribute medication
Correct answer: C. Administer in the abdomen, pinching the
skin, and do not aspirate
Rationale: Enoxaparin is given subcutaneously in the abdomen;
aspiration is not recommended because it may cause bleeding;
do not massage the site. The injection should be given at a
90-degree angle or 45-degree if the client is thin.
7. A client with bipolar disorder is prescribed lithium. Which finding
indicates possible lithium toxicity?
A. Fine hand tremor
B. Increased thirst and urination
C. Nausea and diarrhea
D. Weight gain
Correct answer: C. Nausea and diarrhea
Rationale: Early signs of lithium toxicity include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, and coarse tremor. Fine tremor,
