ATI | PN Pharm
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam |
NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies |
2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF)
2026/2027
Professional Nursing Exam
75 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Drug Classifications and Mechanisms of Action Cardiac and Respiratory Pharmacological Interventions
Medication Administration Routes and Safety Protocols Neurological and Pain Management Pharmacology
Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Contraindications Antimicrobial Therapy and Infection Prevention
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Pharmacology Principles and Medication Safety | Q1-Q15 | ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 68-year-old client with chronic heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily.
The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes a serum potassium level
of 3.1 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize that this finding places the client at greatest
risk for which complication?
A. Hypotension
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin, significantly raising the risk of digoxin toxicity even
at therapeutic serum digoxin levels. The nurse should withhold the dose and notify the provider for potassium
replacement.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection of penicillin G procaine
to a 45-year-old client. The client states they experienced a rash after taking
amoxicillin 5 years ago. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the injection with close monitoring
B. Give diphenhydramine prophylactically before the injection
C. Notify the provider and hold the medication
D. Document the allergy and proceed with administration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A history of rash with amoxicillin (a penicillin) indicates a potential penicillin allergy, and cross-reactivity
between penicillin classes is well-documented. The nurse must hold the medication and notify the provider to
determine an appropriate alternative antibiotic.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
, Q3 Question 3 of 75
A 72-year-old client with arthritis is prescribed celecoxib 200 mg daily. The nurse
should prioritize monitoring for which adverse effect given the client's age?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Photosensitivity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Although celecoxib is a COX-2 selective inhibitor with reduced GI risk compared to nonselective NSAIDs,
elderly clients remain at increased risk for GI bleeding and cardiovascular events. The nurse should monitor
for signs of GI distress and bleeding.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin 5 mg daily. The client's INR is 4.2, and
the nurse notes fresh blood in the client's urine. Which vitamin should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Vitamin K is the specific antidote for warfarin overdose and works by promoting hepatic synthesis of clotting
factors II, VII, IX, and X. An INR of 4.2 with signs of bleeding indicates supratherapeutic anticoagulation
requiring immediate vitamin K administration.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A 55-year-old client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin 1000 mg twice daily.
The nurse should instruct the client to temporarily discontinue this medication prior
to which diagnostic procedure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Electrocardiogram
C. Pulmonary function test
D. Colonoscopy with IV contrast
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Metformin must be held 48 hours before and after procedures involving iodinated contrast media due to the
risk of lactic acidosis from contrast-induced renal impairment. This is a critical safety precaution for clients on
metformin therapy.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and notes the concurrent use of
simvastatin and clarithromycin. The nurse should be most concerned about the
increased risk for which condition?
A. Hepatic failure
B. Acute pancreatitis
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Rhabdomyolysis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Clarithromycin is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor that significantly increases simvastatin plasma levels,
dramatically elevating the risk of statin-induced myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The nurse should notify the
provider to consider an alternative antibiotic or statin.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT - EXAM
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam |
NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies |
2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF)
2026/2027
Professional Nursing Exam
75 100%
QUESTIONS VERIFIED ANSWERS EDITION
TOPICS COVERED
Drug Classifications and Mechanisms of Action Cardiac and Respiratory Pharmacological Interventions
Medication Administration Routes and Safety Protocols Neurological and Pain Management Pharmacology
Adverse Effects, Interactions, and Contraindications Antimicrobial Therapy and Infection Prevention
COVER PAGE - 1
, SECTION 1 | Pharmacology Principles and Medication Safety | Q1-Q15 | ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-
Q1 Question 1 of 75
A 68-year-old client with chronic heart failure is prescribed digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily.
The nurse reviews the client's laboratory results and notes a serum potassium level
of 3.1 mEq/L. The nurse should recognize that this finding places the client at greatest
risk for which complication?
A. Hypotension
B. Digoxin toxicity
C. Bradycardia
D. Hyperglycemia
Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin, significantly raising the risk of digoxin toxicity even
at therapeutic serum digoxin levels. The nurse should withhold the dose and notify the provider for potassium
replacement.
Q2 Question 2 of 75
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular injection of penicillin G procaine
to a 45-year-old client. The client states they experienced a rash after taking
amoxicillin 5 years ago. Which action should the nurse take first?
A. Administer the injection with close monitoring
B. Give diphenhydramine prophylactically before the injection
C. Notify the provider and hold the medication
D. Document the allergy and proceed with administration
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
A history of rash with amoxicillin (a penicillin) indicates a potential penicillin allergy, and cross-reactivity
between penicillin classes is well-documented. The nurse must hold the medication and notify the provider to
determine an appropriate alternative antibiotic.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
, Q3 Question 3 of 75
A 72-year-old client with arthritis is prescribed celecoxib 200 mg daily. The nurse
should prioritize monitoring for which adverse effect given the client's age?
A. Hepatotoxicity
B. Ototoxicity
C. Gastrointestinal bleeding
D. Photosensitivity
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Although celecoxib is a COX-2 selective inhibitor with reduced GI risk compared to nonselective NSAIDs,
elderly clients remain at increased risk for GI bleeding and cardiovascular events. The nurse should monitor
for signs of GI distress and bleeding.
Q4 Question 4 of 75
A nurse is caring for a client receiving warfarin 5 mg daily. The client's INR is 4.2, and
the nurse notes fresh blood in the client's urine. Which vitamin should the nurse
anticipate administering?
A. Vitamin B12
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin E
D. Vitamin K
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Vitamin K is the specific antidote for warfarin overdose and works by promoting hepatic synthesis of clotting
factors II, VII, IX, and X. An INR of 4.2 with signs of bleeding indicates supratherapeutic anticoagulation
requiring immediate vitamin K administration.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
, Q5 Question 5 of 75
A 55-year-old client with type 2 diabetes is prescribed metformin 1000 mg twice daily.
The nurse should instruct the client to temporarily discontinue this medication prior
to which diagnostic procedure?
A. Chest X-ray
B. Electrocardiogram
C. Pulmonary function test
D. Colonoscopy with IV contrast
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Metformin must be held 48 hours before and after procedures involving iodinated contrast media due to the
risk of lactic acidosis from contrast-induced renal impairment. This is a critical safety precaution for clients on
metformin therapy.
Q6 Question 6 of 75
A nurse is reviewing a client's medication list and notes the concurrent use of
simvastatin and clarithromycin. The nurse should be most concerned about the
increased risk for which condition?
A. Hepatic failure
B. Acute pancreatitis
C. Thrombocytopenia
D. Rhabdomyolysis
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Clarithromycin is a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor that significantly increases simvastatin plasma levels,
dramatically elevating the risk of statin-induced myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. The nurse should notify the
provider to consider an alternative antibiotic or statin.
ATI PN Pharmacology - Proctor Exam | NGN-Style Questions & Case Studies | 2026/2027 Pharmacology ATI (PDF) 2026/2027 -- 2026/2027 | Passing Score: 8
