ATI Pharmacology Proctored Assessment 2025 |
125 Questions and Verified Answers (100%
Correct for Guaranteed Pass)
Question 1
A patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine (Synthroid) 0.25
mg PO daily. After 6 weeks of treatment, the nurse determines that the medication was effective
if the:
Options:
1. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is 2 microunits/mL
2. Total T4 level is 2 mcg/dL
3. Heart rate is 72 bpm
4. Patient reports increased energy
Correct Answer: 1) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is 2 microunits/mL
Explanation: Levothyroxine replaces deficient thyroid hormone, and effectiveness is best
assessed by normalizing TSH levels (typically 0.5–5 microunits/mL). A TSH of 2 indicates
adequate replacement.
Question 2
A nurse providing teaching to a client who has just been prescribed prazosin (Minipress). Which
of the following client statements indicates understanding of teaching?
Options:
1. "I will not use a salt substitute while taking this medication."
2. "I will move slowly from sitting to standing to prevent falls."
3. "I should take this medication on an empty stomach."
4. "I will avoid drinking grapefruit juice."
Correct Answer: 2) "I will move slowly from sitting to standing to prevent falls."
Explanation: Prazosin is an alpha-blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension, so the client
should change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls.
,Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin). Which
statement by the patient indicates further teaching is needed?
Options:
1. "I should expect a rash to develop."
2. "I may develop hair growth on my face or chest."
3. "I will brush my teeth gently to prevent gum overgrowth."
4. "I will not stop this medication abruptly."
Correct Answer: 1) "I should expect a rash to develop."
Explanation: A rash is not an expected side effect but rather a sign of a hypersensitivity
reaction, which should be reported immediately.
Question 4
A nurse is receiving a telephone prescription for an antibiotic from a client's provider. Which of
the following is the nurse required to do?
Options:
1. Read the prescription back to the provider after transcribing.
2. Write the trade name for the prescribed medicine.
3. Ask another nurse to co-sign the order.
4. Verify the client’s allergies before administering.
Correct Answer: 1) Read the prescription back to the provider after transcribing.
Explanation: To prevent errors, the nurse must repeat back the order to confirm accuracy
(ISBARR communication).
Question 5
A nurse is providing teaching to an adolescent and her family regarding a new prescription of
phenytoin (Dilantin) for a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. Which of the following client
statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
Options:
1. "I will keep a seizure frequency chart."
2. "I will skip a dose if I am experiencing nausea."
, 3. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
4. "I should take this medication with milk."
Correct Answer: 1) "I will keep a seizure frequency chart."
Explanation: Tracking seizures helps assess medication effectiveness. Skipping doses or
stopping abruptly can trigger seizures.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide (Lasix) and
digoxin (Lanoxin). Routine laboratory results reveal a potassium level of 2.6 mEq/L. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
Options:
1. Apply a cardiac monitor.
2. Provide foods high in potassium.
3. Administer IV potassium as prescribed.
4. Notify the provider.
Correct Answer: 1) Apply a cardiac monitor.
Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and lethal dysrhythmias, so
cardiac monitoring is the priority.
Question 7
A nurse administers ceftazidime (Fortaz) to a client who has a severe penicillin allergy. Which of
the following client findings requires an incident report?
Options:
1. The client is also taking lisinopril (Prinivil).
2. The client reports shortness of breath.
3. The client has a headache.
4. The client’s blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.
Correct Answer: 2) The client reports shortness of breath.
Explanation: Shortness of breath suggests anaphylaxis (cross-sensitivity between penicillin and
cephalosporins). This is an adverse drug reaction requiring immediate intervention and
documentation.
, Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has been newly diagnosed with a seizure
disorder and has begun phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse should tell the client that phenytoin can
decrease the effectiveness of which of the following?
Options:
1. Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel (Cyclessa).
2. Fluoxetine (Prozac).
3. Warfarin (Coumadin).
4. Levothyroxine (Synthroid).
Correct Answer: 1) Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel (Cyclessa).
Explanation: Phenytoin is a CYP450 inducer, which increases metabolism of oral
contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.
Question 9
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is diagnosed with migraine headaches and is
prescribed ergotamine (Ergostat) sublingual (SL). Which of the following should the nurse
include in her instructions?
Options:
1. "Take 1 SL tablet three times a day before meals."
2. "Take 1 SL tablet at the onset of a migraine."
3. "Take this medication with a full glass of water."
4. "Avoid lying down for 30 minutes after taking."
Correct Answer: 2) "Take 1 SL tablet at the onset of a migraine."
Explanation: Ergotamine is most effective when taken at the first sign of a migraine.
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing a client's daily laboratory findings before administering 0.125 mg of
digoxin (Lanoxin). The client's serum digoxin level is 0.7 ng/mL. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Options:
1. Give the medication.
125 Questions and Verified Answers (100%
Correct for Guaranteed Pass)
Question 1
A patient newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism is prescribed Levothyroxine (Synthroid) 0.25
mg PO daily. After 6 weeks of treatment, the nurse determines that the medication was effective
if the:
Options:
1. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is 2 microunits/mL
2. Total T4 level is 2 mcg/dL
3. Heart rate is 72 bpm
4. Patient reports increased energy
Correct Answer: 1) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level is 2 microunits/mL
Explanation: Levothyroxine replaces deficient thyroid hormone, and effectiveness is best
assessed by normalizing TSH levels (typically 0.5–5 microunits/mL). A TSH of 2 indicates
adequate replacement.
Question 2
A nurse providing teaching to a client who has just been prescribed prazosin (Minipress). Which
of the following client statements indicates understanding of teaching?
Options:
1. "I will not use a salt substitute while taking this medication."
2. "I will move slowly from sitting to standing to prevent falls."
3. "I should take this medication on an empty stomach."
4. "I will avoid drinking grapefruit juice."
Correct Answer: 2) "I will move slowly from sitting to standing to prevent falls."
Explanation: Prazosin is an alpha-blocker that can cause orthostatic hypotension, so the client
should change positions slowly to prevent dizziness and falls.
,Question 3
A nurse is providing teaching to a patient who is prescribed phenytoin (Dilantin). Which
statement by the patient indicates further teaching is needed?
Options:
1. "I should expect a rash to develop."
2. "I may develop hair growth on my face or chest."
3. "I will brush my teeth gently to prevent gum overgrowth."
4. "I will not stop this medication abruptly."
Correct Answer: 1) "I should expect a rash to develop."
Explanation: A rash is not an expected side effect but rather a sign of a hypersensitivity
reaction, which should be reported immediately.
Question 4
A nurse is receiving a telephone prescription for an antibiotic from a client's provider. Which of
the following is the nurse required to do?
Options:
1. Read the prescription back to the provider after transcribing.
2. Write the trade name for the prescribed medicine.
3. Ask another nurse to co-sign the order.
4. Verify the client’s allergies before administering.
Correct Answer: 1) Read the prescription back to the provider after transcribing.
Explanation: To prevent errors, the nurse must repeat back the order to confirm accuracy
(ISBARR communication).
Question 5
A nurse is providing teaching to an adolescent and her family regarding a new prescription of
phenytoin (Dilantin) for a newly diagnosed seizure disorder. Which of the following client
statements indicates understanding of the teaching?
Options:
1. "I will keep a seizure frequency chart."
2. "I will skip a dose if I am experiencing nausea."
, 3. "I can stop taking this medication once I feel better."
4. "I should take this medication with milk."
Correct Answer: 1) "I will keep a seizure frequency chart."
Explanation: Tracking seizures helps assess medication effectiveness. Skipping doses or
stopping abruptly can trigger seizures.
Question 6
A nurse is caring for a client who has heart failure and is receiving furosemide (Lasix) and
digoxin (Lanoxin). Routine laboratory results reveal a potassium level of 2.6 mEq/L. Which of
the following actions should the nurse take first?
Options:
1. Apply a cardiac monitor.
2. Provide foods high in potassium.
3. Administer IV potassium as prescribed.
4. Notify the provider.
Correct Answer: 1) Apply a cardiac monitor.
Explanation: Hypokalemia increases the risk of digoxin toxicity and lethal dysrhythmias, so
cardiac monitoring is the priority.
Question 7
A nurse administers ceftazidime (Fortaz) to a client who has a severe penicillin allergy. Which of
the following client findings requires an incident report?
Options:
1. The client is also taking lisinopril (Prinivil).
2. The client reports shortness of breath.
3. The client has a headache.
4. The client’s blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg.
Correct Answer: 2) The client reports shortness of breath.
Explanation: Shortness of breath suggests anaphylaxis (cross-sensitivity between penicillin and
cephalosporins). This is an adverse drug reaction requiring immediate intervention and
documentation.
, Question 8
A nurse is providing teaching to a female client who has been newly diagnosed with a seizure
disorder and has begun phenytoin (Dilantin). The nurse should tell the client that phenytoin can
decrease the effectiveness of which of the following?
Options:
1. Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel (Cyclessa).
2. Fluoxetine (Prozac).
3. Warfarin (Coumadin).
4. Levothyroxine (Synthroid).
Correct Answer: 1) Ethinyl estradiol/desogestrel (Cyclessa).
Explanation: Phenytoin is a CYP450 inducer, which increases metabolism of oral
contraceptives, reducing their effectiveness.
Question 9
A nurse is providing teaching to a client who is diagnosed with migraine headaches and is
prescribed ergotamine (Ergostat) sublingual (SL). Which of the following should the nurse
include in her instructions?
Options:
1. "Take 1 SL tablet three times a day before meals."
2. "Take 1 SL tablet at the onset of a migraine."
3. "Take this medication with a full glass of water."
4. "Avoid lying down for 30 minutes after taking."
Correct Answer: 2) "Take 1 SL tablet at the onset of a migraine."
Explanation: Ergotamine is most effective when taken at the first sign of a migraine.
Question 10
A nurse is reviewing a client's daily laboratory findings before administering 0.125 mg of
digoxin (Lanoxin). The client's serum digoxin level is 0.7 ng/mL. Which of the following actions
should the nurse take?
Options:
1. Give the medication.
