1 | Page
ATI RN Pharmacology Test Bank 2025/2026 – 200 Critical Drug
Knowledge NCLEX-Style Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which food should the client avoid?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Apples
D. White rice
Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which decreases warfarin’s
effectiveness.
2. A client taking digoxin has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next digoxin dose
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Place the client on a low-potassium diet
D. Encourage ambulation
,2 | Page
Answer: B. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases risk of digoxin toxicity, requiring immediate intervention.
3. Which adverse effect is expected with furosemide therapy?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia.
4. Which lab value should be monitored for a client on heparin infusion?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hematocrit
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy effectiveness is measured with the activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT).
,3 | Page
5. A nurse should withhold metoprolol if the client’s:
A. Blood glucose is 120 mg/dL
B. Heart rate is 48 bpm
C. Blood pressure is 128/78 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate is 18
Answer: B. Heart rate is 48 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers should be held if HR < 50–60 bpm due to risk of bradycardia.
6. Which medication is prescribed to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Atropine
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
7. Which adverse effect is linked to ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Dry cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
, 4 | Page
Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause persistent cough due to bradykinin accumulation.
8. Which drug is used to treat hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propranolol
D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism.
9. Which adverse effect is most concerning with clozapine?
A. Weight gain
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Dry mouth
D. Drowsiness
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe bone marrow suppression; monitor WBC count.
10. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. NPH
ATI RN Pharmacology Test Bank 2025/2026 – 200 Critical Drug
Knowledge NCLEX-Style Questions with Answers & Rationales
1. A nurse is teaching a client prescribed warfarin. Which food should the client avoid?
A. Bananas
B. Spinach
C. Apples
D. White rice
Answer: B. Spinach
Rationale: Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which decreases warfarin’s
effectiveness.
2. A client taking digoxin has a serum potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. Which action should the
nurse take?
A. Administer the next digoxin dose
B. Notify the provider immediately
C. Place the client on a low-potassium diet
D. Encourage ambulation
,2 | Page
Answer: B. Notify the provider immediately
Rationale: Hypokalemia increases risk of digoxin toxicity, requiring immediate intervention.
3. Which adverse effect is expected with furosemide therapy?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hyponatremia
Answer: B. Hypokalemia
Rationale: Loop diuretics such as furosemide increase potassium excretion, leading to
hypokalemia.
4. Which lab value should be monitored for a client on heparin infusion?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. Hematocrit
D. Hemoglobin A1C
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy effectiveness is measured with the activated partial thromboplastin
time (aPTT).
,3 | Page
5. A nurse should withhold metoprolol if the client’s:
A. Blood glucose is 120 mg/dL
B. Heart rate is 48 bpm
C. Blood pressure is 128/78 mmHg
D. Respiratory rate is 18
Answer: B. Heart rate is 48 bpm
Rationale: Beta-blockers should be held if HR < 50–60 bpm due to risk of bradycardia.
6. Which medication is prescribed to reverse opioid overdose?
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil
C. Protamine sulfate
D. Atropine
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory
depression.
7. Which adverse effect is linked to ACE inhibitors like lisinopril?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Dry cough
C. Bradycardia
D. Constipation
, 4 | Page
Answer: B. Dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors may cause persistent cough due to bradykinin accumulation.
8. Which drug is used to treat hypothyroidism?
A. Methimazole
B. Levothyroxine
C. Propranolol
D. Hydrocortisone
Answer: B. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Levothyroxine replaces thyroid hormone in hypothyroidism.
9. Which adverse effect is most concerning with clozapine?
A. Weight gain
B. Agranulocytosis
C. Dry mouth
D. Drowsiness
Answer: B. Agranulocytosis
Rationale: Clozapine can cause severe bone marrow suppression; monitor WBC count.
10. Which insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A. NPH
