2026 ATI PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED RETAKE EXAM COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, ALREADY GRADED A+, GUARANTEED
PASS
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates the drug is effective?
A. Increased urine output
B. Decreased blood pressure only
C. Increased edema
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: A. Increased urine output
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that removes excess fluid by increasing
urine output. Effective therapy reduces fluid overload symptoms such as edema
and dyspnea.
2. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which adverse effect
requires immediate attention?
A. Dry cough
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Dizziness
D. Headache
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can increase potassium levels, which may
lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitor potassium and kidney function.
3. A patient taking metformin reports nausea and abdominal discomfort. What is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue the medication and reassure the patient
,B. Hold the medication and assess for lactic acidosis
C. Increase the dose for better efficacy
D. Discontinue permanently without notifying provider
Answer: B. Hold the medication and assess for lactic acidosis
Rationale: Gastrointestinal upset is common, but metformin carries a rare risk of
lactic acidosis, especially in patients with renal impairment.
4. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. Which statement indicates the
patient understands proper use?
A. “I will take it daily even if I don’t have symptoms.”
B. “I will use it only when I have shortness of breath.”
C. “I can use it multiple times per hour as needed.”
D. “I should stop using it once I feel better.”
Answer: B. “I will use it only when I have shortness of breath.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute bronchospasm.
Overuse can cause tachycardia and tremors.
5. A patient taking warfarin asks which foods to avoid. What is the best response?
A. “You should avoid foods high in vitamin K, like spinach and kale.”
B. “Avoid all fruits and vegetables.”
C. “Only avoid protein-rich foods.”
D. “There are no dietary restrictions.”
Answer: A. “You should avoid foods high in vitamin K, like spinach and kale.”
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce warfarin effectiveness. Patients need consistent
intake of vitamin K, not complete avoidance.
6. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Assess heart rate and hold the medication if below 60 bpm
,C. Administer the next dose as scheduled
D. Call the provider in a week
Answer: B. Assess heart rate and hold the medication if below 60 bpm
Rationale: Symptoms indicate digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia is common, and
holding the drug prevents further toxicity.
7. A patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection. Which
instruction is important?
A. Take with dairy products
B. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen
C. Skip doses if feeling better
D. Take before bedtime only
Answer: B. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin increase photosensitivity. They
should not be taken with dairy products alone as it reduces absorption.
8. A patient is taking prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis. Which long-term
complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Corticosteroids can increase blood glucose levels, suppress immune
function, and cause osteoporosis. Monitor labs and assess for infection.
9. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement
indicates correct patient understanding?
A. “I will take it with breakfast to improve absorption.”
B. “I will take it on an empty stomach in the morning.”
, C. “I can double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “I should stop once I feel better.”
Answer: B. “I will take it on an empty stomach in the morning.”
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach. Dosing
consistency is critical, and it should not be doubled if missed.
10. A patient reports muscle pain after starting atorvastatin. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Reassure the patient and continue the drug
B. Assess for signs of rhabdomyolysis and notify provider
C. Increase the dose for better effect
D. Advise the patient to exercise more
Answer: B. Assess for signs of rhabdomyolysis and notify provider
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis. Monitoring
CK levels is critical if muscle pain occurs.
11. A patient is prescribed heparin subcutaneously. Which lab test is essential to
monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. PT
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy requires monitoring of aPTT to prevent bleeding
complications. INR is used for warfarin monitoring.
12. A patient is prescribed omeprazole for GERD. Which statement is correct
regarding long-term use?
A. “Long-term use may increase the risk of fractures.”
B. “It will cause immediate relief of symptoms.”
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, ALREADY GRADED A+, GUARANTEED
PASS
1. A patient is prescribed furosemide for heart failure. Which assessment finding
indicates the drug is effective?
A. Increased urine output
B. Decreased blood pressure only
C. Increased edema
D. Decreased heart rate
Answer: A. Increased urine output
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic that removes excess fluid by increasing
urine output. Effective therapy reduces fluid overload symptoms such as edema
and dyspnea.
2. A patient with hypertension is prescribed lisinopril. Which adverse effect
requires immediate attention?
A. Dry cough
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Dizziness
D. Headache
Answer: B. Hyperkalemia
Rationale: ACE inhibitors like lisinopril can increase potassium levels, which may
lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitor potassium and kidney function.
3. A patient taking metformin reports nausea and abdominal discomfort. What is
the most appropriate nursing action?
A. Continue the medication and reassure the patient
,B. Hold the medication and assess for lactic acidosis
C. Increase the dose for better efficacy
D. Discontinue permanently without notifying provider
Answer: B. Hold the medication and assess for lactic acidosis
Rationale: Gastrointestinal upset is common, but metformin carries a rare risk of
lactic acidosis, especially in patients with renal impairment.
4. A patient is prescribed albuterol for asthma. Which statement indicates the
patient understands proper use?
A. “I will take it daily even if I don’t have symptoms.”
B. “I will use it only when I have shortness of breath.”
C. “I can use it multiple times per hour as needed.”
D. “I should stop using it once I feel better.”
Answer: B. “I will use it only when I have shortness of breath.”
Rationale: Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute bronchospasm.
Overuse can cause tachycardia and tremors.
5. A patient taking warfarin asks which foods to avoid. What is the best response?
A. “You should avoid foods high in vitamin K, like spinach and kale.”
B. “Avoid all fruits and vegetables.”
C. “Only avoid protein-rich foods.”
D. “There are no dietary restrictions.”
Answer: A. “You should avoid foods high in vitamin K, like spinach and kale.”
Rationale: Vitamin K can reduce warfarin effectiveness. Patients need consistent
intake of vitamin K, not complete avoidance.
6. A patient taking digoxin reports nausea, vomiting, and visual disturbances. What
is the priority nursing action?
A. Encourage fluids
B. Assess heart rate and hold the medication if below 60 bpm
,C. Administer the next dose as scheduled
D. Call the provider in a week
Answer: B. Assess heart rate and hold the medication if below 60 bpm
Rationale: Symptoms indicate digoxin toxicity. Bradycardia is common, and
holding the drug prevents further toxicity.
7. A patient is prescribed ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection. Which
instruction is important?
A. Take with dairy products
B. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen
C. Skip doses if feeling better
D. Take before bedtime only
Answer: B. Avoid sunlight and use sunscreen
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin increase photosensitivity. They
should not be taken with dairy products alone as it reduces absorption.
8. A patient is taking prednisone for rheumatoid arthritis. Which long-term
complication should the nurse monitor for?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension
D. Hypoglycemia
Answer: A. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: Corticosteroids can increase blood glucose levels, suppress immune
function, and cause osteoporosis. Monitor labs and assess for infection.
9. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which statement
indicates correct patient understanding?
A. “I will take it with breakfast to improve absorption.”
B. “I will take it on an empty stomach in the morning.”
, C. “I can double the dose if I miss one.”
D. “I should stop once I feel better.”
Answer: B. “I will take it on an empty stomach in the morning.”
Rationale: Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach. Dosing
consistency is critical, and it should not be doubled if missed.
10. A patient reports muscle pain after starting atorvastatin. What is the priority
nursing action?
A. Reassure the patient and continue the drug
B. Assess for signs of rhabdomyolysis and notify provider
C. Increase the dose for better effect
D. Advise the patient to exercise more
Answer: B. Assess for signs of rhabdomyolysis and notify provider
Rationale: Statins can cause myopathy and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis. Monitoring
CK levels is critical if muscle pain occurs.
11. A patient is prescribed heparin subcutaneously. Which lab test is essential to
monitor?
A. INR
B. aPTT
C. PT
D. Hemoglobin A1c
Answer: B. aPTT
Rationale: Heparin therapy requires monitoring of aPTT to prevent bleeding
complications. INR is used for warfarin monitoring.
12. A patient is prescribed omeprazole for GERD. Which statement is correct
regarding long-term use?
A. “Long-term use may increase the risk of fractures.”
B. “It will cause immediate relief of symptoms.”
