ATI PN PHARMACOLOGY PROCTORED EXAM 2025 UPDATE
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/GRADE A+ ASSURED
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. The client's
apical pulse is 52 beats/minute. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer the digoxin as prescribed.
B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
C) Administer half the prescribed dose.
D) Document the apical pulse and administer the medication.
E) Recheck the apical pulse in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare
provider.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should hold the
medication and notify the healthcare provider if the apical pulse is
below 60 beats/minute in an adult, as administering it could further
dangerously lower the heart rate.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of heart failure who is prescribed
furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely for
potential adverse effects of this medication?
A) Sodium.
B) Potassium.
C) Calcium.
D) Magnesium.
E) Phosphate.
Correct Answer: B) Potassium.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic, which is known to cause
significant potassium loss (hypokalemia) due to its mechanism of
action in the renal tubules.
Question 3
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is taking warfarin.
,Which over-the-counter medication should the client be advised to avoid due
to an increased risk of bleeding?
A) Acetaminophen.
B) Ibuprofen.
C) Antacids.
D) Psyllium.
E) Vitamin C.
Correct Answer: B) Ibuprofen.
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen inhibit platelet aggregation and
can cause gastrointestinal irritation, significantly increasing the risk
of bleeding when taken concurrently with anticoagulants like
warfarin.
Question 4
A nurse is administering insulin subcutaneously to a client with diabetes
mellitus. The nurse understands that which injection site is associated with
the fastest absorption rate?
A) Deltoid muscle.
B) Dorsogluteal area.
C) Abdomen.
D) Thigh.
E) Buttocks.
Correct Answer: C) Abdomen.
Rationale: The abdomen generally has the fastest and most
consistent absorption rate for subcutaneous insulin injections due
to a good blood supply and less muscle interference.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed clozapine. Which severe
adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and
monitoring?
A) Constipation.
,B) Sedation.
C) Agranulocytosis (e.g., fever, sore throat).
D) Weight gain.
E) Orthostatic hypotension.
Correct Answer: C) Agranulocytosis (e.g., fever, sore throat).
Rationale: Agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cell count)
is a potentially fatal adverse effect of clozapine. Clients must have
regular blood monitoring, and symptoms like fever or sore throat
require immediate investigation and drug discontinuation.
Question 6
A nurse is educating a client about new prescription for sublingual
nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction is essential for the nurse to
include?
A) Swallow the tablet whole with water.
B) Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.
C) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve.
D) Take the tablet only after pain has subsided.
E) Store the medication in a warm, moist environment.
Correct Answer: C) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to
dissolve.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is designed to be rapidly
absorbed through the mucous membranes under the tongue for
quick relief of angina. Swallowing or chewing it would delay
absorption.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult
client. Which site is generally considered the safest for IM injections due to
the absence of major nerves and blood vessels?
A) Deltoid.
B) Dorsogluteal.
, C) Ventrogluteal.
D) Rectus femoris.
E) Vastus lateralis.
Correct Answer: C) Ventrogluteal.
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is generally preferred for IM
injections in adults because it is deep and free of major nerves and
blood vessels, minimizing the risk of injury.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who is
prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect requires the nurse to monitor
renal function closely?
A) Hypoglycemia.
B) Weight gain.
C) Lactic acidosis.
D) Peripheral edema.
E) Headache.
Correct Answer: C) Lactic acidosis.
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but potentially fatal complication
of metformin, especially in clients with impaired renal function,
which can lead to metformin accumulation. Therefore, renal function
must be monitored.
Question 9
A nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for an ACE inhibitor
(e.g., lisinopril). Which common adverse effect should the nurse instruct the
client to report?
A) Constipation.
B) Dry, persistent cough.
C) Increased urination.
D) Numbness and tingling.
E) Blurred vision.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS/GRADE A+ ASSURED
Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer digoxin to an adult client. The client's
apical pulse is 52 beats/minute. What is the nurse's priority action?
A) Administer the digoxin as prescribed.
B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare provider.
C) Administer half the prescribed dose.
D) Document the apical pulse and administer the medication.
E) Recheck the apical pulse in 30 minutes.
Correct Answer: B) Hold the digoxin and notify the healthcare
provider.
Rationale: Digoxin can cause bradycardia. The nurse should hold the
medication and notify the healthcare provider if the apical pulse is
below 60 beats/minute in an adult, as administering it could further
dangerously lower the heart rate.
Question 2
A nurse is caring for a client with a history of heart failure who is prescribed
furosemide. Which laboratory value should the nurse monitor closely for
potential adverse effects of this medication?
A) Sodium.
B) Potassium.
C) Calcium.
D) Magnesium.
E) Phosphate.
Correct Answer: B) Potassium.
Rationale: Furosemide is a loop diuretic, which is known to cause
significant potassium loss (hypokalemia) due to its mechanism of
action in the renal tubules.
Question 3
A nurse is providing discharge teaching to a client who is taking warfarin.
,Which over-the-counter medication should the client be advised to avoid due
to an increased risk of bleeding?
A) Acetaminophen.
B) Ibuprofen.
C) Antacids.
D) Psyllium.
E) Vitamin C.
Correct Answer: B) Ibuprofen.
Rationale: NSAIDs like ibuprofen inhibit platelet aggregation and
can cause gastrointestinal irritation, significantly increasing the risk
of bleeding when taken concurrently with anticoagulants like
warfarin.
Question 4
A nurse is administering insulin subcutaneously to a client with diabetes
mellitus. The nurse understands that which injection site is associated with
the fastest absorption rate?
A) Deltoid muscle.
B) Dorsogluteal area.
C) Abdomen.
D) Thigh.
E) Buttocks.
Correct Answer: C) Abdomen.
Rationale: The abdomen generally has the fastest and most
consistent absorption rate for subcutaneous insulin injections due
to a good blood supply and less muscle interference.
Question 5
A nurse is caring for a client who is prescribed clozapine. Which severe
adverse effect requires immediate discontinuation of the medication and
monitoring?
A) Constipation.
,B) Sedation.
C) Agranulocytosis (e.g., fever, sore throat).
D) Weight gain.
E) Orthostatic hypotension.
Correct Answer: C) Agranulocytosis (e.g., fever, sore throat).
Rationale: Agranulocytosis (a severe drop in white blood cell count)
is a potentially fatal adverse effect of clozapine. Clients must have
regular blood monitoring, and symptoms like fever or sore throat
require immediate investigation and drug discontinuation.
Question 6
A nurse is educating a client about new prescription for sublingual
nitroglycerin for angina. Which instruction is essential for the nurse to
include?
A) Swallow the tablet whole with water.
B) Chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing.
C) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to dissolve.
D) Take the tablet only after pain has subsided.
E) Store the medication in a warm, moist environment.
Correct Answer: C) Place the tablet under the tongue and allow it to
dissolve.
Rationale: Sublingual nitroglycerin is designed to be rapidly
absorbed through the mucous membranes under the tongue for
quick relief of angina. Swallowing or chewing it would delay
absorption.
Question 7
A nurse is preparing to administer an intramuscular (IM) injection to an adult
client. Which site is generally considered the safest for IM injections due to
the absence of major nerves and blood vessels?
A) Deltoid.
B) Dorsogluteal.
, C) Ventrogluteal.
D) Rectus femoris.
E) Vastus lateralis.
Correct Answer: C) Ventrogluteal.
Rationale: The ventrogluteal site is generally preferred for IM
injections in adults because it is deep and free of major nerves and
blood vessels, minimizing the risk of injury.
Question 8
A nurse is caring for a client with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) who is
prescribed metformin. Which adverse effect requires the nurse to monitor
renal function closely?
A) Hypoglycemia.
B) Weight gain.
C) Lactic acidosis.
D) Peripheral edema.
E) Headache.
Correct Answer: C) Lactic acidosis.
Rationale: Lactic acidosis is a rare but potentially fatal complication
of metformin, especially in clients with impaired renal function,
which can lead to metformin accumulation. Therefore, renal function
must be monitored.
Question 9
A nurse is educating a client about a new prescription for an ACE inhibitor
(e.g., lisinopril). Which common adverse effect should the nurse instruct the
client to report?
A) Constipation.
B) Dry, persistent cough.
C) Increased urination.
D) Numbness and tingling.
E) Blurred vision.
